Cranston, RI Comprehensive Plan
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City of Cranston, RI Comprehensive Plan 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 GOALS AND POLICIES STATEMENT 7 LAND USE PLAN Introduction to the Land Use Plan Element 21 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 23 Current Conditions and Issues 30 Strategies and Actions 34 HOUSING Introduction to the Housing Plan Element 57 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 58 Current Conditions and Issues 63 Strategies and Actions 68 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Introduction to the Economic Development Plan Element 73 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 75 Current Conditions and Issues 79 Strategies and Actions 85 NATURAL RESOURCES Introduction to the Natural Resources Plan Element 93 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 94 Current Conditions and Issues 98 Strategies and Actions 107 HISTORIC PRESERVATION Introduction to the Historic Preservation Plan Element 113 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 114 Current Conditions and Issues 117 Strategies and Actions 120 Cranston 2010 Comprehensive Plan i SERVICES AND FACILITIES Introduction to the Services and Facilities Plan Element 125 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 126 Current Conditions and Issues 129 Strategies and Actions 136 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION Introduction to the Open Space and Recreation Plan Element 143 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 144 Current Conditions and Issues 148 Strategies and Actions 153 CIRCULATION Introduction to the Circulation Plan Element 159 Summary of Accomplishments of the 1992 Plan 160 Current Conditions and Issues 165 Strategies and Actions 168 IMPLEMENTATION 175 APPENDIX A. ZONING CONSISTENCY ANAYSIS APPENDIX B. PROVIDENCE WATER SUPPLY BOARD WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY APPENDIX C. KENT COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY SUPPLY SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cranston 2010 Comprehensive Plan ii LIST OF TABLES LAND USE PLAN Table 2-1 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 28 Table 2-2 Residential Land Use Classification and Recommended Zoning 43 Table 2-3 Sizes of Lot = or<5,000 Square Feet in A6 and B1 Zones 45 Table 2-4 Smart Growth – Green Development Actions 47 Table 2-5 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 52 HOUSING Table 3-1 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 63 Table 3-2 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 70 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Table 4-1 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 77 Table 4-2 Comparative Job Distributions 80 Table 4-3 comparative Profiles; Selected Areas in 2000 81 Table 4-4 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 89 NATURAL RESOURCES Table 5-1 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 97 Table 5-2 Inventory of Farms 104 Table 5-3 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 110 HISTORIC PRESERVATION Table 5A-1 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 116 Table 5A-2 Historic Assets on the National Register, March 2004 118 Table 5A-3 Properties Recommended for Local Districts 119 Table 5A-4 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 122 SERVICES AND FACILITIES Table 6-1 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 128 Table 6-2 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 139 Cranston 2010 Comprehensive Plan iii OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION Table 7-1 Primary Potential Open Space Areas in 1992 Plan 144 Table 7-2 Propose Access Areas of the 1992 Plan 144 Table 7-3 Recreation Sites That Need Additional Facilities 145 Table 7-4 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 146 Table 7-5 Designated Public ROW’s in Cranston (2004) 152 Table 7-6 Public Access Sites Designated by RI Sea Grant (2004) 152 Table 7-7 Proposed Access Areas of The 1992 Plan 152 Table7-8 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 156 CIRCULATION Table 8-1 Accomplishments of the 1992 Comprehensive Plan 162 Table 8-2 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 171 IMPLEMENTATION Table 9-1 Summary of Actions and Responsibilities for This Plan 176 LIST OF MAPS Map 2-1 1992 Comprehensive Plan – Future Land Use Map 30 Map 2-2 City of Cranston Zoning Map 33 Map 3-1 Housing Land Use 60 Map 5-1 Agricultural and Forestry Resources 99 Map 5-2 Water Features and Wetlands 100 Map 5-3 2008 FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map 101 Map 5-4 Farms 103 Map 5-5 Soils 105 Future Land Use Map Cranston 2010 Comprehensive Plan iv INTRODUCTION Introduction This Comprehensive Plan has been updated to guide future growth Demographics and change in Cranston. This Comprehensive Plan Update lays out the means and methods to create the best possible future for y The population of Cranston has grown 0.15 to 0.25% per year for the past eight years, while the number of households in western Cranston for the