I.                    CALL TO ORDER:

Acting Chair Michael DeFrancesco called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  

II.                 PUBLIC COMMENT:

None    

III.              OLD BUSINESS:

A.     Continued Discussion and/or Possible Action: Draft Changes to the Zoning Use Table, Exeter Zoning Ordinance Article II, Section 2.4.

Pro Tem Chair Michael DeFrancesco introduced this topic and then turned it over to Town Planner William DePasquale to review with the Board.

Planner DePasquale explained how the State of Rhode Island had made many changes to the Land Development Regulations, Zoning Regulations and Comprehensive Planning. That previously if there were no categories mentioned in the Use Table, “it was not allowed.” He stated that the State has changed that, now if a category is not there, the Zoning Official must find something similar, and he gave the example of a—car wash vs a gas station. That each Special Use within the Use Table must have its own set of performance standards.

Planner DePasquale distributed pages 4-29, draft of the Exeter Zoning Use Table to Board members and asked them to think about the use categories and to offer a yes, no, or the need for a special use permit. He noted that the list as it was distributed had been produced by himself and the Libra Planners, Municipal Planning Consultants for the Town.

The Planner then reviewed with the Board his memorandum of July 1, 2024 to the Libra Planners, entitled: Additional Actual Uses to be Considered by General Category. Examples of what was included in the memo were questions around daycare, short term rentals, public vs private schools, transitional housing, etc. The Planner then read the responses received from Kim Salerno, Libra Planners, in her memorandum of July 8, 2024, entitled Exeter Housing Municipal Technical Assistance (MTAP) Exeter Use Table.

Discussion ensued around certain topics and it was decided that the Planner will ask Solicitor Sypole for his legal opinions on the questionable topics. The Planner asked that when a Board member brings up a negative, referring to a certain category, the individual should respond with three solutions.

The Board continued discussion on the following topics: commercial laundries, adult entertainment, private clubs, health clubs, seasonal camps, guest cottages, spas, etc. Noting that some topics will require specific definitions. Acting Chair DeFrancesco noted that final decisions would ultimately be made through a public hearing and the decisions of the Town Council.

Discussion did reveal that property sizes would be an important detail when determining businesses that would or would not be allowed in Exeter (example: limiting retail to 40,000 sq. ft.). Another detail, density, what density is the Town willing to allow?

Board member Michael Viveiros brought up that nowadays what you see being done on former mobile home parks, is that they are dropping prefab little buildings on those sites, which are highly designed, converting the mobile home parks to small cottages. The Planner then noted that Split Rock had been sold, and they wanted to double the density, in order to place this type of small prefab, tiny homes on the property. The Planner felt they would not be fabulous. Planner DePasquale noted that ownership of the land underneath has to be owned by the cooperative, and that no one has a cooperative here, that there are probably only two in the State of Rhode Island.

The Planner noted that definitions for all category uses need to be very specific, stating that craft breweries vs farm breweries are very different.

The Board then proceeded to go through the Zoning Use Table, covering the following Zoning Districts: RE-2; RU-3; RU-4; CR-5; B; LB-R; LI; OS/PL (Open Space and Public Land); GWOL (Groundwater Protection Overlay District); LC (Ladd Center); DM (Dorset Mill); and PVOD (Planned Village Overlay District).

A. RESIDENTIAL (Page 4):

Gina Thurn noted that in the past zoning categories were created based on water availability. Mike Viveiros stated that you would want your density to be along your arterial roads, not your two-lane farm roads.  It was decided by the group to collapse 3a. will be multi-family 3; 3b. will be multi-family 4-12; 3c. over 12.

Discussion continued around multi-family—perception vs. new workforce housing. Discussion ensured between Michael Viveiros, Planner DePasquale, Robert Corriea and Michael DeFrancesco.

Special note regarding Mobile or Manufactured Home Park(s) it was decided that this type of home park should be prohibited throughout the Town of Exeter. Transitional Housing would be allowed at the Ladd Center and Light Industrial should be considered.

