At tonight’s Committee on Ordinances meeting chaired by Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) the Committee voted to schedule several public hearings in the coming weeks regarding matters important to the community and passed several matters which will be sent to the full Council for a vote.
“The spring is a busy legislative season for the Committee on Ordinances,” stated Chairwoman and Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council has been meeting remotely. These meetings are tremendously laborious for our staff so scheduling can be challenging. With that said, we have important work that needs to be done and we will move forward with virtual meetings and public hearings. There are several important matters that are before the Committee and I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring this slate of legislation back to the Council.”
One particularly important public hearing is related to a change to the City’s Zoning Ordinance that would eliminate Incinerator or Waste Facilities from being able to operate in the City of Providence.
Ryan continued, “I applaud Councilman Espinal for working to bring this matter to our Committee. Recently, there was a proposal for a Waste Transfer Station near the Port of Providence that would have adversely affected his community. While I am a proponent of creating industry in our City, the quality of life and the wellbeing of our residents need to be at the forefront of every decision we make.”
The Committee has scheduled public hearings for the following matters:
- Item #28680: Incinerator/Waste Facility Use Category
- Item #28681: Compassion and Cultivation Centers
- Item #29002: Zone Change for 1192 Westminster Street
- Item #25790: Zoning Amendment around Non-Conforming Sign Usage
The Committee also voted and recommended approval of the following matters to the full Council for a vote:
- Item #12482: Zoning Change for 12 Lenox Avenue
- Item #27140: Amendment to the Code of Ordinances allowing for use of skateboards in designated parks and in bike lanes or where bicycling is allowed
- Item #27186: Creation for Special Committee on Commemorative Works in the City
This matter was held for further study:
- Item #27940: Zoning Change for 193 Vinton Street
The Committee also voted to continue the several remaining matters indefinitely.
For more information and a complete listing of tonight’s Committee on Ordinances Docket, please visit the Open Meetings Portal.
If you missed tonight’s Committee Meeting, it can be viewed on the City Council’s YouTube Channel.