City Council uncertain about proposed high-rise
Council members have final say on possible zoning change
PROVIDENCE — Members of the City Council are largely undecided about whether they will approve a zoning change required for the development of a proposed high-rise tower on Dyer Street.
Before Jason Fane, a New York-based developer, can proceed with the $250-million project, the City Council must change the zoning of the parcel where the 46-story tower would be built to allow building heights of up to 600 feet. Building heights on the lot, known as Parcel 42, are restricted to 100 feet.
“It’s an architectural departure from anything we’ve seen in our skyline,” said Ward 10 Councilman Luis Aponte.
Aponte said he is approaching the project with an open mind and sees both pros and cons.
While the millions of dollars in investment and temporary construction jobs that would come along with the development are appealing, he said he’s concerned about the tower’s height, how it would fit in with its surroundings and its position on the former Route 195 land.
The City Plan Commission, whose role is to advise the council, voted not to recommend the zoning change on Tuesday.
Fane has until Oct. 18 to secure the zoning change, according to Brian Hodge, spokesman for the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.
Ward 11 Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris said she hopes to host a public forum to hear more from her constituents on the project.
“In growth, we have to make sure that we’re bringing everyone along, I believe,” she said.
Other council members said they were leaning against approving the zoning change.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune said the majority of her constituents do not favor the project and are more concerned with other priorities, such as affordable housing.
In Ward 1, where the tower would be located, Councilman Seth Yurdin said his constituents are also largely opposed.
Yurdin said he disagreed with the idea of allowing a single project to break with zoning rules and circumvent the city comprehensive plan that was carefully crafted with planning goals for the city in mind.
“This is simply spot zoning,” he said.
But a few council members said they favored the project and embraced its modernist design that some city residents have said clashes with the rest of the cityscape.
“We’ve got to learn how to accept something different for a change,” said Ward 8 Councilman Wilbur Jennings. “I favor it, and I’m hoping that the majority of the city will favor it because I think it beautifies, it uplifts the city as a whole.”
Ward 6 Councilman Michael Correia said he thought the tower would make a positive addition to the skyline and create construction jobs.
The City Council Committee on Ordinances will consider the zoning change next and make its own recommendation before the council takes a vote.
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