B. AGRICULTURAL (Pages 5,6):

2. Forestry discussion to be continued; as well as the buying, selling and breeding of animals;

3. to include artisan goods; 4. delete Nursery leaving only Florist.

C. INSTITUTIONAL/GOVERNMENT; (Pages 6,7):

4. Day care center up to 8 persons—RE2-N; others remain as is; Day care center for 9 or more persons—RE2-N; RU3-N; RU4-N; CR5-N the rest will be the same as up to eight persons. (standards should include main acreage, trip generation, hours of operation, arterial road).

5. Other educational facilities: Guidance will be sort from Libra Planner consultants.

8. Government use including public library, town hall, public recreation facility—Yes across the board. Separate out public works garage; Municipal public safety—all yes; Other municipal facilities—special uses; Transfer station—special uses; 11. Prison—Prohibited throughout the town.

D. RECREATIONAL, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURAL (Pages 8,9):

1. Theater or performing arts space—RE2 through CR5—N, rest remain as indicated.

2. Private library, museum or art gallery—RE2 through CR5—Y, rest remain as indicated.

3. Communal use, including grange hall, and other public or private recreation use incidental to and for the community—RE2 through CR5—N, rest remain as indicated.

5. To be broken out: Country clubs, golf courses—N, LC, DM and PVOD—S; Fairgrounds—N; Commercial horseback riding facilities—Y in Residential, N in B, LI, etc.; Hunting areas and sports clubs—Y, but at least 25 acres; Private or commercial campgrounds—Y; 6. RV Park—N; 8. Cemetery less than 25 acres in size—Y in RE3, 4 and 5; Indoor shooting range—as indicated; 9. Outdoor shooting range, Casino or other wagering or betting facility, Animal race track, Combustion engine or electric vehicle over 30 miles per hour race track—Prohibited throughout the town. Vehicular race track (nonmotorized)—RE2-CR-5—Y. 

E. PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL SERVICES (Pages 9, 10, 11):

1a. Kennel Class 1 (over ten dogs)—as indicated. 1b. Kennel class 2 (4-10 dogs)—as indicated; Equestrian breeding or boarding facility—Residential Y, the remaining N.

2. Pet grooming—Residential, B, LB-R—Y, rest remain as indicated. 3. Bed and Breakfast—as is; 4. Short-term rental—Special Use in RU4, CR5 and PVOD, rest remain as N; Motel and Hotel—N. 5., 6., and 7. —As indicated. 8. Medical use, Animal Hospital or clinic of 15,000 square feet or less—as indicated; Rest home, convalescent home of 15,000 square feet or less—Y.

This agenda item will be continued at the next Work Session meeting on August 13, 2024. Board members were asked to submit their feedback on the remaining categories by July 30, 2024 to Town Planner William DePasquale.

IV.              ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.     Approval of Meeting Minutes:  June 10, 2024 and June 25, 2024

June 10, 2024 Minutes:

Acting Chair DeFrancesco asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Bill Haas made a motion to approve the June 10, 2024 meeting minutes, as submitted. Gina Thurn seconded the motion. A vote was taken and was all in favor, (4-0).  The minutes were approved. (Michael DeFrancesco, Bill Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence).

June 25, 2024 Minutes:

Acting Chair DeFrancesco asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Gina Thurn made a motion to approve the June 25, 2024 meeting minutes, as submitted.  Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion.  A vote was taken and was all in favor, (3-0).  The minutes were approved. (Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros).

B.      Future Meeting: Planning Board Regular Meeting – Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. agenda items will include Jade Investment Group LLC/South Trail Commerce and RI Grows.

The next Work Session on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. agenda to include a review of the feedback and draft changes to the Zoning Use Table, review of the Planning Board Rules of Procedure and a Planning Board vote.

V.                 ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn made by Bill Haas, seconded by Gina Thurn; voted all in favor. 

Motion passed.  The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,  

Rebecca Lukowicz and

M. Dixie Foisy

Planning Board Clerk