Town of Exeter, Rhode Island

 

 

PLANNING BOARD

 

 

675 Ten Rod Road

Exeter, R.I. 02822

 401-294-2612

401-294-2592

 

 

Exeter Planning Board

Meeting Minutes

October 24, 2017

APPROVED: January 23, 2018

REGULAR MEETING

 

Members present:

Michael DeFrancesco, Frank DiGregorio, Susan Littlefield, William Haas, Donna Pari, Chris Palmer and Robert Vierra

Members Absent:

n/a

Staff present:

Solicitor Peter Ruggiero, Planner Ashley Sweet and Clerk Lorrie Field

 

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman DeFrancesco called the meeting to order 7:00 p.m.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Loren Thurn, Our Kids Farm, 555 Gardner Rd stated he is in opposition to the solar moratorium and it would be detrimental to land owners. 

 

Motion by Michael DeFrancesco to proceed with agenda out of order, seconded by Frank DiGregorio.  Voted all in favor. Motion Passed.

 

A.                  Pre- Application: Minor Subdivision-Jade Investment Group LLC.; Applicant and Owner; property located at South County Trail Exeter, RI; Zoned B and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 71 Block 4 Lot 3; minor subdivision

Richard Marcello, owner and applicant, is present.

This application is the land that the next application –“New England Tumble Force” will be located on.

Richard Marcello stated the lot will be 1.25 acres and meets all the dimensional requirements for the zone. There will be no curb cut from Rt. 2; they will be using the existing.  All utilities will be underground.  The proposed building will be 70’x120’.  Mr. Marcello has received an approved zoning certificate for the future use of the structure. (Zoning Certificate #8023-17)

Chairman DeFrancesco stated there will be one property line added to create the lot.  Mr. Marcello stated yes.

Planner Sweet reviewed the memo dated 10/16/17 as follows:

            Comments

·         The applicant needs to provide specific information regarding drainage for the site as they have provided none at this point.

·         The applicant will need to show a parking calculation. From the site plan it appears they are providing 21 parking spaces. I would think that Section 5.1.5 would apply here. That section requires one parking space for every four persons of capacity and one space for each employee. Since we don’t know the building capacity or the number of employees we can’t check their parking space allotment. Or we can use #9 and the Planning Board can work with the applicant to determine the number of spaces.

·         At the time of this memo I had requested additional information from the applicant regarding the proposed construction materials and use of the building.

Richard Marcello stated the building will be a metal building with stone façade.

Frank DiGregorio reiterated the Boards interest in the promenade between the original project and the new areas.  Mr. Marcello stated he was still working on it with DEM.

Chairman DeFrancesco stated the next step is preliminary and the easements will need to be shown.

B.                  Pre-Application-Development Plan Review-“New England Tumble Force” : Scandia Ventures Inc. c/o Nik Wahlberg; Applicant and Jade Investment Group LLC.; Owner; property located at South County Trail Exeter, RI; Zoned B and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 71 Block 4 Lot 3-proposed gymnastics facility

Amy Wahlberg, owner of New England Tumble Force is present.

Ms. Wahlberg stated the facility will be cheerleading/tumbling facility.  They are currently in Oak HarborVillage but need the extra ceiling heights.  The ceiling height will be 24 feet.

Planner Sweet stated the application meets the regulations and they have a zoning certificate as previously indicated. 

Mr. Marcello stated the building will be a metal structure with decorative glass and stone 3-4 feet high.

Chairman DeFrancesco stated they will need DPR and fire marshal review.  Parking will also need to be reviewed.  Mr. DeFrancesco also requested more detailed elevation drawings.

Ms. Littlefield asked about parking and circulation.  Ms. Wahlberg stated it was mostly drop off and pickup situations.  Ms. Wahlberg stated there will not be competitions held at the facility. 

Chairman DeFrancesco asked if she was leasing or purchasing the land.  Ms. Wahlberg stated purchasing.

Applicant will come back for the next stage of review in the near future.

