| CHAIRPERSON Joseph Lembo VICE-CHAIRPERSON George Lazzareschi SECRETARY Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Thomas E. Deller, AICP. |
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 |
Approved Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, at 6:00 PM
Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI
I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL 6:01 P.M.
Joseph Lembo, Chairperson, George Lazzareschi, Vice Chairperson, Gina Saabitoni-Arakelian, Secretary, Louis Prata, Member, Eric Cartier, Member, Nicholas Samartino, Member, Robert Pingitore, Alternate Member, Eric Peloquin, Alternate Member, Thomas E. Deller, AICP, Administrative Officer, Joseph R. Ballirano, Esq, Board Counsel, Debbie Pavone, Recording Secretary.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 2nd, 2025 – Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve. Second by Mr. Pingitore. All in favor.
III. OLD BUSINESS
PB 25-56 – 16 Elmdale Avenue – Continued from November 4th, 2025 - Advisory Opinion – Grant of stormwater easement. Mr. Prata made the Motion to suspend rules to hear V. Correspondence. Second by Mr. Pingitore. All in favor.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
PB 25-62 – 1140 Atwood Avenue – Public Hearing on the Preliminary Plan of a Major Land Development with Unified Development Review to develop three duplex units on AP 24 Lot 107. Property is zoned B2. Owner and Applicant – Elena Pagliarini.
Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian -Recused-Not Voting. Mr. Prata made the motion to accept Peter Casali as expert witness. All in favor. Mr. Lembo made the motion to approve Variances. Second by Mr. Prata. All in favor Except Gina Sabitoni- Arakelian. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to approve the Preliminary Plan with Town Planner’s conditions. Re blasting Drainage, Garbage collecting, Landscaping and Fire Marshall approval. Second by Mr. Cartier. All in favor.
PB 25-46 – 1465 & 1467 Atwood Avenue – Public Hearing on a Master Plan for a Major Land Development with Unified Development Review to develop three commercial buildings and one with drive through. AP 20 lots 9, 120, 276, 278 and 286. Zoned B-2. Owner and Applicant – Michael Grieco, Jr. Mr. Pingitore made the motion to approve Special use permit/Variances. Second by Mr. Prata. All in favor.
Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion for Plan Approval. Second by Mr. Pingitore. All in favor.
PB 25 – 64 – Forest Solar – Public Hearing on the Preliminary Plan for a Major Land Development with Unified Development Review to develop two 0.5 MW solar arrays and retain one single family residential lot. AP 46 lots 103, 171, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, and 213. Zoned R-40. Owner – Shore Holdings LLC Applicant – Revity Energy LLC. Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to continue to the February 3rd meeting. Second by Mr. Samartino. All in favor.
PB 25-67- 2207 Hartford Avenue- Rezoning Request. The Board must advise the Town Council as to whether the request conforms to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Lazzareschi made the motion to continue to the February 3rd meeting. Second by Mr. Samartino. All in favor.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
Joe Casali Engineering, Inc. – Extension Bird’s Eye Vue – PB 22-60
Kelly Souza Parmenter & Resnick, PC – Extension Request
PB 21-30 – 1357 Hartford Avenue
PB 21-44 – 1347 Hartford Avenue
Mr. Pingitore made the motion to grant extension. Second by Mr. Samartino. All in favor.
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT & SPECIAL ITEMS
PB 25-61 – Land Development and Subdivision Review Regulations – Discussion on draft revisions to bring the regulations into conformance with updated state law.
VII. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Schedule workshop for January 28th 5:30PM.
VIII. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Discussion on a potential special meeting to discuss the operation of the Board and
its rights and powers under the law.
IX. ADJOURMENT 7:50 -Mr. Pingitore made the motion to adjourn. Second by Mr. Lazzareschi. All in favor.
| 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. |