CHAIRPERSON

Joseph Lembo

VICE-CHAIRPERSON

George Lazzareschi

SECRETARY

Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Thomas E. Deller, AICP.

Honorable

Joseph M. Polisena, Jr., Mayor

Town of Johnston

Planning Board

100 Irons Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919

TEL (401) 231-4000 FAX (401) 231-4181

MEMBERS

Louis Prata

Laura-Jean Ferranti

Eric Carter

Nicholas Samartino

ALTERNATES

Robert Pingitore

Eric Peloquin

BOARD COUNSEL

Joseph R. Ballirano, Esq

Draft Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 6:00 P.M.

Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Ave., Johnston, RI 02919

I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL 6:01 PM

Joseph Lembo, Chairperson, George Lazzareschi, Vice-Chairperson, Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian, Secretary, Thomas Deller, AICP, Louis Prata, Member, Eric Cartier, Member, Nicholas Samartino, Member, Eric Peloquin, Alternate Member, Joseph R. Ballirano, Esq, Deb Pavone, Recording Secretary, Lisa Reyes, Stenographer

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Prata made the motion to Approve. Seconded by Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian.

III. OLD BUSINESS

PB 24-42 – Forest Drive Solar AP 46 Lots 103, 171, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212 and 213- Zoned R-40. Owner-: Shore Holdings, LLC. Applicant -Revity Energy. The Petitioner is seeking A Public Hearing on the Master Plan Application of a Major Land Development and Special Use Permit applications pursuant to Unified Development Review to develop two 0.5 MW solar arrays and one single-family residential lot. Behind 3 and 17 Forest Drive.

Mr. Prata made the motion to Continue to the April 1^st 2025 Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Peloquin.

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

PB 24-12l-Wendy’s Restaurant -1386 Atwood Avenue AP 44 Lot 359 Zoned B2. Applicant John Marth. Petitioner is seeking A Public Hearing for a Master Plan with Unified Development Review to develop a New Standalone Restaurant with Drive Through. A Special Use Permit for the Drive Through is being requested under section 340-76.1 B

Variances are being requested for quantity of wall signs and an add an additional Freestanding sign under Section 340-74. Mr. Prata accepted Exhibit 1-Signs. Seconded by Mr. Peloquin. Voice Vote; All in favor. Mr. Prata made the motion to open public hearing. Seconded by Mr. Peloquin. No Comments. Mr. Prata made the motion to close public hearing Seconded by Mrs. Arakelian. Voice Vote; All in favor.

Mr. Prata made the motion to approve Unified Development with Special Use with stipulation for no left-hand turn in Drive Thru and incorporate Planner report. Seconded Mr. Cartier. Voice Vote; All in Favor. Mr. Prata made the motion to approve the Sign Variance -include Planner Report. Seconded by Mr. Peloquin. Voice Vote; All in favor.

Mr. Prata made the motion to merge Master and Preliminary Plan and approve. Seconded by Mr. Lazzareschi. All in Favor.

PB 25-01- Advisory Opinion on the request to Rezone 183 Shun Pike AP 43 Lot(s) 264&265 from R-40 to I-Industrial. Applicant: Bachar Sasa.

Exhibit A-7 Photos accepted by Mr. Prata. Seconded by Mrs. Arakelian. All in Favor. Favorable Opinion made by Mr. Prata. Seconded by Mr. Cartier. All in favor.

PB 25-02-Advisory Opinion requesting amendments to Section 340-16 Industrial Performance Standards of the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the covering of dirt mounds.

Favorable-Positive Advisory opinion made by Mr. Prata. Seconded by Mr. Lazzareschi. All in Favor.

PB 25-04- Petition 2024-CP-173 requesting to change the zoning AP 8 Lot 14 from B-2 and R-20 to R-7. Applicant Mohamad Yaser & Rhonda Sasa. Recommend 55 plus. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion for a favorable opinion. Seconded by Mrs. Arakelian. All in favor.

PB 25-05 - 1515 Atwood Avenue AP 20 Lot 77. Zoned B 2. Owner 266 Putnam Avenue, LLC. Applicant -Michael Grieco Jr., Member. A Public Hearing for a Master Plan with Unified Development Review for a New Restaurant with Drive Through. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to open Public Hearing. Seconded by Mrs. Arakelian. All in Favor. No comments. Mr. Prata made the motion to close public hearing. Seconded by Mr. Lazzareschi. All in favor. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve Unified Development with Drive Thru. Seconded by Mr. Prata. Voice vote; All in favor. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve Master Plan. Seconded by Mr. Prata. Voice vote; All in favor.

V. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT & SPECIAL ITEMS

PB 25-03- Affordable Housing – Review DRAFT Plan, listen comment, recommendation action to the Town Council

PB 22-57 – The Comprehensive Plan. Future Land Use Maps

PB 23-35 – Zoning Update. Discussion and review of draft zoning ordinance. Major restructuring of the ordinance was required because of the changes and the failure to update the ordinance over the past years when changes were made to state law.

o The Planning Board Agenda and Minutes are available for review at https://clerkshq.com/johnston-ri or Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Planning Office, 100 Irons Avenue, Johnston.

o Items not heard by 9:00 p.m. may be continued to the next Regular Meeting or a special meeting at the discretion of the Board.

o Facilities are handicap accessible. Interpreter services may be requested from TTD (401) 792-9642 at least 72 hours in advance.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Prata Made the Motion to Adjourn at 7:47PM. Seconded by Mr. Lazzareschi.