Developer proposes condos for vacant Massasoit Avenue lot in East Providence

Seeks zoning change to build four, two-story structures

By Mike Rego
Posted 6/5/17

EAST PROVIDENCE — A South County developer is seeking to build condominiums on the long vacated site of the former B&B Tavern located on Massasoit Avenue.

According to documents submitted for …

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Developer proposes condos for vacant Massasoit Avenue lot in East Providence

Seeks zoning change to build four, two-story structures

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — A South County developer is seeking to build condominiums on the long vacated site of the former B&B Tavern located on Massasoit Avenue.

According to documents (see accompanying attachments) submitted for review by the City Council at its scheduled June 6 meeting, Bristol Waterfront Realty, LLC, based in North Kingstown, is seeking to have the lot, officially recognized as Map 305, Block 6, Parcel 1 and 24, be rezoned from its current Commercial-4 to Commercial-2.

The site consists of two parcels, vacant lots with frontage on Massasoit Avenue and Merrill Street.

According to Patrick Hanner, Senior Planner in the East Providence Planning Department, Bristol Waterfront Realty seeks to construct four, two-story condos at the 21,000-plus square foot location. Mr. Hanner said each of the units are proposed to have a garage and a single off-street parking space with landscaping installed along the perimeter of the site.

The current C-4 designation for the land prohibits the construction of multi-family units. Changing it to C-2 would allow the proposed development to go forward.

At its May 8 meeting, the city Planning Board voted 4-0 to recommend the Council approve the application, based in part because much of the adjacent neighborhood is already zoned C-2 and because the proposal fits within the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

In its decision, the Board, referring to the East Providence Comprehensive Plan, wrote, “Central East Providence Generalized Land Use shows this area as Mixed Use, which permits residential as single use. The opening statement of the Housing Element states that the city should ‘ensure a diversity of housing that provides residents with a range of detente, sage and affordable choices’…Also, this will provide an opportunity to increase the level of homeownership in the city.”

The Board did, however, note concerns expressed by Fire Department and Engineering Division officials, who questioned whether the construction as submitted would allow for “adequate access of emergency vehicles and that the development conforms to city standards.”

In a letter to the Council, East Providence Zoning Officer Edward Pimentel while noting the improvement to the property did point out, among other aspects, as proposed the development would need dimensional easements. In a similar correspondence, Fire Chief Oscar Elmasian wrote his department would need additional access to the front of the building to have it meet accepted standards. In yet another letter, City Engineer Erik Skadberg said his division reviewed the proposal and “does not find it objectionable,” but still requested another review of the plan take place prior to construction.

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