2026 COVENTRY COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE

The Town of Coventry is currently proposing a re-write of the Housing Chapter and revision to the Land Use Chapter within the Town’s 2026 Comprehensive Plan. The Housing Chapter is a critical element to guiding the future growth of the community and describing the types of housing options the Town wishes to encourage. This webpage will serve as the home for all relevant project documents and updates.

The DRAFT Housing Chapter Update provides a profile and assessment of local housing needs, an analysis of barriers to housing development, a new implementation matrix with goals, policies, and action items, and an updated affordable housing production plan. An additional DRAFT revision to the existing Land Use Chapter will provide an updated buildout and housing capacity analysis for future residential growth.

To start the public engagement process, the Town held a Public Workshop on July 20, 2026, which featured presentations and interactive exercises – the meeting materials are still available via the links below.

As a next step, the Coventry Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Housing and Land Use Chapter Updates. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the Coventry Town Council Chambers, 1670 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI. Public feedback is an integral part of this process and all residents are encouraged to attend. The Town intends to make this meeting available for remote participation using Zoom Video Conference technology. DRAFT copies of the revised Housing and Land Use Chapter will be accessible via the links below in the coming days.

As background, the Town Council voted to adopt a new Comprehensive Plan on June 9, 2026. That Plan is currently being reviewed by Statewide Planning to receive State approval, which will take several months. The Town’s re-write of the Housing Chapter and revision to the Land Use Chapter is being reviewed in parallel fashion with the State’s review of the full 2026 Comprehensive Plan as it stands now. The full, locally adopted Comprehensive Plan is provided via the PDF links below. 

Public feedback and comments from residents and interested stakeholders are welcome and encouraged throughout the re-write of the Housing and Land Use Chapters. Please email your comments to Doug McLean, Director of Planning and Development, at dmclean@coventryri.gov. All comments will be considered and provided to the local decision-makers as part of this process.

Click link below for the July 20 meeting agenda and DRAFT Housing Chapter content:

Coventry Housing Needs Assessment - Staff Briefing

Coventry Housing Needs Assessment Summary- DRAFT for Public Review

Housing Chapter Public Workshop Agenda w/ Zoom Link

DRAFT Housing Chapter Goals, Policies and Action Items

Click links below for DRAFT 2026 Comprehensive Plan files (revised April 16, 2026) and associates Staff Reports and recomendations:

Comprehensive Community Plan Volume 1

Comprehensive Community Plan Volume 2 - Pt 1

Comprehensive Community Plan Volume 2 - Pt 2

Planning Staff Report - March 20, 2026

Planning Staff Report - April 21, 2026

Planning Commission Recommendation - May 11, 2026

Town Council Resolution - June 23, 2026