1.    Approval of the minutes of the May 13, 2020 regular meeting.

A.   Motion to approve by Mr. Fenton, seconded by Ms. Owen

B.   Vote: 5-0-0, Mr. Weber had not yet joined the meeting

2.    Correspondence

A.    Memorandum of the Town Planner dated May 15, 2020 re: Final Plan approval -Application of Eric & Melissa Kirton for Final Plan approval of a 4-lot subdivision, conventional design major subdivision, including proposed new roads. The property fronts on Vaucluse Ave. and Summerfield Lane and is located approximately 1,000 feet south of the intersection of Vaucluse Ave. and Peckham Ave. Assessor’s Plat 129, Lot 210

1.        Motion to receive by Mr. Fenton, seconded by Ms. Owen

2.        Vote: 5-0-0, Mr. Weber had not yet joined the meeting

B.    Memorandum of the Town Planner dated May 29, 2020 re: Administrative Subdivision Approval – The Beatrice B. Bazarsky Revocable Living Trust & Estate of Samuel Z. Bazarsky involving property at 786 Indian Ave., Plat 129, Lots 43 &43A

1.        Motion to receive by Mr. Fenton, seconded by Mr. Weber

2.        Vote: 6-0-0

3.    Continuances

A.    Public Hearing - Application of Jack Gullison for Development Plan Review, including request for waivers from certain design standards of the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land Section 521, for construction of a new commercial building, to include an 18-room hotel with a restaurant, and associated site work located on property identified as 59 Aquidneck Ave., Assessor’s Plat 115SE, Lot 169.

1.        Mr. Wolanski explained that the applicant was requesting a continuance to the July 8, 2020 planning board meeting to revise plans and continue with technical review committee review.

2.        Motion by Ms. Owen, seconded by Mr. Weber

3.        Vote: 6-0-0

B.    Public Hearing - Request of James Paradise, owner of property at 170 Aquidneck Ave. Plat 115SE, Lots 145, 146, 147 for waiver of Development Plan Review pursuant to Section 908 of the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land.

1.        Mr. Wolanski explained that the applicant requested a continuance to the July 8^, 2020 planning board meeting

2.        Motion to continue by Mr. Pierik, seconded by Mr. Ciummo

3.        Vote: 6-0-0

4.    Old Business

A.    Application of Mark Horan for Preliminary Plan and Final Plan approval of a 3-lot subdivision of land fronting on Lewis Drive and Bailey Avenue, Tax Assessor’s Plat 125, Lot 950.

1.        Mr. Regan recused himself and muted his voice.

2.        Mr. Wolanski explained that the conflict solicitor Ms. Desautel issued an opinion following the last planning board meeting where the application was reviewed. The applicant is requesting that the matter be withdrawn without prejudice.

3.        Motion to withdraw without prejudice by Mr. Fenton, seconded by Ms. Owen

4.        Discussion: Mr. Weber asked about plans returning to the planning board, it was noted that the applicant did not provide additional details.

5.        Vote: 6-0-0

5.    New Business

A.    Public Hearing – Request of David G. Bazarsky, owner of property at 710 Aquidneck Ave. (Polo Center), Plat 114, Lot 107, for a waiver from certain design requirements of Section 521 of the Middletown Rules & Regulations Regarding the Subdivision & Development of Land to allow expansion of a parking lot.

1.        Motion to open the public hearing by Mr. Fenton, seconded by Mr. Weber

2.        Vote: 6-0-0

3.        Mr. Wolanski provided a review of the request noting that it is not large enough to trigger full development plan review. The applicant is requesting waivers from the subdivision regulations to install less than a 10 foot wide buffer with 5 feet of landscaping between existing building and proposed new parking area.

4.        The applicant was asked to describe the location of the project

5.        Applicants Mr. Jason Bazarsky, Mr. David Bazarsky, and Engineer for the applicant, Mr. Mike Russel, presented the request to ease the parking burden due to new tenants. The overall site plan was reviewed.

6.        Mr. Fenton asked about the landscaping plan and technical reviews of stormwater runoff.

7.        Mr. Wolanski clarified that the plan will be reviewed at permitting stage for stormwater runoff since it does not trigger full development plan review.

