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)
Kristi Gelnett, Chair
Chris Marsella
Shey Rivera
Joshua Cullion
Historic District Commission Chair or HDC Member
Clark Schoettle‐Vice Chair
First Alternate (Appointed by Mayor)
Rachel Hampton
Second Alternate (Appointed by Mayor)
Alan Chille
Meetings & Agendas
The DDRC meets on the second Monday of every month (unless indicated) at 4:45 p.m at the Joseph A. Dorley, Jr. Municipal Building, 444 Westminster Street, 1st-floor conference room. Due to the coronavirus pandemic the DDRC’s meeting are currently being conducted via the online platform “Zoom” as virtual public hearings authorized by Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-05 dated March 16, 2020.
Click here for the 2021 meeting schedule.
Click here for agendas & minutes of the Downtown Design Review Committee.
Meetings
The Downtown Design Review Committee will convene a regular meeting on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 4:45 P.M.,
444 Westminster Street, 1st Floor, Conf. Room, Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Municipal Building, Providence, RI 02903.
THIS IS A HYBRID MEETING.
Commission Members are required to attend in person at 444 Westminster Street, 1st Floor, Conf. Room, Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Municipal Building, Providence, RI 02903. Masks are required to be worn regardless of vaccination status.
All others (applicants or their representatives/members of the public) may also remotely view and participate in the meeting on the Zoom platform using the following link: https://providenceri-gov.zoom.us/j/92286146873, or may participate by telephone by dialing one of the following toll-free numbers: 833 548 0276, 833 548 0282, 877 853 5247, or 888 788 0099. The Webinar ID is 922 8614 6873.
Please contact Christopher Ise at or 401.680.8521 if you encounter difficulty accessing the files.
Applications and Process
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.
For a DDRC Application Package, click here
For the DDRC’s Rules & Regulations, click here
Contact Information
Christopher Ise, Principal Planner
401.680.8521
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
