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Residents press council over mulch piles and post‑fire safety; owner says operation holds DEM permit
Summary
Neighbors described ongoing safety concerns after a year‑old fire at Lawn Beauticians; owner David Moyo said the business has a DEM composting permit and is in compliance, while the city said inspections found no current violations and asked to be notified if conditions change.
Several Cranston residents raised public‑safety concerns on Nov. 17 about mulch and compost piles at a longtime local landscaping business that suffered a fire roughly a year earlier, prompting a council update and assurances from city inspectors.
Carol Cooney of Eva Lane told the council she remains concerned about the height of piles and their distance from the tree line after the fire and offered photos for the record. "...the safety issue is still present," she said, asking whether an ordinance could require a safe distance from tree lines.
Owner David Moyo, who identified himself as representing Lawn Beauticians (DBA New England Mulching), said the operation holds a Rhode Island DEM composting permit, described the mulch piles as roughly 10–12 feet — "as high as a loader goes" — and said the material near property lines is actually located in the middle of the lot. He told the council the site is grandfathered from pre‑1960 zoning and that the company rents space to other landscape firms.
Several council members, including Councilman Ritz and Councilwoman Graziano, voiced concern about pile height and asked for documentation. Councilwoman Graziano said aerial photos suggest the operation has expanded and asked zoning enforcement to verify compliance with DEM's windrow and safety requirements.
The city solicitor and administration reported that inspections have visited the site multiple times and that, at present, the operation is in compliance. The solicitor said administration officials will continue to monitor the site and report back if compliance changes. Owner Moyo also said he would try to reduce the size of mulch piles.
Next steps: Council members asked administration staff and zoning enforcement to continue monitoring and to report any changes; several members requested the DEM permit and related documentation be provided to the council for review.