next five years and beyond. Cranston has grown approximately 2.3% per year, during the same Understanding how this City is built and populated, and where it is period. headed, helped formulate this Plan. The data collected helped y Cranston’s central census tracts contain nearly 2/3 of the City’s describe the City as it is today and the people who participated in the population and almost 3/4 of its households. outreach effort helped determine where the City should direct its y The change in population and number of households are expected future efforts and resources. to remain below 1% for eastern and central Cranston, but are expected to increase more than 2% for western Cranston. The City Administration, City Council, Planning Commission, and y The median family income for Cranston was $55,241 in 2000. Planning Department will take lead roles in many of the proposed actions. However, what will make this Plan viable is the participation y Household incomes in western Cranston are approximately 80% and commitment of Cranston residents. Strong community support higher than in central and eastern Cranston. for this Plan will turn the plans vision into a reality. Consider this Plan as an invitation to your participation in shaping Cranston’s future. Where is Cranston Now? Cranston has valuable assets and resources in its people, buildings and environment. The following summary statistics will help create a recent picture of the City. Land Use y There is an equal amount of land programmed for residential purposes as there is for institutional, commercial and industrial combined. y Public agencies (local, state, and federal governments) and non- profits (churches, schools, and private hospitals) use over 13% of the land in Cranston. y Over 11% of the land in Cranston is vacant and designated for residential uses. Cranston 2010 Comprehensive Plan - 1 - INTRODUCTION Retail Housing Facts y The Garden City Center is the largest retail center in Cranston. y Housing prices increased more than 3 times the average y Cranston’s retail businesses capture a substantial net inflow of annual % increase in personal income between 1998 and 2003. consumer spending by capturing dollars from people that live y Almost 38% of the housing units in Cranston are multifamily outside of the City. units, and 33% of all housing units are rental. y New development at Chapel View is expected to compete with y More than 55% of Cranston’s housing units were built before other high-end retailers in the Providence region. 1960. y The majority of new residential construction (71%) between 1993 and 2003 has been in western Cranston, and more than 99% of these were for single-family homes. What is working? Finances The City budget is back on track. The City has benefited from a surplus in recent years. Infrastructure The City continues to invest in its schools, emergency services, and utility systems to the benefit of many neighborhoods and commercial areas. Rolfe Square Growth City growth has been relatively slow, but is being managed with a combination of policies, regulations and review procedures. Natural Resources Facts What needs work? y Key partnerships were established between the West Bay Land Trust, Champlin Foundation, RIDEM, and the City to acquire open Growth Management space. Development in the City can be redirected to improve the local y The City acquired more than 350 acres of mostly undeveloped businesses and neighborhoods. Connecting new public policy goals land as protected open space over the past 12 years. with tailored, specific development will position the City as y The Historic Scenic Farm Loop was created in 2002 to help sustainable for future generations. support protection and acquisition of agricultural land in western Pastore Center The state is leasing office space in Providence. However, here in Where is this City Headed? nearby Cranston, large, beautiful, historic buildings lay vacant and There have been some significant changes in Cranston; the City’s awaiting maintenance at the Pastore Center. Some of the buildings future holds the promise of more to come. are now too deteriorated to use, but others provide an opportunity for reuse and historic preservation. Cranston 2010 Comprehensive Plan - 2 - INTRODUCTION Natural and City History garnering State support through policies and procedures, such as Historic and natural resources are still being lost to development, reinvestment in the Pastore Center. particularly the former farm lands and open spaces in the western Methods: Following the steps for action as outlined in the neighborhoods and in many of the older historic districts in the Implementation section, the City may adopt the policies of Smart eastern areas. Growth and create new standards for development. The City may Reinvigorating Neighborhood Centers also program public investment to support community goals such as extending public utilities to new private development when other Tools to improve the character of commercial areas along the major public goals are met. City roads have been in place since the previous Comprehensive Plan.