WORK SESSION MEETING

Members present:     Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence and Michael Viveiros

Members Absent:      William Haas and Donna DiDonato

Staff present:             William DePasquale, Planner and Dixie Foisy, Clerk

I.                CALL TO ORDER:

Chair Scott Millar called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

II.              PUBLIC COMMENT:

Asa Davis was in attendance and shared comments from a prepared statement.  (See attached.)

III.            OLD BUSINESS:

A.    Comp Plan Update – General Discussion and Thoughts Moving Forward

Chairman Millar introduced this item due to discussions he has had with members of the CPAC committee and the questions they have raised about the process. Chairman Millar, after speaking with Town Planner William DePasquale, concluded that they need to get together with Consultant Larissa Brown to discuss these concerns.

Michael DeFrancesco stated that he would like to see a status report to know what’s been accomplished to date.

William DePasquale provided an overview of what has been accomplished to date and stated that we are right on track.

It was decided that a status update of the Comprehensive Plan would be provided at the next CPAC meeting and a complete explanation be given regarding the process.

IV.            NEW BUSINESS:

A.    Discussion and/or Possible Action: Draft letter to the Town Council regarding potential recommendations from the Rhode Island House of Representatives: Commission on Land Use and Zoning.

Chairman Millar shared his proposed memo to be sent from the Exeter Planning Board to the Exeter Town Council regarding changes to the Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act. Members of the Board reviewed the proposed memo and offered their input and discussed the ideas within the letter and how it would impact the residents of Exeter.

The Planning Board were recommending to the Council, in their memo, that the information be put into the form of a letter, approved by the Exeter Town Council, and then sent to the following individuals:  Thom Deller, Chair, Land Use Commission; Maria Mack, Vice Chair, Land Use Commission; Speaker Shekarchi; Senate President Ruggiero; Governor McKee; Ernie Almonte, Executive Director RI League of Cities and Towns; Representative Megan Cotter and Senator Elaine Morgan. (Memo is attached.)

Chairman Millar asked for a motion to approve the preliminary memo as is and to forward it on to the Exeter Town Council.  Michael DeFrancesco made the motion, it was seconded by Joe St. Lawrence, a vote was taken, 5-0 in favor and the motion passed.

B.    Discussion and/or Possible Action: Planning Board Policy requiring digital submission stating that Applicant shall provide electronic copies of their submissions and as well as provide a link to access electronic copies of their submissions so that they may be made available to the public.

Chairman Millar noted that in an earlier discussion with Town Planner William DePasquale and Dixie Foisy, Clerk, the question arose about requiring applicants to send both electronic copies of their submissions as well as a link, which would then be available to the public allowing them the opportunity to view, in real time, what was being proposed. This topic will be added as an agenda item for further discussion at the next Planning Board Work Session.

V.              ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.    Approval of Minutes: September 27, 2022

Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to approve the September 27, 2022; seconded by Joe St. Lawrence with an amendment by Gina Thurn. Ms. Thurn asked that the word “it” be replaced with the words “dead trees” on Page 5, Paragraph four. Chairman Millar entertained a motion to approve the minutes as amended by Ms. Thurn. So moved by Michael DeFrancesco and seconded by Joe St. Lawrence, all in favor the minutes of September 27, 2022 were approved.

Approval of Minutes: October 25, 2022

Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to approve the minutes of October 25, 2022; seconded by Joe St. Lawrence. All in favor, the minutes of October 25, 2022 were approved.

B.    Future Meeting: January 10, 2023

VI.            ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Michael DeFrancesco to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Joe St. Lawrence; voted all in favor.  The motion passed. Chairman Millar adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Lukowicz  

M. Dixie Foisy

Planning Board Clerk