Draft Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 2^nd, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI

 

 

       I.            CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL 6:00 P.M.

Joseph Lembo, Chairperson, George Lazzareschi, Vice Chairperson, Gina M. Sabitoni- Arakelian, Secretary, Louis Prata, Member, Eric Cariter, Member, Nicholas Samartino, Member, Eric Peloquin, Alternate.

Also Present: Joseph R. Ballarino Esquire, Legal Counsel to the Planning Board, Thomas E. Deller, AICP, Town Planner/Administrative Officer, Virginia Russell, Department of Development & Public Service.

 

    II.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Sabitoni- Arakelian made the motion to approve the minutes from the August 5^th meeting. Seconded by Nicholas Samartino. All in Favor.

 

 III.            OLD BUSINESS

PB 25-23 – 34 Colony Drive – Continued from the July 1^st 2025 meeting. Application for Preliminary Plan of a Minor Subdivision with Unified Development Review to develop a new single-family home. AP 37 Lot 145. Zoned R-40.  Owner/Applicant Deborah Lynn Catamero.  Attorney Al Russo, representing client stated that his clients are not going forward on this matter.

 

PB 25-11- Advisory Opinion Petition- 2025-CP-17.  A Petition to purchase Assessor’s Plat 33 Lot 23.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion for Advisory Opinion petition to purchase Assessor’s Plat 33 Lot 23,207 Shun Pike. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion that the Town is able to sell it. Seconded by Mr. Samartino.  Voice vote; All in favor.

 

PB 25-12- Advisory Opinion requesting amendments to Section 340-16 of the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to noise.  Mr. Prata made the motion for the proposed provision shall be inserted in the Town Code of Ordinances Chapter 224, Noise. Seconded by Gina Sabitoni Arakelian.  All in favor.

 

  IV.            NEW BUSINESS

PB 25-20 – Angell Street – Continued from the August 4^th, 2025 meeting.   Public Hearing on a Preliminary Plan for a Minor Land Development with Unified Development Review to develop 8 single family homes. AP 40 Lots 235 & 237.  Zoned R-15 and B-2. Owner/Applicant – Bileau Investments LLC.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to open.  Seconded by Mr. Lembo.  All in favor. No one present

 

PB 25-28 – Continued- The Preserve at Briarcliffe – Public Hearing on an amended Master Plan and a Preliminary Plan for 12 cottage styled residential units located on Old Pocasset Road.  AP 44 Lots 306 & 68.  Zoned PD-CCRC.  Applicant Briarcliffe Realty Two, LLC.   The Board finds significant information had been filed and meet the Preliminary Plan requirements and therefore is merges the Master Plan and preliminary stage, that’s 1.  2, This approval is subject to Fire Sign off before the Final.  3, This Approval is subject to permits from R.I.D.E.M. for stormwater; 4, The proposed Road and the stormwater system shall be privately owned and maintained by the applicant and any sub sore owner of the property; 5; Sewer approval must be received from the Town and the Narraganset Bay Commission because you have to go to the Town System before you get to the N.B.C. System.  6; A Town Soil Erosion Permit must be approved must be received before construction begins.  7; Final Plan we want to see Landscape Plan and if there’s any street lighting as part of the Planning process that design process.  8; When an annual maintenance report filed with the Town so we can include it in our M.S.4 clean water operation of RIDEM as its owners they have to A Maintenance plan management plan, we want a copy of that report filed and wail with us so which can file it with the state as required to do and last, the primary tenant of the units must be 55 or older.  No units under- no units may be rented to anyone under 55.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to take Thom Deller’s 9 points for approval. Seconded by Gina Sabitoni- Arakelian. Voice vote; All in favor.

         

 

 

 

 

 

  K       PB 25-30 – Continued- 44 Hopkins Avenue Public Hearing with Unified Development Review to create two new residential lots. AP 59 Lot 43. Zoned R-40.  Owner /Applicant Bachar & Mary Sasa. Mr. Lembo Made the Motion to approve Under Unified Development.          

             Seconded by Gina Sabitoni- Arakelian.  All in favor.  Second Motion – Revision to the lot size. approved by Mr. Lembo.  Seconded by Ms. Sabitoni-Arakelian.  All in favor.

 

PB 25-36 - 26 Pleasant Street – Public Hearing with Unified Development Review to create two residential lots.  AP 4 Lots 118 & 113.  Zoned R-15 & B-1.  Owner/ Applicant Seth Derobbio.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to open public hearing.  Seconded by Gina Sabitoni- Arakelian.  Johnston Resident, Anthony Pezzullo stated his concern of trees overhanding onto his property and branches damaging his garage.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to close the public hearing.  Seconded by Mr. Cartier.  All in favor.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to grant the Unified Development Review Variance.  Seconded by Mr. Cartier. All in favor.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve the Subdivision Plan as Submitted based on the Unified Development Review but conditioning it with owner and abutting property owner reaching an agreement on what’s supposed to be removed between the property lines.  Seconded by Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian. All in favor.

 

PB 25-37- 5 Appian Way Public Hearing with Unified Development Review to create two residential lots. -AP 8 Lot 290. Zoned R-15. Owner/Applicant Michael A. Lusi.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to open up for Public Hearing.  Seconded by Seconded by Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian. Voice vote; All in favor.  Mr. Samartino made the motion to close the Public Hearing.  All in favor.  Mr. Deller: Unified Development for the waiver for the frontage requirement, that’s it, because it meets all the other requirements. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to accept the Town Planner’s. Seconded by Mr. Samartino.  All in favor.  Mr. Deller: Second Action is to approve the Minor Subdivision through Flexible Zoning Provisions.  Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to accept the Planner’s second part of this application.  Seconded by Mrs. Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian.  All in favor.

 

     V.            ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT & SPECIAL ITEMS: Continued to Next Month

 

 

  VI.            COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Continue to Next Month

 

 

VII.            ADJOURMENT: 7:45 P.M.

 

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.