At the end of a long agenda the commission heard a pre‑application briefing for a proposed four‑story mixed‑use building at 1681 Cranston Street.

Julie Bartlett, an architect with ZDS, said the concept merges six lots, proposes ground-floor retail with 30 residential units above, and will request height and parking relief (she estimated 54 spaces proposed vs. 84 required). Commissioners raised concerns about parking adequacy, density and the absence of an affordable-housing component that commonly accompanies large density increases; staff and commissioners also noted utility and pavement-moratorium implications for any street work along recently improved sidewalks.

On separate zoning-board referrals, planning staff recommended a negative recommendation on an LED sign at 580 Reservoir Ave because no site plan had been provided and because of concerns about digital visual clutter. The commission voted 8–1 to send a negative recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review, while noting enforcement was a citywide issue better handled by a council ordinance. The commission also voted a negative recommendation on a proposed two‑family dwelling on a newly subdivided Narragansett Boulevard lot (6,042 sq ft where 8,000 sq ft is required), citing neighborhood character and an increase in local density beyond the surrounding area.

Action items: Applicants for 1681 Cranston Street were advised to prepare a complete submission including site plans, clarify parking strategy and address pavement/utility constraints. The LED sign applicant was sent a negative recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review; council members representing the area signaled support for the business but local planning recommended denial pending a complete application.