| | Town of Smithfield Planning Board 64 FARNUM PIKE ESMOND, RHODE ISLAND 02917 September 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes |
Members Present: Al Gizzarelli, Richard Colavecchio, Jennifer Hawkins, Mike Moan, Al Nani, Ken Orabona, Curtis Ruotolo, John Yoakum
Members Absent: Mike Pinelli
Others Present: Michael Phillips, Town Planner, Scott Levesque, Assistant Town Solicitor
Chairman Al Gizzarelli opened the September 16, 2021 meeting of the Smithfield Planning Board at 6:00 p.m.
MINUTES: Discuss and approve the August 26, 2021 meeting minutes.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the Planning Board meeting minutes for August 26, 2021. The vote on the motion was as follows:
Voting In Favor: Members Gizzarelli, Colavecchio, Hawkins, Moan, Nani, Orabona, Ruotolo
Voting In Opposition: None
Abstaining: Member Yoakum
The vote on the motion being seven in favor, with one abstention, the motion carried.
Including: 9.4 Economic Growth Overlay District; 4.3 Table Of Uses; and Section 4.4 Supplementary Use Regulations
a. The Board may vote to recommend that the Town Council adopt all, some or none of the proposed amendments.
b. The Board may continue the matter for further discussion at a future meeting.
Town Planner Michael Phillips stated that these agenda items were continued from the last meeting. The Board reviewed Section 9.4 “Economic Growth Overlay District” and Mr. Phillips stated that he added provisions for industrial uses in the district. Jennifer Hawkins stated that she is concerned with some of the standards being too proscriptive such as Section 9.4.9 H.2 wherein it proscribes a “six foot wall”. The Board preferred to change the wording to “adequate sized wall”.
Solicitor Scott Levesque stated that the Board will not be voting on this item tonight because it will need a Comprehensive Plan amendment as well as the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance.
The Board reviewed Section 4.4 Supplementary Use Regulations, G-26 Communication Antennas
Mike Phillips stated that many people were looking to put communication antennas on existing structures and were being sent to Zoning Board for special use permits but there is new FCC standards and, as long as an application meets certain criteria, can be done through an administrative process with the Zoning Official.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to accept Section 4.4 Supplementary Use Regulations with regard to G-26 “Communication Antennas” A-H. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The Board reviewed Section 4.4 H-2 Warehouse Distribution & Storage, Facilities, and Fulfillment Centers. Mike Phillips stated that this is just acknowledging the existence of these types of uses.
Ken Orabona made motion, seconded by Curtis Ruotolo, to accept H-2 Warehouse Distribution & Storage Facilities and Fulfillment Centers and changing the wording of the last sentence to “this use”. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The next section the Board reviewed was “Zoning District Abbreviations” and Mike Phillips stated that they are getting rid of the Planned Corporate – B district.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to accept the amendments to Zoning District Abbreviations, Section J-1A “Manufacture of Drug and Pharmaceuticals”. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The Board next reviewed Section 4.3 “Table of Uses”.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to accept amendment to Table of Uses, G-26 “Communication Antennas” to be allowed by right, as opposed to a special use, in all districts. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Curtis Ruotolo, to accept amendment to Table of Uses, H-1 “Storage of Flammable Materials” to be allowed by right as an accessory use in the PC district. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to accept amendment to Table of Uses, H-2. “Warehouse Distribution & Storage Facilities and Fulfillment Centers” from a special use permit to permitted by-right in the PC district. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Jennifer Hawkins, to accept amendment to Table of Uses, J-1 and J-1A “Industrial Uses” to be allowed by right instead of prohibited. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Mike Moan made a motion, seconded by Ken Orabona, to accept amendment to Table of Uses, J-2 “Industrial Park” from special use to permitted by-right in the Light Industrial, Industrial, and Planned Corporate zones. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to accept amendment to Table of Uses, J-3 “Light Industrial” from special use to permitted by-right in the PC zone. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Curtis Ruotolo, to accept amendment to Table of Uses, J-6 “Storage Facility Not Including Truck Terminal” from prohibited to permitted by special use permit in the PC zone. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Curtis Ruotolo, to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 pm. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna A. Corrao, Recording Secretary