C.                  Pre- Application Major Land Development- Green Development LLC.; Applicant and Roman Catholic Bishop Of Providence; Owner; property located at 84 Exeter Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 68 Block 1 Lot 1; proposed photovoltaic solar system.

Robert Craven, Attorney, is present.

Colleen DiBenedetto, Project Manager, Green Development LLC, is present.

Mark DePasqualle, Owner of Green Development LLC, is present.

Kevin Morin, DiPrete Engineering, is present.

Ms. DiBenedetto gave a presentation of the project being proposed.  Project is a ground mounted solar array.  There is a 25 year agreement with the owner for the land.   GDC is submitting to DEM for all        permits required.

Chairman DeFrancesco stated a fiscal impact statement for the next stage of review.

Frank DiGregorio asked about the tax impact on the owners of the land.  Mr. DePasquale stated Green Development pays the difference in the taxes. 

Planner Sweet inquired about the removal of the panels at the end of the lease.  Mr. DePasquale stated they have a decommissioning plan and a bond would be issued to the Town. 

William Haas asked about concrete removal.  Mr. DePasquale stated there were no concrete footings. 

Colleen DeBennedetto stated the height of the panels are 38” off the ground and 8’ max height.  The panels     are 3’6” x 52”. 

Ms. DeBenedetto stated the project complies with the setbacks. 

Chairman DeFrancesco stated the well location needs to be indicated on the plan and show protective radius.

Chairman DeFrancesco asked about screening from the road.

Kevin Morin stated they will look at screening for the project.

Mr. DiGregorio stated he is concerned with the long vistas and the Planning Board has been working on developing a Scenic Overlay district to protect the vistas.

 

Chris Palmer stated that Exeter Rd is a state road and they will need a P.A.P from D.O.T.

Chairman DeFrancesco stated the fire department requires a 20’ wide entrance and a 50 foot turn radius or hammerhead. 

Applicant will return at a later date for the next stage of review.

 

D.                  Pre- Application-Major Land Development-“GDC Queens Fort Solar”: Green Development LLC.; Applicant and James N. Andrews and Judith E. Barske; Owner; property located at 99 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 39 Block 2 Lot 4; proposed photovoltaic solar system.

Robert Craven, Attorney, is present.

Colleen DiBenedetto, Project Manager, Green Development LLC, is present.

Mark DePasqualle, Owner of Green Development LLC, is present.

Kevin Morin, DiPrete Engineering, is present.

Ms. DiBenedetto gave a presentation of the project being proposed.  Project is a ground mounted solar array.  There is a 25 year agreement with the owner for the land.   GDC is submitting to DEM for all        permits required.  Project is 2.2 KW DC and 1.75 AC.

Kevin Morin stated the project is very similar to the previous project discussed this evening. 

Frank DiGregorio reiterated the Boards concerns with the views from Scenic Rt. 102.

Attorney Craven stated they would make sure the solar array cannot be seen from Rt. 102. 

Mark DePasquale stated this property requires no clearing for grading. 

Chairman DeFrancesco stated a site visit needs to be done before Master Plan. 

Applicant will return at a later date for the next stage of review.

 

E.                   Pre-Application-Minor Subdivision- Spinnaker Group; Applicant and John H. Erickson ET AL; Owner; property located at Gardner Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-3 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 34 Block 4 Lot 4- proposed 5 lot subdivision

Brian King, Crossman Engineering, is present.

Andy Kushner, Spinnaker Group, is present.

Mr. King stated the proposed project is a 5 lot minor subdivision, 3+ acres each lot.  The plans indicate the location of the houses and driveways as well as the ISDS and well locations.

Chairman DeFrancesco stated one lot is oddly shaped.  Mr. King agreed.

Chris Palmer asked if all lots conform to the zoning ordinance.  Mr. King stated yes.

Mr. DiGregorio asked if a conservation development design might be possible.  Mr.  Kushner stated they would look into it but the current design does not create any new roads.

