The Block Island Housing Board continued preliminary planning for its next affordable housing project, on an undeveloped lot across West Side Road from Ball O’Brien Park, at its March 9 virtual meeting.
Member John Spier reported he had completed “most of the information for the application” for a zoning change for the parcel as he had suggested at the Board’s February meeting.
“I have the application for the zone change on my desk,” said Spier. Making the site consistent with the New Harbor Commercial Zone would give the board more flexibility with the scale and density of the proposed project.
Chair Cindy Pappas reminded the board that they needed to figure out “who to hire for a topographical survey [of the property] in the immediate future” to serve as a visual aid in the process.
“The topographic map is really important from a design standpoint to see what the land will accommodate,” said Pappas.
Some board members expressed interest in dedicating more time and visiting the property in-person to help with their creative thinking.
“I think that we will accomplish more if we start having dedicated meetings for the sole purpose of Ball O’Brien,” said Spier.
“I agree,”
