| | Town of Smithfield Planning Board 64 FARNUM PIKE ESMOND, RHODE ISLAND 02917 July 21, 2022 Meeting Minutes |
Members Present: Al Gizzarelli, Richard Colavecchio, Al Nani, Ken Orabona, Michael Moan, and John Yoakum
Members Absent: Jennifer Hawkins, Mike Pinelli. Curtis Ruotolo
Others Present: Michael Phillips, Town Planner, Scott Levesque, Assistant Town Solicitor
Chairman Al Gizzarelli opened the July 21, 2022 meeting of the Smithfield Planning Board at 6:02 p.m.
Discuss and approve the May 19, 2022 and June 16, 2022 meeting minutes.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the Planning Board meeting minutes for May 19, 2022. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the Planning Board meeting minutes for June 16, 2022. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Major Subdivision – Public Informational Meeting
AP 42 / Lot 12 – 170 Whipple Road
40.91 Acres (approx.)/9 Lots / Zone: R-80 (Conservation)
Applicant / Owner: Louie Capital LLC & MAS Capital LLC; CAS Capital LLC & ERS Capital LLC
Engineer: Jeffrey C. Hanson, P.E. – Millstone Engineering, PC
a. The Board will review and discuss the proposed submission with the project proponent.
b. The Board will conduct a public informational hearing to receive input on the proposed project.
c. The Board may schedule a site visit or waive the requirement.
d. The Board may approve the Master Plan as submitted, approve with changes and/or conditions, deny the application or continue the meeting to a future date.
e. The Board may authorize the Town Planner to prepare a written decision consistent with the Board’s findings of fact and motion for signature by the Chair and subsequent recording.
Al Nani made a motion, seconded by Ken Orabona, to continue the Whipple Woods application to the August 18, 2022 meeting agenda. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Subdivision – Preliminary Plan Review – Public Hearing
AP 44 / Lot 54 – 13 Chiswick Road
4.8 Acres (approx.) / 3 Lots / Zone: R-20
Applicant: Frank & Maria Simonelli
Owner: Frank & Maria Simonelli Rev. Int. Trusts
Surveyor: Lou Calcagni, Jr., P.L.S. #1697
a. The Board will review and discuss the proposed submission with the project proponent.
b. The Board will conduct a public hearing to receive input on the proposed project.
c. The Board may approve the Preliminary Plan as submitted, approve with changes and/or conditions, deny the application, or continue the meeting to a future date.
d. The Board may authorize the Town Planner to prepare a written decision consistent with the Board’s findings of fact and motion for signature by the Chair and subsequent recording.
Attorney Tim Kane, having offices at 627 Putnam Pike in Greenville, represented the applicant on this request for a subdivision to yield 2 additional lots all greatly exceeding the R-20 zone requirements. Attorney Kane stated that the lots will be serviced by water and sewer and having a private drive. Attorney Kane noted that this application was previously approved by the Town in February of 2006 but was never recorded and, since that time, the applicant has made infrastructure improvements to the property.
The public hearing was opened at 6:37 p.m.
Paula Hughes, 7 Fair Oaks Lane, stated her concern about privacy, how much more this property will expand, and which way the new house is going to face. The applicant, Frank Simonelli, replied that the house will face the cul-de-sac and that he will attempt to connect it to the existing garage, if possible, to provide more privacy for the neighbors.
Brenda McMahon, 10 Pheasant Run, stated her concern with whether or not the cul-de-sac is changing and the location of the house.
Greg Molod, 10 Fair Oaks, stated he is concerned about whether there will be a phase 2 and the opening up of the cul-de-sac for future subdivisions. Mr. Molod questioned what the hours of construction will be and whether there will be blasting. Frank Simonelli replied there is no evidence of ledge on the property and that the Town’s hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. but that they usually wrap up by 4:00 p.m. Mr. Molod questioned whether it is possible to subdivide this property further and Chairman Gizzarelli replied that, based on the setbacks and locations of the houses, they would not be able to have enough frontage for additional lots.
