| | Town of Smithfield Planning Board 64 FARNUM PIKE ESMOND, RHODE ISLAND 02917 May 16, 2024 Virtual Meeting Minutes |
Members Present: Angelica Bovis, Charles Boyd, Richard Colavecchio, James D’Ambra, Catherine Lynn, Michael Moan, Al Nani, Joseph Rotella, John Yoakum
Members Absent: None
Others Present: David Ursillo, Assistant Town Solicitor
Chairman James D’Ambra opened the May 16, 2024 meeting of the Smithfield Planning Board at 6:00 p.m.
Chairman James D’Ambra read the Emergency Evacuation and Health Notification.
Discuss and approve the March 21, 2024 and March 25, 2024 meeting minutes.
Catherine Lynn stated requested an amendment on the second page of the March 21st minutes where there was a vote taken with one in opposition and not in abstention.
Joe Rotella made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the March 21, 2024 meeting minutes as amended and the March 25, 2024 meeting minutes as presented. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
REGULAR AGENDA
Requests for dimensional relief including: lot frontage, lot width and rear yard setback will be considered by the Planning Board.
Minor Subdivision – Preliminary Plan Review
AP 42 / Lot 64 – 332 Douglas Pike
8.2 Acres (approx.)/4 Lots/Zone: R-80
Applicant/Owner: DRG Realty, LLC
Engineer: Garofalo & Associates, 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. 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.
Town Planner Michael Phillips stated that the applicant has resubmitted under the new regulations and is a now a minor subdivision giving authority to this Board to grant the requested variances.
Attorney John Shekarchi represented the applicant.
Sam Hemingway, Engineer with Garofalo & Associates, reviewed the site plan with the Board stating that the Board voted unanimously to approve a Master Plan in November. Mr. Hemenway stated the applicant has obtained a wetlands permit and OWTS permit from RIDEM but that they are still waiting on the RIDOT physical alteration permit. Mr. Garofalo stated the applicant is seeking rear setback relief and the request is consistent with smaller lots in the area of this project.
Charles Boyd stated his concern with the road and easements crossing the lots and that he would like a homeowner’s agreement in terms of outlining who is responsible for what. Attorney Shekarchi stated this is common practice which is similar to that of a condominium complex and the applicant will adhere to any conditions of approval the Board may impose.
The public hearing was opened at 6:25 p.m. and there was no one present to speak to this part of the application. The public hearing was kept open for the remainder of the hearing.
John Yoakum made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the request for 127 feet of relief for each lot, 127 feet of relief for lot width, and 25 feet of relief for rear setback. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Sam Hemingway stated the requested waivers from the Subdivision Regulations include interior angles in excess of 200 degrees and a private road width to less than the Town’s standard.
Charles Boyd questioned whether there is a landscaping plan and Sam Hemenway replied there is no landscaping plan. Attorney Shekarchi added that the applicant is happy to provide any landscaping the Board sees fit and recalls a previous discussion of the applicant providing arborvitae screening.
Comment from the public was again sought for the public hearing but no one was present to speak to this application and the public hearing was closed.
John Yoakum made a motion, seconded by Catherine Lynn, to approve the Preliminary Plan application granting waiver of interior angles in excess of 200 and private road width to less than the Town standard, being conditioned on screening in compliance with the Landscaping Ordinance and a homeowners’ agreement, delegating Final Plan approval to the Administrative Officer, and subject to receipt of the RIDOT permit. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Major Land Development – Master Plan Review
AP 43 / Lot 53 – 155 Mountaindale Road
21.39 Acres (approx.) / Zone: R-80
Applicant/Owner: GDM ESS, LLC
Engineer: DiPrete Engineering
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 Town Council on the requested zone change.
f. The Board may make a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review on the requested dimensional relief.
g. 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 Kelly Morris Salvatore stated that she is Special Counsel to the Board on this matter. Attorney Salvatore stated that the applicant has appealed the decision of the Zoning Official and has asked the Board to hold this application in abeyance.
Joe Rotella made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to table the GDM ESS, LLC. application. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Minor Subdivision – Pre-Application/Concept Review
AP 42 / Lot 131 – 29 East Prospect Street
4.25 Acres (approx.) / 2 Lots / R-80 Zone
Applicant/Owner: Kevin F. Clynes
Engineer/Surveyor: Canavan & Associates, Construction Surveying, Inc.
a. The Board will review the submission with the applicant and provide input for future review stages.
There was no one present to represent the applicant on this application.
AP 45 / Lot 76 – Canton Court
Owner/Applicant: Michael Greico
a. Review and discuss the proposed request.
b. The Board may approve the request as submitted, approve with changes, deny the request, or continue the item to a future date.
Attorney John Shekarchi represented the applicant.
Planner Michael Phillips stated there is a memo from the Town Engineer and Public Works Director certifying that the subdivision has been completed to their satisfaction and recommending that the Performance Bond be released in favor of a Maintenance Bond.
Angelica Bovis made a motion, seconded by Catherine Lynn, to recommend that the Town Council release the $40,000 Performance Bond, retaining $5,000 for a Maintenance Bond, and recommending acceptance of the public improvements along Canton Court. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Joe Rotella made a motion, seconded by Angelica Bovis, to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna A. Corrao, Recording Secretary