Town of Exeter, Rhode Island
PLANNING BOARD
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, R.I. 02822
401-294-2612
401-294-2592
January 31, 2023
Approved: February 28, 2023
PLANNING BOARD
Members present: Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn,
Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros and Donna Di Donato
Members Absent: None
Staff present: Stephen Sypole, Solicitor, William DePasquale, Planner,
Dixie Foisy, Clerk and Town Council Liaison, Olivia DeFrancesco
Chair Scott Millar called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
None
Chairman Scott Millar asked to hear the agenda out of order, moving New Business A-C before Old Business; and Item D from New Business last. Michael DeFrancesco made the motion; Gina Thurn seconded. The vote was all favor.
A. Action: Quail Ridge Residential Development - Recommendation to the Town Council regarding accepting Kayla Ricci Way as suitably improved for addition to the Town’s official street map.
Chairman Millar asked Town Planner William DePasquale to review his memorandum: Quail Ridge Residential Development—1. Kayla Ricci Way Roadway Improvements (Recommendation to the Town Council regarding accepting Kayla Ricci Way as suitably improved for addition to the Town’s official street map.) 2. Final Bond Reduction – Kayla Ricci Roadway; dated January 25, 2023.
The Planner reviewed the following recommended actions:
Recommended Action 1: Based upon his review of the Crossman Engineering report and being involved in the improvement after a 15-year hiatus in project completion, the Town Planner endorsed the Planning Board recommending the 24-foot-wide, 3915 linear foot bituminous roadway known as Kayla Ricci Way be accepted by the Town as suitably approved for addition into the official street map. It should be noted that according to the May 24, 2007 final approval granted by the Planning Board the entire drainage system associated with Kayla Ricci Way; drainage structures, swales, rip rap etc., along with their maintenance and operation will be the sole responsibility of the homeowner’s association not the Town of Exeter.
Chairman Millar called for a motion to approve Recommended Action 1: William Haas made the motion to accept, Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion, all in favor (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence) The motion passed (5-0).
B. Action: Final Bond Reduction Kayla Ricci Way Roadway.
Recommended Action 2: If the above Recommended Action 1 does support Town acceptance of the 24-foot wide, 3,915 linear foot bituminous roadway known as Kayla Ricci Way, the Planner recommend releasing the balance of the roadway bond totaling $70,523.96. The release of the remaining balance of the bond held by the Town is consistent with third party inspection from Crossman Engineering and is congruent with the provisions of the settlement agreement between the parties and town.
Chairman Millar called for a motion to approve Recommended Action 2: William Haas made the motion to accept, Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion, all in favor (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence) The motion passed (5-0).
C. Pre-Application Minor Subdivision: David Graziano, Applicant and Owner of property located at 309 Wolf Rock Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned Business/RE-2, and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 79, Block 2, Lot 5 for a proposed 3-lot subdivision, on an existing street.
Chairman Millar asked Town Planner William DePasquale to review this project. Planner DePasquale explained that the applicant, David Graziano, would like to subdivide his property located at 309 Wolf Rock Road, into three individual lots. The subdivision would be split into Record Lot 1, 4 acres which has an existing dwelling with OWTS and well, Record Lot 2 would be 2 acres in size with existing OWTS and well and Record Lot 3 the largest parcel, 21.74 acres.
Discussion took place around the proposed lot lines shown on the minor subdivision site plans, with requests for less jagged lot lines. Mr. Graziano agreed to eliminate the curvatures, where possible, with regards to the individual lot lines.
A. Discussion and/or Possible Action: Advisory opinion to the Town Council’s proposed zoning amendment titled Maximum Lot Coverage for All Structures.
Chairman Millar asked Town Planner William DePasquale to review his Planning Memorandum entitled: Advisory Recommendation to the Town Council, Appendix A, Zoning, Article XIII—Maximum Lot Coverage of All Buildings; Dated: January 26, 2023.
