Town of Exeter, Rhode Island
PLANNING BOARD
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, R.I. 02822
401-294-2612
401-294-2592
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2022
Approved: May 10, 2022
Members present: Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros, and Donna Di Donato
Members Absent: Scott Millar
Staff present: William DePasquale, Planner and Dixie Foisy, Clerk
Acting Chair Michael DeFrancesco called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
None
A. Select Comprehensive Plan Logo
Acting Chair Michael DeFrancesco asked Town Planner William DePasquale to discuss the selection of the Comprehensive Plan’s logo. Mr. DePasquale explained the importance of a logo and how the logo becomes the foundation of your brand identity. He added that it’s about telling a story and that it should become memorable to your audience. He indicated that there are three choices for the Board to choose from after going through a few different stages of the process.
Board member Michael Viveiros added his understanding of how a logo will be used going forward and that a “less is more” approach would be best. Mr. Viveiros stated the logo will be used in many different applications and the ability to enlarge and reduce the size of the logo is important. Mr. DePasquale concurred. Each board member made their opinions known to the Planner. It was agreed that Mr. DePasquale would go back to the consultants and ask them to simplify/modify the # 2 logo design.
B. Review, Edit and Approve Comprehensive Plan Survey
Town Planner DePasquale opened the discussion with his guidance about the beginning process for the Comprehensive Plan surveys. He explained what was in front of the Board was an entry level survey, only as long as 5-7 minutes, which was designed as a way to find out what’s on the mind of Exeter residents—taking the temperature of the public. What would follow would be more targeted surveys that would be specifically designed to gain consensus building. He acknowledged that he was aware of an email from Chairman Millar expressing some reservations and clarifications that he felt were necessary. However, Mr. DePasquale indicated that he would be grateful for any input from the Board.
The Board decided to go through each of the 26 survey questions. Question #1 it was determined that a selection should be () No, but I own a business or property in town (please answer questions…); Question #2 was discussed by the group with regards to being able to identify which area of town the respondents were from. Discussion centered around including a map with possibly four (4) identifying locations for the survey taker to choose from. The Planner indicated that the survey was only Draft No. 1 and they would see a Draft No. 2. Question #3 and #4 accepted as stated. On Question #5 removal of last choice () I do not live in Exeter; Question #6 and #7 there was no discussion. Question #8 removal of small population, add noise, quietness, lack of traffic. Question #9 fine; Question #10 add “S” to answer(s); Question #11 no changes; Question #12 change the question to read choose your top 3 answers and add Town Center and Senior Center; Question #13 should it be left in or removed; Question #14 as is; Questions #15 through #17 as is; Question #18 add () In-law apartment; Questions #19 through #26 no changes.
Acting Chair DeFrancesco asked if the survey would be on-line? Planner DePasquale said yes and that it would be up for a certain amount of time. That time is still to be determined. That there would be an outreach program with hard copy mailers, magnets and a dedicated Comprehensive Plan website. That there would be a mailer that drives residents to the website/survey. The Planner reminded the board that this was a two-year process. Board member Gina Thurn mentioned Email notifications are available through the Town’s website.
It was mentioned that the consultants will be contacting board members through email, offering them dates and times for their interviews.
A. Scheduling Time for Photograph with Planning Board and Town Council
(May 2, 2022 @6:30 p.m.)
It was agreed that a Special Meeting would be called in order to take a group photo in front of the Town Hall for the Comprehensive Plan on May 2, at 6:30 p.m. Acting Chair DeFrancesco called for a motion to approve this special meeting. Michael Viveiros made the motion, William Haas seconded the motion, all in favor. The motion passed.
B. Voting to Set the Annual Fee in lieu amount per dwelling as required in the Exeter RI
Code of Ordinances APPENDIX A - ZONING ARTICLE IX. - AFFORDABLE HOUSING Sec. 9.4. - Inclusionary zoning (F) Fee in lieu.
See Town Planner William DePasquale’s Planning Memorandum, Fee in lieu Affordable Housing Sec. 9.4 – Inclusionary zoning (F), Term: June 1, 2022 – June 1, 2023, Dated: April 4, 2022.
Mr. DePasquale informed the Board that through his investigation he found that no fee per unit had been established for the year. That he then requested Kerri A. Petrarca, RICA, Tax Assessor to provide him with a median sales price for dwellings within the Town. He also indicated that he reached out to Rhode Island Housing who gave him the tools to determine the current maximum purchase price for a housing unit affordable at 80 percent of applicable area median income (as estimated by Rhode Island Housing). That amount was $145,986. He asked the Planning Board to approve the fee in lieu in that amount, $145,986 for a term extending from June 1, 2022—June 1, 2023 and that this amount be forwarded to the Town Council for their approval.
Acting Chair DeFrancesco asked for a motion. Michael Viveiros made the motion to approve the fee in lieu in the amount of $145,986 for a term extending from 6/1/22 – 6/1/23; William Haas seconded the motion, voted all in favor. The motion passed.
Board member Donna Di Donato made the suggestion that the Board make a motion to recompute the Fee in Lieu/Inclusionary Zoning each year with budget season. Acting Chair DeFrancesco made a motion to include this as an agenda item each budget year. Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion; voted all in favor. The motion passed.
A. Approval of Minutes: September 14, 2021
Acting Chair DeFrancesco called for a motion to approve the September 14th minutes. William Haas made the motion to approve the minutes as submitted, Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion, all in favor. The September 14, 2021 minutes were approved.
Approval of Minutes: September 28, 2021
Acting Chair DeFrancesco called for a motion to approve the September 28th minutes. William Haas made the motion to approve the minutes as submitted, Gina Thurn seconded the motion, all in favor. The September 28, 2021 minutes were approved.
Approval of Minutes: January 25, 2022
Acting Chair DeFrancesco called for a motion to approve the January 25, 2022 minutes. William Haas made the motion to approve the minutes as submitted, Gina Thurn seconded the motion, all in favor. The January 25, 2022 minutes were approved.
B. Future Meeting: April 26, 2022
Bill DePasquale briefly reviewed the agenda items and stated we currently have two old and two new applications.
Motion by William Haas to adjourn, seconded by Gina Thurn; voted all in favor. The Motion Passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Lukowicz
M. Dixie Foisy
Planning Board Clerk