Letter to the Editor: Attend Meeting Monday On Wickford Junction

When it comes to increased business investment in North Kingstown, which would help lower our taxes or at the very least slow down the rapid rise in our taxes, I am in favor of most nonresidential development. Being in favor of this type of development however does not automatically mean anything goes.

On Monday evening the North Kingstown Town Council will be reviewing the Planning Commission’s recommendation that would create a change in the town’s comprehensive plan and a zone change. This change, TOD (Transit Orientated Development), would allow increased density over one of the town’s very sensitive aquifers and could possibly increase the nitrate loading in the area by 5 percent to 7.5/ml. Protecting our water supply is a primary concern.

The proposed size of the TOD exceeds the recommended size as quoted by the Rhode Island DOT for this type of development. RI DOT told the Planning Commission that a walk able development usually includes an area that is within ½ mile of public transportation.  In this case that would be the train station.  If the effort here is to boost ridership on the trains then it would make sense to improve the current schedule and include weekends and holidays.  Ridership would probably increase if there were jobs to be had in Providence which have declined in this economy.

I feel that the TOD should be confined to the Wickford Junction site until it proves to be successful and the effects on our water supply, traffic, property values and schools can be evaluated.  The proposal before the town council is far to encompassing in area and has possibly negative effects on area residential properties.

We currently have an excess of vacant retail property in North Kingstown at the Gateway to Quonset, Wickford Junction and Post Road. We should concentrate on filling these locations before we allow more space to be built and stand vacant.

Please plan to attend the meeting on Monday night at the Senior Center at 7 p.m. Your input is important.

Richard Welch
641-5576
rawelch911@live.com

You can read a letter from Councilman Kevin Maloney on the same topic here.