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Coventry council transfers redevelopment rights for Johnson’s Pond to RDA, affirms public‑benefit requirement
Summary
Council voted to transfer redevelopment rights for Flat River Reservoir/Johnson’s Pond to the Coventry Redevelopment Agency so the RDA can prepare a redevelopment plan and pursue condemnation if needed; solicitor said public access and a public‑benefit determination are required and the town/RDA could choose whether to restrict access to Coventry residents only.
The Coventry Town Council voted on Nov. 12 to transfer redevelopment rights for the Flat River Reservoir (Johnson’s Pond) and associated dam structures to the Coventry Redevelopment Agency (RDA), a step town leaders said will allow the RDA to prepare a redevelopment plan and, if necessary, pursue condemnation to secure public use.
Solicitor Angel told the council the ordinance authorizing the transfer explicitly ties any condemnation to a finding of public benefit — which, in practice, means the town must provide public access, boat ramps and parking if it moves forward. Angel said that while public benefit is a legal requirement, the council or the RDA could politically decide whether access is limited to Coventry residents only.
“Public benefit is a critical component,” Angel said, and noted the transfer fits the redevelopment authority’s statutory purpose. Earl Lisonbee, chair of the RDA, confirmed two RDA members either live on or have property on Johnson’s Pond and said the agency intends to oversee development of a plan.
Council members pressed for clarification about resident‑only access; Solicitor Angel reiterated that access for the public is required under the law but that restrictions to town residents are a political decision separate from the legal public‑benefit requirement. The motion to transfer redevelopment rights passed by roll call.
Next steps: the RDA will develop a formal redevelopment plan and the council will later consider any specific terms for public access, permitting and infrastructure needed to support recreation on the pond and dam structures.
