CPAC MINUTES
_______________________________________________ ___________________
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Minutes
- Meeting #4-
675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI 02822
Approved: November 9, 2022
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| CPAC Members | | Member Present Y – Yes N – No | PB Members | Member Present Y – Yes N – No | Other Staff/Consultant |
| Christopher | Ausura | N |
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| Larissa Brown William DePasquale |
| Tom | McMillan | Y | |
| M. Dixie Foisy, Clerk |
| Scott Millar | Y | Olivia DeFrancesco, Council Liaison | |||
| Ben | Coerper | N | Michael P. DeFrancesco | Y | |
| Rachael | Slattery | N | Bill Haas | Y | |
| Robert | Corriea | Y | Gina Thurn | Y | |
| Jenna | Cragan | Y | Donna DiDonato | Y | |
| Jess | DeMartino | Y | Michael Viveiros | Y | |
| Waverly | Findlay | N | Joseph St Lawrence | N | |
| Charles | Franklin | N | |
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| Tracy | Hartman | Y | |
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| Maggie | LaPrise | N | |
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| Claudia | Massa | Y | |
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| Ray | Morrissey | Y | |
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| Ted | Nataly | N | |
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| Noah | Thurn | Y | |
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| Paul | Ward | N | |
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Facilitator(s): Larissa Brown, Consultant Larissa Brown + Associates LLC
William DePasquale Jr., Town Planner
Time begins: 6:30 pm
Time end: 8:18 pm
MINUTES:
1. William DePasquale Jr., Town Planner, opened the meeting and roll call was taken.
2. Planner DePasquale asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the September 13, 2022 minutes, hearing none, a vote was taken and the September 13th minutes were approved as submitted.
3. Planner DePasquale then turned over the meeting to Facilitator Ms. Larissa Brown.
4. Ms. Brown updated the committee on the survey responses, 287 responses had been received to date. She also indicated that there were approximately 200 individuals who signed up for emails.
5. Ms. Brown reflected on the Exeter Fall Festival and felt that they had interacted with about 100 residents.
6. Ms. Brown reviewed responses from the survey:
What people liked most about living in Exeter:
Rural; Quiet; Peaceful; Open spaces; but also, that Exeter is conveniently located to both the
beaches and to the city.
What people liked least about living in Exeter:
Traffic; speeding on 102 and 165; not enough safe places for walking and biking; taxes (people
felt the taxes are too high considering the lack of services); high taxes on seniors (referencing a
West Greenwich program that caps taxes on seniors, age-based); a high residential tax burden.
Comments from long-time resident’s vs newer residents:
Long-time residents want more urban-styled services; they don’t understand Exeter; newer residents stated that townspeople are resistant to change; they are not welcoming to newcomers; they don’t want to listen to new ideas.
Responses regarding the economy and business in Exeter:
Residents would like to have more community serving businesses (restaurants, local stores); business is needed to balance Exeter’s taxes and reduce the residential tax burden; others saying there’s already too much commercial business and they don’t want any more.
Lack of Community:
Lack of gathering spaces; lack of community events; lack of a town center; places for the Town’s
youth and seniors to go; disconnected community; nothing to do.
Community Services:
People who took the survey stated there’s a lack of community services; a need for professional public safety; the costs of running a volunteer fire department; street lights and sidewalks; public water and sewers; others say we don’t need police.
New Development in Exeter:
People said there has been too much development. Ms. Brown stated that actually in the past
ten years there had been hardly any development at all.
People who love Exeter and had no complaints.
Town Government:
A lack of transparency and communication; hard to figure out what’s going on; no accountability;
it’s a good old boys club; the town needs both a professional management team and professional
staff.
Affordable Housing:
A certain number of people were in favor of affordable housing; others totally against
affordable housing.
Characteristics of Exeter that are most important to preserve in the future:
Farms; woodlands; forests; open space in general; clean environment; good schools; low
density, large lots.
Gina Thurn asked about traffic enforcement, was there a way for this to fund itself? Olivia DeFrancesco suggested having “speeding signs” enforced by cameras, which could bring in huge revenues for the town. Ray Morrissey noted that the Town Council had approved a contract with the Rhode Island State Police and that more help should come from them.
Ms. Brown noted that now that they have this survey information, they needed to use this information to develop goals, strategies and action items. Mike DeFrancesco asked, if once the survey results have been summarized, will the information be shared with the committee? And will there be another survey and a chance to once again review the information? Ms. Brown indicated that there will be an additional survey in the future. There was a discussion around the use of growth management software and whether or not this type of programming would be beneficial for the Town of Exeter? Ms. Brown indicated that yes, there are these types of programs, but they tend to be very expensive. Ms. Brown indicated that she hopes to have an official report ready for the next meeting, one that could go out to the public.
