LETTER: Wickford El Project Raises Concerns

To the editor:

The Town of North Kingstown is heading down a path that is cause for concern. The town council is being asked to approve the creation of a Redevelopment Agency, RDA, to satisfy the developer of the proposed Wickford El project. Why is this needed? The developer is seeking Tax Increment Financing, TIF, Bond to help finance his project and the RDA is required when TIF financing is being used. (Please google ‘TIF financing’ defaults for more TIF information.)

TIF’s are typically used to finance public work projects that will encourage new investment in an area. During a recent town council meeting a speaker advised the council that East Providence is currently using TIF’s on two waterfront projects to bring roads and sewers to the project site but not for any project construction. This East Providence investment will bring $400 million in new construction to a Brown Field that will generate millions in new tax dollars which will pay off this bond and add new tax revenue from land that is a shuttered oil tank farm.

The whole concept of the Wickford El project is cause for concern. The size as proposed will dwarf the area homes and businesses; the site is in the Flood Zone and will require variances and approvals from the permitting agencies CRMC, FEMA and DEM. The proposal will need zone changes and changes to our Comp Plan as it exceeds the allowable number of units for the land on the site.

The developer wants to begin construction this summer which is unrealistic. He has yet to provide the town with an application for review, application to the permitting agencies or provided any plans from which to evaluate his project. Here is where the concern for the RDA comes from. The RDA would be an appointed agency by our town council without public input or vote and if the RDA is given the authority to approve his project it could by-pass the planning and zoning process again without public input. Do we need another layer of government used to avoid the input and or approval of the voters in North Kingstown?

The next town council meeting is Monday evening, March 14, 2016 at the Senior Center at 7:00 PM. The formation and approval of a RDA will be on the agenda and a vote to have the Comp Plan changed to include the RDA. We are in the process of a rewrite of our Comp Plan which began last year and should be ready for public comment hearings in May or early June. Why the rush to change what is going to change in a couple of months? Please come and listen to the public comments and voice your opinion. There is reason for concern; North Kingstown needs your voice.

Richard Welch
North Kingstown
rawelch911@live.com