I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

II. OLD BUSINESS - Preliminary Plan Public Hearing – Gardner Ridge Comprehensive Permit Major Land Development Project

The Exeter Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on the Preliminary Plan application for a Comprehensive Permit Major Land Development Project. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony, review the proposed development, and consider requested relief/waivers in accordance with the Rhode Island Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-53-1 et seq., and the Town of Exeter Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.

The Planning Board will conduct a public hearing regarding a proposed Major Land Development Comprehensive Permit Project known as Gardner Ridge. The proposed development consists of twenty (20) condominium dwelling units contained within ten (10) duplex (two-unit) residential buildings. Each building is proposed as a one-and-one-half-story structure.

Five (5) of the twenty (20) dwelling units (25%) will be designated as affordable housing and sold to households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The remaining fifteen (15) units will be offered at market rates.

The Owner/Applicant is MGT410, LLC. The property is identified as Assessor's Plat 58, Block 1, Lots 1, 2, and 3, located at 415 Gardner Road, formerly known as the Shady Acres Nursing Home property. The site contains approximately 3.72 acres and is located within the RU-3 Zoning District on the Exeter-Richmond municipal boundary.

The purpose of the hearing is to review and consider action on the Preliminary Plan application submitted as a Comprehensive Permit pursuant to the Rhode Island Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-53-1 et seq. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Board may vote to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the Preliminary Plan application.

The Applicant is also requesting the following adjustments, waivers, and exemptions as authorized under the Act:

A. Requested Zoning Adjustments and Variances

1. Section 2.4.1(38): Adjustment to permit two-family dwellings within the RU-3 Zoning District.
2. Section 2.4.2(4)(4): Front yard setback adjustment from the required 100 feet to a proposed 19 feet.
3. Section 2.4.2(6)(7): Rear yard setback adjustment from the required 50 feet to a proposed 11.5 feet.
4. Section 2.6(4): Adjustment to permit multiple principal buildings on a single lot.
5. Section 1.4(4)(B)(B): Relief to allow all undeveloped land to be owned by the condominium association as a common element.
6. Section 1.4(4)(D)(12): Density bonus request.
7. Section 1.4(4)(D)(4)(A): Adjustment from the maximum density requirement of six (6) dwelling units per acre.
8. Section 5.1(B)(2): Waiver from the requirement to install interior curbing and bumper guards within parking areas.
9. Section 5.1(B)(3): Waiver from the requirement to provide interior parking lot landscaping.
10. Article VII: Waiver from Groundwater Protection Overlay District restrictions based upon the Applicant's assertion that the proposed development will generate less demand than the site's previous nursing home use.

B. Requested Waivers from the Land Development and Subdivision Regulations

1. Section 3.4: Waiver from preparation of an impact study based upon the site's previously developed condition.
2. Section 4.1: Waiver from off-site improvement requirements based upon the Applicant's assertion that the project is self-contained and will not create significant off-site impacts.
3. Section 4.2: Waiver from performance improvement guarantees beyond required maintenance guarantees.
4. Section 4.3: Waiver from phasing requirements based upon the Applicant's assertion that phasing provisions are not applicable to the Comprehensive Permit review process.
5. Section 13.3(A): Relief from minimum cistern capacity requirements, with capacity to be determined by the Fire Chief.

C. Other Requested Exeter Code Exemptions

1. Exemption from Article III (Growth Management), pursuant to Section 14-208(1), based upon the Applicant's interpretation that affordable housing units required under Article IX of the Exeter Zoning Ordinance exempt the entire development from Growth Management requirements.
2. Exemption from Article I, Section 14-242(3), Impact Fees.

IV ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.     Approval of Minutes – April 28, 2026

V.  ADJOURNMENT: