A proposed 344-unit housing development in town has elicited plenty of opinions from residents, but members of the Barrington Town Council have refrained from endorsing or opposing the project.

“I have no comment,” wrote Barrington Town Council President Braxton Cloutier, when asked to share his thoughts on the potential impact of the development. 

Barrington Town Council Vice President Kate Berard wrote that comments made by council members could jeopardize the decision rendered by the Barrington Planning Board. 

“It is frustrating that the council will not have the opportunity to weigh in directly on a development of this magnitude;” Berard wrote, “it is important that we encourage residents to attend the public hearing and offer comment; and encourage residents to educate themselves about the process and the application by reviewing material on the town’s website, including the ‘Comp Permit FAQ’ document.”

Shineharmony Holdings Inc. has filed an application for a comprehensive permit for the construction of 344 housing units on the former Zion Bible College campus. The Barrington Planning Board was scheduled to begin the review process on Tuesday night; the process includes the opportunity for public comments. 

Councilor Jordan Jancosek encouraged people to attend the planning board meetings, but stopped short of opining on the proposed housing project.

“I will not be offering a comment on the project while the application goes through the comp permitting legal process and steps, but I can speak to my frustration with the process and that the council does not get an opportunity to provide questions, guidance, or feedback while this takes place,” Jancosek wrote. 

Councilor Kerry O’Neill wrote that “the submission of any plan should be seen as a sign of progress, given that the property has been dormant for far too long.”

O’Neill said the last time a plan was put forth from the property owners was almost 10 years ago. O’Neill also offered details about the comprehensive permit application process. 

“The Barrington Town Council does not play a role in reviewing or approving comprehensive permit applications. Barrington’s Planning Board is the local arbiter of whether to approve or deny the comprehensive permit application. If the application is denied that denial could be appealed to the Rhode Island Superior Court. Input or influence from the Town Council could affect an appeal. Therefore it would not be prudent for me to share my opinion on the project,” O’Neill wrote.

Members of the council offered words of support for the Barrington Planning Board as it begins its review.

“We have an experienced, thoughtful and thorough Planning Board that I trust will measure every question and decision by the benefit and impact to our community and against the legal standards,” wrote Berard.

Councilor Liana Cassar agreed.

“I feel certain that the Planning Board, which is made up of talented individuals with deep expertise in the legal, analytical and technical areas who have all spent signature working on long-term municipal planning work are exactly the folks our community needs to guide the process to a well-informed decision about the future of the property,” Cassar wrote. “I feel grateful for the hours that the Planning Board members have already spent considering the implications of this application and the many other applications and projects that they have stewarded that have made our community what it is.”

Added O’Neill: “We are fortunate, in Barrington, in that our Planning Board consists of thoughtful and dedicated members of our community. I am confident that their years of experience and insight will help steer the Belton Court project and Shineharmony’s comprehensive permit application in the appropriate direction.”

Meanwhile, members of the Barrington Town Council are calling for their neighbors to get involved. 

“I strongly encourage all residents to attend the upcoming planning board meetings to make their concerns heard, participate in public comment…” Jancosek wrote in a message to the Times. 

Cassar agreed.

“I feel glad that Barrington residents will be able to provide their input on what may turn out to be a substantial development with significant community, infrastructure and economic impacts,” she wrote.