Town of Exeter, Rhode Island
PLANNING BOARD
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, R.I. 02822
401-294-2612
401-294-2592
Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2023
Minutes Approved: October 10, 2023
WORK SESSION MEETING
Members present: Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros and Donna Di Donato
Members Absent: None
Olivia DeFrancesco, Council Liaison, Larissa Brown, Consultant
None
Chairman Millar introduced this item and asked to go through the Land Use Draft Plan before reviewing the Land Use Map. Chairman Millar noted that he didn’t see any information in the Plan to support and justify Exeter’s proposed residential density and he stated that will be a very big issue for a lot of people. He proposed to make certain changes himself and then share them with the Planning Board members. He felt there was good science to justify why the overall density needs to be maintained to protect ground water drinking supplies, which is Exeter’s sole source for drinking water. He indicated that there is a need to stay below 10% impervious cover to continue to protect and maintain very high-quality surface water.
Chairman Millar felt that conservation development, along with the existing village development concept, would help to keep the cost of developing housing lower while maintaining community character. The Chair indicated that with selective locations and with an agreement, in principle, from Steve King, of the Quonset Development Corporation, water service could be extended to just outside the Ladd Center property. Larissa Brown asked if this was a written agreement or oral one? Scott Millar stated that Mr. King’s word was good. Planner DePasquale was concerned about the timeline on this oral agreement and that conditions have changed. He felt there was a need to have this agreement in writing.
Chairman Millar then asked the members of the Planning Board to allow him to make his recommended changes and then bring those changes back to the Board for their final approval.
Michael DeFrancesco agrees with the Chair’s changes but with comments. He shared his experience with Steve King going back to the late 80’s.
Chairman Millar felt the existing draft was very long. He stated that some of the information was interesting but not necessary for the public to understand. Larissa Brown and Planner DePasquale felt the executive summary was educational and would help to inform Exeter’s community as to who they are and where the Town wants to go. The Planner stated that all the policies for the Town will be right there, very clear, but that they are also building an educational component to this piece. Planner DePasquale also noted that this has merit when educating and speaking with legislators. He felt that definitions of the Town’s proposed land development opportunities are important for individuals to understand. Further discussion took place regarding residential compounds and conservation subdivisions.
Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to have Chairman Scott Millar make the Land Use document changes that he introduced. It was seconded by Bill Haas. All in favor and the motion passed. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence).
Chairman Millar recognized Planner DePasquale to review his suggested changes and additions to the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Some of the topics discussed included the following:
Planner DePasquale noted that the General Assembly bills require certain items having to be included in the plan and that some of these items will need to be reviewed in the future. His example was that the Comp Plan could not be used, if after 12 years, it was not updated.
The Planner spoke about Utility Scale Solar and the need for it to be included as a land use. Under the Summary: Goals and Policies section the Planner felt it was very important to add core forest. He also wanted to include in the plan a municipal center where townspeople could meet and become a place for future town events.
Discussion went on to include the future use of the Ladd Center and working with the Department of Administration. That forests and farmlands needed to be protected. Gina Thurn noted that it was important to recognize that agriculture is a business, that farms are found in residential areas, as well as industrial commerce. Olivia DeFrancesco asked the question as to whether there was a need to differentiate between agriculture and modern agriculture (robot based)?
Planner DePasquale asked the Board how they envisioned developing the Rt. 2 area with regards to land use. Chairman Millar asked to return to the section Commercial and Industrial Development section (P.10) and asked that the last two sentences be removed. (Most commercial and light industrial development in Exeter is relatively low value. The policy message of the zoning map is that Exeter does not want significant, higher-value commercial development.) He felt that these were broad statements and sent the wrong message. Planner DePasquale felt that they could soften the term “low value.” Mr. DePasquale felt that the town could do better than junk yards, car parts and salvage yards on Rt. 3.
They went on to discuss Land Districts and how to address them. Noting that there are three planned districts which include Rt. 2, The Ladd Center, and Dorset Mill. Exeter’s planned district, as a zoning district, allows by right, small, medium, and large utility scale solar and special use utility scale solar, small, medium, and large. Also Compassion and grow centers. Questions ensued around rezoning certain properties and then addressing Rt. 2. Planner DePasquale recommended that a statement be placed in the Comp Plan to the effect that the Town endeavors to eliminate the Planned District (PD) zone in lieu of ----- at Dorset Mill, Ladd Center, Master Plan and will in the future work with the owners to remove the PD for a district that is more compatible and more versatile for the owners. By doing so, giving the Town the direction for the future.