7. Ms. Brown went on to talk about the Vision Statement for Exeter in 2044. She inquired about what potential elements should be included in the new 2044 vision statement.
Michael DeFrancesco wanted it noted in the record that because the Vision Statement will become part of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, that it will form the basis/foundation for all future town ordinances with regards to planning and zoning regulations and that the future question will be asked, does this conform with the town’s Comprehensive Plan, which in Rhode Island has legal implications.
Ms. Brown read Exeter’s 2004 Vision Statement:
“The Comprehensive Plan provides the Town of Exeter with a vision that allows the community to continue to be a rural community with a unique identity and sense of place, retain its historic hamlets, scenic centers, agriculture and business, while simultaneously absorbing new growth and development in the future. To hold on to the values, quality of life and visual identity of the community, Exeter must manage growth and accommodate change pro-actively. This entails actively pursuing economic development opportunities that will enhance the natural and built assets of the town, build upon the rural resources that set Exeter apart, and use Exeter’s rural character to the town’s advantage.”
Scott Millar wanted it noted that the above vision statement comes from the 2004 Comprehensive Plan and is very broad. He noted that town individuals did spend four years examining a vision statement and did come up with a new vision statement in 2012, although it is still ten years old. He indicated that he had sent it out over the summer and that he would be happy to send it out again, and felt it was important to build upon.
Mr. Brown explained that a vision statement should include some of the following elements: Description of an Ideal Exeter, Commitment to Community Values, Opportunities for residents, Statements regarding Housing and Economy examples; Environmental and sustainability examples; Town Facilities, infrastructure and services; Town government characteristics and finally a summary statement.
Scott Millar spoke about the vision project that had been done previously and how the town is programmed to look in the future. They touched on density and open spaces. Many pieces are currently in place from this previous vision agreement in 2012. The take away was to have clusters of development surrounded by the farms and forests that they felt were important to preserve.
Discussion ensued around how to get new people involved in the Town’s committees. A town center was again discussed as a way to solve many of the town’s information issues. Town Planner William DePasquale indicated that there is no master plan in place to build a community center. A master plan for 2044 could include a community center for the town. Mike DeFrancesco stated that a referendum could be put before the voters to raise dollars for future dedicated improvements and then the town would also be able to apply for grants.
Gina Thurn asked if there was any way to build a community center and have the center become self-funded. Ms. Brown indicated that some places have membership fees. She also noted that you should not shutout those individuals who cannot afford those fees. She suggested possibly having a café included in the center and that those funds could be returned to the town.
Mr. DeFrancesco spoke about having the library built and how successful it has become. It was also noted by other committee members that South Kingstown and Westerly community centers rent out spaces for classes and other opportunities.
It was decided that the committee members would take home the Vision questionnaire to review and comment on each of the categories. To be returned to Mr. DePasquale who would then compile the information and send it on to Larissa. Ms. Brown stated that going forward she would draft the vision statement and when the committee feels it is ready, it would be made available for public comment. The questionnaire will be emailed out to those not in attendance. Scott Millar also asked to have the Exeter Vision Phase 2 Executive summary “A Vision for Exeter: Implementing the Game Plan for Our Future,” emailed to committee members and to have hard copies available for the next committee meeting.
Mr. DeFrancesco mentioned a couple of previous Exeter events that no longer exist such as Exeter Old Home Days held at Reynolds Field, the Memorial Day Parade. He did mention that the RI National Guard Leap Fest did take place at Adam’s Farm this past Spring.
Robert Corriea, who works for Exeter/West Greenwich Schools, spoke about projects which included a soccer complex, track and field complex and football field for the school district. He stated that you need to identify what you want, where you want it and then become laser focused; get the community involved and then and only then can the work be accomplished.
8. Planner DePasquale asked if there was any public comment.
Olivia DeFrancesco, 87 Hallville Road, Exeter, was recognized. Ms. DeFrancesco asked about a sign posted on Rt. 102, Ten Rod Road, regarding a solar farm and asked if it was a Zoning sign. Town Planner DePasquale stated that this sign is required as part of the public hearing for the proposed solar project on the site. Planner DePasquale stated that the sign conforms with the ordinance, but that he will work on a new draft and request to have the ordinance updated.
9. The next CPAC meeting is scheduled for WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, which will be held at the Exeter Library beginning at 6:30pm.
10. The CPAC meeting was adjourned at 8:18pm.
William J DePasquale Jr., AICP, Town Planner and Contact for the Comprehensive Plan Update