I.                     CALL TO ORDER:

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

II.                  NEW BUSINESS:

A.    Discussion and Guidance: Proposed Farm Overly District

Chairman DeFrancesco turned the discussion over to the Town Planner to update the Board on the proposed Farm Overly District proposal. Town Planner William DePasquale was recognized and noted that the actual procedure for a text ordinance change is to apply to the Town Clerk, who has an application that includes both the Planning Board and Town Council. The Planner noted that he had suggested to Mr. Adams that he bring his proposal to the Board for their guidance. He felt that there are items that may require belts and suspenders and certain things unknown that may occur when offering this type of venue.

The Planner reviewed the use of an Overlay District. That an overlay ordinance is not automatically granted as a matter of right, rather, it is subject to specific eligibility criteria, performance standards, and the discretion of the legislative body of the Town Council. That an overlay district is layered atop the existing underlying zoning, serving as an additional regulatory framework rather than a mandatory entitlement. Its approval is contingent upon a thorough evaluation and is not guaranteed.

Planner DePasquale noted that the Town Council and Planning Board are empowered to establish specific conditions within the framework of the overlay district. In the approval process for the overlay district by the Town Council, and during the minor land development review conducted by the Planning Board, these bodies may impose particular stipulations deemed necessary to safeguard public health and safety, mitigate nuisances, and ensure compliance with the objectives of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan.

Board member Michael Viveiros asked Mr. Adams to describe his goals of creating such an overlay district. Mr. Adams was recognized and noted that his family has been farming and living in the Town of Exeter since 1738. That the land he presently lives on is the original family property. That he currently owns a little over 700 acres and anticipates expanding his property to 1,000 acres.  

Mr. Adams reviewed with the Board the types of events that have been held on the property previously, which included Leap Fest, Wicked Tulip Festival, Field Trials, etc.

Mr. Viveiros asked who holds the preservation easement? Mr. Adams stated that the State of Rhode Island and the Nature Conservancy along with others.

Mr. Adams stated that their (his family) goal is to raise beef and produce agricultural products, such as berry patches etc., that they can then process on the farm into jellies and jams in a licensed USDA Private Farm Kitchen, and possibly raise bison on the property. Also have weekend festivals such as tulip festivals, pumpkin patches, Christmas trees, and a farmers’ market. The Adams family would like to build a center of activity. Which would mean building a venue in the middle of the farm property which is located on Hog House Hill Road, the oldest portion of the farm property they own.

Chairman DeFrancesco asked how this proposal came before them. Planner DePasquale explained that this request had not been forwarded by the Town Council; but that he had suggested to Mr. Adams that this be brought before the Planning Board for strictly an informational meeting. Chair DeFrancesco suggested filing his request with the Town Council for a text amendment and then it would move on to the Planning Board.

Planner DePasquale suggested offering Mr. Adams some direction as he moves forward with his suggested proposal. Mr. Viveiros acknowledged that farming in the traditional way in Rhode Island is not an economic winner. That trying to maintain the “Family Farm” becomes more complicated in these times. He questioned how the Board might work with individuals in order to help them preserve the land and at the same time benefit both the landowners and the Town of Exeter. Mr. Viveiros questioned on how this moves forward with questions regarding were will this overlay be, how large will it be, who are the neighbors, is it on a road that can handle the traffic, the noise, etc.  Mr. Adams noted his intention was for a 4,000 sq ft venue with the look of an Amish style post and beam building, set 400-500 feet off the road.

The Board offered Mr. Adams their thoughts on how he might move forward with his proposal and offered the following guidelines that the farm overlay would be required to adhere to, such as: Security, Traffic, Noise, Bathroom facilities, Electrical and Plumbing, Use of alcohol, Musical variety, Kitchen facilities, Venue size, Vendors, Limit on days and hours of the week, Types of events to be held on the property, etc.

The Board suggested to Mr. Adams that in his proposal he will need to define all of the required needs and the types of uses such a proposal of this type would require. Noting that all projects requiring the overlay district must be reviewed in accordance with the eligibility requirements and the Standards for review contained in the Code of Ordinances and Land Development Process.

Chairman DeFrancesco suggested it would be advisable for Mr. Adams to seek outside guidance from both a planner and attorney as he moves forward with his proposed project and filing his request with the Town Council for a text amendment after which it would move on to the Planning Board. 

III.                OLD BUSINESS:

A.    Discussion and Review: Zoning Criteria and Uses

The Chair asked the Planner for his update. The Planner reviewed with the Board a draft of the proposed Farm Café ordinance. He acknowledged the work the Board had done on revising the ordinance and making it an ordinance that protects both the Town and commercial owners and that he had also worked on merging the changes the Board had made recently with the Special Use permits from the Use Table. He indicated that he is nearly ready to send the ordinance on to the Town Council for their final approval.

The Chair made a motion to accept without objection the Planner’s Memorandum to the Honorable President and Members of the Exeter Town Council; Subject: PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE EXTER CODE OF ORDINANCES APPENDIX ARTICLES I AND II ENTITLED “ZONING;” DATED: March 11, 2025.

IV.                ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.    Approval of Minutes: N/A

B.     Future Meeting: Planning Board Regular Meeting—Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. 

V.                  ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn made by William Haas, seconded by Donna Di Donato; voted all in favor.  The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca M. Lukowicz