Downtown District Development Plan Review

The Downtown Design Review Committee (DDRC) is established as a development plan review body to conduct development plan review in the D-1 Zone.

The purpose of the D-1 Zone is to encourage and direct development in the downtown to ensure that: new development is compatible with the existing historic building fabric and the historic character of downtown; historic structures are preserved and design alterations of existing buildings are in keeping with historic character; development encourages day and night time activities that relate to the pedestrian and promote the arts, entertainment, and housing; greenways and open spaces are incorporated into the downtown, and the goals of the Comprehensive Plan are achieved.

Membership

The Downtown Design Review Committee is comprised of seven members. Current membership:

General Members (Appointed by Mayor)
Chris Marsella, Chair
Bryan Michie
Gary Garabedian
Brigida Capicotto

Historic District Commission Chair or HDC Member
Rachael Dotson

First Alternate (Appointed by Mayor)
Rachel Hampton

Second Alternate (Appointed by Mayor)
Alan Chille

Meetings, Agendas and Documents

The DDRC meets on the second Monday of every month (unless otherwise indicated) at 4:45 pm at the Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Municipal Building, 444 Westminster Street, 1st-floor conference room.

Click here for the 2024 meeting schedule

Click here for agendas & minutes of the Downtown Design Review Committee

Examine documents and materials from previous meetings in the DDRC Archive

Next Meeting

The Downtown Design Review Committee will hold a special meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 4:45 p.m., at the Joseph Doorley Municipal Building, 444 Westminster Street, 1st Floor Conference room, Providence RI 02903

THIS IS A HYBRID MEETING.

All Commission Members will participate in-person.

Applicants and/or their representatives, and members of the public may attend in person or may remotely view and participate in the meeting on the Zoom platform using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87448709618, or may participate by telephone by dialing one of the following toll-free numbers: 877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099. The Webinar ID is 874 4870 9618. All matters appearing on the agenda are scheduled for discussion and possible vote or other action.

The following items will be on the agenda for the September 9, 2024 meeting. The order shown here may change once the agenda is finalized and posted.

Meeting Agenda

1. Case No. 2024-19 DD-DPR: 200 Dyer Street (*Public Hearing)

*The public hearing will be continued to the next DDRC meeting scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2024 at 4:45 pm.

2. Case No. 2024-21 DD-DPR: 75 Clifford Street (Public Hearing)

DDRC staff-report for 9/9/2024

Administrative Review

The administrative officers in the Department of Planning and Development review certain projects administratively. These include minor subdivisions, minor land development projects, and downtown development plan review outside of the “Downcity District,” specifically major alterations and new construction. Click here to view projects submitted for administrative review.

Applications, Process, and Regulations

Applicants contact staff to discuss the project, determine how it will be reviewed, obtain application materials and arrange a site visit. Specifications or a site visit may be required to determine whether a project may be exempt from review. Confirmation of an exemption may be issued in writing.

Contact Information

Christopher Ise, Principal Planner
401.680.8521
cise@providenceri.gov

Downtown Design Review Committee
Joesph A. Doorley, Jr. Municipal Building
Department of Planning & Development
444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A
Providence, RI 02903-3215
Phone: 401.680.8400
Fax 401.680.8492

Office Hours
January-June and September-December
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

July-August
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday