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Planning board approves ordinance limiting commercial vehicles and outdoor storage in residential zones
Summary
The board voted 6‑0 on March 11 to forward and approve ordinance amendments that consolidate rules on outdoor storage and set new limits for commercial vehicle weight and screening of substantial equipment (trailers, containers, donation boxes); staff will tidy formatting and definitions before town council review.
On March 11 the North Providence Planning Board approved a package of zoning ordinance amendments that consolidate and clarify the town’s rules on outside storage, large trailers and commercial vehicles in residential zoning districts.
Key changes approved by the board included consolidating several existing sections into a single provision addressing "substantial equipment" (trailers, dumpsters, storage containers, large landscape trailers and donation boxes), clarifying setback and screening requirements and lowering the vehicle‑weight threshold that can park in residential zones (the proposed text discussed a threshold change from 9,500 pounds to 8,000 pounds at the mayor’s request). The proposed ordinance also provides an exemption for small non‑trailered nonpowered boats and kayaks under a specified footprint and includes language intended to limit prolonged placement of large equipment on residential lots without screening or a permit.
Board members extensively reviewed draft language and formatting; the meeting record shows several editorial and formatting changes were required (consistent numbering, day vs month notation and list formatting) and the solicitor/board counsel agreed to produce a cleaned, ordinance‑style version. After confirming edits and grammatical changes would be made, a board member moved to approve the ordinance amendments as edited. The motion passed unanimously (6‑0).
Board members said the change aims to reduce commercial activity spilling into residential neighborhoods (dumpster business operations and commercial storage cited in the packet) and to provide more objective criteria for enforcement on vehicle types and outdoor equipment. The board asked staff to refine the final ordinance wording (formatting, consistent use of the term “substantial” for the defined equipment category and consistent time‑period language) before formal transmittal to the town council.
What passed
- Consolidation of several sections addressing outside storage into a single, clarified set of rules. - Defined and restricted "substantial equipment" (trailers, containers, large landscape equipment, donation boxes) and established setback/screening and time‑limit provisions. - Change in the commercial vehicle weight threshold discussed (mayor requested 8,000 lb threshold; the board accepted the proposed amendment and asked staff to check registry impacts).
The board voted 6‑0 to approve the ordinance edits as amended on the record; staff will finalize formatting and publish the corrected ordinance text for the council.
