Community Impact Review - Cranston, RI

Among the most comprehensive of the municipal impact review laws, this proposed ordinance in Cranston, Rhode Island, would apply to all development projects involving retail stores of 75,000 square feet or more. It stipulates that these projects must undergo an independent economic impact analysis. After reviewing the analysis and taking comment at a public hearing, city officials must determine whether the project would have an undue adverse impact on the local economy. If they find that it would, then they must reject it.

The proposed ordinance is modeled after Maine's Informed Growth Act, which was enacted in June 2007. Like the Maine law, the Cranston measure requires that the impact analysis evaluate the project's likely effect on existing businesses, retail vacancy rates, jobs, wages and benefits, and public services.

Councilor Anthony J. Lupino introduced the ordinance and said he was inspired to do so by the widespread public opposition to a big-box development proposed for a 55-acre site on New London Avenue. The project is slated to include a Home Depot, BJ's Wholesale Club, and several other chains. But it faces multiple hurdles. The city must rezone the site for the project to move forward and agree to sell the developer a publicly owned baseball field.

A grassroots group, Save Cranston's Open Space, has been working to stop the project. Some 200 people came to a Planning Commission meeting to voice their opposition. The developer has temporarily withdrawn the proposal and plans to return with a scaled-down version in August 2007.

Should the ordinance pass, it will apply to all projects that have not yet received a building permit.

Rhode Island's third largest city, Cranston is home to about 80,000 people and is located just south of Providence.

More:

• City of Cranston, RI web site