City of Pawtucket Comprehensive Plan Approved by the City Planning Commission October 18, 2016 Adopted by the City Council March 22, 2017 Acknowledgements The City of Pawtucket would like to acknowledge the following for their assistance in the development of this Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Donald R. Grebien City Council David P. Moran, Council President John J. Barry, III Terrence E. Mercer Sandra C. Cano Timothy P. Rudd, Jr. Thomas E. Hodge Lorenzo C. Tetreault Mark J. Wildenhain City Planning Commission Carl I. Freedman, Chair John E. Sawyer Steven M. Pedro Antero L. Martins Monique Renaud Department of Planning and Redevelopment Susan Mara, Acting Director Edward Soares, Community Development Program Manager Michael Wilcox, Project Engineer Herb Weiss, Economic and Cultural Affairs Officer Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1 Accomplishments Since 2011 ................................................................................................................... 2 Public Participation ................................................................................................................................... 2 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................9 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Current Land Use and Zoning Districts .................................................................................................... 10 Future Development Capacity ................................................................................................................ 13 Land Use and Transportation Connection .............................................................................................. 17 Land Uses, Climate Change and Natural Disasters ................................................................................. 18 Future Land Use ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Goals, Objectives, and Policies ................................................................................................................ 24 Housing ........................................................................................................................................... 26 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Overview of Existing Housing .................................................................................................................. 26 Existing Housing Patterns and Conditions .............................................................................................. 31 Future Housing Needs ............................................................................................................................. 36 Goals, Policies and Actions ...................................................................................................................... 46 Economic Development ................................................................................................................... 48 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 48 Overview of City Economy ...................................................................................................................... 48 Focus Areas ............................................................................................................................................. 50 Playing to Pawtucket’s Strengths ............................................................................................................ 52 Urban Agriculture .................................................................................................................................... 53 Government Support .............................................................................................................................. 55 Goals, Objectives, and Policies ................................................................................................................ 56 Historic and Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................ 58 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 58 Overview of Historic and Cultural Resources .......................................................................................... 58 Arts and Culture ...................................................................................................................................... 61 Historic Areas and Sites ........................................................................................................................... 62 Issues Threatening Resources ................................................................................................................. 65 Local Programs and Management .......................................................................................................... 65 Goals, Objectives, and Policies ................................................................................................................ 69 Natural Resources ............................................................................................................................ 71 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 71 Overview of Natural Resources............................................................................................................... 71 Pawtucket Comprehensive Plan | TABLE OF CONTENTS Adopted March 22, 2017 i Permanently Protected Conservation Areas ........................................................................................... 74 Sea Level Rise Impacts on Salt Marshes .................................................................................................. 75 Surface Water Quality ............................................................................................................................. 75 Threats to Resources ............................................................................................................................... 78 Priorities for Land Conservation ............................................................................................................. 80 Techniques to Minimize Negative Impacts from Development ............................................................. 80 Goals, Objectives, and Policies ................................................................................................................ 81 Recreation ....................................................................................................................................... 83 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 83 Existing Recreational Areas ..................................................................................................................... 83 Existing and Future Recreational Needs ................................................................................................. 89 Expansion of Recreational Resources ..................................................................................................... 90 Goals, Objectives, and Policies ................................................................................................................ 91 Community Services and Facilities .................................................................................................... 93 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 93 Solid Waste Management ....................................................................................................................... 95 Wastewater Management ...................................................................................................................... 96 Stormwater Management....................................................................................................................... 97 Public Safety and Emergency Services .................................................................................................... 99 Public Schools ........................................................................................................................................ 102 Public Library ......................................................................................................................................... 104 Senior Center ........................................................................................................................................ 105 Energy ..................................................................................................................................................