Cranston committee approves abandonment of Elmhurst Avenue parcel, subject to recorded easements

The Cranston Public Works Committee voted on Feb. 13 to approve a resolution to abandon a 6,500-square-foot portion of Elmhurst Avenue, a dead-end segment behind properties on Wayland and Atwood avenues. The committee’s approval was conditioned on the recording of easements to protect existing sewer infrastructure and future utility access.

Attorney Robert Murray, representing petitioner and abutting property owner Brian White, told the committee the parcel was the subject of an abandonment petition first filed in August and that the planning commission and public works staff had reviewed the request. “This matter is on your agenda relating to the abandonment of a portion of Elmhurst Avenue,” Murray said in his opening remarks in public comment.

The abandonment, if completed, will follow the city’s usual practice: when a road is abandoned the former right-of-way is split so each adjoining property takes half. Murray said the tax assessor valued the 6,500-square-foot parcel at $15,000; Mr. White will pay that amount, an administrative subdivision will be recorded, and…