Town of Exeter, Rhode Island

PLANNING BOARD

675 Ten Rod Road

Exeter, R.I. 02822

401-294-2612

401-294-2592

Chairman Mike DeFrancesco explained why they were onsite as part of considering a proposal for a zoning amendment to establish a controlled environmental agriculture facility overlay district.   The Chairman explained the process and required Planning Board comments to town council. Turned it over to Steven Surdut; he explained the goal of the meeting is to see what the facility would look like in the field stating the intention of the project was to preserve the frontage view and demonstrate the overall scale on the large lot. Steven Surdut explained the project and site in context with the proposal. He stated the intent of making the area a “Rural Gate” references URI heritage of agricultural and bringing agriculture back as a viable commercial entity. The floor is turned over to Tim Schartner (RI Grows) (“Tim”) he explained the proposal is s a covered field-controlled environment and explained the process and benefits. Front will be designed as a barn. The proposed use would provide year-round employment. Tim walked through plans and renderings. Explained it will be hydroponic and can grow in-ground.   

Questions by the attendees:

Olivia DeFrancesco asked if soils would remain. Tim answered yes white matt will cover the ground. Question on growing marijuana.  Tim explained no marijuana, security and costs associated with marijuana not an option or viable. Tim showed the plans to the Board. Chairman Mike DeFrancesco asked what will it look like from the road.  Tim showed elevation drawings points to field references the Barn. Tim described the barn design; stated this will screen greenhouse and will be supported by solar and combined heat and power.    Michael Viveiros commented on scale and design, no conclusion on the ideas of hiding the greenhouse states the structure is not objectionable references Rotterdam designs. Discussion ensued. Light pollution question by Olivia DeFrancesco. Tim explained screening detail and glass composition. Tractor trailer access and egress question posed by William DePasquale. Tim explained there will be two tractor trailers access and where the location will be and explained it will be one truck a day.  Michael Viveiros goes back to design. Tim explained design from New Hampshire rural look. Tim explained houses on North Kingstown side explained the larger rural gate look and master plan secure properties to preserve rural look. Michael Viveiros asked why not announce entire plan.

A lengthy discussion ensued about the larger plan for other sites with Tim, Steve, Surdut, Michael Viveiros and the Chairman. Chairman Mike DeFrancesco goes back to process description of the immediate petition and the larger idea (offsite). William DePasquale explained process proposed controlled environmental agriculture facility overlay vs other mixed-use overlays like planned village district. Tim reviewed the site plan with the attendees. Michael Viveiros asked some questions regarding other offsite proposals.

Tim spoke to the old Bald Hill Nurseries site. Tim wants to preserve rural.  General discussion followed. Chairman Mike DeFrancesco got back to zoning issue describes the role of Planning Board advisory opinion, required. Suggests Planning Board leaning toward a statement of noncompliance.  

Steven Surdut asked what can we do to get closer to compliance. General comp plan discussion amongst the group. Chairman Mike DeFrancesco talked about size and solar. William DePasquale explains the anti-big box definition is different than greenhouse which is an allowed actual use, he also asked what could be the total number of these facilities be in the town.  Tim states 25 acres smallest to be economic viable.  Michael Viveiros asked questions about the viability of the facility, is the site appropriate, what are the risks, how to protect against risks to the town.  Michael Viveiros stated crops that grows could be a neighboring concern as would concerns for fire protection. Discussion followed with Steven Surdut, William DePasquale and Michael Viveiros. Steven Surdut stated even if marijuana was legalized still highly regulated and requires compliance not a crop for this facility.  Steve Surdut and Tim talked about PILOT proposal being $200k a year. Schedule asked by Michael Viveiros. Tim stated 8 months crops in a year. Tim discussed a similar project in cold water Michigan and future projects. Tim answered questions on viability. Tim explains farm history economic viability 5^th generation competes with housing values with lengthy details on financial model; 25 acres small but more efficient allowing to save farms and promote succession. Michael Viveiros stated these are the questions can it benefit the town? Points to size, location and impacts. Chairman Mike DeFrancesco recapped the process how do you make it work how do you get it onboard with the restrictions in place zoning and planning points of nonconformance.  Gina Thurn speaks to the differing opinions on the Board. William DePasquale what sections in the Comp Plan actually speak to why it’s not compliant solar is not addressed in the comp plan and greenhouses are allowed?   Gina Thurn spoke to typical smaller scale facilities; greenhouses are consistent with the comp plan no not supportive of minimum size. Tim and Steve explained the draft was written as a barrier to entry designed by the former planner.  Gina Thurn spoke in depth about the advantages that such a supportive solar could be for small farmers suggests legislation should remove size of the structure as well as other elements of the proposed ordinance. After brief general discussion of grade and plantings Chairman Mike DeFrancesco wraps up the meeting discussing all items in general.