Coventry officials weigh housing, redevelopment, and charter changes as busy summer agenda unfolds
Coventry's boards and commissions tackled a packed two-week schedule spanning affordable housing, a major redevelopment plan, and proposed charter amendments — though minutes from those sessions have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.
Town Council considers charter amendments and contracts
On June 23, the Town Council was scheduled to discuss and vote on four proposed charter amendments for the November 2026 ballot, including establishing a town-run fire and EMS department, staggered council terms, partisan elections, and reducing land trust funding. The agenda also included several spending resolutions: $117,701.14 for a mobile command post vehicle for police (Resolution 2026-62), $429,439.20 for Paine Baseball Field lighting upgrades with a $66,428 rebate from RI Energy (Resolution 2026-66), $413,940 bid award to D'Ambra Construction for a Hopkins Hill Road traffic signal (Resolution 2026-71), and $32,672 in impact fees for repaving and new basketball courts at Hopkins Hill School (Resolution 2026-65). A public hearing was also scheduled for a new Class B liquor license for Coventry Eats LLC, doing business as The Ham and Egger, at 687 Washington Street. Minutes have not been published, so no outcomes are confirmed.
Planning Commission takes up 20-unit Mishnock Road housing plan
The Planning Commission's June 22 agenda included a public hearing and vote on a master plan for "Residences on Mishnock," a 20-unit multifamily development on 2.93 acres at Mishnock and Hopkins Hill Roads, with 25% of units designated affordable. The commission was also scheduled to consider a recommendation to the Town Council on the Flat River Reservoir / Johnson's Pond Redevelopment Area Plan, discuss a letter from the Conservation Commission, and review future zoning code updates for multi-family and two-family dwellings. Minutes are not yet available.
Coventry Redevelopment Agency, Land Trust, Conservation Commission meet
On June 24, the Coventry Redevelopment Agency was scheduled to discuss and possibly vote on using pond-designated APRA funds to develop a lake management plan. The Coventry Land Trust met June 29 with a public hearing and vote on an open space budget for trail and forest projects using Real Estate Conveyance Tax Funds, plus discussion of selling development rights for properties at 798 Nicholas Rd., 120 Town Farm Rd., and 0 Hammet Rd. The Land Trust also planned to review a draft ordinance for land acquisition procedures. On July 1, the Conservation Commission was scheduled to vote on advisory comments to the Town Council regarding Proposed Ordinance 2026-20.
Historic Preservation Commission reviews displays and monument resolution
The Historic Preservation Commission met July 2 to discuss updates to the town's driving tour map, bridge preservation study goals, display cases for fallout shelter signs, the Coolidge pencil, and historic cemeteries, plus a draft Town Council resolution for the First Coventry Town House Monument.
Coming up
- **July 8 — Town Council:** Public hearing on the Johnson's Pond redevelopment plan and eminent domain, plus votes on the $413,940 Hopkins Hill Road traffic signal contract, $49,797.72 for Senior Center HVAC condensers, and appointments to a Charter Review Committee.
- **July 15 — Technical Review Committee:** Review of a 400-unit multi-family development at 1055 Tiogue Avenue (Mishnock Woods), with 25% affordable units across five 5-story buildings, plus an accessory dwelling unit proposal at 31 King Street requiring a lot coverage variance.
Earlier weeks
- week of 2026-06-29 — Coventry council weighs fire consolidation charter amendment, paving and signal contracts
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.