Planning board advances National Grid/Narragansett Electric parking expansion to public hearing

The Lincoln Planning Board on Jan. 28 voted to combine master and preliminary plan review and to schedule a public hearing for a proposal to expand parking and reconfigure several lots at the Narragansett Electric (National Grid) facility on George Washington Highway.

Planning staff described a major land‑development project that would reconfigure existing stalls and add roughly 193 parking spaces plus five accessible spaces across four lots (642, 644, 646 and 648 George Washington Highway). The work would include new perimeter fencing, two vehicle access gates, pedestrian gates, lighting, landscaping and stormwater management. Staff said the project area is about six acres within a total parcel assemblage of roughly 19-plus acres and that no increase in regular personnel or daily traffic is expected.

The project has an earlier freshwater wetlands permit (issued June 2025), but staff and the Technical Review Committee recommended additional actions before final approval: updating the DEM wetlands permit to reflect added work, obtaining a stormwater management permit from DEM, securing a RIDOT physical alteration permit for landscaping within the right of way, soil erosion and sediment control permits, and a remediation bond for a front lot where contamination was found. The TRC also asked for spot grading and other measures so the proposed stormwater work does not worsen runoff for neighboring properties.

An applicant representative said the 642 property has historically housed gas and electric operations and serves as the region’s storm‑response center. "It is the center for storm response out of the northern portion of the state," the representative said, explaining that the expansion is meant to improve circulation and create space for equipment storage while preserving operational access.

Board members asked about tree clearing, whether the project will expose the site to the road, and the proposed planting scheme. Staff and the applicant said a tree line and proposed trees along the frontage are intended to screen the lot from George Washington Highway; lighting will be directed inward and dimmed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and most lot lights will be motion‑activated to allow emergency activity to be illuminated as needed.

After discussion about outstanding permits and remediation steps, the board voted to combine the master and preliminary plan phases now and to move the matter to a public hearing at the next planning board meeting. The public hearing will allow additional public comment and give the board an opportunity to require any further changes or conditions prior to final approval.