While this project has been discussed since early last year, there still exist many assumptions and myths about the nature of the project and the LMIH goals used as justification.
We are setting the record straight.
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This is second in a series of articles regarding the proposed construction of a corporate owned $14.5million, multi-unit, rental apartment complex at the Sowams Nursery on Sowams Road. While this project has been discussed since early last year, there still exist many assumptions and myths about the nature of the project and the LMIH goals used as justification.
We are setting the record straight.
Myth #2
The Sowams Nursery is a good location for a $14.5 million Corporate owned multi-unit apartment rental complex because it is supported by compatible infrastructure.- Fact: The Division of Planning, Rhode Island Department of Administration produced the “Rhode Island Five Year Strategic Housing Plan: 2006-2010” in June, 2006. The goal of the guidelines was to “stimulate compact development, increase the supply of affordable housing, and preserve scarce resources and land”. At Appendix D (page 116 of PDF), the plan provides Guidelines for both "Siting” and “Density” of projects.
- Guidelines for Siting Affordable Housing include the following
- Proper Site Planning can decrease auto-dependency and congestion, while making each community more robust economically with a workforce supply near employers and commercial/business centers. (p. D-2, PDF page 117))
- Locate Affordable Housing Near Community Assets
- Locating affordable housing near community assets can decrease capital costs and improve the workforce/employment proximity by increasing density near existing business, commercial, and mixed-use zoning. Proper location of affordable housing can turn commercial/business zones into ‘new urbanism’ style growth centers with long term economic rewards (p. D-2, PDF page 117)
- Discourage Housing Development Sites with Constraints
- Poor topography and critical environmental areas (i.e. floodplains, wetlands) (p. D3, PDF page 118)
- The guidelines conclude with the following:
- All development should take into account infrastructure availability, soil type and land capacity, environmental protection, water supply protection, agricultural and open space, historical preservation, and community development pattern constraints. Higher density must also take into consideration adjacent land uses, soil quality, availability of water and the density of the overall watershed. Actual density will depend on the specific site location (p. D-4, PDF page 119)
- The proposed Sowams Nursery Project stands in opposition to almost every standard for siting and density established in the Five year Plan. Nowhere in any plan or study or statute that we have been able to discover has there been a mention of the appropriateness of a high density development being placed in the center of an already dense residential community far removed from supporting infrastructure which is accessible only by car.
Check out even more Myths vs Facts on our website! And be sure to check your Barrington Times paper this Wednesday for a special flyer.
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