Council delays Elmhurst Avenue abandonment amid easement and valuation concerns

The Cranston City Council voted on Feb. 24 to continue consideration for 30 days of a resolution to abandon a roughly 6,500‑square‑foot parcel at the dead end of Elmhurst Avenue.

The petition, advanced by property owner Brian D. White and recommended by the Public Works Committee, would declare the parcel no longer needed for highway purposes, set compensation and require an administrative subdivision and easement language before title transfer. Robert Murray, representing the petitioner, told the council the city’s standard procedures would be followed.

Several council members said they were not satisfied with the documentation provided in committee. Councilwoman Graziano pressed that the city’s Department of Public Works must be able to locate or record any sewer easement and that the proposed $15,000 compensation needed documentary support from the assessor’s office rather than only the applicant’s materials. She urged a continuance to allow staff to confirm easement language and any city‑incurred costs to document it.

Council members voted to continue the resolution 8–1. Councilman Andujar cast the only “no” vote in the roll call. The public record includes a May 3, 2024 deputy assessor memo referenced during discussion that concluded the value at $15,000; council members asked that supporting documents be filed with the clerk before the next hearing.

Council members and staff agreed a 30‑day continuance would allow inspections of recorded easements, review of assessor documentation and a clearer accounting of any costs the city might incur to create or document easements prior to transferring title.