| | Town of Smithfield Planning Board 64 FARNUM PIKE ESMOND, RHODE ISLAND 02917 December 12, 2024 Meeting Minutes |
Members Present: Richard Colavecchio, James D’Ambra, Charles Boyd, Al Nani,
Joseph Rotella, John Yoakum
Members Absent: Catherine Lynn (excused), Michael Moan (excused)
Others Present: David Ursillo, Assistant Town Solicitor
Chairman James D’Ambra opened the December 12, 2024 meeting of the Smithfield Planning Board at 6:02 p.m.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION AND HEALTH NOTIFICATION
Chairman James D’Ambra read the Emergency Evacuation and Health Notification.
MINUTES: Discuss and approve the October 17, 2024 meeting minutes.
Joseph Rotella made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the October 17, 2024 meeting minutes as presented. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried. (Charles Boyd arrived late to the meeting and was not present for the vote on the minutes.)
REGULAR AGENDA
Major Land Development – Master Plan Approval Extension Request
AP 49 / Lot 78 – 30 Hanton City Road
15.55 Acres (approx.)/Zoning District: PCD-B
Applicant/Owner: The Davis Companies, LLC
Engineer: Joe Casali Engineering, Inc.
a. The Board will conduct the project’s annual review.
b. The Board will vote to approve or deny the extension.
Joe Casali, Registered Professional Engineer with Joe Casali Engineering having offices at 300 Post Road in Warwick, stated that the applicant is requesting an extension to the Master Plan approval for the property formerly known as Rubius Therapeutics.
Joseph Rotella made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the request for a one-year extension of Master Plan approval. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Minor Subdivision - Preliminary Plan Review
AP 43/Lot 75 – 260 Old County Road
6.5 acres (approx.)/3 Lots/Zone: RMED
Applicant/Owner: KLRS Realty LLC
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 hearing to receive input on the proposed project.
c. The Board may approve the application for zoning relief as submitted, approve with changes and/or conditions, deny the application or continue the meeting to a future date.
d. 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.
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.
f. The Board may vote to have the Final Plan approval be handled administratively.
Attorney Tim Kane, having offices at 627 Putnam Pike in Greenville, represented the applicant stating they are still working on the peer review and requested an extension waiving any deadline the Board may have on decision making on this application.
Al Nani made a motion, seconded by Joseph Rotella, to continue the application to the January 16, 2025 meeting. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Al Nani made a motion, seconded by John Yoakum, that a decision be granted by the Board by February of 2025. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Minor Subdivision–Pre-Application/Concept Review
AP 50 / Lot 15 111 Tarklin Road
5.276 Acres / R-200 Zone/2 Lots
Applicant/Owner: Laura Field-Swallow
Engineer: InSight Engineering
a. The Board will review the submission with the applicant and provide input for future review stages.
Attorney Tim Kane having offices at 627 Putnam Pike in Greenville, represented the applicant on this proposed 2 lot minor subdivision. Atty. Kane stated the property was zoned 5 acres over concern with the Davis Landfill but the contamination runs toward Burlingame Road and Log Road and that the water is clean on this side of the property. Atty. Kane stated that the property was previously subdivided in 1992 but the plan was never recorded. Atty. Kane distributed a division of land plan showing zoning relief on lot size being granted by the Zoning Board at that time.
Atty. Kane stated that the subdivision will possibly result in a housing opportunity for the owner’s son and will not be out of character with other lots in the general area. Atty. Kane submitted an existing conditions map showing similar sized lots in the area.
Town Planner Michael Phillips stated that the prior plan was approved by the Planning Board but was never recorded.
Jim D’Ambra stated the fact that the subdivision was previously approved and is in conformance with the surrounding lots is good.
Minor Subdivision - Pre-Application/Concept Review
AP 48/Lot 30 - 245 Reservoir Road
13.759 Acres (approx.)/Zone: R-200/5 Lots
Applicant/Owner: Gordon & Cristina Ondis
Engineer: Joe Casali Engineering, Inc.
a. The Board will review the submission with the applicant and provide input for future review stages.
Joe Casali, Registered Professional Engineer with Joe Casali Engineering having offices at 300 Post Road in Warwick, stated he is representing the applicant on this proposal for a 5 lot subdivision having access on Reservoir Road. Mr. Casali stated that all lots will have onsite wastewater treatment systems, and that they are seeking lot area relief on all 5 lots and frontage relief on lots 3, 4, and 5.
Town Planner Michael Phillips stated that the parcel was previously zoned R-80 but was rezoned to R-200.
Jim D’Ambra stated that he thinks 5 lots is a little unreasonable on this parcel and would prefer to see less.
Pre-Application/Concept & Major Land Development
AP 45/Lot 43 & AP 45/Lot 43B – 60 & 82 Limerock Road
38 Acres (approx.)/Zone: R-80/218 units
Applicant/Owner: Boport LLC c/o Edward J. Lanni
Engineer: Joe Casali Engineering, Inc.
a. The Board will review the submission with the applicant and provide input for future review stages.
Attorney Michael Resnick stated this is a Comprehensive Permit application located in an R-80 zone having 50% LMI and a total of 218 four-bedroom units. Attorney Resnick stated that the applicant could present an application for 239 units within the state limits but water, sewer and gas availability demonstrates that 218 units can be supported. Attorney Resnick stated that this type of development will substantially help the town achieve its goal of 10% affordable housing.
Joe Casali, Registered Professional Engineer with Joe Casali Engineering having offices at 300 Post Road in Warwick, stated that 109 of the 218 units will be low to moderate income. Mr. Casali stated there is an old cemetery on the lot and the development will stay far away from it but will provide access to the cemetery. Mr. Casali stated there are different configurations, but all will have the same entry having sidewalks located on one side of the roadway. Mr. Casali noted that the Whipple Road pump station is presently overtaxed and this proposal will be part of the solution.
Charlie Boyd questioned what the sales price of the units will be and Attorney Resnick replied they are still working on the pro forma but the LMI units are likely to be 120% of the area median income and no determinations have been made for the market rate units at this time. Attorney Resnick added that RI Housing sets the price of the LMI units.
John Shevlin, Registered Professional Engineer with Pare Corp, stated that he prepared a traffic analysis report. Charlie Boyd stated his concern with accidents at the intersection of Douglas Pike at Limerock Road. Mr. Shevlin stated that the number of trips generated from this site will be 106 vehicles in the morning peak hours and 125 vehicles in the afternoon peak hours. Mr. Shevlin summarized that the site lines are good, there will be no reduction in the level of service, and no significant impacts on traffic safety in the area.
Richard Colavecchio stated his concern the number of school aged children and requested the applicant look at a recreation area for children.
Jim D’Ambra stated that the population density is concerning with all 4-bedroom units.
Reilly White, Real Estate Broker with Keller Williams, stated that bedroom count plays a factor in the value of homes but does not think it affects marketability overall. Mr. White added that this project is proposing to give people space at an affordable price.
Joe Rotella questioned whether anything has been presented to School Committee to make them aware of this plan? Attorney Resnick replied that there has been no communication with that body. Town Planner Michael Phillips stated that the Superintendent is aware of this project as well as other developments in the area.
Attorney Resnick stated that this project will generate $2 million in revenue for the Town in the first year and $1.5 million annually thereafter.
The applicant Louis Calcagni stated that he has outreached to abutters and has had meetings with Pheasant Run Condominiums, Residences at Limerock Condominiums, and Orchard Meadows Condominiums and that the feedback was positive.
Joseph Rotella made a motion, seconded by John Yoakum, to approve the 2025 Planning Board meeting as presented. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Michael Iannotti stated that the opposite side of the road, from the Limerock Acres on Clark Road and Karen Ann Drive, has had serious flood issues and is not sure whether this project will affect this. Town Planner Michael Phillips stated that this project is located in a different watershed.
Joe Rotella made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna A. Corrao, Recording Secretary