City Council calls for reversal of governor’s proposed PILOT cuts

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 4/30/15

The City Council is calling on state leaders to restore more than $1 million in “payment in lieu of taxes,” or PILOT, funding for Cranston that would be lost under Gov. Gina …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

City Council calls for reversal of governor’s proposed PILOT cuts

Posted

The City Council is calling on state leaders to restore more than $1 million in “payment in lieu of taxes,” or PILOT, funding for Cranston that would be lost under Gov. Gina Raimondo’s budget plan for the coming year.

“Every governor has done this, or tried to do this … I’m happy that we got bipartisan support,” Citywide Councilman Richard Santamaria said. “I applaud the council and the mayor’s office for supporting this important resolution.”

Ward 6 Councilman Michael Favicchio also applauded the bipartisan backing for the resolution, and said council members will make the city’s case to lawmakers.

A resolution, backed by all council members present at Monday’s meeting, asks the governor and General Assembly to allocate the approximately $1.1 million for Cranston in the state budget. Raimondo’s budget plan would reduce funding for the PILOT program – which compensates cities and towns for land owned by the state and non-profit groups, and thus not subject to property taxes – by $5 million.

The resolution cites the presence of numerous state facilities within the city and the “heavy burden” the community bears as a result, largely through additional strain on emergency services.

Mayor Allan Fung has been critical of Raimondo’s budget, citing the PILOT cut for Cranston and the impending loss of another roughly $1 million from the state following the city’s removal from the “distressed communities” list. He has pledged to work with the city’s legislative delegation in an effort to restore “as much funding as possible.”

The mayor this month unveiled $267.8 million city budget plan for the coming fiscal year that would increase the property tax levy by 2.1 percent. The budget is currently being reviewed during hearings of the council’s Finance Committee, with a meeting of the full council to vote on any amendments scheduled for May 6. Adoption of the coming year’s budget is scheduled for May 11.

Mixed-use development OK’d

An ordinance amending the city’s zoning to allow for a mixed-use development on Phenix Avenue received the council’s backing on Monday.

With virtually no public opposition, the paving of the way for the project marked a sharp turnaround from the controversy that has surrounded past development plans at the site.

The site, 950 Phenix Ave., is located near the intersection with Natick Avenue and just off Route 37. Most recently, it had been the target of plans for the 192-unit Lodges at Phenix Glen apartment complex. That project drew fierce opposition from neighbors, and was rejected by the council in 2013.

DelBonis Sand & Gravel Co and Bluedog Capital Partners filed the petition for the zoning change. It received approved from both the Planning Commission and Ordinance Committee before heading to the council.

Attorney John Mancini of Kelly & Mancini, P.C., represented the petitioners at the council meeting. He described the project as featuring multiple components, including storage units, retail and office space, and a unique car storage facility aimed at collectors that would be a first in Rhode Island.

Mancini said the project’s backers worked to address the concerns raised by neighbors in response to previous projects, and also within a smaller footprint that would result in no wetlands impact. He also said the traffic impact would be virtually nil. 

“This isn’t going to cost the city much,” he said, noting that the development would use septic, rather than sewer, service, and would not result in additional children enrolling in schools. “We think it will be a positive.”

Ward 6 Councilman Michael Favicchio, the lone vote against the zoning change, said he questioned whether the additional traffic from the site would in fact be negligible. He also lamented the site being used largely for storage.

“I think that there was a better use of the property than just a storage facility,” he said.

Ward 2 Councilman Donald Botts agreed that another kind of project would have been preferable, but said the site “has to be used for something.” Referencing the controversies that have surrounded the Lodges and other projects, he characterized it as a “most frustrating piece of land.”

Council President John Lanni said the land has been a “tinderbox when it comes to neighborhood opposition,” but noted that no such outcry accompanied the latest proposal.

“Let’s get this resolved,” he said.

Ward 3 Councilman Paul Archetto called the project a “win-win situation,” given that the valuation of the property – currently at approximately $280,000, according to Mancini – will increase markedly once the work is complete.

‘Bodyworks’ ordinance passes

The council has approved a measure designed to protect the city following Providence’s crackdown on illegal spas offering “body works services” as a front for prostitution.

Ward 2 Councilman Don Botts sponsored the ordinance, which amends the city’s regulations to require licensing of “body works” establishments and employees. It is modeled after a measure adopted in Providence last year. A statewide version of the proposal is currently under consideration.

Botts said he was worried that the businesses in question may look across municipal lines following the changes in the capital city.

“The concern was that if they can’t get their licenses in Providence, they’d go elsewhere,” he said.

Sidewalk reimbursements set

After adopting the framework for a cost-sharing sidewalk replacement plan, the council has set reimbursement rates for homeowners.

The measure, sponsored by Ward 1 Councilman Steve Stycos, sets the reimbursement rate for concrete sidewalks at $3 per square foot, and the rate for asphalt sidewalks at $2 per square foot. Low-income homeowners can receive increased reimbursement rates of $4 and $3, respectively, provided they qualify through the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) and receive a voucher.

Under the terms of the program, homeowners would hire a contractor and be responsible for the entire cost of the project up-front. Projects are subject to permitting.

The mayor’s budget plan for the coming fiscal year includes no funding for the sidewalk program, but Stycos – chairman of the finance committee – said he intends to propose an amendment that would direct some money for the initiative.

“I certainly hope we can find some funding,” he said.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here