Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Program

The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Program projects span a range of transit contexts and represent a coordinated effort to align land use policy with the state’s long-range transit investments under Transit Forward RI.

Each project includes an assessment of existing conditions and regulatory capacity, concept-level site and design evaluation, and community analysis that considers existing residents, businesses, and demographic context. The goal is to develop smart growth zoning strategies that expand housing opportunity, support walkable and context-sensitive development, strengthen conditions for commercial investment, and make efficient use of existing and planned infrastructure. Deliverables range from planning-level zoning frameworks and feasibility assessments to detailed ordinance language and design standards ready for local adoption. All five projects are developing zoning to support housing near transit.

Warren: Resilience planning is driving housing along Metacom Avenue, an elevated corridor away from flood-prone downtown, with engagement coordinated through the Warren Health Equity Zone.

North Providence: Piloting intersection-focused zoning at two nodes along Mineral Spring Avenue, building on curb cut reduction efforts and coordinating with RIPTA on service improvements.

Coventry: Working with West Greenwich and East Greenwich to bring smarter growth principles to the Center of New England, where 3,000 units are in the pipeline but current development patterns lack connectivity and strain infrastructure.

Central Falls: Developing zoning for housing along high-frequency bus corridors in advance of RIPTA’s Metro Connector, adapting station-area TOD strategies to work on smaller lots with incremental infill.

Pawtucket: Evaluating the Conant Thread District to understand why residential is growing but commercial investment has lagged, and assessing whether to extend the district to contiguous areas.

Weston & Sampson is providing transit-oriented development technical assistance to five Rhode Island municipalities through RIHousing’s TOD Zoning Program, funded by State Fiscal Recovery Funds.