Neighbors press Cranston leaders over year-old Lawn Beauticians fire and ongoing safety, zoning questions

At the Oct. 27 meeting, Drake Patton (684 Natick Ave.) raised renewed concerns about the Lawn Beauticians property that suffered a fire about one year earlier. Patton said an entire neighborhood was evacuated at the time and that, despite the incident and subsequent aerial review, the property owner has continued to accumulate piles of material — including one pile the commenter described as "at least four stories high." He said neighbors remain worried that the owner is operating outside permitted uses and that state-level permitting for composting or other activities may be required.

Patton told the council the matter had been discussed at a recent safety-services committee meeting and that committee instructions to place the matter on the Oct. 27 agenda had not resulted in formal action. He said he has provided aerial photography and other research to the city and asked the council to use its staff resources to confirm whether the property is grandfathered, whether local zoning permits the activity, and whether state permits for composting or similar operations are required.

"As a layperson, if I can do the research and send it to the city, I know the city can do a better job because they're not laypersons," Patton said, urging the council to protect residents and address the risk of another fire.

Council leadership recorded the comment; no formal action was taken on the floor during the meeting. Patton said he and neighbors want the city to take enforcement or permitting steps to resolve the situation.