Planning commission approves preliminary plan to convert former mill at 530 Wellington Ave. to self‑storage

The Cranston City Planning Commission approved the preliminary plan for major land development at 530 Wellington Avenue, permitting the conversion of most of an existing former mill building to a self‑storage facility with an accessory office, parking and landscaping.

Staff described the property as located in an M‑2 (general industrial) zone within a designated special redevelopment area. Staff noted surrounding land uses are primarily commercial and industrial, that some smaller on‑site structures will be demolished while the larger masonry building will remain, and that the site contains historic contamination that limits residential uses. The planner said the proposal was consistent with the zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan and that the redevelopment would reduce impervious area by roughly 2.7 percent and improve stormwater management.

The applicant team — represented by attorney Robert Murray, developer Michael Jobe and engineer Joseph Casale — said the project reuses the building, removes 18 of 21 previously identified underground storage tanks at the owner's expense, and proposes a treatment train for stormwater (bio‑retention, forebay, lined sand filter) to reduce runoff and improve water quality. Engineer Joseph Casale described expected reductions in runoff volume and peak flow, noting the project will better manage runoff that previously discharged directly to Fender Pond. Casale said, "with those different appurtenances ... you'll see how much cleaner that water will be because it'll be up to today's standards." He characterized the proposed infiltration and lined treatment devices as designed to prevent subsurface interaction with known contamination.

Staff recommended preliminary plan approval with conditions. The commission approved the motion to adopt staff's findings of fact and conditions. Recorded motions and votes at the meeting show the commission moved to approve the preliminary plan; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Conditions listed in the staff recommendation and accepted by the applicant include: final approvals from relevant state and local agencies (including design review and approvals from Providence Water Supply Board, the City of Cranston Department of Public Works for proposed water service, and Veolia Water for proposed sewer service); reconstruction of curbs and sidewalks along Wellington Avenue and Clarence Street to Department of Public Works standards; a written assessment of the fire hydrants at the south end of the property with removal of beyond‑repair hydrants by the applicant; and provision of an ADA‑compliant curb ramp aligned with the northern curb cut (staff flagged an existing ADA ramp alignment issue during technical review). The applicant said those conditions were acceptable and requested any final plan approval be conditioned upon satisfying utility approvals.

The applicant also told the commission the site currently has a 12‑inch water main adjacent and that water and sewer connections are in active coordination with Providence Water and Veolia. The applicant requested final plan approval be delegated to the administrative officer once the listed conditions and agency approvals are satisfied.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve preliminary plan for 530 Wellington Avenue with staff findings and conditions — motion made, seconded, passed by voice vote.

Next steps: The applicant will pursue final utility approvals and provide the written fire hydrant assessment; staff and applicant indicated final plan could be delegated to the administrative officer once conditions are satisfied.