Town of Exeter, Rhode Island
PLANNING BOARD
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, R.I. 02822
401-294-2612
401-294-2592
Meeting Minutes
April 27, 2021
Approved: September 28, 2021
Pursuant to Executive Orders executed by
the Governor of RI as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic,
this meeting was held virtually via Zoom
Members present: Michael DeFrancesco, Scott Millar, William Haas, Donna Pari, Gina Thurn, Michael Viveiros, and Donna Di Donato
Members Absent: None
Staff present: Steve Sypole, Solicitor, William DePasquale, Planner and Dixie Foisy, Clerk
Chair Michael DeFrancesco called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
None
A. Renewal - Final Development Plan Review Approval: The Pine Ridge Industrial Park, Building B dated 1/11/2018; Gashy Dowlatshahi, Applicant and Owner of property located at South County Trail, Exeter, RI; Zoned B and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 72, Block 2, Lot 10 for a proposed building. (No review application time clock required)
Chair DeFrancesco introduced the renewal of approval; he then turned it over to the applicant, Gashy Dowlatshahi and his attorney, Eric Brainsky.
Attorney Brainsky reviewed the proposal and explained the history of this site.
Town Planner, Bill DePasquale reviewed his memo regarding this “renewal” and read the Exeter zoning ordinance Section 2.5.7 titled “Expiration.” Mr. DePasquale’s recommendation is to approve this renewal.
Discussion ensued. William Haas voiced his concerns with granting this “renewal.”
Gina Thurn made a motion to approve the renewal for 1-year, based on Bill DePasquale’s memo; Scott Millar seconded. Donna Di Donato suggested to amend to read “1-year from today’s date 7/27/2021.” Roll call vote taken; voted 4-0. William Haas abstained. Motion passed to grant 1-year renewal from today’s date until 4/27/2022.
B. Preliminary Plan Review: Rocco D’Angelo, Applicant and Owner of property located at School Land Woods Rd., Exeter, RI; Zoned CR-5 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 66, Block 3, Lot 1 for a proposed minor subdivision. (Application time clock expires on May 19, 2021)
Chair DeFrancesco introduced this application.
Rocco D’Angelo and Deb Grant were present and reviewed what had been updated since their last appearance before the Board.
Town Planner, Bill DePasquale reviewed his memo and what was included in the rest of their submission. Bill DePasquale’s recommendation was to approve this minor subdivision with the following conditions of approval:
1. All outstanding federal, state and local permits must be obtained prior to final plan approval.
2. All imperious surfaces shall be designed as sheet flow to qualified pervious areas on-site or other qualified means of mitigation and control.
3. The Final plans shall be stamped by a Professional Land Surveyor including the COA Certificate of Authorization number.
4. The Final plans shall include “conservation area” boundaries for the conservation easement with reference to easement on record.
5. Add monumentation for new lots and conservation boundaries.
6. Final approval shall be granted by the Administrative Officer to the Planning Board.
7. Subject to the Code of Ordinances Town of Exeter, RI Chapter 14 – Buildings and Building Regulations Article III. Sec. 14-201- Sec. 14-213 – entitled Growth Management Ordinance.
Discussion ensued.
Chair Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to approve in accordance with Bill DePasquale’s memo and additional conditions of approval added above; Scott Millar seconded. Roll call vote was taken; voted all in favor 5-0. Motion passed.
C. Final Plan Approval for Comprehensive Permit, Major Land Development and Modification: Pineview Apartments, property located at South County Trail, Exeter, RI; Zoned B & RU-4 (SPLT) and further designated as AP 71, Block 4, Lot 8 for a proposed housing development. (Application time clock expires on May 21, 2021)
Chair Michael DeFrancesco introduced this application.
Attorney Ken McGunagle was present to represent his client, Women’s Development Corporation.
Town Planner, Bill DePasquale reviewed the application for the Comprehensive Permit and discussed some updates and clarifications to their request. Bill DePasquale’s recommendation was to approve this final application based on (15) Findings of Facts, Conditions of Approval and Exeter Zoning Ordinance 1.4.4.E.4 Required Findings all noted in his memo.
Discussion ensued.
Gina Thurn made a motion to approve based on Bill DePasquale’s memo, also to include the construction “as-builts.” Scott Millar seconded. Roll call vote was taken; voted all in favor 5-0. Motion passed.
