A controversial development in the heart of Providence’s Eagle Square
neighborhood may be a step closer to construction — despite continued
opposition from some members of the community.
New York’s Feldco Development removed itself from the agenda of a recent
Providence Plan Commission meeting and in turn withdrew an application
for the demolition of seven mill buildings to build a large shopping
center in Eagle Square. Now the company has gone straight to the city’s
Department of Building Inspection and Standards and Chief Zoning Officer
and Building Official Ramzi Loqa. Loqa has indicated that the city is
prepared to issue permits to Feldco.
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Providence Planning Director John Palmieri said he interpreted the
city’s Zoning Ordinance in a way that would require the developer to
submit a plan for committee review, and approval of the site plan for
Eagle Square, which was not necessary.
“I failed to confer with Ramzi Loqa, and I should have done that as
just a practical measure,” he said. “It is likely that Ramzi would have
confirmed that the applicant would have had no responsibility to confer
with review.”
Brian Principe, a member of the Providence Plan Commission, said the
developer is going to the first hurdle without going through the
starting gate.
“They’re trying to just railroad this thing through and disregard the
procedures the City has set up,” said Principe.
Demming Sherman, a lawyer with Providence-based Edwards & Angell who
represents the artists in Eagle Square, said he plans to take legal
action.
Loqa said according to Section 421 of the Providence Zoning Ordinance,
this area is a major land development, and because it is single-use
commercial and/or industrial area, the developer does not need to go
through the Planning Commission.
