Kiersten Marek sends news that our neighbors across the Bay in Cranston have successfully rebuffed a project that would have turned a mixed-use open space area into a giant commercial development. This is a victory for Cranston, for the community who came together to Save Cranston's Open Space (SCOS) and for folks everywhere fighting big-boxes.

"I received this email from Rachel McNally, President of Save Cranston’s Open Space:

"We wanted to share with you that late this afternoon Churchill & Banks withdrew their Master Plan Application for the “Centre at Garden Hills,” which we can attribute to the intense pressure that the residents of Cranston placed on the developer and the fact that we were able to mobilize as a community."
— via Kmareka.com

More backstory available in this ProJo article.

In addition to the great organizing work of SCOS, apparently one of the key success factors was restrictive language in the zoning ordinance. That's an important lesson for us here in Portsmouth — let's keep that in mind as we approach the end of the moratorium and finalize our zoning revisions.

UPDATE: An anonymous reader pointed out this piece in today's Projo:
The 373 registered voters who crowded into the Lawn Avenue School gymnasium last night voted unanimously to contribute $2.1 million toward the $9.3-million purchase of development rights to two farms along North Road.

The vote allows the town to move forward with plans to protect the Dutra and Neale farms — properties that have been under cultivation for more than three centuries and are known for the scenic views they provide along the east side of North Road. Now, they will help to create a continuous area of protected lands at the center of Conanicut Island that totals more than 1,000 acres, Anthony said.

Yay, Jamestown! More Rhode Islanders working together to preserve our wonderful communities!

Hat tip to my anonymous reader. Thanks!