At its April 28 meeting, the Providence City Plan Commission (CPC) approved two zoning changes and a development review for a new project at 859 Broad Street. The first zoning change, now headed to the City Council, involves converting parcels on Eddy, Bay, O’Connell, and Sherburne Streets from mixed-use to industrial to permit stacking storage containers. The second rezoning request concerns 149 Governor Street, allowing expansion of a former dental practice into a larger facility. Both received positive recommendations.

The Broad Street project, submitted by the State of Rhode Island, proposes replacing an aging substance use treatment facility with a new building. The state sought variances to increase the number of residents from eight to nine, as funding depends on this number, despite the existing facility housing 16 people. The current building is in disrepair and unsuitable for modern treatment needs, with hazardous materials and poor interior layout for clinical supervision.

Commissioners approved the variances and the project but suggested design modifications to better reflect local architectural styles and recommended salvaging historic materials during demolition. The existing structure, built in the 1890s, is not protected by historic preservation laws and will be demolished to make way for the new facility.