CPAC MINUTES 

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Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Minutes

Meeting #12

 

 

7/11/2023  6:30 P.M. Exeter Public Library

773 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI 02822

Meeting Minutes Approved: January 3, 2024

 

 

CPAC Members		Member Present Y – Yes N – No	PB Members	Member Present Y – Yes N – No	Other Staff/Consultant
Christopher	Ausura	N			Larissa Brown William DePasquale
Tom	McMillan	Y			M. Dixie Foisy, Clerk
			Scott Millar	N	Olivia DeFrancesco, Council Liaison
Ben	Coerper	N	Michael P. DeFrancesco	Y
Rachael	Slattery	N	Bill Haas	N
Robert	Corriea	N	Gina Thurn	Y
Jenna	Cragan	Y	Donna Di Donato	Y
Jess	DeMartino	Y	Michael Viveiros	Y
			Joseph St Lawrence	N
Charles	Franklin	N
Tracy	Hartman	Y
Maggie	LaPrise	N
Ray	Morrissey	Y
Ted	Nataly	N
Noah	Thurn	N
Paul	Ward	N

 

1.       CPAC CALLED TO ORDER – William DePasquale, Town Planner, called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. and roll call was taken by the Planning Board Clerk.

 

2.       Review and acceptance of CPAC minutes for March 30, 2023; May 9, 2023; and May 25, 2023.  Mr. DePasquale called for a voice vote on the March 30^th, May 9^th and May 25^th sets of minutes and each set was accepted as submitted.

 

3.       William DePasquale turned the meeting over to Ms. Larissa Brown to review Element 11 – Sustainability—Climate Change Resiliency, Energy, and Hazard Mitigation.

 

Ms. Brown spoke of Rhode Island’s Climate Resilience Action Strategy (2018), Resilient Rhody, which defines climate resilience as, “the capacity of individuals, institutions, businesses, and natural systems within Rhode Island to survive, adapt, and grow no matter what chronic stresses and weather events they experience…” She noted that resilient communities anticipate risks, plan to limit their impacts, and adopt strategies that integrate all community systems – civic, environmental, social, and economic—to mitigate and support recovery from extreme events while providing a good quality of life. She indicated that Element 11 would include a greater focus on another system that is foundational to climate change resilience and sustainability, Energy.

 

      SUSTAINABILITY—CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCY, ENERGY, AND HAZARD MITIGATION IN THE EXETER 2044

      VISION

 “Town government is responsive, transparent, and accountable. Public facilities and services are resource-efficient, well-maintained, cost-effective, sustainable, and resilient. The Town maximizes long-term benefits through improved planning, enforcement, implementation and coordination between departments and volunteer committees.”

 

SUMMARY: GOALS AND POLICIES

Goal 1:  Exeter is reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Transition to renewable energy for town buildings, facilities, and services.

Promote energy efficiency and renewable energy options for residents and businesses.

Goal 2:  Exeter has a Municipal Resilience Plan.

Support a community-driven plan for climate change resilience.

Implement resilience priorities.

Goal 3:  Exeter is considering a community electricity aggregation program as a way to provide lower electricity costs and provide renewable energy sources.

Support exploration of community electricity aggregation as an option for Exeter.

Goal 4:  Exeter maintains and updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and provides public information about risk mitigation.

Update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and keep it in force.

 

WHAT THE COMMUNITY SAID

Exeter residents are supportive of aspects of sustainability in the sense of valuing Exeter’s natural environment including its water resources and wildlife. However, the term “sustainability” appeared in the comments only two times--in relation     to the importance of a sustainable agricultural sector.  “Climate change” was mentioned as having a potential negative impact on the Queen’s River aquifer and as “a challenge to maintain elements of a rural town while being realistic about population change, growth, climate change response, and supporting all residents.”

 

In the public opinion survey and other comments, residents did not specifically articulate concerns about potential climate change impacts such as extreme weather events (drought, flooding, heat, and so on) except for wildfire, which is a concern for some property owners.  Renewable energy was mentioned as part of the community’s discussion about the impacts of large solar installations: many dislike the idea of utility scale solar installations on forest land, pasture land, or environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands; some support bringing clean energy to town and feel that property owners should be able to do what they want with their land; others voiced support for solar installations in conjunction with farming that could help farmers survive financially.

