'Informational Meeting' on Affordable Housing Development Next Week

An “informational meeting” on the proposed Palmer Pointe affordable-housing development on Sowams Road in Barrington will be held next Tuesday evening, Nov. 27.

The meeting starts at 7:30 pm in the Barrington library auditorium.

Representatives of the developer – East Bay Community Development Corporation – will join with the engineer and the architect to explain the already controversial development and to field questions, said Frank Spinella of FJS Associates, a consultant to EBCDC.

“All of the abutters within 500 feet of the development are receiving an invitation to attend,” said Spinella. “It will be an informal neighborhood meeting, not something that is required.”

“We’re hoping that people show up with an open mind,” Spinella said. “That’s our hope.”

A rendering of the 48-unit development will be on hand, he said. There will be a PowerPoint presentation as well.

“We want neighbors to meet the team, who will introduce the plan, and how it came about, before we get feedback from the town,” Spinella said. “This will give people an opportunity in a less formal session than a public hearing before the Planning Board.”

The engineer is Shawn Martin of Fuss & O’Neill of Providence. The architect is Don Powers of Union Studio in Providence.

Spinella said the details of the proposed development will be laid out on Tuesday. But it will include 48 rental units in 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom layouts that are not unlike Sweetbriar in Bay Spring.

“In Barrington,” Spinella said, “22.5 percent of residents would qualify for these homes. And decent, affordable housing can change their lives.”

Many neighbors in that part of Barrington have already indicated that they oppose the development. A petition against the housing project has been circulating for weeks.

“We’re hoping for a positive exchange that will make everyone more informed,” said Spinella. “We always try to be good neighbors.”