At its first 2024 meeting on March 23, the Providence Historic District Commission (PHDC) approved several development projects while welcoming new commissioners. The commission granted approval to construct one new single-family home at 64 Angell Street, part of the subdivided George Benson estate. Developers Kevin Diamond and Dustin Dezube must return for approval of a proposed additional townhouse. The project drew opposition from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), whose representative expressed concerns about setback variances and the impact on RISD’s historic Woods-Gerry House and its buffer zone.

At 126 Benevolent Street in College Hill, the PHDC granted conceptual approval for a new single-family home on an empty lot after a previous three-house proposal was denied in 2024 amid neighborhood objections over scale and tree removal. The developer now plans two houses, with the current approval covering just one. Neighbors remain concerned about the impact on trees and neighborhood character.

Other approvals included an accessory dwelling unit at 104 Olney Street and adding a new window type to the preapproved list following discussions about window replacements at 10 Barnes Street. The commission also recommended listing the Eagle Steam Mill/Harrison Steam Mill/Providence Combing Company Plant on the National Register of Historic Places.