The northwest quadrant of East Greenwich has experienced years of development pressure, resulting in lasting changes to the rural character and quality of life of residents.

Residents have experienced increased traffic congestion, public safety concerns along Division Road and surrounding areas, and the gradual loss of natural buffers that once shielded the neighborhood from noise impacts of Interstate 95.

The Hill and Harbor area has been significantly affected by infill development, raising ongoing concerns about historic preservation, parking, affordability, and coastal resilience.

I will oppose efforts aimed at weakening East Greenwich's Home Rule Charter, as well as efforts that grant land developers leniencies or special treatment.

In Rhode Island, a Comprehensive Plan is the municipality's legally adopted long-range blueprint for how the community will grow and develop over the next 20 years. This is not just a vision document - it has legal weight. For example:

- Zoning ordinances are supposed to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

- Land-use decisions by planning boards and zoning boards are expected to align with the Comprehensive Plan.

- If a town denies a development proposal, courts and state agencies often look at whether the denial is supported by the Comprehensive Plan.

- If a town wants to preserve open space, encourage affordable housing, or direct growth to certain areas, those policies should be reflected in the Comprehensive Plan.

East Greenwich is in the process of revising its long-overdue Comprehensive Plan. Now is the time to provide input and have a say about the future of land development in East Greenwich. Click this link for more information, take a brief survey, and sign up for community engagement alerts.