William DePasquale stated in his memorandum that Town Clerk Lynn M. Hawkins in a memorandum dated January 9, 2023 to the Planning Board asked the Planning Board to review the proposed zoning ordinance amendment and provide their recommendations in accordance with RIGL 45-24-51 and 45-24-52 within 45 days of the date of her memo (February 23, 2023); Pursuant to RIGL 45-24-51, at which time the Town Council would hold a Special Meeting for the Public Hearing on Monday, February 27, 2023.
In the Planner’s eleven-page memorandum the Planner addressed the proposed ordinance as presented by the Town Council within a general context with the existing zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. He also highlighted opportunities and weaknesses of the proposed legislation that the Planning Board could use in their analysis of the proposal.
Planner DePasquale reviewed all of the reasons to move forward with a more balanced zoning amendment with appropriate performance standards that would serve to support Exeter’s ideal of fostering positive economic agricultural growth for the town in the future so long as it is structured to complement the historic and rural nature of the community and could be deemed consistent with the comprehensive plan.
Solicitor Steve Sypole explained to the Board that this requested review is a standard process for obtaining an advisory opinion from the Planning Board before it goes to the Zoning Board. That the Planning Board should decide whether/how this proposed ordinance works with the comprehensive plan, and if it is consistent with the plan. He also indicated that they have the opportunity to modify and/or make revisions and suggestions to the proposed ordinance. Mr. Sypole also explained that in the end the Town Council has the final say.
Chairman Millar voiced his concern about not having a good definition for the term greenhouse. He noted that there could be as many as three different definitions: A temporary greenhouse that’s defined by state law, (the hoop houses); a traditional greenhouse that has been placed on some type of a foundation; and a CEA greenhouse which grows plants hydroponically, having a processing plant, with packing and shipping space, as well as office space. Chairman Millar does not support this proposed ordinance, feeling it has too many unknowns.
Discussion continued along those lines among the Planning Board members. Chairman Millar hoped that the Town Council could take a step back and work collaboratively to craft an ordinance that works in the best interest of Exeter.
Board member Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to respond in the form of a memo to the Town Council to withdraw the proposal to amend Appendix A, Zoning, Article XIII, titled Maximum Lot Coverage of All Structures, of the Exeter Code of Ordinances and form a more inclusive group to craft a more defined set of regulations. That as it reads now the ordinance is not consistent with the comprehensive plan; To work collaboratively with the appropriate groups to draft a better-defined ordinance; and use The Planner’s January 26, 2023 Planning memorandum as a guide for a more balanced zoning amendment with appropriate performance standards. William Haas seconded the motion; The vote was unanimously approved, 5-0. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn and Joe St. Lawrence).
D. Discussion regarding Annual Planning Board Award of Excellence
Chairman Millar recognized Michael DeFrancesco who talked about honoring a local business, a business who exemplified the Planning Boards standards and worked with the Planning Board to complete their building project. Gina Thurn recommended Sweet Spot Dispensary. She felt that they had covered everything in detail. Mike DeFrancesco agreed and commented on how perfect their plans were. It was also noted that the Town receives a three percent return on every sale. Gina Thurn made a motion to recognize Sweet Spot Dispensary with the Annual Planning Board’s Award of Excellence; it was seconded by Michael DeFrancesco. Scott Millar asked if there was any further discussion. There was none; the vote was all in favor and the motion carried 5-0. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn and Joe St. Lawrence). Details to be collaborated on with the Town Planner, Clerk and Gina Thurn.
A. Approval of Minutes: December 13, 2022
Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to approve the minutes of December 13,2022; seconded by Joe St. Lawrence. The vote was 4-0 in favor, the minutes of December 13, 2022 were approved. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, Gina Thurn and Joe St. Lawrence; Bill Haas abstained from the vote as he was absent on 12-13-2022).
B. 2023 Planning Board Meeting Schedule: Conflict with June 13, 2023/Financial Town Meeting;
the Board agreed to move the meeting to Monday, June 12, 2023.
C. Future Meeting: February 28, 2023-agenda items were discussed.
Motion by William Haas to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Gina Thurn; voted all in favor. The motion passed. Chairman Millar adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Lukowicz
M. Dixie Foisy
Planning Board Clerk