Planning commission issues mixed recommendations on zoning and land‑use proposals; Caraway rezoning receives negative recommendation

At its meeting the Cranston City Planning Commission considered multiple zoning and land‑use items and issued a set of recommendations to the zoning board or city council. The most contentious item was the proposed rezoning of a parcel at the terminus of Caraway Drive in the Alpine Estates neighborhood; the commission voted unanimously to forward a negative recommendation on the Caraway Drive rezoning to the City Council.

Caraway Drive rezoning (A80 → A20) Staff said the application had been submitted to the planning department before adoption of the 2024 comprehensive plan and that the staff analysis used the older plan in effect when the application was initially filed. The applicant’s attorney, Enrico Sconggio, and witnesses said the requested rezoning would make the parcel consistent with surrounding Alpine Estates lots and with prior comprehensive‑plan guidance. Dozens of residents spoke in opposition at the meeting and on Zoom,…