 

FINDINGS, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES (Pages 3-14 of Element 11)

 

Findings--Climate Change:

Resilient Rhody, the State’s climate change resilience plan, identifies the principal impacts of climate change in Rhode Island that will affect Exeter as warming air temperatures, warming water temperature, higher storm frequency and intensity, changing biodiversity, precipitation, and inland flooding. Ms. Brown noted that discussions of climate change impacts among the general public often tacitly assume incremental change over time, but scientists and scholars are also discussing tipping points and “cascading” impacts across interrelated natural and human systems that can bring abrupt, accelerated, or unanticipated change. She stated that one of the things that is relevant to Exeter, has to do with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Exeter’s role as home to some of the most extensive forest land in Rhode Island is now recognized on the state level through the development by RIDEM of a method to include the carbon sequestration impact of forests in the GHG inventory. Carbon sequestration is the storage of carbon dioxide in vegetation such as forests. However, when plants die, the carbon is transferred to the soil and remains sequestered, or it is released into the atmosphere. When forests burn, they no longer store carbon but become sources of carbon.

 

Climate change impacts on Exeter resources (Page 5 of Element 11)

Increasing temperatures, more precipitation, more intense storm events, and other impacts can have a variety of impacts on natural resources and agriculture.

·        More frequent and intense nor’easters and “bomb cyclones” can be as damaging as hurricanes.  The big March 2010 storm event occurred after decades of increasing temperatures, the warmest March on record, and three high precipitation storms in quick succession.77F[1]

·        At the same time, episodic severe drought is more likely. July 2022 was ranked as the second driest July on record (1893–2022) in Rhode Island.

·        Water resources—quality, quantity, and aquatic ecosystems--are highly vulnerable to impacts from warming water temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, greater storm water runoff, flooded wetlands, and increasing impacts to cold water habitats.  Exeter has a number of cold-water streams with habitat for fish such as trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye.  “In 2013, water temperatures in the Wood River exceeded the preferred temperature (<20°C) for native Brook Trout…for a full month.”78F[2]

·        Agriculture is vulnerable to climate change.  Rising temperatures shift plant hardiness zones, cause heat stress for livestock and crops, bring new invasive species and pests, and may result in more droughts, water limitations, and weather volatility.  The effect of changing temperatures may vary for specific crops.

 

Ms. Brown noted that Exeter’s last local hazard mitigation plan was adopted in 2005 and expired in 2010. CPAC member Tom McMillan stated that the 2005 Mitigation Plan identified forest fires as the greatest risk to Exeter, which he had helped put together and to get approved.  Ms. Brown indicated that if Exeter’s Mitigation Plan is not up-to-date then the town would be unable to obtain resources, should the town experience a disaster.

 

Ms. Brown noted that the new Emergency Management Director has applied for funding from the state Emergency Management Agency for a consultant to prepare a joint, multi-jurisdictional Exeter-West Greenwich Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Once funded, the plan will be completed in approximately 18 months. It is expected to include wildfire as a high hazard and incorporate climate change and its impacts on high hazards such as wind, heat, drought, and extreme storms.

 

Mr. McMillan voiced his concerns with regards to the joint plan. He stated that much of the decision making is government action and that the two towns have separate governments. Planner DePasquale indicated that the plan will identify risks and resources rather than actionable items by a political body. Noting that by joining with local communities the towns will garner additional funding. Mr. McMillan felt that a hazmat plan for two towns just didn’t make sense to him. Mr. DePasquale walked through the plan with the committee, comparing Exeter and West Greenwich. He felt that forest fires would have the same risk, population is identical, the land use is very similar, the land use pan-density is similar and by joining the two communities together there will be better access to capital. Mr. DePasquale stated that he wouldn’t disagree that the agencies to implement the plan may be different, but that the top five potential hazards are very similar.

 

CPAC member Ray Morrissey asked if the state maintains the state lands, such as fire lanes, etc. Both Ms. Brown and Mr. DePasquale noted that they do not. Larissa Brown stated that she spoke to the head of forestry and agriculture who indicated that at one time there were 40 employees and now there are only 11. That they are currently partnering with organizations who use the forests to help with cleaning up the fire roads and that they are planning prescribed burns. 

