Town of Exeter, Rhode Island
PLANNING BOARD
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, R.I. 02822
401-294-2612
401-294-2592
Meeting Minutes
August 24, 2021
Approved: December 14, 2021
Members present: Michael DeFrancesco, Scott Millar, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Michael Viveiros, and Donna Di Donato
Members Absent: Joe St. Lawrence
Staff present: Per Vaage, Solicitor (sitting in for Steve Sypole), William DePasquale, Planner and Dixie Foisy, Clerk
Chair Michael DeFrancesco called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
None
A. Preliminary Application-2-Lot Minor Subdivision: Freedom Truck Trailer & Repair, Karen and James Brown, Applicants; and C&H Properties, LLC, Owner of property located at Nooseneck Hill Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned LI and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 46, Block 2, Lot 3.
Chairman Mike DeFrancesco introduced this application. Nicholas Solitro, attorney representing the applicants, Karen and James Brown, began the discussion. Sergio Cherenzia, a licensed Engineer with Cherenzia & Associates LTD, also spoke on behalf of the applicants and presented to the Board. A history of the property was given with a listing of abutting properties. He stated that this proposal is for a lot division for two-thirds of the property. Mr. Cherenzia described the terrain including wetlands and a discussion ensued regarding entrances to the property including some proposed easements. Stormwater, setbacks and wetlands were also discussed. Mr. Cherenzia also discussed shallow ground water tests with water being hit as shallow as 60-61 inches in some areas. Flooding is not an issue on this property and presenter is confident that power can be brought into the site. He stated that the frontage requirements were met and local zoning requirements were met. Will need to come back for special use permit. Bill Haas noted that they were just discussing a sub-division application in front of them.
Chair Michael DeFrancesco turned over to Bill DePasquale to review his memorandum.
Bill DePasquale gave an overview of the proposed 2-lot minor subdivision. He described the site conditions, noting that there is some ledge and ground water; an easement will be required on the proposed lot 1 to eliminate any hazards on Nooseneck Hill Rd.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. DePasquale then reviewed the Findings of Fact from his memo and noted that
no waivers were requested; however, an access easement will be required as both lots will be sharing a single curb cut on Nooseneck Hill Road. He then reviewed the (10) Required Findings, and the (5) Conditions for Approval. Additional discussion took place regarding the conditions of approval. The Town Planner was asked to change the language on the memo and add a sixth condition for final approval by the AO.
Chair Michael DeFrancesco turned meeting over to the board for questions.
Michael Viveiros asked about safety of angles to the entrance and exit in regards to traffic and speed.
Sergio Cherenzia stated that he intends to request a Department of Transportation road-opening permit which will address such issues as traffic.
Chair DeFrancesco asked that the applicant be sure to address entrance requirements when applicant comes back for Major Land Development and to be sure to show on drawings.
Chair DeFrancesco asked Bill DePasquale if this will be a Development Plan Review or if it will be a Major Land Development.
The Planner stated that zoning requirements would have to be reviewed and possible DPR and special use permit once the applicant comes back for additional development.
At this time, a motion was made by Scott Millar to approve this application for a minor sub-division, based on the Town Planner’s memo and referenced page 3 noting the Required Findings. In addition, noting (5) Conditions of Approval on page 4, with the addition of a Condition (6) that the final plan will be submitted to the Administrative Officer for final approval. Final plan should be bound with legend and boundaries shown; Bill Haas seconded the motion. Roll call was taken; voted all in favor, 5-0. Motion passed.
A. Planning Board authorization for the Administrative Officer to draft a Record of Decision for an extension of the Master Plan Approval for Renew Solar RI Exeter Ten LLC; James Marshall, Applicant and Owner, of property located at 590 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 37 Block 1 Lot 5; for a 1-year extension with an expiration date of February 28, 2022.
Bill DePasquale explained that this is a housekeeping item. A recording of a previous decision was never made. This action will correct the omission and since the Chair has changed since then, this step was requested to be brought in front of the Board. Discussion ensued specifically in regard to the time frame.
Scott Millar made a motion to authorize Chair DeFrancesco to sign the extension for Renew Solar RI Exeter Ten LLC, 590 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI; Assessor’s Plat 37 Block 1 Lot 5; Gina Thurn seconded. Roll call vote was taken; voted all in favor, 5-0. Motion passed.
B. Planning Board authorization for the Administrative Officer to draft a Record of Decision for an extension of the Master Plan Approval for Renew Solar RI Exeter Mail LLC; Rina and Lee Stamas, Applicant and Owners of property located at 148 Mail Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 71 Block 4 Lot 14; for a 1-year extension with an expiration date of February 28, 2022.
Same situation as the previous exists with 148 Mail Rd, Exeter Ap71, B4, L14. Same project but two locations.
Brief discussion took place.
Scott Millar made a motion to authorize Chair DeFrancesco to sign the extension for Renew Solar RI Exeter Mail LLC; 148 Mail Road, Exeter, RI; Assessor’s Plat 71, Block 4, Lot 14. Bill Haas seconded. Vote was taken; voted all in favor, 5-0. Motion passed.
Chair DeFrancesco thanked Bill DePasquale for cleaning up some administrative work stemming from before he was hired.
A. Zoning Board of Review: September 9, 2021 meeting-(1) zoning application for Gardner, 237K Stony Fort Road, Exeter, RI; AP81-B4- L11, requesting frontage as there is none at the moment. The Planning Board feels communication with the Zoning Board is in order regarding this application and request that more research is needed. The Planning Board reviewed a list of items as follows: which approvals applicant already has, when the lot was platted, information about public safety access, and whether they have obtained approval from the fire department in addition to other easement questions. Discussion also followed regarding the topography of the lot (wetlands, pond) and if access is feasible in that regard. Bill DePasquale was asked to draft a memo to the Zoning Board for additional information in regards to the previous points and report back to the Planning Board in order to be able to make a recommendation.
Per Vaage shared information from a past application for a dog training business that wanted to operate on a lot with no frontage. The Zoning Board denied the application and Superior Court overturned the Zoning Board’s decision.
B. Approval of Minutes:
1. March 23, 2021 - Scott Millar made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted; Chair Michael DeFrancesco seconded. Roll call vote was taken. Voted all in favor with the exception of Bill Haas who abstained because he was not present. Motion passed.
2. April 13, 2021 - Scott Millar made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted; Gina Thurn seconded the motion. Vote was taken. All in favor. Motion passed
3. May 22, 2021 - Gina Thurn made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted; Michael Viveiros seconded the motion. A brief discussion ensued regarding a mention in the minutes that marijuana was never to be grown at the facility and if that would be binding. No additional comments were made in regards to the minutes. Vote was taken. Voted all in favor. Motion passed.
C. Solicitor’s Report: Per Vaage deferred to Steve Sypole for Solicitor’s report upon his return. No report given.
D. Future Meeting: Special Meeting/Public Hearing – August 31, 2021
The Planner spoke about the Comprehensive Plan and the formation of said plan. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Bill Haas to adjourn, seconded by Gina Thurn; voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED. Meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
M. Dixie Foisy
Planning Board Clerk