D. Pre-application: Jade Investment Group, LLC, Applicant and Owner of property located at South County Trail, Exeter, RI; Zoned B and further designated as AP 71, Block 4, Lot 3 for a proposed storage building. (No review application time clock required)
Chair DeFrancesco introduced this pre-application.
Applicant, Richard Marcello was present and reviewed their proposal and gave details of what this space may be used for, sizes of each structure, design details and noted the uses will be compatible with zoning.
Bill DePasquale reviewed the details of his memo; he voiced some concerns with mixed uses and fitting in with the zoning codes, which leads to questions such as parking requirements and providing sufficient drainage.
Discussion ensued.
In closing, Chair DeFrancesco suggested when they come back with a Preliminary application, they should provide detailed plans for business use, parking, phases of development, environmental impact, screening and aesthetics.
E. Pre-application: Rhode Island Grows, LLC at Schartner Farms, Richard J. Schartner, Owner and Applicant of property located at 1 Arnold Place, Exeter, RI; further designated as Assessors Plat 52, Lot 1, Block 4, 5, 6 & 7; for a proposed controlled environmental agriculture facility.
Chair Michael DeFrancesco introduced this pre-application.
Attorney Steven Surdut was present representing his client, Richard J. Schartner, of Schartner Farms. To save time, Attorney Surdut deferred to the Town Planner, Bill DePasquale to review his memo.
Bill DePasquale reviewed his memorandum which included details of this proposed zoning amendment and CEA facility.
Discussion ensued.
Chair Michael DeFrancesco questioned a timeline to prepare an advisory opinion and submit to the Town Council.
Solicitor Steve Sypole replied and referenced section 45.24.51 that states the Planning Board shall report to the Town Council within 45 days after receipt of the proposal. Discussion took place about dates of submission and the date that the application was actually withdrawn.
Further discussion ensued regarding overlay districts, spot zoning, utility scale solar arrays, soils remaining in place, and the possibility of amending the current solar ordinance vs. implementing an overlay district.
Chair DeFrancesco asked that the Town Planner and/or Clerk notify the Town Council via a memorandum as to the status of this application, and add this item to our next work session agenda on May 11, 2021, and will continue this agenda item to our regular meeting on May 25, 2021.
F. Pre-application II: Revity Energy, LLC, Applicant and Exeter Real Estate Holdings, LLC, Owner of property located at Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 22, Block 3, Lot 3 for a proposed utility-scale solar development. (No review application time clock required)
Chair DeFrancesco introduced this pre-application that was discussed in part at our Planning Board meeting that took place on March 23, 2021.
For the record, Donna Pari recused herself from this discussion as she is a direct abutter.
Attorney Jon Restivo of Darrow & Everett was present to represent his client and applicant, Revity Energy, LLC. Attorney Restivo spoke on this application and hope to move forward with a Master Plan. He stated they are looking for the Board’s direction for the best path to move forward.
Town Planner, Bill DePasquale reviewed his memo and stated that this project, most importantly, has to tie into the Comprehensive Plan. He discussed overlay zones, planned districts, commercial planned/light-industrial zones, special use districts and long-term conservation for the Town.
Chair DeFrancesco asked the Board members for their opinions. Discussion ensued including the option of revising the current solar ordinance versus implementing a new district/zone. Solicitor Sypole made note of section 45.24.53 J in the Zoning Enabling Act.
Chair DeFrancesco asked that Steve Sypole and Bill DePasquale work with Jon Restivo on conditions to move forward.
A. Zoning Board of Review: Reviewed May applications – (2) applications for dimensional relief for (2) single family homes; (1) SUP for roof mounted solar application.
B. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of February 9, 2021-motion made by Bill Haas to approve minutes as submitted; Scott Millar seconded. Roll call vote taken; voted all in favor. Motion passed.
Minutes of February 23, 2021-motion made by Chair DeFrancesco to approve as submitted; Bill Haas seconded. Roll call vote taken; voted all in favor. Motion passed.
C. Solicitor’s Report: Steve Sypole discussed the Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and shared that using personal email and/or text to discuss any Board business that these could be considered “public record.” He suggested to refrain from doing this.
D. Draft Agenda: Discussed topics to add to the next Work Session meeting on May 11, 2021 to include Overlay District for CEA and Revity.
Motion by Bill Haas to adjourn, seconded by Gina Thurn; voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED. Meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
M. Dixie Foisy
Planning Board Clerk