I.                 CALL TO ORDER:

Chair Scott Millar called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

II.               PUBLIC COMMENT:

None

III.              NEW BUSINESS:

Presentation of Travel-Proposed Replat of Property: Owned by Matthew B. Mumford and Meredith M. Lemek, located at 269 Liberty Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 72, Block 6, Lot 4.

Chairman Millar recognized Matthew Cotta, American Engineering, who explained that they are proposing to do a Re-plat on the Liberty Road property. The problem they found on the “Trailer lot,” (Lot 3: AP72-B6-L3), was cut out of Lot 2 (Gerald and Virginia Howard’s Property), andrequired additional surveying of Lot 3. Boundary lines have been changed, requiring the Re-Plat on the property because of their findings. They indicated that the first lot will end up being 1300 sq. ft. short of area, which will require a variance from the Zoning Board.

Presentation of Travel-Proposed Administrative Subdivision of Property: Owned by Lisa Mumford and Milan Adams III, located at 279 Liberty Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 72, Block 6, Lot 3.

Matthew Cotta, American Engineering, discussed the Administrative Subdivision located at 279 Liberty Road, Exeter. They were asking for a 2,572 sq. ft. reduction of area on an additional lot.

It was noted that these lots are already sub-standard.

Planner DePasquale stated that he wanted the Planning Board to have some background on the “travel” of these particular lots, because they will be returning on October 24, 2023 for a preliminary requesting a “Re-plat.”

IV.             OLD BUSINESS:

A.      Review, Discussion and Possible Action: Draft Comprehensive Plan Elements:

                                                    i.     Element 12: Land Use

                                                  ii.     Element 4: Natural Resources and Conservation

                                                 iii.     Element 7: Housing and Affordable Housing Plan

                                                 iv.     Element 8: Economic Development

                                                   v.     Element 9: Transportation and Circulation

ELEMENT 12: Land Use

Chairman Millar informed the Planning Board members regarding the changes that have been recommended and the subsequent changes that have been filtered into Element 12: Land Use. Chairman Millar felt overall he was comfortable with the changes. Gina Thurn noted under Goals, #2, Page3, “Exeter preserves opportunities for the financial sustainability of agricultural and forestry land uses. Followed by under Policies for Decisionmakers: “Re-visit a 2017 Exeter study and draft ordinance as a starting point to assess appropriate regulations to allow small scale accessory business options for farm and forest landowners. Ms. Thurn asked that the words “small scale accessory business options” be changed to “appropriately scaled business options.”

She requested the same changes be made on Page 39 under Goal 2: Exeter preserves opportunities for the financial sustainability of agricultural and forestry land uses. Under Action the word large should be removed from in front of land owners.

Planner DePasquale felt there was one big miss with regards to Wind Energy Systems. He went on to read and recommend how the copy should be written and added to Element 12. Mike Viveiros also noted that battery farms are coming and should also be addressed.

Planner DePasquale made changes to The Ladd Center section, (Page 16 Element 12), indicating that the Town will be entering into an agreement of Master Plan by adding a section that will include a certain percentage for senior workforce/housing and/or low and moderate incomes. He also discussed adding language to the LMI housing and what needed to be included in Element 12. Planner DePasquale felt there was a need to make changes to the Planned Village Overlay and develop a framework and process to see if there were ways to make the development more attractive to investors. He asked to strike copy with regards to New Special Plan District, (Page 35 Element 12). He concluded with the need to rewrite the Zoning Ordinances with complete restoration of the Use Table to promote LMI housing units. The zoning rewrite should include several phases within a context of community engagement and stakeholder involvement. The Planner indicated the need to address multifamily, senior housing opportunities and the need to speak to density per acre. Chairman Millar was concerned about having multifamily units on a private well. He felt there was a need for a bonified public well that comes under the Department of Health regulations then giving the Town the protection of a cone of influence, otherwise leaving the Town in a difficult position. The Planner asked for the Board to think about a Plan B.