Applicant will return for preliminary review in the future.

 

F.                    

Final Development Plan Review-  Green Care RI; Applicant and Gashy Dowlatshahi Owner; property located at 560 South County Trail, Exeter, RI; Zoned B  and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 72 Bock 2 Lot 10; building B of approved site plan; proposed medical marijuana facility

Alex Monstrelis, Green Care RI, is present.

Gashy Dowlatshahi, owner, is present.

Brittany McKay, Green Care RI accountant, is present.

Planner Sweet stated this application is for Building “B” on the plans.  The Board previously approved building “D” for a medical marijuana facility also.  The tenants are 2 separate operations.

Ms. Littlefield asked if there was enough water to supply 2 growing operations plus the other uses on the property, Chris Palmer stated at the Town Council meeting an expert testified that each plant takes 5 gallons of water per day.  Mr. Monstrelis stated it depended on the size of the plant.

Ms. Littlefield asked the # of plants expected.  Mr. Monstrelis stated 800 total- 400 flowering and 400 non-flowering.  Discussion of water usage ensued.

Chairman DeFrancesco stated Mr. Monstrelis still needs DBR approval from the state.  Mr. Monstrelis replied yes.

Mr. Dowlatshahi stated the 1st building in the project was supposed to be a restaurant using a 5000 gallon water supply and was approved for that. 

Board asked for documentation regarding the water usage of the proposed projects and the ability for the system to handle proposed usage. 

MOTION by Frank DiGregorio to continue application so applicant can provide documentation regarding water supply and demand, seconded by William Haas, Voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.

 

G.                 Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit- discussion and possible action

 

Motion by Michael DeFrancesco to authorize Frank DiGregorio to submit documentation to Town Council, seconded by William Haas. Voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED

 

H.                 Application to Community Partnership Center at Roger Williams University-discussion and possible action

Planner Sweet received information from Roger Williams University seeking projects for students to do.  She suggests having them work on the scenic overlay.  Frank DiGregorio volunteered to be the point person for RWU. 

Motion by Frank DiGregorio to have Planner Sweet submit the application expressing interest, seconded by Susan Littlefield.  Voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.

 

I.                    Revised Solar Ordinance- discussion and possible action

William Haas stated the solar companies are a business, they are not a farm, and should be treated as a business.  Discussion ensued.  Planner Sweet will revise as discussed for November meeting.

 

J.                    Revised fee schedule- discussion and possible action

Board discussed the fee schedule and the fees as they impacted the potential solar farms.  Discussion ensued.  Board agreed to amend the fee to .02/SF

Motion by Susan Littlefield to adopt an interim fee policy under the amendments can be made to the subdivision regulations;  seconded by Donna Pari.  Voted all in favor. Motion Passed

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

ADMINISTRATIVE

Zoning Board of Review-November application

The petition of Stacey Coleman, applicant and owner of property located at 272 Wolf Rock Road, Exeter, RI , Zoned RE-2 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 80  Block 1 Lot 4 ;  a request for a special use permit under Exeter Zoning Ordinance Article II, Section 2.4.1.38(Two family dwelling structures).

The Planning Board has no comment on this application.

 

Approval of Minutes

September 26, 2014

Motion by William Haas to approve the minutes as submitted; seconded by Frank DiGregorio. Voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.

 

October 10, 2017

Motion by Frank DiGregorio to approve the minutes as submitted; seconded by William Haas. Voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.

 

 

Approval of Invoices

Motion by Michael DeFrancesco to approve invoice for Peter Ruggiero-$450; seconded by Susan Littlefield. Voted all in favor. Motion passed.

 

Solicitors Report

None

Planner’s Report

Nothing to report

Planning Office Report

Nothing to report

Draft Agenda

Revise as discussed

Correspondence

None     

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION made by William Haas to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Frank DiGregorio and carried unanimously.   

Chairman DeFrancesco adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,  

 

 

Lorraine I. Field

Planning Board Clerk

 

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