By THOMAS GREENBERG It's early in the process - very early, Council President Michael Farina stresses - but Cumberland Farms is back with a proposal for a store at the corner of Park and Warwick Avenues. It's basically the same location where the gas
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It’s early in the process – very early, Council President Michael Farina stresses – but Cumberland Farms is back with a proposal for a store at the corner of Park and Warwick Avenues. It’s basically the same location where the gas station/convenience store chain tried to expand into two years ago, but was shot down by the City Council due to issues raised by the planning department in regards to the location, specifically in regards to curb cuts.
According to Peter LaPolla, Director of Planning, the planning commission voted on the plan then, but “there weren’t sufficient votes to recommend to deny the plan or enough to favor it,” which the council took into account at the time.
Now, Council President Michael Farina, Council Vice President Michael Favicchio and Councilmen Trent Colford and Christopher Paplauskas are the sponsors of an ordinance to amend the comprehensive plan.
“The big reason it didn’t pass last time is because planning didn’t like some of the curb cuts,” Farina said. “It’s my understanding that Cumberland Farms has a different idea now of what they want to do on the site.”
Now that they’ve made changes to their plan, Farina says, “let’s talk.”
Councilman Favicchio is also interested in considering the revised proposal, which will be further discussed by the ordinance committee on December 7.
“I’m curious,” he said. “I think they’re trying make it more neighborhood-friendly and they’ve made an effort in that regard.”
Favicchio pointed out that the property hasn’t changed in the past two years and problems still remain, most notably traffic and density on the intersection.
“Traffic is always a concern and we’d need to see the traffic studies,” he said, which Farina also mentioned. “It’s an extensive change in the design of the properties that are there because it would take out three buildings. The entire corner would be much different. It’s a difficult corner.”
For planning director LaPolla, “it’s an issue” to put in the gas station as the intersection is currently constructed, but there are ways to make it work.
“There is a request to amend the comprehensive plan for a couple parcels of land and a request for a re-zone of a couple parcels,” he said. “But when you change a zone, you really have to look at the different capabilities each zone has…We haven’t done the analysis yet, but we’ll sit down and assemble the data.”
It will take a lot of planning and assessing of the situation before the council votes on any plan for a new Cumberland Farms to be put in. But it’s certainly realistic for this attempt by the gas station to come to fruition at the corners of Park and Warwick Avenues.
“Is it better to have business development?” Council President Farina said. “Sure. But at the cost of the neighborhood? No.”
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GaroTashian
I agree the location is an eye sore but killing 4 small businesses is not a good solution.
Mayor Fung has recently stated how his parents came to this country 50 years ago with hopes and beliefs in the American dream, building this Cumberland Farms would destroy that hope for 4 immigrant families, if not more, who own small businesses within .5 mile of this location.
No one can compete with a 16.5 billion dollar a year company. CF will monopolize the gas station and convenient store industry within this area, forcing many to shut their doors for good.
I encourage change in the location but something that will not be this detrimental to so many. Before supporting CF, think deeply into whether you believe it is right to take this American dream away from hard working, tax paying Cranstonians. These people have been year for 20+ years.
Friday, November 3, 2017 Report this
It was great to have held off the big development a few years ago - but it sure is run down - what else can be done now to improve the area OTHER THAN bringing in Cumberland Farms which is destroying the small fuller-er serve gas stations...This can't be the only solution....what a nice opportunity to create a little boutique area at this corner.
Friday, November 10, 2017 Report this