There being no one else present to speak on this application, the public hearing was closed at 6:53 p.m.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by John Yoakum, to approve the Preliminary plan incorporating the Town Planner’s memorandum dated July 14, 2022 as Board’s Exhibit #1 and the Findings of Fact as Board’s Exhibit #2, being subject to all utility approvals being submitted at final plan, establishing an HOA to maintain the roadway, drainage and utilities, and Final Plan being handled by the Administrative Officer. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Major Subdivision – Master Plan Review
AP 46 / Lot 17 – 82 Williams Road
10 Acres (approx.) / 2 Lots / Zone: R-80
Applicant/Owner: Boyle Family Revocable Trust – Russel J. & Rhonda J. Boyle Trustee
Engineer: Joe Casali Engineering, Inc.
a. The Board will review and discuss the proposed submission with the project proponent.
b. The Board will conduct a public informational hearing to receive input on the proposed project.
c. The Board may schedule a site visit or waive the requirement.
d. The Board may approve the Master Plan as submitted, approve with changes and/or conditions, deny the application or continue the meeting to a future date.
e. The Board may make a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review on required dimensional relief required for the project.
f. The Board may authorize the Town Planner to prepare a written decision consistent with the Board’s findings of fact and motion for signature by the Chair and subsequent recording.
Attorney Tim Kane, having offices at 627 Putnam Pike in Greenville, represented the applicant on this request for a subdivision to yield two additional lots.
Joseph Casali, Registered Professional Engineer having offices at 300 Post Road in Warwick, presented a PowerPoint presentation of the project. Mr. Casali stated that the proposal is for 2 additional lots to be serviced by a 20 foot paved road within a 40 foot wide private right of way and being serviced by wells and septic systems. Mr. Casali noted that they were asked by the Town to look at the historic cemeteries on the site.
Mr. Casali stated that they are seeking a waiver for the proposed private roadway and, if approved by the Board, will file for permits with DEM and the Town’s Soil and Erosion Committee.
Michael Moan questioned the wetland on the property and Mr. Casali replied that it is classified by RIDEM as a wet meadow area less than a tenth of an acre.
The public informational meeting was opened to the public at 6:19 p.m.
Kim Baptista, 76 Williams Road, stated that she is the property next door to this property and that the property gets very wet and questioned the approval process for a septic system. Chairman Gizzarelli replied that DEM will perform perc tests and testing of soil samples to determine suitability for a septic system. Ms. Baptista stated that she is also concerned with the long driveway and questioned the difference between a driveway and a roadway? Joe Casali replied that it is a 20 foot wide paved driveway to service only these 2 homes and that a roadway typically has curbing and sidewalks. Michael Phillips added that the regulations allow for frontage on private roadways.
Joe Baptista, 76 Williams Road, questioned whether the property is landlocked and Chairman Gizzarelli replied that the Board cannot create landlocked properties. Mr. Baptista stated that the property is extremely wet. Mr. Baptista stated that this proposal will affect the use and enjoyment of their property and questioned how they can stop the project since it is going right on top of their property.
There being no one else present to speak to this application, the informational meeting was closed at 6:32 p.m.
Michael Moan questioned the construction of the roadway and Joe Casali replied that it will be built to the Town’s road standards and typically will last 30 years.
Ken Orabona made a motion seconded by Al Nani, to waive the site visit. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the master plan incorporating the Town Planner’s memorandum dated July 14, 2022 as Board’s Exhibit 1, the Findings of Fact as Board’s Exhibit #2, being subject to the applicant obtaining appropriate dimensional relief from the Zoning Board, locating the historic cemeteries on the plans and granting waiver on road width. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Major Land Development - AP 40 / Lots 1-169, 179-200, 208-235, 241-271, 274-298, 300-329, 333-360, 364-382, 389-414, 416-440 and AP 42 / Lot 139 – Douglas Pike & Ridge Road
43.4Acres / Zoning District: Low Density Residential (R-80), Medium Density Residential (R-MED) and Commercial (C)
Applicant/Owner: Smithfield Estates, LLC; Earl Grey Estates, LLC
a. The Board will conduct the project’s annual review.
b. The Board will vote on approval of the extension.
Attorney Tim Kane, having offices at 627 Putnam Pike in Greenville, represented the applicant stating that the master plan approval is vested by-right for two one year extension and this is the first one year extension. Attorney Kane noted that the applicant is trying to sell the property and to tie in to sewers.
Michael Moan made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to grant a one-year extension for the Earl Gray Estates subdivision. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Ken Orabona made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 pm. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna A. Corrao, Recording Secretary