A proposed rezoning in Western Cranston has been rejected by the city’s Planning Commission after strong opposition by residents. The decision now goes to the City Council, which will have the final say.

The Proposal

Property owner Margaret Scaralia sought to rezone an 11-acre forested lot at the end of Caraway Drive in the Alpine Estates neighborhood. Currently zoned A-80, which allows large, 80,000-square-foot lots, Scaralia requested a change to A-20 zoning. This would allow for smaller, 20,000-square-foot lots, increasing the number of homes that could be built. 

Resident Concerns

The proposal sparked backlash from residents, who have long opposed denser development in the area. At the February Planning Commission meeting, more than a dozen people spoke against the change. Their concerns included school overcrowding and increased traffic congestion. Many homeowners said they bought their properties expecting the area to remain A-80.

Tricia Rugas, a Caraway Drive resident, voiced her frustration at the meeting. “Our children deserve to play in a safe and quiet neighborhood with limited traffic,” said Rugas. “They deserve to attend a school that is not overcrowded.”

Alpine Estates has become a flashpoint for development concerns in Western Cranston, which features rural and suburban subdivisions with significantly fewer people than the city’s more densely populated eastern side. Much of the undeveloped land next to Alpine Estates is owned by private property owners hoping to build there. Residents say they’re concerned that the proposed zoning changes are more about creating profits for developers than thoughtful future planning.

“We are not against expansion,” said resident Annette Osborne. “Build your property but build it the way you bought it and don't make a quick buck off all of us.” 

Scaralia was represented at the meeting by a lawyer and planning consultant Edward Pimental, who submitted a 30-page report making the case for the zoning change.  

Representatives for Scaralia argued that the rezoning would align with Cranston’s comprehensive plan and that new housing would help address Rhode Island’s housing shortage.

The Commission’s Decision

The Planning Commission ultimately sided with residents and voted to send a “negative recommendation” to the City Council. The next full council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24.