The Warwick City Council gave first passage to two multi-family developments and rejected a proposal to hold a public hearing on the city’s five-year financial forecast Monday.

One of the developments, 14 townhouse-style units at 1515 Centerville Road, just over the West Warwick line, saw an abutting property owner speak her concerns.

Susan Anderson is concerned the development would worsen flooding in her neighborhood, which she described as a significant problem.

“My house drops down; I have a rock wall behind me, and it drops down at least 3 feet,” Anderson said. “I’ve spoken with several other neighbors that said they wouldn’t come tonight because they figured the deal was already done, and that’s what they told me; they have flooding, they’ve put into their insurance companies and they haven’t been in any way reimbursed.”

David Johnston, the attorney representing Rhode Island Custom Builders, LLC, the group looking to build on the land, said plans to mitigate flooding would be something that could be addressed in the design phase of the property after approval, and that flood mitigation methods, including a retention basin, would be looked at. 

Anderson said she appreciated the thought, though she still had concerns. Another abutter spoke as well, saying that she would be happy to see development on the land next to her.

“I personally will be glad to see something put in there that will improve the neighborhood and give new life to a vacant piece of land,” Gail Barnes, said. “When I saw this plan come up, I immediately took interest in it. I think it’s going to be great.”

Ward 8 Councilman Anthony Sinapi is concerned about the possibility of flooding noting that he had seen flooding in the basement of a nearby house recently. He also said that he was glad that it was a concern of the developer as well.

The council voted in favor of the development unanimously.

Another zoning ordinance amendment for 1187 Post Road by Rhode Island Custom Builders for an 11-unit town house development passed without controversy as well.

The council also voted down an ordinance by Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur that would require a public hearing on the city’s five-year financial forecast.

Ladouceur said in a preceding subcommittee meeting that allowing the public to ask questions about the forecast by holding a meeting, or a hearing within a regular meeting, would help clear up concerns in the community. Finance Director Peder Schaefer gave a presentation during the council’s Sept. 4 meeting, though there was no public comment session.

“I certainly don’t understand why there would be an objection to hearing the questions that are asked from members of the public, regardless of whether or not we happen to agree with those questions, regardless of whether or not we have problems with those questions,” Ladouceur said.

Other committee members, including Ward 1 Councilman William Foley, were less convinced of the benefits of a special meeting. Foley said that holding the meeting would not be a good way of conducting business, and said that anyone with questions can contact the mayor’s office or their councilmember.

“Five years ago, when I first ran for this seat, I ran with the pleasure of making the council more effective and efficient,” Foley said. “This does not do that.”

That was also the view of the mayor’s Chief of Staff Bill Facente, who said that the forecast was a snapshot of a point in time and was thus already outdated, and that the Picozzi administration did not feel as though a special meeting is necessary.

The full council voted against the proposal in a 6-3 vote, with Ladouceur, Ward 2 Councilman Jeremy Rix and Ward 9 Councilman Vincent Gebhart dissenting.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ladouceur honored Jessica Collins, a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service who serves the River View Neighborhood Association, for going “above and beyond” to help the community.

A large crowd from the Association was in attendance to celebrate Collins, and the council officially presented her with a Resolution of Congratulations.

“This young lady is incredible,” Ladouceur said. “And when you have that type of dedication, regardless of what industry you happen to be in… to have that dedication to the people that you work for is amazing.”