Approved Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI

 

 

I.            CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

Joseph Lembo, Chairperson, George Lazzareschi, Vice-Chairperson, Gina M. Sabitoni- Arakelian, Louis Prata, Eric Cartier, Nicholas Samartino, Robert Pingitore, Alternate, Eric Peloquin, Alternate, Joseph R. Ballirano, Esquire Legal Counsel to the Planning Board, Thomas E Deller, AICP, Town Planner/Administrative Officer, Virginia Russell, Recording Secretary, Edward Civito, Building/Zoning Official

 

I.                        APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 2^nd, 2025 

October 7^th, 2025

Mr. Prata made the motion to approve.  All in favor.

II.                        OLD BUSINESS

PB 25-45 – Santa Circle – Pre-Application discussion on the creation of three (3) new lots which will be undersized and making Santa Lane a Town Road.  AP 57 Lots 85 and 347.  Property is Zoned R-40.  Owner/Applicant – Thomas, William, Anthony and Robert Santagata. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to move later in the meeting.  Applicant not in attendance.

 

PB 25-20- Angell Street – A Public Hearing on a Preliminary Plan on a Major Land Development with Unified Development Review.  AP 40 Lots 235 & 237. Zoned B 2 and R 15. Applicant/Bileau Investments LLC.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to open.  Seconded by Mr. Prata.  Resident, Susanna Ordway and John Nelson voiced their neighborhood concerns.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to close.  Seconded by Ms. Sabitoni and Mr. Pingitore.  Mr. Lembo made the motion to adopt the legal department’s motion. A motion to approve multiple zoning relief, A Use Variance, a Special Use Permit to develop residential units in the B-2 a variance develop three -bedroom units, dimensional reliefs and separation ever structures. The Board would rely upon the 18-page report with 5 appendices as provided by Casali Engineers and the Planner’s report in support of its findings of fact of approval.  Seconded by Mr. Prata.  All in favor.  Mr. Lembo approved the Preliminary Plan. The board and the staff believe that the Preliminary Plan approval conforms to all the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance with the approval of the unified development review, as proposed and design to minimize impact on the existing development, the proposed development conforms to the purpose and intent of the Comprehensive Plan and the minor development plan as submitted should be approved. We recommend approval this plan conditioned on the presentation by the applicant and conditions. DEM permits come back with approval, the approval of the Johnston Fire Department for the hydrant and the water, Providence water approval is also needed as well as Narragansett Bay Commission and then we also are looking for a H.O.A. agreement and deed preapproval in advance so that we know that in the H.O.A. that the drainage maintenance is being highlighted there.  We are also looking at the landscaping plan with the fencing be noted, the streetlighting be noted as well and that the letter to the post office naming and providing the numbers and then the street name has to be a way in the future.  Seconded by Mr. Lazzareschi.  Voice vote; All in favor.

 

III.                        NEW BUSINESS

PB 25-47- 44 Pocasset Street – A Public Hearing on a Minor Subdivision with Unified Development Review. AP 2 Lot 25. Property is Zoned R-15. Owner/Applicant Mohamad Yaser Sasa & Rhonda A. Sasa.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to accept Exhibit A-Plat Lot copy of the Town of Johnston.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to accept Exhibit B- Map of the Town.  Exhibit C, Vision Appraisal field card motion to accept.  Mr. Pingitore made the motion to accept Exhibit D and Exhibit E; a picture of Pleasant Street 33 and 37.  Seconded by Mr. Lembo. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to open up for public meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Sabitoni. 

Residents Skyler Stone, Catherine Parente, Deanna Forte, Councilwomen, Linda Forcarelli stated their concerns.  Mr. Lembo made the motion to recess the public hearing and continue this to the December 2^nd meeting. 

 

PB 25-51 – 23 Columbus Avenue – A Public Hearing on a Minor Subdivision to create two lots with Unified Development Review.   AP 18 Lot 77.  Zoned R-15 Owner/Applicant – Robert Moll.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to accept Exhibit A and Exhibit B- 5 Pictures.  Seconded by Mr. Prata.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve the dimensional variances for lot size and dimensional relief relying on the Planner’s report and the Professional evening err near report submitted by Casali engineering.  Seconded by Mr. Prata.  All in favor.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve Preliminary Plan. Seconded by Mr. Samartino. All in favor.

 

 

PB 25-53 - Advisory Opinion to the Town Council on a proposed Cell Tower Lease at 1520 Atwood Avenue.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve.  Seconded by Mr. Samartino.  All in favor.

 

PB 25 52 - Public Meeting to discuss the Town’s Application to RIDEM to fund improvements at Memorial Park.  Mr. Prata made the motion. Seconded by Mr. Lazzareschi.  All in favor.

 

PB 25-55 – 112 Peck Hill Road – Advisory Opinion – Grant of stormwater easement

Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to recommend to the council that they should execute and accept the easement to reduce flooding.  Seconded by Mr. Prata.  All in favor.

PB 25-56 – 16 Elmdale Avenue – Advisory Opinion – Grant of stormwater easement

Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to continue to next month’s meeting. Seconded by Mr. Peloquin.  All in favor.

 

IV.                        ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT & SPECIAL ITEMS

 

 

V.                        COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

 

 

VI.                        ADJOURMENT: 9:06 PM Mr. Lazzareschi/Mr. Peloquin

 

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.