From the Providence Journal Metro Section
New law could aid artists' housing
BY CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY | 09:16 AM EDT on Thursday, October 6, 2005
Artists living and working together in large apartments might soon come out of hiding.
The city zoning law prohibits more than three unrelated people from living together, but some artists have ignored the law and crowded into apartments to make it more affordable.
The city is considering an ordinance that would allow up to six unrelated people to live and work out of their apartments. The ordinance was drafted by Puente, a group that is renovating 29 live/work spaces at The Plant, 60 Valley St.
"There used to be a lot of spaces available," said Sara Struever, of Puente, a nonprofit organization that is is developing The Plant. "Unwanted industrial space where artists can live and work is becoming much harder to find."
Several artists' colonies have been evicted because of poor living conditions or development. Last year, 56 artists and musicians were forced to leave an Olneyville warehouse where they were living illegally. In 2001, the legendary Fort Thunder artist enclave was evicted from the Eagle Square mill.
The proposed ordinance would allow six people to live and work together only in certain areas of the city: downtown and the industrial zones. The number of people allowed in a dwelling would be restricted by the size of the apartment: there must be 300 square feet per person, said Thomas E. Deller, director of the city Department of Planning & Development. Half of the space must be dedicated to work.
Though intended for artists seeking affordable housing, the ordinance applies to anyone who uses their home for work.
"A building inspector is not going to decide this person is an artist and this person is not," Deller said.
The original three-person limit on unrelated roommates was adopted in the mid-1990s, when city officials cracked down overcrowded student apartments that were becoming neighborhood nuisances.
Councilwoman Josephine DiRuzzo, who represents the ward where The Plant is located, sponsored the proposed ordinance.
Struever envisions all sorts of creative, entrepreneurial and small home-businesses occupying the live/work studios.
"People have been living like this in Providence for years," she said. "It's been part of the cultural vibrancy in at least part of the city. It's exciting to see it go to this new level of legality."