Discussion took place around the Future Land Use Map(s), noting one area of concern being Rt. 3 and 102 around the rezoning of the land in this area. Donna Di Donato did voice her concerns about making this area safe for the people who will live there in terms of an entrance and exit on to the property.
Discussion took place about allowing additional marijuana storefronts. The Board felt Rt. 3 should be considered as the next reasonable location for this type of business.
Larissa Brown felt there were a number of positions that the Town needs in order to have a more vibrant community and additionally a staff to build an economic development plan.
Larissa Brown hoped for a final adoption plan, meaning that everyone agrees with what will be in the Comprehensive Plan, followed by layout and graphics and placed on the website for the public to view and comment on. Then all public comments will be reviewed by Ms. Brown, Mr. DePasquale and then the Planner would advise the Board. Followed by the public hearing process. Finally, the Board will decide what should be recommended to the Town Council in terms of any changes for adoption, followed by the final plan.
Discussion took place around the upcoming community survey to be sent out to every address in October. Larissa Brown felt it should not be too long in order to get the community to respond. She also hoped it would educate the community about using the website, and finding additional information about the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. Planner DePasquale did comment that he felt the survey was too academic, and that people will not end up completing it. He felt that the structure needed to be changed making the question and answering more direct. Shorter questions with a multiple answer key.
STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS
(Complete details can be found on Pages 29-33 of Element 12 – Land Use Draft)
GOALS:
Goal 1: Land use regulations are used to preserve environmentally sensitive lands and help connect them in networks.
1. Protect groundwater, recharge areas, and surface waters.
2. Protect environmentally sensitive land and connected corridors by providing
guidance in design standards for development.
3. Consider requiring that all major subdivisions (10 or more units) be conservation
developments or rural compounds.
Goal 2: Exeter preserves opportunities for the financial sustainability of agricultural and forestry land uses.
1. Develop a set of allowed farm accessory uses to help support agriculture.
2. Continue to support the FFOS tax incentive program.
3. Create a means of communicating with property owners in the FFOS program.
Goal 3: Planned Districts provide regulations, standards, and guidance for planned development in locations with special site and use characteristics.
1. Pursue PVOD development proactively with innovative developers.
2. Create a Planned Development district for a new Town Hall location.
3. Develop a joint State/Town master plan for the Ladd Center Planned District.
4. Develop a master plan for the southern end of Route 2, including the currently mapped Planned District.
5. Develop specific and objective criteria for the mapped Dorset Mill Planned District.
Goal 4: The Route 3 corridor is revitalized to serve as an attractive area with a mixture of uses, especially for tax-paying non-residential development in a gateway to I-95, and a visitor gateway to the Arcadia Management Area.
1. Develop a Route 3 corridor plan.
2. Establish a Planned Highway Business Overlay District for areas zoned
3. Business-B or Light Industry-LI.
4. Seek enrollment in the RI Ready program (RI Commerce) for the site at Routes
5. 102/2.
6. Develop a plan for a mixture of uses. (Including small scale multifamily residential).
Goal 5: The Exeter zoning ordinance complies with State legislation.
1. Amend the Zoning Ordinance for compliance with 2023 state laws.
Goal 6: Exeter has a new, modern zoning ordinance.
1. Rewrite the Zoning Ordinance to reflect contemporary best practices in administration and user-friendliness and to be consistent with the comprehensive plan.
The following three items were not covered and will be discussed at a future meeting.
Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to accept the minutes of July 25, 2023 as submitted. William Haas seconded the motion, a vote was taken, 7-0. The July 25, 2023 minutes were approved. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros and Donna Di Donato).
Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to accept the minutes of August 22, 2023 as submitted. William Haas seconded the motion, a vote was taken, 7-0. The August 22, 2023 minutes were approved. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros and Donna Di Donato).
Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Haas, seconded by Joe St. Lawrence; voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca M. Lukowicz
M. Dixie Foisy
Planning Board Clerk