Open Meetings Act Violations Alleged Ahead of Appeal of Demolition of Blackstone Blvd Estate

Open Meetings Act Violations Alleged Ahead of Appeal of Demolition of Blackstone Blvd Estate

The opposition to the demolition of one of Providence’s most historic estates is heating up as the Providence Zoning Board of Review is set to take up the appeal on Wednesday evening — as the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office is now looking into allegations of Open Meetings Act violations.

In a letter dated May 6, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office stated that it is looking into allegations levied by the opposing neighbors that meetings by the City Plan Commission (CPC) held in December and January, including a site walk of the property at 288 Blackstone Boulevard, “[failed] to notice a public body meeting and memorialize the details of that meeting in the form of minutes.” 

The legal challenge is the latest from neighbors who are opposing the subdivision of the Beresford-Nicholson House at 288 Blackstone Boulevard, after the CPC granted master plan approval for the major subdivision on February 7. 

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The appellants, who are abutters, have submitted a memorandum in support of their appeal; the Billotti Group — the developer — as well as the City Plan Commission (CPC) have submitted memoranda in opposition to their appeal; the CPC made a motion to strike a portion of the appellants memorandum; the appellants have objected to the mention to strike — and all will be heard on Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. by the Zoning Board of Review at 444 Westminster Street. 

Neighbor Group Ramps Up Opposition 

The group “Save Blackstone Blvd” has established a website and social media presence after the proposal to demolish the historic $5 million estate emerged last November.  The group describes itself as the following:

SAVE BLACKSTONE BLVD is a group of neighbors who have organized informally to contest current plans for development of the Berresford-Nicholson Estate at 288 Blackstone Blvd in Providence. Our goal is to assure that the Bilotti Group's plans for this three-acre parcel are in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and will not destroy the beauty of its bordering linear park, Blackstone Blvd. We are not an anti-development group, but believe Blackstone Blvd is a Rhode Island treasure and thoughtful consideration and community input are necessary before the City moves forward with allowing this development.

As GoLocalProv.com reported in December:

On one side, there are the lawyers representing the applicant, The Bilotti Group, who claim they have full legal authority to move forward with subdividing the property into ten lots for single-family developments. 

On the other side are neighbors -- and lawyers -- who assert the plan does not fit in the historic residential neighborhood — and moreover does not adhere to the city’s comprehensive plan. 

“For the past forty years, I’ve been active in neighborhood issues in the [Blackstone Boulevard] area with the goal of preserving, maintaining, and improving one of the great historic neighborhoods in Providence and the state,” said lawyer Deming Sherman, who serves as UHIP special master -- but testified Tuesday night in his capacity as a resident of the neighborhood and as past President of the Providence Preservation Society

“I’m a believer in development as long as its appropriate  — but development should be compatible with the neighborhood in which it is proposed.  Several years ago, the city adopted a comprehensive plan, that among other things stipulates that new development be consistent with that plan,” said Sherman.  “My judgment is that the proposal is not appropriate as it’s not consistent with the comprehensive plan.”