Green Party of Rhode Island
http://www.greens.org/ri/
Green Party of Rhode Island Responds to
Proposed 2020 Vision for Providence: Eight Steps for Responsible
Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 26, 2005
Contact:
Jeff Toste - Co-Chair, GPRI - (401) 455-1775
Cynthia Rose - Co-Chair, GPRI (401) 996-2044
PROVIDENCE: The Green Party of Rhode Island (GPRI)
today responded to the much-talked about plans for future development
and zoning changes in Providence with a eight steps for responsible
development. "Vision for Providence 2020" is being developed
by Sasaki Associates, a Boston architectural and urban design firm,
and was commissioned by Mayor David N. Cicilline of Providence.
1) Traffic studies
2) Affordable housing
3) Environmental Zoning
4) Waterfront Zoning
5) Maintain character and aesthetic
6) Proper Federal Hill zoning
7) Responsible Highways
8) Zoning vote
1) Traffic studies: How can we plan a responsible
"framework" for our city, if we don't know how development
will affect traffic and our community's mobility? A responsible vision
means responsible planning with traffic studies before ALL
development.
2) Affordable housing: Any and all development
must not displace the working people of the community. Inclutionary
zoning addresses this potential problem. A percentage of the
development and/or a percentage of money spent in development are
invested into creating affordable housing. This insures a diverse
community and minimizes displacement.
3) Environmental Zoning: A responsible vision for
Providence must be responsible to our environment. As Inclutionary
zoning mandates affordable housing, "Environmental Zoning"
could mandate a percentage of development and or percentage of money
spent by a developer invested into greenspace and "Green"
buildings. Building design that includes use of recycled materials,
use of renewable energy such as solar panels, improved insulation and
various other standards to insure our future health and well being.
4) Waterfront Zoning: As the capital of the Ocean
State, situated at the head of the Narragansett Bay, Providence should
do all in its power to facilitate public access to and use of its
waterfront. Waterfront attractions are important -- and that means
more than narrow linear access and walkways. Boating and fishing,
which are rarely seen today, should be the norm, as they are in other
cities that have such expansive waterfronts.
5) Maintain character and aesthetic: One of the
most appealing and attractive aspects of Providence is its history:
clearly exemplified it the design of its architecture. Future
development must not be out of character and scale, so as not to ruin
what makes Providence unlike any other destination.
6) Proper Federal Hill zoning: One of THE best
known tourism destinations of Rhode Island. In order to keep in
character and scale, which is one of the essential aspects of what
attracts people to Federal Hill's old-world stores and restaurants, is
to not allow development above a reasonable height. For example, a
maximum height of 45 feet would seem an appropriate scale.
7) Responsible Highways: The roadways that bring
people to our community not only add or detract from its aesthetic
appeal, but also effect its economic development. We must insure that
in addition to preventing any out of scale highway or roadway
"improvements," we must also not isolate poorer communities
from the benefits of future development.
8) Zoning vote: At the heart of all the discussion
regarding our city future, are the zoning laws that will be changed to
match the proposed "vision." Once these laws are changed, so
changes the character of our state. Members of the communities
affected should have the opportunity to put any proposed zoning law
changes to a vote.
