| | Town of Smithfield Planning Board 64 FARNUM PIKE ESMOND, RHODE ISLAND 02917 October 17, 2024 Meeting Minutes |
Members Present: Angelica Bovis, Richard Colavecchio, James D’Ambra, Catherine Lynn, Michael Moan, Al Nani, Joseph Rotella, John Yoakum, Charles Boyd
Members Absent: None
Others Present: David Ursillo, Assistant Town Solicitor
Chairman James D’Ambra opened the October 17, 2024 meeting of the Smithfield Planning Board at 6:00 p.m.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION AND HEALTH NOTIFICATION
Chairman James D’Ambra read the Emergency Evacuation and Health Notification.
MINUTES: Discuss and approve the September 19, 2024 meeting minutes.
Catherine Lynn requested a change on the third page of the minutes in the discussion on the applicant providing arborvitae trees and would like it noted that she specifically requested Green Giant arborvitae.
Richard Colavecchio requested a change on the last page of the minutes stating that he voted against the proposal.
John Yoakum made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the September 19, 2024 meeting minutes as amended. The vote on the motion was as follows:
Voting In Favor: Members Bovis, Colavecchio, D’Ambra, Lynn, Moan, Nani, and Yoakum
Voting In Opposition: None
Abstaining: Member Rotella
The vote on the motion being seven in favor with one abstention the motion carried. (Member Boyd arrived to the meeting after the vote on the minutes was taken.)
REGULAR AGENDA
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. May approve the requested for waivers with changes and/or conditions, deny the application or continue the meeting to a future date.
e. 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.
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.
g. 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 requesting a continuance in order to review the peer review. Atty. Kane stipulated extending the time clock for approval of the application until the end of December.
Joe Rotella made a motion, seconded by Angelica Bovis, to continue the application to the next regularly scheduled meeting. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Comprehensive Permit Application/Major Land Development/Preliminary Plan
AP 1B/Lot 6 – 719 Putnam Pike
2.42 Acres (approx.)/Zone: MU
Applicant/Owner: Adler Properties, 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, approve with conditions or deny the requested dimensional relief from the Zoning Ordinance and may grant, grant with conditions or deny the requested waivers from the Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.
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.
Attorney Tim Kane, having offices at 627 Putnam Pike in Greenville, represented the applicant stating the project is a comprehensive permit which will help to address the housing shortage in the Town. Atty. Kane stated that they have worked with the Historic Preservation Commission to document and preserve the remnants of the historic Long House. Atty. Kane added that the project meets with the low and moderate income housing requirements and is requesting the Board’s approval of variances and waivers.
Joe Casali, Registered Professional Engineer with Joe Casali Engineering of 300 Post Road in Warwick, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation with the Board. Mr. Casali stated that the project is located at 44 Mapleville Road in a Mixed-Use zone having twelve 2-bedroom units with three of the units being designated as affordable. Mr. Casalil stated they have agreed with the Historic Preservation Commission to have a placard to monument the Longhouse site and agree to designating an area not to be disturbed.
Joe Casali reviewed the relief being requested by the applicant consisting of three variances: front yard setback, side yard setback, and rear yard setback, and two waivers being requested on road width and cul-de-sac width. Mr. Casali stated that one of the peer review comments was to recommend a reshape of the catch basin. Mr. Casali stated that RIDEM, RIDOT, and Soil Erosion approval are all under review.
Charles Boyd questioned if RIDOT will have a problem with the applicant moving the roadway striping. Joe Casali replied that they put the entrance as far west away from Mapleville Road as they could and are asking RIDOT through submission of the PAP to move the line. Mr. Casali stated if they don’t approve the PAP that will negate the project but is asking for conditional approval by the Board.
Michael Moan questioned the response to the peer review memo by Crossman Engineering and Joe Casali submitted a synopsis of their response to Crossman submitted as Applicant’s Exhibit A. Mr. Casali stated that one of the comments was with regard to the amount of water going onto the state highway and their response involves putting a swale and catch basin to route water into the basin. Mr. Casali stated that the other main item was a concern with infiltration in the front pond and as a result they propose to enlarge the pond. Mr. Casali stated that the other item was a concern with the spillway being pointed southeast and will revise the location to be perpendicular to Mapleville Road.
Angelica Bovis questioned how they are going to avoid overflow into the historical section of the property and Joe Casali replied there is a spillway that will move the water. Ms. Bovis added that it would be beneficial to have the town pick up the trash because of recycling and that she would like the town to consider picking up the trash.
Richard Colavecchio requested screening for dumpster and Joe Casali replied they are proposing a four sided enclosure with landscaping around it.
The public hearing was opened at 6:37 p.m.
Sue Quetta, 720 Putnam Pike, stated her concern with one means of access and egress in the case of a fire. Ms. Quetta also stated her concern with how this development will increase traffic on Route 44.
There being no one else present to speak to this application the public hearing was closed at 6:40 p.m.
John Yoakum made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to approve the Preliminary Plan incorporating the Town Planner’s memo, granting the requested zoning relief and waivers, being conditioned upon a response to the peer review memo by Crossman Engineering, RIDOT PAP approval, deed restrictions being on the LMI units, and with Final Plan approval being handled administratively. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
Charles Boyd volunteered to sit on the Technical Review Committee.
There was no one present for public comment.
Michael Moan made a motion, seconded by Al Nani, to cancel the November meeting and change the December meeting to the 12th from the 19th. 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 6:50 p.m. The vote on the motion was all in favor and the motion carried.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna A. Corrao, Recording Secretary