 

Planning Board member Gina Thurn noted that there is incredible community support between our local volunteer fire departments.

 

Opportunities: (Pages 11-14 of Element 11)

 

Ms. Brown noted that among the opportunities would be to get a simple greenhouse gas inventory for Exeter town government and the community as a whole. She stated that Exeter needs more information about what goes on in Exeter. The town needs data in order to make decisions and data is lacking in many of the town’s operations.

 

·        Perform an energy audit of municipal facilities. Rhode Island Energy provides free energy assessments for up to five public facilities.

·        Deploy energy efficient design and renewable energy in new municipal buildings or other facilities.

·        Seek state assistance through programs and financial support from the RI Office of Energy Resources through the state’s Lead by Example Program.

·        Encourage and promote energy efficiency and use of renewable energy by residents and businesses in Exeter.

·        Promote electric vehicles.

·        Plan for climate change resilience.

·        Encourage energy efficiency audits for residents and businesses.

·        Promote energy efficiency programs for agricultural operations.

·        Explore a community electric aggregation program for Exeter.

·        Update and maintain the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

·        Provide public education about wildfire risk mitigation.

 

Discussion ensued around having underground utilities, because of the continual loss of power in Exeter due to extreme weather incidents. Planner DePasquale noted that an action item would be to change the land development regulations to require underground utilities for new subdivisions. Planning Board member Donna Di Donato indicated that her development has underground utilities and that they still lose power. It is also a very expensive undertaking. Planner DePasquale sees the future as distributed battery support. Planning Board member Gina Thurn noted that she has a solar array, but when the power goes out, her panels may produce energy but they (RI Energy) cut them out, and she still has to run a generator, she stated that you are not allowed, in the State of Rhode Island, to switch your panels to a battery backup.

 

Ms. Brown noted that Exeter’s website needed to be better utilized, but did note that if you know where to look on the website there is some good information to be found.

 

 

 

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TO ACHIVE THE GOALS (Pages 15-20 of Element 11)

 

GOAL 1: Exeter is reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Policies:

Transition to renewable energy for town buildings, facilities, and services.

Promote energy efficiency and renewable energy options for residents and businesses.

Strategy A: 

Reduce emission through energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.

Actions:

·        Secure a GHG inventory for municipal and communitywide emissions.

·        Request a free energy audit.

·        Develop relationships with the RI Office of Energy Resources.

·        Incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy into design and construction of new facilities.

·        Transition to an all-electric town fleet (when appropriate).

·        Install a public EV charging station at the library and/or Town Hall.

Strategy B: 

Encourage and promote energy efficiency and use of renewable energy by residents and businesses.

Actions:

·        Raise public awareness about opportunities and incentives.

·        Promote energy efficiency and clean energy project assistance for farm operators.

·        Encourage resident and business participation in free energy efficiency audit programs.

·        Make information available on EV incentives for individuals, businesses, and nonprofits.

 

GOAL 2:  Exeter has a Municipal Resilience Plan.

Policies:

Support a community-driven plan for climate change resilience.

Implement resilience priorities.

Strategy A:

Participate in the state’s Municipal Resilience Program.

Actions:

·        Apply for and participate in the Municipal Resilience Program.

·        Implement priority projects.

 

GOAL 3:  Exeter is considering a community electricity aggregation program as a way to provide lower electricity costs and provide renewable energy sources.

Policies:

Support exploration of community electricity aggregation as an option for Exeter.

Strategy A:

Investigate and evaluate the existing multi-municipal model for possible benefits for Exeter.

Action:

·        Research how community electricity programs are working in Rhode Island.

 

GOAL 4: Exeter maintains an updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and provides public information about risk mitigation.

Policies:

Update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and keep it in force.

Strategy A:

Create a joint Local Hazard Mitigation Plan with West Greenwich.

 

Actions:

·     Seek funding for a consultant to prepare an updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

·     Prepare and adopt the plan.

·     Use assessment tools, such as the Fire Adapted Communities Self-Assessment Tool.

·     Update the plan every five years to keep it in force.