8.        There was discussion regarding the number of parking spaces proposed and the ability to include the required landscaped buffer, conformity with the existing parking area, discussion regarding the need for additional parking, preservation of green spaces.

9.        Mr. Croce suggested a different parking configuration. There was a discussion regarding feasibility of other configurations to meet the Town’s requirements.

10.      Mr. David Bazarsky explained the parking strain and the plaza’s look.

11.      There was discussion regarding adding greenspace elsewhere in the plaza, and limiting impervious area

12.      Mr. Bazarski offered removing the northern sidewalk to allow plantings or compact spaces instead of full size space.

13.      There was discussion about zoning and sidewalk standards

14.       Mr. Croce offered a condition of approval: sidewalk be removed, and landscaping be installed in its place

15.      There was discussion regarding the proposed drainage area

16.      Mr. Croce invited members of the public to speak, no one offer a statement.

17.      Motion to close public hearing by Mr. Weber, seconded by Mr. Pierik

18.      Vote: 6-0-0

19.      Motion to grant the waiver with the condition that the proposed northern sidewalk be removed, and a planting strip be installed between the building and the proposed parking area, by Mr. Weber, seconded by Mr. Pierik

20.      Vote: 6-0-0

B.    Public Hearing – Application of MDR Realty II, LLC for Development Plan Review, including request for waivers from certain design standards of the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land Section 521, to allow expansion to a previously approved new commercial building to be used as an auto dealership to replace and existing building at 1235 West Main Rd.  Assessor’s Plat 106, Lot 87.

1.        Motion to open the public hearing by Mr. Fenton, seconded by Mr. Weber

2.        Vote: 6-0-0

3.        Mr. Matt Leys, attorney for the applicant, provided a review of the request for expansion of the previously approved plan. The building design would remain as previously approved with the addition of more square footage and windows on the north and south sides, no change to the landscaping plan. He noted a reduction of overall parking spaces, compliance with the zoning regulations, stormwater compliance, DEM approvals, previous technical review committee approval. He reviewed the requested waivers for building materials, flat roof, and less than a 5 ft planting strip between building and parking area.

4.        Mr. Mike Russel, engineer for the applicant, Mr. Mark Grenga general manager, were present to answer questions

5.        Mr. Croce noted the planning board’s review only of the expansion elements

6.        Mr. Croce invited members of the planning board and the public to speak, no board members of members of the public wished to speak.

7.        Motion to close the public hearing by Mr. Weber, seconded by Ms. Owen,

8.        Vote: 6-0-0

9.        Motion for development plan approval including requested waivers and recommended conditions as outlined in the Town Planner’s memo by Mr. Weber, seconded by Mr. Pierik

10.      Vote: 6-0-0

C.   Review of the Town’s proposed PY2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for consistency with the Middletown Comprehensive Community Plan.

1.        Mr. Wolanski reviewed the four proposed projects and administrative funding, the board should evaluate consistency with Middletown’s Comprehensive Plan

2.        Mr. Weber offered that the items are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan

3.        Motion to find consistency with the Comprehensive plan by Mr. Weber, seconded by Mr. Ciummo

4.        Vote: 6-0-0

6.    Updates

A.    Status Report on Planning Board action items.

1.        No comments

B.    Update on BRAC Navy Surplus Land reuse planning process.

1.        No updates

C.   Committee reports

1.        Use Table Subcommittee

1.    No meeting

2.        Marijuana regulation subcommittee

1.    No meeting

3.        Tree Commission

1.    Ms. Owen provided an update noting valley park mowing, memorial tree plantings

4.        Open Space and Fields Committee

1.    Mr. Fenton provided an update on multipurpose fields construction

5.        Conservation Commission

1.    No meeting

6.        Aquidneck Island Planning Commission

1.    No update provided

D.   Upcoming meetings:

1.        July 8, 2020, 6pm – Regular monthly Planning Board meeting.

E.    The board recognized Gladys Levin’s commitment to the planning board and the Town of Middletown

F.    There was discussion regarding upcoming Town Council actions on Planning Board related items

G.   Motion to adjourn by Ms. Owen, seconded by Mr. Fenton

H.   Vote: 6-0-0

Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:15pm

Respectfully Submitted

Mike Fenton