The June meeting of the Planning Board ended in a 4-1 vote to direct Community Development Director Diane Williamson and the Town Solicitor to draft a decision approving the preliminary plan for the redevelopment of the Bristol Yarn Mill (formerly Robin Rug) into a mixed-use residential and commercial property. On Thursday, July 13, the Board met to take a final vote on the decision, which also passed 4-1, with Brian Clark the sole nay.

According to the final (preliminary approval) decision, there will be 127 residential units and 6,300 square feet of commercial space. The rehabilitation and reuse of the buildings will be in accordance with the guidelines of the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission and the Bristol Historic District Commission. None of the historic buildings are intended to be removed and no additions or significant modifications to the existing buildings are proposed.

The 8-page decision, accessible on the Town website under Community Development, lays out the conditions that resulted from many hours of discussion and community input. Two final amendments were made on Thursday night: that there will be no rooftop development or activities, and the required ADA-compliant parking will be in the underground garage. Unlike the other underground spaces, those spaces will be free of charge to residents, per ADA guidelines.

“The ball is in the developer’s court now,” said Williamson, when asked about a timeline for the next phase. “Once all the conditions outlined in the preliminary plan have been complied with and state approvals are in, the Board will meet for a final plan approval.”

Brady Sullivan Properties, the Yarn Mill developer, is planning on an April 2024 groundbreaking.