Environment and Development Clash in New Housing Project in Providence
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Neighbors of a proposed housing development in Providence are questioning its density — and plans for tree removal — as the project moves forward.
Artist Benjamin Herndon, who lives on Kepler Street, which is located off Atwells Avenue and overlooks Valley Street, said he and his wife chose the location four years ago due to the street being next to a tree-filled lot.
“It was our little Eden, a symbol of resilient natural beauty amidst a relatively economically depressed part of Providence, and a green space within a neighborhood which desperately lacks big trees,” said Herndon. “The forest, beloved by those neighbors surrounding it, has been a notorious illegal dumping ground for decades, which my wife and I have spent the last 4 years cleaning up when we had the time.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThen last week, everything changed.
“We woke up on Wednesday to a crew with chainsaws and a wood chipper, tasked with cutting down every tree so that [from what we were told] a developer can build 5 new, 3-family homes,” he said.
Herndon questioned how the process unfolded that could potentially allow the destruction of what he says is a “mature forest of Norway Maples.”
Contacting City
Herndon said he reached out to the city regarding how the trees in the lot poised for development are measured — and specifically which ones can be protected.
“The method of measuring we employed [on November 2] is what the City of Providence has been doing for at least a couple of decades,” City Forester Alexander J. Elton told Herndon in an email, regarding the tree cutting that had begun to take place.
Herndon said that the technique that the city currently uses -- taking an average diameter of a tree cluster — doesn’t take into account the biomass, carbon storage, crown coverage, shade, and more, and says the city should consider alternative proven practices.
"When we knocked on doors [last] weekend to tell our neighbors about the meeting, no one had any idea of the plan to develop, and were shocked that we may be losing the trees," said Herndon.
Herndon said he also reached out to State Senator Sam Bell, who represents the district, with his concerns.
GoLocal spoke with Bell about the project.
"I've had concerns about this parcel for some time," said Bell, who said he had previously had discussions with the city about turning the area into a public park. "I've wanted to preserve these stretches, that are platted as development parcels, that have gorgeous views like Prospect Park [on the East Side]. I think we can better leverage these views for the community rather than a few individuals who can buy up the land."
According to Herndon, "Bell was able to get the developer to agree to a community meeting to discuss their plans" -- until the developer backed out.
A community meeting is still scheduled to take place at 11 AM on Saturday, at the end of Kepler Street.
Next Steps
Dylan Conley, the attorney who represents Maxton Investments and Tosbine LLC on the proposed development, told GoLocal that "everything will go through the standard process."
"This is the earliest I've heard from neighbors on a project," said Conley, who also serves as the Chair of the Board of Licences. "The public will be fully informed, and the 'significant tree' standard will be applied."
Conley said the developer is requesting a zone change from R3 to R4, "depending on the project scale."
"What’s happening is we’re going through the standard conversations about what is permissible and we’re very far away from doing anything at all," said Conley.
Of the smaller trees that had already been cut down on the land, Conley said, "It wouldn’t be any different than anyone cutting down brush on their own property."
For Herndon, he says he is not opposed to development.
"I’m fully aware of the need for additional housing units in Providence, but the way these specific developers were going about providing more housing shows a lack of regard of the neighborhoods they’re seeking to 'improve,'" he said. "Ultimately, it is private land and thus theirs to do with what they will; but if there is a hint of the green space, shade from the tree canopy, etc, that can be saved, it’s worth fighting for."
