City Council Approves Text Changes to the Zoning Ordinance Including Language to Limit Short-Term Rentals in Some Residential Neighborhoods

by Billy Kepner | May 23, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5

Tonight, the City Council passed for the final time the Committee on Ordinances’ recommendation for text changes to the zoning ordinance that will work to limit short-term rental units in the City of Providence.

“This text change preserves the quality of life in our residential neighborhoods,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) and Chairwoman of the Committee on Ordinances. “It will help protect the much needed housing stock in the city of Providence, and this minor change to the zoning ordinance will put limitations on short-term housing rentals in only residentially zoned neighborhoods. With a decrease in housing stock due to short-term rentals, our residents are finding it harder and harder to find an affordable home. These short-term rental units being off the residential rental market are increasing the cost of other rental units, and we need to consider the needs of all our residents.”

With the growth of company’s like Airbnb city’s like Providence have found themselves at a crossroads. How do we protect our neighborhoods, our shortage of housing stock, and also embrace investment opportunities for our residents? The Council believes that by making these slight text changes to the zoning ordinance in residential neighborhoods we will achieve that end.

The text changes will require all short-term rental units to be in owner-occupied dwellings in residentially zoned neighborhoods, and owners will need to get a FREE permit from the City’s Department of Inspection and Standards yearly.

This decision came after much discussion and deliberation with community members and city planning officials.  The City Planning Department held a public hearing in 2018, and just this past May the Council’s Committee on Ordinances held a well attended public hearing on the matter.

This modest text change to the zoning ordinance will preserve housing stock, quality of life for our neighbors, and will continue to allow investment opportunities for residents.

Statement from Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan

by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5

Tonight, the Committee on Ordinances recommended for first passage a change to the zoning ordinance that will work to preserve the quality of life in our residential neighborhoods and will help protect the much-needed housing stock in the city of Providence. The minor change to the zoning ordinance will put limitations on short-term housing rentals in residential zoned neighborhoods.

With the growth of company’s like Airbnb, we have found ourselves, as many other cities have, at a crossroads. How do we protect our neighborhoods, our shortage of housing stock, and also embrace investment opportunities for our residents?

We believe that by making these slight changes to the zoning codes in residential neighborhoods we will achieve that end. After the second and final passage of this ordinance in June, short-term rental properties in residentially zoned neighborhoods will need to be permitted and will also need to be owner-occupied.

This decision came after much discussion and deliberation with community members and city planning officials. We believe that this change will preserve housing stock, quality of life for our neighbors, and will continue to allow investment opportunities for residents.

–Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Chairwoman, Committee on Ordinances

Majority Leader Ryan Announces Pleasant Valley Stream Stormwater Water Management Project

by Billy Kepner | May 14, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5

Today, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) announced that the construction phase of the Pleasant Valley Stream – Stormwater Management Project will begin as early as this week.

The project is the first to use tree filtration systems to clean stormwater and groundwater runoff in the City of Providence. Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan joins with partners including the Providence Parks Department, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), GROUNDWORK Rhode Island, and the Friends of the Pleasant Valley Parkway in bringing this project to fruition. The project first began in 2016 through community discussions and with neighborhood surveys.

“Stormwater mitigation is important to the ecosystem of the Pleasant Valley Parkway and stream,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Ward 5 Councilwoman. “As a resident of the Parkway, I know first-hand the challenges that flooding has caused residents living in this corridor. And because the Pleasant Valley Parkway is the largest section of the Woonasquatucket River that makes ground in a residential neighborhood, we must ensure that the area’s stormwater runoff is cleared of contaminants and pollutants. This is not only good for the environment but also benefits the Narragansett Bay cleaning effort. This is yet another step towards making Providence a greener and more sustainable City.”

