THIS MEETING CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLETOWNRI.COM OR THE DVD IS AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.
At a Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI held by telephone conference at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 P.M.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Terri Flynn, Zoom
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor M. Theresa Santos
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas, Members Present
All Councillors were present except for Councillor Flynn who participated in the meeting by zoom.
POSTED – June 8, 2021
SPECIAL MEETING – June 15, 2021
The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a Special Meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. - Said meeting will be conducted by telephone conference call/ webinar, in accordance with Executive Order 20-46 issued by Governor Raimondo on April 15, 2020, extended to June 25, 2021, which modifies certain provisions of the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) and the Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”) as part of the State’s emergency response to COVID-19. Members of the public may access and listen to the meeting in real-time by calling 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and entering Meeting ID: 831 1535 3285 ; or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83115353285 .
Wendy J.W. Marshall, Town Clerk
Town of Middletown
Town Hall – 350 East Main Road
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
Dear Ms. Marshall:
Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 203 of the Town Charter and in accordance with Sections 42-46-2, 42-46-3, 42-46-4, 42-46-5 and 42-46-6, RIGL, I hereby call a Special Meeting of the Town Council to formally consider, discuss and vote upon the following item of business:
1. (Continued from the May 3, 2021, Regular Meeting)
(Public Hearing Advertised; Abutters notified)
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
Public Hearing Remains Open.
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title XV Land Use, Chapter 152 Zoning Code, is amended by adding new Article 30 – Atlantic Beach Overlay District; adding a new column and other revisions to Section 602 regarding uses allowed in the Atlantic Beach Overlay District; adding new lines to section 603 regarding dimensional requirements for the Atlantic Beach Overlay District; and adding definitions regarding signs to Article 12, Section 1202. (Planning Board Recommendation is on file)
Said meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. Town Council will meet in accordance with Executive Order 20-46.
____________________________________
Paul M. Rodrigues, Vice President
Middletown Town Council
| cc: | | Town Council | | | Town Administrator | | Town Solicitor |
| | | Finance Director | | | Public Library | | |
This meeting location is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals requiring interpreter services for the hearing-impaired should notify the Town Clerk’s Office at 847-0009 not less than 48 hours before the meeting.
Posted on June 8, 2021 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Councillor Flynn recused herself from acting on the following item of busines #1, due to a possible conflict of interest.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. (Continued from the May 3, 2021, Regular Meeting)
(Public Hearing Advertised; Abutters notified)
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
Public Hearing Remains Open.
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title XV Land Use, Chapter 152 Zoning Code, is amended by adding new Article 30 – Atlantic Beach Overlay District; adding a new column and other revisions to Section 602 regarding uses allowed in the Atlantic Beach Overlay District; adding new lines to section 603 regarding dimensional requirements for the Atlantic Beach Overlay District; and adding definitions regarding signs to Article 12, Section 1202. (Planning Board Recommendation is on file)
Public Hearing remains open.
Council President Rodrigues noted that this is the first of two public hearings, explaining the public hearings are about zoning, not intersections, sidewalks, or burial of utility lines on Aquidneck Avenue.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski and Assistant Town Planner Rita Lavoie joined by zoom and presented powerpoint presentations “Atlantic Beach Overlay Zoning District and Draft Ordinance Amendments” which are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Discussion centered around the maximum number of hotel rooms, how many of the total rooms are in the approval process, the ordinance can be amended while the public hearing is open, if a cap should be put on the number of hotels, the Council can decide to not allow for any other hotels be built in the area and building height.
Valerie Gelb, 94 Shore Drive, addressed the Council noting the increase in the number of hotel rooms since 1991.
Judith Rosenthal, 99 Shore Drive, addressed the Council noting issues with the use table, requesting there only be one gas station with convenience store in the overlay district, clarifications should be made for Professional Services, concerned if a Senior Independent living facility was to be built in the area (it could be a potential safety issue), and concern with the number of hotels in the area.
Carrie Lewis, 54 Aquidneck Avenue, addressed the Council suggesting they limit the hotels in the overlay district.
Valerie Gelb, 94 Shore Drive, addressed the Council noting support for Carrie Lewis and Judith Rosenthal and inquired why have a laundry mat in the area.
Discussion centered around the use table in the ordinance (what is permitted and not permitted in the area) and the need for a balance for the area for regular residents and seasonal residents.
The second public hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
There being no other persons desiring to be heard, public hearing will remain open.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
ADDENDUM TO TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
POSTED – JUNE 10, 2021
SPECIAL MEETING – June 15, 2021
2. Memorandum of Robert M. Silva, Chairman, Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee, re: Proposed RI General Assembly legislation regarding broadband internet.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski reviewed the memorandum above.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to authorize the MEDAC Committee Chairman to execute a letter in support of the proposed RI General Assembly legislation for broadband internet; subject to review by the Town Administrator, Town Planner and Town Solicitor.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri