NEW BUSINESS

BRYANT UNIVERSITY - Student Housing (ID#: 22-09) Public Hearing

Major Land Development – Preliminary Plan Review

AP 49 / Lot 125 – 1150 Douglas Pike

5.4 Acres (approx.) / Zone: PD

Applicant/Owner: Bryant University

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 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.

e.  The Board may vote to have the Final Plan approval be handled administratively.

Attorney Chris O’Connor, having offices at Blish & Cavanagh, stated that a revised Master Plan was approved in August, given a positive recommendation to the Zoning Board having received the requested special use permit, and are seeking Preliminary Plan approval tonight with Final Plan approval being handled administratively. 

Thomas Mann, Assistant Vice President of Planning, Design and Development for Bryant University, stated the proposal is for 206 apartment style units and the University is working to streamline the process hoping for it to be opened in the Fall. Mr. Mann stated that they are seeking approval to conduct site work and install foundations only subject to obtaining Soil Erosion approval.

Joe Casali, Professional Engineer with Joe Casali Engineering having offices at 300 Post Road in Warwick, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation with the Board.  Mr. Casali stated that added a fire lane access at the request of the Fire Department and have received a RI DEM RIPDES permit approval for the drainage design.

Angelica Bovis stated that she heard from residents on John Mowry Road and Brayton Road who have drainage issues and that she has concerns about water runoff from detention ponds that filled up and overflowed.  Mr. Casali stated that they have met with residents on John Mowry and Brayton Road to address their issues but they have engineering data to prove that the issue on John Mowry is not coming from the detention basin near the University’s athletic center.  Mr. Casali reiterated that they have an approved RIPDES permit from the state.

Charles Boyd questioned the stream noted by the Town Planner on the Technical Review Committee’s report and Joe Casali replied that it has been delineated by the wetlands biologist as an intermittent stream having no biological components to it.  Town Planner Michael Phillips stated that the Town’s GIS showed a stream located between the two culverts but is satisfied with the engineer’s statement.

Chales Boyd the Town Planner’s comment on the location of the walkways and Town Planner Michael Phillips clarified that he suggested a walkway study to see where people are going to flow.  Mr. Boyd stated his concern with the Board not having taken a site visit of the property and that he would like to have one. Mr. Boyd made a motion to have a site visit and there being no second to the motion it failed.

Charles Boyd stated his concerns with Technical Review Committee comments made by the DPW Director and Joe Casali replied that the University is greatly below the daily limits on water use.  Mr. Casali added that Mr. Allen is referring to redundant water protection in the way of having a second line installed and the University is taking this request seriously, but it is not something that can be done quickly.  Mr. Casali stated there needs to be a feasibility study to show if it is possible and where it would be possible. 

Thomas Mann stated that this issue came to his attention while developing the University’s Master Plan and, although no one has officially contacted Bryant, he agrees that redundancy is important but cannot commit to this tonight and is a separate matter from this project.

The public hearing was opened at 6:52 p.m. and there being no one present to speak to this application was promptly closed.

Chairman D’Ambra requested marking the PowerPoint presentation as Exhibit 1.

Joseph Rotella made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the Preliminary Plan recommending site work be allowed, incorporating the Planner’s memo dated March 15, 2024 and supporting documents, being subject to RIDEM stormwater and wetland permits and soil erosion permit be included with the Final Plan, and Final Plan approval being handled administratively by the Town Planner.  The vote on the motion was as follows:

Voting In Favor: Members Bovis, D’Ambra, Lynn, Nani, Rotella, and Yoakum

Voting In Opposition:  Member Boyd

Abstaining: None

The vote on the motion being six in favor with one in opposition, the motion carried.

Angelica Bovis made a motion, seconded by John Yoakum, to adjourn the meeting at 6:56 p.m.  The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna A. Corrao, Recording Secretary