Marshall Threatens East Providence Over Metacomet - “No Plan C and Status Quo Is Not an Option”
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Marshall Properties is now playing hardball with East Providence claiming that it does not need local approval to move forward with much of its development plan
Marshall Properties announced Tuesday it will host a third community zoom meeting on Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 pm to provide an update on the company's proposed development of the open space at the Metacomet Country Club.
The company took a major hit last week when one of its top lawyers - Bill Conley who is a State Senator and chair of the Finance Committee, was crushed in his reelection bid. He was defeated by Cynthia Mendes who hammered Conley over his support for the Marshall development. Mendes beat Conley 62% to 38% in the Democratic primary.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs Marshall is feeling the heat, the company is stepping up the rhetoric.
Plans A and B
“Marshall believes the best use of the property (Plan A) would be to preserve over 50% of the acreage as open space while developing a residential community with light office, retail and restaurants that will seamlessly integrate with the community. Plan A requires a zone change and a hearing is scheduled for September 25 before the East Providence City Council to consider the change,” said the companies press announcement.
“Plan A keeps the Metacomet property greener and generates more tax revenue while developing less of the overall acreage. We are asking everyone to give this plan a second look and keep in mind that we have the right to redevelop the property under current zoning designations without a zone change,” said Lianne Marshall, principal at Marshall Properties. “The Metacomet Country Club as we all know it will no longer exist. There are many reasons for the club’s demise and none of them have to do with Marshall Properties. The only question that remains is what will the future of the Metacomet property look like.”
The company said, “The alternative is Plan B. Plan B does not require a zoning change and the property can be developed by-right under its current zoning designation for several uses, including hospital uses, public and private educational uses, live/work spaces, various private club uses, youth camps and municipal facilities. Plan B will not provide for public access, public open spaces, or walking trails. Plan B does not have lush vegetative buffers that exceed required setbacks. Plan B is less green with more developed area.”
"In the event that the city elects to reject Plan A and keeps with current zoning, the Marshall’s are prepared to advance development of the property under Plan B, which has recently been submitted to the City of East Providence in the form of a Master Plan application," said the company.
Marshall Threatens "No Plan C"
“Marshall Development hopes the choice will be abundantly clear to everyone. There is no plan C and the status quo is not an option, as the golf course will cease to operate in October,” said the company.
This story was first published 9/15/20 3:47 PM
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