SEASONS PROJECT TIMELINE
CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS: Public Hearing on Three Special Use Permits Needed for Seasons Project
Gas Stations are not allowed by right in general commercial zones under Tiverton’s current zoning, which is why Seasons is requesting three special use permits for its project - one for the gas station, one for the drive-through window and one for the multiple illuminated and over-sized signs they want.
Article XV and XVI of the Tiverton Zoning Ordinance outline the duties of the Zoning Board of Review. The Zoning Board must determine if all three requests meet specific criteria for the permits to be granted. The Zoning Ordinance is very clear about the criteria Seasons must meet to be granted the special use permits, including that “it will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, morals or welfare and that it will not create a nuisance in the neighborhood nor hinder nor endanger vehicular or pedestrian movement."
It’s hard to believe that with the lighting, traffic and 24-hour noise, Seasons can make a case that they meet the criteria, but their highly paid experts will surely try.
Seasons will only jeopardize our local businesses and residents’ health and safety for their corporate bottom line. We need you, the public, to tell the Zoning Board, that this Seasons has no place in Tiverton.
The date of the next Zoning Board meeting on Seasons has not been announced yet, but it will most likely be in November 2024. We need you to be there to voice your opposition to the Seasons project. Everyone who wants to speak will be heard. Your voice and your presence will make a difference!
Article XV and XVI of the Tiverton Zoning Ordinance outline the duties of the Zoning Board of Review. The Zoning Board must determine if all three requests meet specific criteria for the permits to be granted. The Zoning Ordinance is very clear about the criteria Seasons must meet to be granted the special use permits, including that “it will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, morals or welfare and that it will not create a nuisance in the neighborhood nor hinder nor endanger vehicular or pedestrian movement."
It’s hard to believe that with the lighting, traffic and 24-hour noise, Seasons can make a case that they meet the criteria, but their highly paid experts will surely try.
Seasons will only jeopardize our local businesses and residents’ health and safety for their corporate bottom line. We need you, the public, to tell the Zoning Board, that this Seasons has no place in Tiverton.
The date of the next Zoning Board meeting on Seasons has not been announced yet, but it will most likely be in November 2024. We need you to be there to voice your opposition to the Seasons project. Everyone who wants to speak will be heard. Your voice and your presence will make a difference!
A Look Back
Early October 2023 Update on Seasons 24-Hour Gas/Convenience Store with Drive-Through
(Note: The Zoning Board granted Seasons' request to delay the start of the public hearing until Dec. 6, 2023.)
(Note: The Zoning Board granted Seasons' request to delay the start of the public hearing until Dec. 6, 2023.)
June 2023 Update
24-HOUR MEGA GAS STATION/STORE COMPLEX PLANNED FOR INTERSECTION OF SOUZA AND MAIN ROADS
At their September 13, 2022, meeting held in the Tiverton Public Library Community Room, the Planning Board voted NOT to approve the Season's gas station and convenience store development proposal finding it violated multiple sections of the town's Comprehensive Community Plan. We expect the developer, represented by a team of 6-8 people at the meeting, to use every legal threat and maneuver they can come up with to try to force their regional, cookie-cutter proposal onto the town. Stay tuned and stay strong!
Thank you for coming out and voicing your opposition to the project at the July 12 public hearing described below. Please check out the Newport Daily News article covering the hearing.
At their September 13, 2022, meeting held in the Tiverton Public Library Community Room, the Planning Board voted NOT to approve the Season's gas station and convenience store development proposal finding it violated multiple sections of the town's Comprehensive Community Plan. We expect the developer, represented by a team of 6-8 people at the meeting, to use every legal threat and maneuver they can come up with to try to force their regional, cookie-cutter proposal onto the town. Stay tuned and stay strong!
Thank you for coming out and voicing your opposition to the project at the July 12 public hearing described below. Please check out the Newport Daily News article covering the hearing.
July 12, 2022, Public Hearing
Developers were before the Planning Board on Tuesday night, July 12, 6:30 pm at Tiverton High School with their plan for a Seasons gas station and convenience store on the corner of Souza and Main Roads. (View full plans.) This was a public hearing and 23 members of the public spoke forcefully against it. Note that this plan includes a drive-through food and beverage window and a 3,600 square foot convenience store (Cumberland Farms is 2,700 square feet), which will drive THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC TRIPS PER DAY in this already very busy intersection.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Below are some articles about the negative impact of gas stations in neighborhoods:
Gas Stations & Convenience Stores
10 Industries That Diminish Property Values the Most
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Please write the Planning Board as a concerned citizen. The meeting on July 12, 2022, is a public hearing, so you will be allowed to speak. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can make your objections known to the Planning Board in writing.
Send your emails to:
[email protected]
[email protected] and
[email protected]
You may want to reference the Tiverton Comprehensive Plan and note what sections this 24-hour gas station/convenience store proposal violates, namely:
Section 3.1: Visual Quality, Historic and Scenic Character
Section 3.2: Contextual Development
Section 4.3: Cultural Resources
Section 4.4: Natural and Cultural Resources Goal and Policies
Section 5.1: Land Use
Section 8.1.1:Traffic Data
Section 8.1.2: Traffic Safety
Noting the violations will help the Planning Board turn down the proposal.
Preserve Tiverton thanks you! Please share with other like-minded citizens.
Developers were before the Planning Board on Tuesday night, July 12, 6:30 pm at Tiverton High School with their plan for a Seasons gas station and convenience store on the corner of Souza and Main Roads. (View full plans.) This was a public hearing and 23 members of the public spoke forcefully against it. Note that this plan includes a drive-through food and beverage window and a 3,600 square foot convenience store (Cumberland Farms is 2,700 square feet), which will drive THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC TRIPS PER DAY in this already very busy intersection.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
- Storm water runoff from the development will worsen already bad street flooding on Main Rd. during rain storms.
- Fumes from idling cars waiting to fill up or at the drive-through window will increase air pollution and increase health risks for neighborhood residents.
- Increased traffic, especially during morning commuting hours, will lead to more traffic accidents and longer wait-times for residents traveling on Main Rd.
- Increased crime can be expected due to the 24-hour convenience store.
- Home values for area residents will decrease.
- 8 illuminated business signs, along with illuminated canopies over the 8 fuel pumps 24 hours/day, will greatly increase light pollution.
- The historic character of the neighborhood, which includes a National Historic Register District and numerous 19th- and early 20th-century houses, will be destroyed.
Below are some articles about the negative impact of gas stations in neighborhoods:
Gas Stations & Convenience Stores
10 Industries That Diminish Property Values the Most
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Please write the Planning Board as a concerned citizen. The meeting on July 12, 2022, is a public hearing, so you will be allowed to speak. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can make your objections known to the Planning Board in writing.
Send your emails to:
[email protected]
[email protected] and
[email protected]
You may want to reference the Tiverton Comprehensive Plan and note what sections this 24-hour gas station/convenience store proposal violates, namely:
Section 3.1: Visual Quality, Historic and Scenic Character
Section 3.2: Contextual Development
Section 4.3: Cultural Resources
Section 4.4: Natural and Cultural Resources Goal and Policies
Section 5.1: Land Use
Section 8.1.1:Traffic Data
Section 8.1.2: Traffic Safety
Noting the violations will help the Planning Board turn down the proposal.
Preserve Tiverton thanks you! Please share with other like-minded citizens.
Article from the Sakonnet Times on the 24-Hour Gas Station Proposal
