I.                    CALL TO ORDER:

Michael DeFrancesco called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

Chairman DeFrancesco opened the meeting noting that Vice Chairman Gina Thurn’s mother had passed away and the Board will send a donation in memory of Gina’s mother. 

II.                 OLD BUSINESS:

A.     Discussion: Proposed Farm Overly District

The Chair recognized Planner William DePasquale. The Planner began the discussion by reporting that the Town Council had officially forwarded to the Planning Board a Hearing, with regards to the proposed Farm Overlay District, which is scheduled to be held on May 13, 2025 in order for the Council to meet the required response time of sixty-five days after the introduction of the petition. (He noted that May 13^th is a scheduled Work Shop meeting.)

He went on to say that because someone asks for a text amendment, it doesn’t necessarily mean they automatically get approved. That there needs to be a scrub between the ordinance and a consistency statement with the Comprehensive Plan for all text amendments. He noted that there is a process that needs to happen because it is an overlay district, a process as to how someone can apply for it to the Planning Board and that the Town Council can then consider granting.

The Chairman asked if there were rules in Zoning currently? Would they be required to do this for every district application? The Planner indicated no that there is only one overlay district now and there is a process for that. That this would be a second overlay district with a similar process, that would require a whole set of separate requirements being added. An overlay district is not automatic and only applies to a single lot or property. Decisions will need to be made on, what will be authorized by right and what is conditional, size restrictions, license requirements and, most importantly, what will be prohibited.

Mr. Earl Adams who is petitioning for the Farm Overlay District, was present at the workshop to offer his intentions and input as to what he sees as his future needs.

Town Planner DePasquale felt they should begin by reviewing actual legislation and limit or add areas as needed. They covered Article VII a. – Farm Overlay District: Sec. 7 1a; 7 2a; 7 3a and 7 4a. (Entered as Exhibit A).

Board member Michael Viveiros offered considerations, to be added to the ordinance, from Sylvan Township (Washtenaw Co.), MI. Discussion continued about the objective of the Farm Overlay.

The Planner suggested the way to move forward would be to consider different groups, such as: Agri-Business, Agri-Entertainment and Agri-Activities. Robert Corriea suggested the following definition: Sustainable Farm Needs is farm-related business that generates income (defined in this ordinance as Agri-business.) They considered definitions for Agri-Entertainment and Agri-Activities. The group continued to breakout specific events and fit them into each of the three designations.

Processing considerations of livestock (beef, pork, lamb, poultry) was discussed in depth and would be tabled for additional information and guidance.

Michael Viveiros felt that once an ordinance is written it will need to be applied in a number of locations. That the Farm Overlay Ordinance cannot be written for only one individual, but must also be written for those individuals who may apply for the overlay district rights in the future.

The Planner suggested to Mr. Adams that if there is a list of things that the “Right to Farm Act” allows you to do by right, then those items should be removed from the suggested ordinance, and placed in a separate section that notes, “Nothing in this section shall be prohibited…”

Michael Viveiros noted considerations for traffic and the size of events that will impact local roadways. Mr. Adams stated that his vision is to create a business model like the Farmer’s Daughter located in South Kingston, RI. Mr. Viveiros questioned the amount of activity and traffic that Mr. Adams’ proposal would encompass. Mr. Adams noted his intention was for a 4,500 sq ft venue with the look of an Amish style post and beam building, set 400-500 feet off the road.

The Planner stated that hard decisions needed to be made, indicating that there was only one month to get this ordinance on paper or it wouldn’t be going anywhere. That when this is written it will need to have specific guidelines for the property owners to abide by.

The question arose as to whether Mr. Adams was actually trying to create a commercial operation or support the future of his farm. That this ordinance needs to have restrictions and carefully written for future applicants. The Planner noted that he will need a Process for the ordinance; a Use Table; Categories (A, B, C) with frequencies; Performance Standards, Lighting, Sound and noise, etc.  

A Special Meeting was requested to continue this proposal to be held on April 29, 2025. Prior to that a new draft of the proposal to go to the Planner one week in advance and then forwarded on to the Board members before the 29^th for their review.

B.      Discussion and/or Possible Action: Planning Board Rules of Procedure

Chairman DeFrancesco asked that this discussion be postponed to the next Work Session.

III.                NEW BUSINESS:

A.     Recreational Inventory

Robert Corriea stated that an inventory of open space in the Town of Exter should be undertaken in consideration of the suggestions made by the people in the newly revised Comprehensive Plan. Creating a possible picnic area or possible skate park. Robert Correia was chosen to take on this proposal and come back to the Board with his ideas.

IV.               ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.     Approval of Minutes:

1.       February 11, 2025

William Haas made a motion to approve the minutes. Chair DeFrancesco asked to discuss and revise line 58, on page 2 – change accurate to actual.  The motion was seconded by Joe St. Lawrence.  A vote was taken and was all in favor.  The motion passed 5-0, (M. DeFrancesco, W. Haas, J. St. Lawrence, R. Corriea and M. Viveiros).

2.       February 25, 2025

William Haas made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted; the motion was seconded by Joe St. Lawrence.  A vote was taken and was all in favor.  For the record, M. Viveiros was absent on 2/25/25.  The motion passed 4-0, (M. DeFrancesco, W. Haas, J. St. Lawrence, R. Corriea).

3.       March 11, 2025

Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted; the motion was seconded by William Haas. A vote was taken and was all in favor.  The motion passed 5-0,

(M. DeFrancesco, W. Haas, J. St. Lawrence, R. Corriea and M. Viveiros).

B.      Future Meeting: Planning Board Regular Meeting—Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 5:30 P.M.

COPART – a Site Visit/Master Plan Public Hearing; followed by the continuation of the public hearing for the Unified Development Review/Special Use Permit request.

Planner DePasquale reviewed the process as follows and noted the Board members will need to bring their plans and meet at the site:

·         Site Visit/Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. to take place at 495 Nooseneck Hill Road, Exeter, RI.  The meeting will need to be closed upon conclusion of the site visit.

·         The Public Hearing/meeting will then reconvene at the Town Hall at 7 p.m. for the Unified Development Review/Special Use Permit for a Major Land Development Project.

V.                  ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn made by William Haas, seconded by Michael DeFrancesco; voted all in favor.  The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca M. Lukowicz