·     Implement the plan as needed

Strategy B:

Raise awareness and provide public education about natural hazards and risk mitigation.

Action:

·        Update the town website information on natural hazards.

 

Planner DePasquale asked that with regards to an incident assessment, there is a need to promote greater communication between the town EMA and the fire districts. That the two fire districts are their own universe and there has been a lack of communication between them, the EMA, and the town. He has offered his assistance to each of them and encountered resistance and it has been suggested to, “stay in your lane.” There is a need for change. He noted that one of the action items, when referencing the EMA, fire, or public safety would be to add fire chiefs to the reference. He stated that, “Going forward we must try to break down some of the barriers that have gone on for years. Unless they are with us as stakeholders, none of this works.” It was noted that both Larissa Brown and Planner DePasquale sat down with the fire chiefs who had their own assessment plans and asked that it be used in its entirety as their statement, and if there were to be any changes, they would need to be approved by them.

 

Mr. DeFrancesco noted that it wasn’t long ago that Public Safety was under the aegis of the Town Council and then there was a Charter change in the last 20 years, that’s when the fire and public safety separated themselves. Some of the reasons were at financial town meetings they would not be accountable for their proposed expenditures and/or expenses for the past year. He indicated that they would just put forth their budget, stating they were the experts and asked for approval. Mr. DeFrancesco indicated that lead to a corporation and a charter change that separated them as an independent fire district, and an independent tax role. He went on to say that by simply looking at town tax bills you can see that education is out of our control, public safety is out of our control and only municipal services are left. Planner DePasquale thanked Mr. DeFrancesco for the history and that the Comp Plan is supposed to bring them all together.

 

Planner DePasquale noted that he is simply looking for an opportunity to work together and communicate with fire officials. That there are opportunities that the Planning Department can offer them with regards to future land development in town. CPAC members and Planning Board members each offered their input regarding this topic.

 

Mr. DeFrancesco noted that while the town has a volunteer fire department, the town does not have a police department. He stated that there have been instances when companies and individuals who may have been

considering a move to Exeter decided not to make the move because there is no police department. Could they consider a volunteer police department. Both Planner DePasquale and Ms. Brown noted that Rhode Island state law requires very specific requirements and processes for becoming a police officer. The lack of a police department becomes an economic issue for Exeter.

 

Ms. Brown noted that Chapter 11 was mostly connecting Exeter to state resources for energy, etc. she asked if there was anything else about sustainability resilience, etc. that should be included in the Comp Plan?  Planning Board member Gina Thurn commented on the fire roads, stating that the forest management plans offer funding and felt that currently land owners create trails/roads on their property, but asked the question should the fire districts be more involved with the planning of where those trails/roads should be and reach out to the landowners. If wildfire is going to be the focus of the town’s climate resilience.

 

Ms. Brown went on to talk about land use and the need to include a future land use plan as part of the comp plan. She noted that the state planning office has some guidelines about what they want to see and how to complete that task.

 

Ms. Brown concluded with additional items for the committee to be aware of.  She stated that the State of Rhode Island wants the comp plan to show land use densities current and future in map form. She wanted the committee to be aware that the 2023 legislature session has put a big emphasize on housing along with other kinds of changes which included comprehensive plans, procedures for development and a number of zoning amendments to comply with state law. That the Comprehensive Plan implementation program itself has to include a five-year strategic plan showing timely implementation. She also noted that there is a deadline of 18 months to bring the zoning map into compliance with the future land use map in the comprehensive plan and also 18 months to complete all the new amendments to comply with state law. That you will be required to fully update and readopt your comp plan within 12 years, and also a yearly evaluation of the town’s progress. Special Use permits for any uses, must have specific and objective criteria for each use. Minor and Major subdivision zoning will also include a number of important changes. The areas being called the I-95 Gateway and the Arcadia Main Street Gateway were discussed by Ms. Brown.   

 

           In conclusion, Ms. Brown asked the committee members for written comments.

 

4.       Public Comment: None

 

5.        ADJOURNMENT:

Ray Morrissey made a motion to adjourn the CPAC meeting; Tom McMillan seconded the motion. The vote was all in favor.  The CPAC meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

 

The next CPAC meeting date to be determined.