Since 2016 there has been robust community outreach and engagement to the residents along this corridor. Partners have conducted programming, and have helped neighbors by retrofitting their homes with rain barrels, permeable pavers, and rain gardens. This project does not only include the installation of tree filters, but it also includes other plantings that are both aesthetically pleasing but help to clean and slow the runoff that is caused by heavy rains. These systems that are being installed are designed to purify stormwater runoff, and will work towards keeping one of Rhode Island’s most precious resources clean of pollution and contaminants. In addition to this structural project educational signage, and pet waste collection stations will be installed throughout the Pleasant Valley Parkway.

The city received grant funding from RIDOT and the DEM for this project back in 2016 and has recently received final design approval moving the project forward. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of August of this year.

About Tree Filtration Systems:

Tree filter systems integrate common street trees with stormwater collection to achieve a viable and sustainable alternative to a traditional “end of pipe” system, while still meeting stormwater management and remediation goals. Tree filter systems utilize the principal of “bioretention” – the natural process by which chemicals and sediments are removed from stormwater runoff prior to subsurface infiltration.

Leader Ryan’s Plastic Bag Reduction Act Passes Full Council

by Billy Kepner | Apr 23, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5

Tonight the Providence City Council passed the Retail Plastic Bag Reduction Act which will now be sent to Mayor Jorge O. Elorza for his signature.

“I started working on this legislative initiative as a freshman Councilwoman, and that it receives its final passage today of all days is serendipitous,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Councilwoman – Ward Five. “Tonight’s meeting falling on Earth Day was not planned by the Council, but it seems very fitting that today we celebrate the Earth and renew our dedication to the fight for its care in our own way with the passage of this legislation.”

Ryan continued, “This is not a silver bullet, but it is a big first-step in making Providence a cleaner and greener city for all to enjoy. We have some big hurdles ahead of us, including the projected closure of the Johnston Landfill in 15-years and the projected closing of the Tiverton Landfill on November 30, 2020. This is a tipping point for us as a city and a state. I urge my colleagues in the General Assembly to work to mitigate the issues surrounding single-use plastics so that we can address these issues head-on. Plastics not only pollute or waterways and our natural areas, but there are several studies that show that plastics can lead to serious health issues. The time is now for us to act. Happy Earth Day!”

About the Ordinance:

The ordinance requires that the City present a comprehensive implementation plan within 60 days of passage, along with quarterly progress reports from the City‘s Director of the Office of Sustainability, and will involve a host of community partners to help with education, outreach and implementation.

The legislation calls upon the City to work with its partners such as the Providence School Department, Providence Community Library, Providence Libraries, community organizations, business stakeholders, its waste hauler, vendors and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation among others as part of a comprehensive education, outreach and implementation plan.

It becomes effective six-month after final passage. During this time, the City’s Office of Sustainability will work to educate residents and business owners on the plastic checkout bag reduction plan. This period will also allow businesses to use their remaining stock of plastic checkout bags.

Highlights of the Ordinance:

• All checkout bags must be designed for multiple reuse or be paper. If the checkout bag is plastic, it must be made from 100% recycled plastic. Paper bags must be 100% recyclable and made from at least 40% recycled paper.
• It exempts certain types of plastic bags such as dry cleaning or laundry bags, bags used to wrap or contain frozen foods or prevent or contain moisture, etc.
• It gives six-months from passage for businesses to become compliant allowing time for education/outreach and for retailers to use existing stock.
• It provides an exemption for retailers who may have a hardship determined by the Director of the Office of Sustainability. And provides a warning prior to any fine for non-compliant retailers.

Some facts on the environmental impacts of plastic checkout bags:

• Plastic checkout bags are used for a very short time but live for about one thousand years.
• Plastic checkout bag production produces over 2.5 thousand metric tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide) annually and contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
• Plastic checkout bags end up in the ocean, breaking down into smaller pieces called microplastics, Clean Water Action found a high concentration of these microplastics in the Bay. Microplastic particles from plastic bags pose threats to human health and to the local economy by exposing our food sources to synthetic materials and toxins.
• It is estimated that over 95 million plastic checkout bags are used annually in Providence.
• Plastic checkout bags account for roughly 60 tons of garbage.
• Plastic checkout bags are NOT recyclable in our single stream RIRRC’s recycling facility.
• Plastic checkout bags are the cause of contamination of our recycling bins and compromise our recycling program.

