RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

 

Regular Town Council Meeting

March 1, 2022

6:00 P.M.

 

 

A.        CALL TO ORDER

 

Council President Carpenter called the meeting of the Richmond Town Council to order at 6:00 P.M. held on March 1, 2022. This meeting was held In-Person at Town Council Chambers, 5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI, and was also teleconferenced via Zoom.

 

B.        ROLL CALL

 

Town Council Members present in Council Chambers were as follows: Council President Nell Carpenter, Vice President James Palmisciano, Councilor Ronald Newman, Councilor Rich Nassaney and Councilor Lauren Cacciola. Also present Town Administrator Karen D. Pinch, Town Solicitor Karen Ellsworth, Chief of Police Elwood Johnson, Finance Director Laura Kenyon, Town Planner Shaun Lacey, and Town Clerk Erin Liese.

 

C.        THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

D.        MOMENT OF SILENCE

 

President Carpenter led in a moment of silence and made the following comments: As Americans, we like to think that we have the patent on freedom and we are quick to recognize when it's being threatened by smell infringements here in our America. Meanwhile, half a world away and on full display for all to witness President Zelinski, average citizens and Ukrainian celebrities are demonstrating true courage, patriotism and heroism as they fight alongside each other in the name of freedom, let us pray for their safety and their ultimate victory over evil.

 

Council President Carpenter thanked the Council, Staff and audience for their mask wearing in Chambers.

 

E.        PUBLIC HEARING

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Discussion and consideration of an Application request from Mary R. Fasano, Revocable Trust, Mary R. Fasano & Ronald E Fasano for a Proposed Zoning Map Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment affecting a portion of 61 Tefft Hill Road, Assessor’s Plan 2C Lot 17 from R-2( Single- Family Residential) to LI ( Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial

 

A motion was made to open the Public Hearing on Application request from Mary R. Fasano, Revocable Trust, Mary R. Fasano & Ronald E Fasano for a Proposed Zoning Map Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment affecting a portion of 61 Tefft Hill Road, Assessor’s Plan 2C Lot 17 from R-2( Single- Family Residential) to LI ( Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial by Councilor Newman seconded by Councilor Nassaney. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye

 

Mr. and Mrs. Fasano were present in the audience.

 

Town Planner Lacey reviewed the application request to rezone the two acre portion of the property, 61 Tefft Hill Road -2( Single- Family Residential) to LI ( Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial. The intent of the applicant is to move the family machinist business from Cranston to Richmond. He explained the Planning Board unanimously approved the rezone and the COMP plan amendment applications, subject to a condition that the use of that portion of the rezoned two acre portion of a lot; limited to metals fabrication that appears as use code 920 in our Zoning Ordinance. As well as amend the Future land use map amendment, which would change the portion of the property from medium density residential to light industrial. If approved the staff and Planning Board would continue to work with the applicant for that change.

 

Town Solicitor Ellsworth advised on the order to adopt each change.

 

Vice President Palmisciano questioned why we are limiting the applicant.

 

Town Planner Lacey advised this was tailor made to the applicant as this was the intent of the applicant.

 

Discussion ensued on review process and application for rezoning.

 

It was noted the remaining property would remain residential and only the two acres would move to industrial.

 

Chris Duhamel, Engineer from Diprete Engineering on behalf of the applicant, reviewed the requested map changes.

 

No public comment.

 

A motion was made to close the Public Hearing on Application request from Mary R. Fasano, Revocable Trust, Mary R. Fasano & Ronald E Fasano for a Proposed Zoning Map Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment affecting a portion of 61 Tefft Hill Road, Assessor’s Plan 2C Lot 17 from R-2( Single- Family Residential) to LI ( Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial by Councilor Nassaney seconded by Councilor Newman. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye

 

Councilor Nassaney moved that the Comprehensive Community Plan Future Land Use Map adopted on February 15, 2022 be amended to change the use designation of the portion of Lot 17 on Tax Assessor’s Plat 2C identified in the Planning Board recommendation from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial. Seconded by Councilor Cacciola. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye.

 

Vice President Palmisciano moved that the Zoning Ordinance Map be amended to change the zoning designation of the portion of Lot 17 on Tax Assessor’s Plat 2C identified in the Planning Board’s recommendation from R-2 to Light Industrial, and to limit the permitted use to Use Code 920, metals fabrication and machinery manufacturing, based on the Planning Board's recommendations concerning consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, as amended, and recognition and consideration of the applicable purposes of zoning, seconded by Councilor Nassaney. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye.

