Providence City Council changes zoning rules for Fane Tower proposal

November 20, 2018 10:00 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council voted 9 to 5 with one abstention Tuesday night, to change zoning rules to accommodate a massive luxury apartment tower. The change would raise the maximum building height on the site, which sits on former I-195 land, from 130 to 600 feet.

“So here’s an opportunity to grow the city’s tax base, and further stabilize our neighborhood taxes,” said councilor John Igliozzi.

Council President David Salvatore was the sole abstention. He says a committee should have taken a closer look at the plan before the Council took this vote.

“I think there are a lot of unanswered questions, and I was not going to attach my name to something that was not fully deliberated,” said Salvatore.

Union leaders are thrilled about the vote, saying the project could spur 1,000 construction jobs, and energize the city.

“This project is going to have such a big impact on the city, with the economic development, the tax base, bringing residents down, make it a vibrant city where people don’t leave the city after 5:00 at night,” said Construction Trades Council president Michael Sabitoni.

Opponents worry the skyscraper will hurt neighborhoods, and say bending zoning rules is a slippery slope.

“Whats the point of having a zoning ordinance if in fact anyone can do anything whenever and wherever they want?” said Sharon Steele, president of the Providence Jewelry District Association. “It says that Providence is available to the highest bidder. It means we are for sale.”

Mayor Elorza could veto the zoning change. Notably Tuesday night’s vote is one vote shy of the number of votes needed to override a potential veto. The Mayor says he’s open to the proposal, but has concerns that need to be addressed. The Fane Organization says they’re willing to talk with the Mayor.

“Progress is not made by those who always say no. It’s by those who say yes. And in this case, this is a project that merits a resounding yes,” said Dante Bellini, spokesperson for the Fane Organization.