Majority Leader Ryan’s Plastic Bag Reduction Act Has First Passage

by Billy Kepner | Apr 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5

Tonight the Providence City Council passed the Retail Plastic Bag Reduction Act for the first time. The bill, as required by the City Charter, needs a second passage before it can become law.

The ordinance will reduce the number of plastic checkout bags distributed by retailers. It is the result of a two-year legislative initiative lead by Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) to address this significant environmental and economic issue facing the City.

Ryan said, “Today is a big first-step in making Providence a cleaner and greener city for all to enjoy. I am proud of my council colleagues for supporting this legislation.  It sends a message that we are good stewards of our environment and that we are committed to preserving and protecting our natural resources.”

Ryan, the lead sponsor of the ordinance, has visited every corner of the city: toured the RI Resource Recovery facility; met with various environmental groups including Clean Water Action, the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee, Zero Waste Providence; and engaged area business leaders, community stakeholders and colleagues in government. She also testified before the RI Senate in support of similar state legislation.

The ordinance requires that the City present a comprehensive implementation plan within 60 days of passage, along with quarterly progress reports from the City‘s Director of the Office of Sustainability, and will involve a host of community partners to help with education, outreach and implementation.

The legislation calls upon the City to work with its partners such as the Providence School Department, Providence Community Library, Providence Libraries, community organizations, business stakeholders, its waste hauler, vendors and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation among others as part of a comprehensive education, outreach and implementation plan.

It becomes effective six-month after final passage. During this time, the City’s Office of Sustainability will work to educate residents and business owners on the plastic checkout bag reduction plan. This period will also allow businesses to use their remaining stock of plastic checkout bags.

Ryan continued, “The production, use, and disposal of plastic checkout bags have significant adverse impacts on the environment and are a serious economic burden to the City’s solid waste disposal and single-stream recycling systems. Reducing plastic checkout bags will help to curb litter on our streets and waterways, protect the marine environment, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The economic reasons are also significant. The data clearly shows that the City will save at least $1 million each year by removing this common contaminant to our recycling system. This initiative will remove, on an annual basis, an estimated 95 million plastic checkout bags from the landfill.”

Highlights of the ordinance:

• All checkout bags must be designed for multiple reuse or be paper.  If the checkout bag is plastic, it must be made from 100% recycled plastic. Paper bags must be 100% recyclable and made from at least 40% recycled paper.
• It exempts certain types of plastic bags such as dry cleaning or laundry bags, bags used to wrap or contain frozen foods or prevent or contain moisture, etc.
• It gives six-months from passage for businesses to become compliant allowing time for education/outreach and for retailers to use existing stock.
• It provides an exemption for retailers who may have a hardship determined by the Director of the Office of Sustainability. And provides a warning prior to any fine for non-compliant retailers.

Some facts on the environmental impacts of plastic checkout bags:

• Plastic checkout bags are used for a very short time but live for about one thousand years.
• Plastic checkout bag production produces over 2.5 thousand metric tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide) annually and contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
• Plastic checkout bags end up in the ocean, breaking down into smaller pieces called microplastics, Clean Water Action found a high concentration of these microplastics in the Bay.  Microplastic particles from plastic bags pose threats to human health and to the local economy by exposing our food sources to synthetic materials and toxins.
• It is estimated that over 95 million plastic checkout bags are used annually in Providence.
• Plastic checkout bags account for roughly 60 tons of garbage.
• Plastic checkout bags are NOT recyclable in our single stream RIRRC’s recycling facility.
• Plastic checkout bags are the cause of contamination of our recycling bins and compromise our recycling program.