Scott Millar noted some work to refine and make user friendly the information on Transfer of Development Rights Framework (Page 30 Element 12). Special Planned Districts were also discussed with recommendations being considered and how they need to conform with State regulations.

Chairman Millar noted he was making a change to the statement on Page 11 of the Lane Use draft regarding a new 2023 State Legislation with regards to “core forest”.  Chairman Millar indicated that the TDR diagram on Page 21 of the (LSD) be removed and replaced with a new layout. Under The Future Destiny of Large Parcels of Land (Page 29 of the LSD) indicated there was no guarantee to have a Conservation Commission to address this issue.

Element 4: Natural Resources and Conservation

Chairman Millar noted there were changes made by Larissa, Planner DePasquale and himself to the Natural Resources and Conservation Element to be sent onto Larissa for her handling. He indicated that the statement made in this Element indicating that fifty percent of the forest is dead, was not accurate, and that the overall section seemed negative to him. Chairman Millar indicated that the Board was good with the changes that he had made to this Element.

Element 7: Housing and Affordable Housing

Chairman Millar noted making a change to Goals and Policies Number 1:  New residential development is managed to protect drinking water, promote preservation of environmental connectivity and rural character. Under Strategies and Actions to Achieve the Goals, Chairman Millar under Goal 1, changed the copy to read: Encourage new subdivisions/developments under 2023 state legislation result in preservation of environmental connectivity through appropriate siting and design.

Chairman Millar suggested removal of Action i: Create a guidance document for property owners and developers on how to preserve environmental connectivity and resources. Under ii: Remove the copy “of 10 or more units.”  He asked that the term “multifamily by right” be changed.

Donna Di Donato again asked/suggested to have Solicitor Steve Sypole research the legal basis to fall back on with regards to multifamily additions to the Exeter community. Planner DePasquale noted that 3-9 units needs to be addressed, he asked for consideration to the middle ground on this topic. Chairman Millar noted he is still concerned with the water supply.

Element 8: Economic Development

Planner DePasquale spoke about how he had, along with Ms. Brown, gone to the Exeter Economic Development Task Force asking for a memorandum of support for the smaller scale last mile facility that is being suggested for the I95 Gateway. He stated that the group wanted to reconvene to decide on what type of support they could give them. A number of possibilities for the I95 Gateway were discussed. Planner DePasquale indicated that he had someone who was very interested in developing the property. Chairman Millar indicated that if someone came in tomorrow and wanted to build a 500,000sf facility he would be fine with the Gateway location. Buildings of 30,000sf were considered a wiser development decision. The Board felt it might be a good idea to meet as a group (Planning Board, Town Council) with the Economic Development Task Force.

Page 41: Change it to read: Encourage multifamily and mixed-use development in the Route 2 and Route 3 corridors where…

Element 9: Transportation and Circulation

Transportation was approved with minor changes being made by the Planner.

V.               ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.      Approval of Minutes – September 12, 2023:

Joe St. Lawrence made a motion to accept the minutes of September 12, 2023 as submitted.  Bill Haas seconded the motion, a vote was taken, 6-0. The September 12, 2023 minutes were approved. (Scott Millar, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros and Donna Di Donato).

B.      Planner’s Report:

Working on final for Ten Rod Road and Mail Road Solar Projects. Applied for a Municipal Technical Grant requiring a formal application by the end of the month. Appearing before the Town Council regarding inclusionary zoning. CPAC Open House on Thursday, November 2, 4-9pm at the library.    

C.      Future Meetings:

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Planning Board Meeting;

Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 4 pm-9pm “CPAC Open House” at the Exeter Public Library; Tuesday, November 14, 2023 Planning Board Work Session Meeting.

VI.             ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Haas, seconded by Joe St. Lawrence; voted all in favor.  MOTION PASSED.   The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 

Rebecca M. Lukowicz

M. Dixie Foisy

Planning Board Clerk