 

2)         Discussion and consideration of an Application Request from Lawrence G. Casey for a Proposed Zoning Map Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment affecting two properties located at 301 & 310 Nooseneck Hill  Road, Assessor’s Plan 2C Lot 16-1 and 2C Lot 4 from R-2( Single- Family Residential) to LI ( Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial

 

A motion was made to open the Public Hearing on Application Request from Lawrence G. Casey for a Proposed Zoning Map Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment affecting two properties located at 301 & 310 Nooseneck Hill Road, Assessor’s Plan 2C Lot 16-1 and 2C Lot 4 from R-2( Single- Family Residential) to LI ( Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial by Councilor Newman seconded by Councilor Nassaney.

Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye

 

Town Planner Lacey reviewed the application request of Lawrence G. Casey for a Proposed Zoning Map Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment affecting two properties located at 301 & 310 Nooseneck Hill Road, Assessor’s Plan 2C Lot 16-1 and 2C Lot 4 from R-2(Single- Family Residential) to LI (Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial. He advised the Planning Board had unanimously recommended approval of the amendment with a condition that use is related to be limited to warehousing which is use code 962 of zoning ordinance. The two properties 301 and 310 Nooseneck Hill Road would be limited to warehousing which is use code 962. The COMP plan future land use map amendment for those two properties would go from medium density residential to light, industrial.

 

Vice President Palmisciano clarified we would be restricting it also to uses in 962.

 

Town Planner Lacey advised the Planning Board had followed a similar process, however also looked at the current operations of the business of Aqua Science.

 

Discussion ensued on the expansion.

 

President Carpenter asked questions on behalf of Mr. Knerr and diverted water from the site as well as wetlands.

 

Town Planner Lacey advised tonight is policy related; however site specific concerns would be addressed at the time the application appeared before the Planning Board.

 

Chris Duhamel, Engineer from Diprete Engineering on behalf of the applicant, reviewed the request. He explained the review for use code 962 would meet the needs for 301 Nooseneck Hill Road; however for 310, the 11-acre parcel, they would like consideration of the full use code of Industrial. He explained the property is bounded to the East by Route 3 and to the West by 95 so it's poorly suited for residential use; it's more suited for light industrial use. He explained the industrial uses to be utilized as follows:

 

Aqua Science could utilize for a new use of construction trade, use code 602 professional offices, use code 772, storage, equipment rental use code 774 and then the cellular tower that's onsite be permitted use on a light industrial. All the uses would go before Planning Board to address concerns and requesting all uses of industrial.

 

Discussion ensued on the request of the applicant and use relative to Industrial.

 

Town Solicitor Ellsworth explained that the Planning Board has it limited to one use code.

 

Attorney Craven explained the applicant’s desire and need for this amendment to expand this business as he cannot keep up with the storage requirements needed. He advised on the cost reduction to buy in bulk, security needed and opportunities. He further explained this is a large lot and limiting to just use code 962 would be prohibitive.

 

Discussion ensued on expansion of uses to include the other uses of light industrial.

 

Mr. Larry Casey owner and operator of Aqua Science addressed the Council for his request to expand his business and the opportunities for a successful business in Town. He explained this is a family business and has turned into an oasis. He has seen a growth in the business by 251% over the last two years.

 

Mr. Zambrano of 289 Nooseneck Hill Road, explained Mr. Casey has been a tremendous neighbor for the past 11 years. However, he has general concerns that they did move here 31 years ago with the understanding this was a residential neighborhood. He is not happy for change of zoning. What about traffic increase, property values and noise from someone living next to this.

 

Town Solicitor Ellsworth advised that this matter should be continued to allow for further research.

 

A motion was made to continue the Public Hearing to March 15, 2022 on the Application Request from Lawrence G. Casey for a Proposed Zoning Map Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment affecting two properties located at 301 & 310 Nooseneck Hill Road, Assessor’s Plan 2C Lot 16-1 and 2C Lot 4 from R-2( Single- Family Residential) to LI ( Light Industrial) with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map designation Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial by Councilor Newman seconded by Councilor Cacciola.

Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye

 

F.         NEW BUSINESS

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Scheduling the 2022 Richmond Financial Town Meeting

 

Discussion ensued on potential dates. It was determined the Financial Town Meeting would be held on June 13, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at Richmond Elementary School with an alternate date of June 14, 2022.

 

G.        ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Councilor Newman with second by Councilor Cacciola to adjourn at 6:50 P.M. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye

 

 

Attest:

 

 

______________________________

Erin F. Liese, CMC Town Clerk