Category: Sand Trace Development

After being a member of four boards and commissions, I thought I understood the operational and leadership structure of the Town of Smithfield. Wrong! There is a Smithfield RI Technical Review Committee (TRC). The purpose of the committee is to … Smithfield, RI Technical Review Committee (TRC) exists to provide technical, interdisciplinary evaluation of development…

A continuation from the first and second parts of a continuing narrative on this subject.  You may read part one of this article by clicking here. Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council Comment These comments were placed on the record for the Smithfield Planning  Board Public Hearing on November 15, 2021. THe Stillwater Reservoir system is already…

A continuation from the first and second parts of a continuing narrative on this subject.  You may read part one of this article by clicking here. Water Service What will be the estimated additional water required (CFt) to fully service this development? Any official analysis or finding from the Greenville Water District on the impact…

The Prequel Beginning several years ago (see previous posts), this will be one of the largest (probably largest) residential property development in the history of the Town.  The continuing saga over the last few years has been a conflict using the old saying “You cannot fight city hall.” A great deal of obfuscation in public…

When searching for a word to describe the current and on-going situation with the Sand Trace development, several came to mind. How about kerfuffle? A commotion or fuss, especially one caused by conflicting views. Definitely conflicting views. But there are others. An Opportunity or a Slam Dunk? Since last Fall, several public hearings have been…

Loreen and Steven Francazio have asked that their notes presented at the February 7, 2019 Planning Board meeting be posted to the blog.

Vision is defined as … the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. Vision is an important skill and characteristic that can help us with self-reflection as well as personal and professional development. To increase the ability for success … or reduce possibility for failure. Gaining all the information available…

If you build 20 homes on a street, should you expect that at least 20 additional cars will be traveling on your road after the homes are occupied. Considering the current Sand Trace development proposal, you may be surprised at the traffic data from the first study presented in October. Then, an additional independent (of…

As a resident of the neighborhood and Town, you can make your voice heard. Employees, leaders as well as appointed and elected officials of the Town need to be accountable. The purpose of this Blog is to promote and publicize information about ALL town issues. How can you impact the current Sand Trace proposal?

Is the proposed development of the Sand Trace property a leap of zoning? To change a property parcel from Zoning X to Y? Or is it another leap of faith in our town leaders? The promise of specific outcomes? Or the lack of depth of transparency for all of the issues and unintended consequences that…