20 Unit Village Condominium Project On Planning Agenda
On the Charlestown Planning Commission’s May 26th meeting agenda are two major land developments – “Summer Winds” and “Village Walk” and other proposals, but Summer Winds and another subdivision appear to be requesting continuances to the June 23rd Planning Commission meeting. Village Walk will be on the May 26th meeting. This is a continuation of the discussion of Village Walk that took place April 28.
You can review all the materials submitted by the applicants and the agenda for the entire May 26th meeting at the Charlestown website. The meeting packet contains a memo from the Charlestown Zoning Department explaining variances that the applicant for Village Walk will need to request and a peer review report from an architect explaining ways the Village Walk buildings and layout could be modified to better fit into the village. You can also join the live Webex meeting on May 26th at 7 p.m. where these topics will be discussed.
“Village Walk”: 20 condominium units on 2 acres – corner of Old Post Road and Narrow Lane
This application is proposed under the provisions of the Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act. Proposed are 8 market rate units and 12 units reserved for those making up to 120% of the area median income (AMI). As of June, 2020, Rhode Island Housing would allow a maximum price of $325,000.00 for a two person household for the affordable units, although the applicant can charge less.
Links to learn more or to attend the meeting are at the top of this post.
Virginia Lee, the author of this post, was President of the Charlestown Town Council for the recent two terms that she served on the Council (2014 to 2020). She was the Town Council liaison to the Agricultural Commission, the Waste Water Management Commission, Coastal Pond Management Commission, Zoning Board of Review, Charlestown Potable Water Working Group, the Historical Society and the committee updating the Harbor Management Plan. She is a former member of South Kingstown’s Town Council, Zoning Board, and Conservation Commission. She is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the South Kingstown Land Trust and a former member of the Board of Directors of Save the Bay. She retired from the URI Coastal Resources Center in 2012. Virginia plans to write occasionally about the work of the Charlestown Planning Commission over the next year or so.
May 26, 2021 @ 8:07 pm
How can this be proposed when I couldn’t go outside the original footprint of an old fishing shack to renovate my home ? I thought the idea behind all the regulations for home buyers in Charlestown was to preserve the natural beauty and prevent commercialism and over crowding. Where are the 20 units of tenants supposed to throw their garbage? Are we now going to pay more taxes for services such as garbage collection? Having 20 units of tenants on a 2 acre parcel isn’t even fair to those tenants. Haven’t we learned any lessons about overcrowding from the pandemic? I think this proposal is ridiculous and just a way for some developer to make more money under a false pretense of community.
May 26, 2021 @ 5:41 pm
I thought we had a Town Comprehensive Plan and Zoning regulations (especially in the TVD) for a reason. If we are willing to throw out all the regulations and grant over 12 waivers and relief from all town fees, what is the point of having the regulations? This development is in stark contrast to the quaint, rural nature of the community and dead center of the TVD. Approval of this high-density housing project in this area would be a travesty!!! The developer needs to find a parcel that would fit his project and not squeeze 20 units on 2 acres where most residential zoning is single-family R40. Approval would only show concern for developer profits.
May 26, 2021 @ 6:09 am
This type of development is exactly what we should NOT be doing. The traffic on Narrow lane and Charlestown Beach Rd. will be worsened and the rural character and beauty jeopardized. I’m honestly surprised that this is being proposed, given the overwhelming demands ( reflected in the last survey) to stop the over development in this area. The survey reflected the wishes of the residents, and this type of development ignores that. Also, land use designations should be, in part, based on this community’s ability to provide additional infrastructure and services, again adding to more and more development in this area. Charlestown residents value the rural character and open space that is the essence of this community. I stand opposed to these projects.
May 26, 2021 @ 10:04 am
Development is proposed by developers or land owners not by the town. The town government has to review it, which appears to be what this process is.
May 25, 2021 @ 6:47 pm
20 units, how many more cars will this add to the existing congestion at the Narrow Lane – Old Post Road intersection? In my opinion, not a good idea!
May 25, 2021 @ 5:07 pm
There goes the rustic charm of Charlestown if this plan is approved. The roads will not support the type of traffic these projects will produce. Why not build them on the other side of Rte. 1 where there is a lot more land? Please give this great consideration for those who live in Charlestown year round.
May 25, 2021 @ 4:00 pm
I totally agree with Randy, Does Charlestown really want that kind of atmosphere.? Let’s spend the money on putting sidewalks in so people can walk their dogs without putting their life in danger, especially on Matunuck Schoolhouse Rd. And other streets,
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May 25, 2021 @ 2:56 pm
I really hope that this type of development is NOT approved. We will begin to look too much like suburbia instead of a quiet country town. Do we really want or need this kind of atmosphere?
May 25, 2021 @ 2:31 pm
Virginia, Many thanks for your knowledge, wisdom, and experience … it will all be greatly valued.