PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Providence City Council and Mayor Brett Smiley are at odds over a proposal that would ban new gas stations from being built within city limits.

The proposal was approved earlier this month through an amendment to the city’s 10-year comprehensive plan .

Providence City Council President Rachel Miller said that Smiley threatened to veto the entire plan because of the proposed gas station ban.

“To threaten a two year process—potentially relinquishing our ability to govern our land use to the state—over this issue is irresponsible,” Miller said. “There are over 40 gas stations in the city, land which can be used as gas stations in perpetuity.”

Miller explained that the amendment “simply says: available land will be prioritized for uses that meet our urgent needs.”

“Every square foot should be prioritized for new homes and clean, family-sustaining jobs,” she continued. “That the mayor would risk the entire plan for the potential of building more gas stations is reckless.”

Regarding the amendment, a spokesperson for Smiley told 12 News it’s “not the path forward for a 10-year plan.”

“The Smiley administration proposed an amendment to the comprehensive plan that would increase much needed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by requiring any new gas stations be hybrid stations for both gas and electric vehicles,” the spokesperson added.

Before the plan makes its way to Smiley’s desk, it first needs to be approved by the Committee on Ordinances and then pass the full Providence City Council twice.

Another public hearing about the comprehensive plan is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m.

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