The Planning Board’s letter dated June 27, 2018 recommending approval of this zoning map amendment is referenced and placed on file.

David Estes, Principal of Prout School and Sergio Cherenzia, lead engineer are present and testify regarding this application, which is in advance of an application for Development Plan Review for construction of a sports field.

Discussion ensues, and it is

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to close the Public Hearing.

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to approve an amendment to the Zoning Map of the Town of South Kingstown from Rural Residential Low Density (R80) to Government and Institutional (GI), limited to Use Code 20: Educational Institution, Primary through Secondary for property designated as Assessor’s Plat 50-4, Lot 19, located at 4640 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI. Application for the Prout School by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence, 1 Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903.  Said approval incorporates the Planning Board’s Findings of Fact, Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Findings of Fact, Consistency with the Purposes of Zoning, as follows:

The Planning Board finds that the property for which rezoning is sought contains an existing educational institution, namely The Prout School.  The Board finds that the Zoning Ordinance specifically states that the GI zoning district is to include land holdings of semi-public institutions.  The Board understands that this request was in advance of an application for Development Plan Review for construction of a sports field.

The Planning Board recommendations in this regard are based upon the following Findings of Fact Relating to Consistency with the South Kingstown Comprehensive Community Plan and the Purposes of Zoning, as described in RIGL Title 45, Chapter 24, Section 30, the ‘Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act of 1991,’ as noted below.  Additionally, the Board recommends that the Town Council incorporate the below referenced Findings of Fact into any motion of approval.

Findings of Fact, Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan

1.     The proposed map amendment is consistent with the Land Use Action Plan’s overall policy statement ‘To promote orderly growth patterns based upon the natural, cultural and historic character of the Town, the land’s suitability for use, and the aspirations of its citizens.’

2.     The proposed map amendment is consistent with Map 2.3, Land Use Plan Map, which designates the parcel proposed for rezoning as Very Low Density Residential (< 0.55 dwelling units per acre).  The Comprehensive Plan indicates that the residential land use districts are intended to be predominantly housing, but may also include compatible civic uses.

3.     The proposed map amendment is consistent with the Services and Facilities Action Plan’s overall policy statement ‘To provide the Town with basic public services and facilities in a prompt and efficient manner.’

4.     The proposed map amendment is consistent with Services and Facilities Goal 9 ‘To provide town residents with the opportunity for a quality education, and superior school facilities.’

Findings of Fact, Consistency with the Purposes of Zoning

The proposed amendments are consistent with the following general purposes of zoning, as described in RIGL Title 45, Chapter 24, Section 30:

1.     Promoting the public health, safety, and general welfare;

2.     Providing for a range of uses and intensities of use appropriate to the character of the Town and reflecting current and expected future needs;

3.     Providing for orderly growth and development that recognizes:

                                     i.          The goals and patterns of land use contained in the comprehensive plan of the Town;

                                    ii.          The availability and capacity of existing and planned public and/or private services and facilities; and

                                  iii.          The need to shape and balance urban and rural development;

4.     Providing for the protection of public investment in transportation, water, stormwater management systems, sewage treatment and disposal, solid waste treatment and disposal, schools, recreation, public facilities, open space, and other public requirements;

5.     Promoting safety from fire, flood, and other natural or unnatural disasters;

6.     Promoting implementation of the comprehensive plan of the Town adopted pursuant to Chapter 22.2 of this title; and

7.     Providing for efficient review of development proposals, to clarify and expedite the zoning approval process.

C.       Notice having been duly given, a Public Informational Hearing is held relative to an application from the South Kingstown Land Trust for funding in accordance with the Town of South Kingstown’s “Open Space Project Funding Policy.” Said funding will be considered for potential purchase of the approximately 43.3 acre Boy Scout property, located approximately 425 feet west of the intersection of Worden’s Pond Road and Ministerial Road, referred to as Assessor’s Plat 61, Lot 1.

The following communications received relative to this Public Informational Hearing are referenced and placed on file: 24 emails in support, and letters in support from the Rhode Island Boy Scouts, The Salt Pond Coalition, The Nature Conservancy, The Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Riley Family, the King Family, Kathleen Sullivan, Paul and Kristine McDevitt, Mary Lee McDonough, and Clifford and Elaine Verduchi.

Joanne Riccitelli, South Kingstown Land Trust Director of Land Protection presents the application and discusses wellhead protection, type of soils found on the property, and their fund raising efforts.

The following are present and offer comments:

Martha Stamp – in opposition

Kevin McDonough, Board of Trustees, South Kingstown Land Trust – in support

Noreen McGill – in support

Tim McCandless, Secretary, Rhode Island Boy Scouts – in support

Marc Archambault – in opposition, discusses the availability of affordable and workforce housing

Jeanine Silversmith, Board of Trustees, South Kingstown Land Trust – in support

Meredith Arcaro – in support

Eileen Recchia – in support

Julia Landstreet, Executive Director, South Kingstown Land Trust – in support

Chelsea Siefert, Director of Planning discusses the Flexible Design Residential Projects model.

Jonathan Daly LaBelle comments on affordable housing

Kathleen Spencer – in support

James O’Neill – in support, discusses the bonding for open space funding that has been approved by the voters since 2000

Marion Goldsmith – in support

Martha Day, President, Board of Trustees, South Kingstown Land Trust – in support

Barbara Watts – in support

Troy West – in support

Discussion ensues relative to affordable housing in town.

Fran Nichols – in support

Linda Green, Secretary, Board of Trustees, South Kingstown Land Trust – in support

Discussion ensues relative to bonding.

Further discussion ensues, and it is

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to close the Public Informational Hearing.

VOTED: to approve an application from the South Kingstown Land Trust for funding in accordance with the Town of South Kingstown’s “Open Space Project Funding Policy” for purchase of the approximately 43.3 acre Boy Scout property, located approximately 425 feet west of the intersection of Worden’s Pond Road and Ministerial Road, referred to as Assessor’s Plat 61, Lot 1. Funding for the purchase is authorized in an amount up to $382,000 from the Open Space Acquisition Fund (OSAF);

Further, to re-appropriate the authorization acted upon at the Town Council’s meeting held on January 23, 2017 to transfer $200,000 from the Open Space Acquisition Fund, Fund #0404, to the Recreation Improvement Fund, Fund #0420, in order to support construction of the Bike Path Connector between the Broad Rock Playfields and South County Commons;

And further, to re-allocate said transfer of $200,000 for the Bike Path Connector between the Broad Rock Playfields and South County Commons from the Unassigned Fund Balance of the General Fund’s Operating Budget to uphold the Town’s 20% match obligation to RI DEM grant already authorized.

Councilors Gledhill and Viele vote no.

9.       COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED CITIZENS

Council President Healy invites residents to come forward with comments.

Dale Brown is present and suggests there should be an ordinance to keep domestic fowl penned on the owner’s property.

Meredith Arcaro comments regarding speeding concerns with the repaving of Jerry Brown Farm Road.

11.     TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

The Town Manager’s Interim Report dated July 12, 2018, and the Agenda and Miscellaneous Reports dated July 19, 2018 are accepted, approved and placed on file.

12.     TOWN SOLICITOR’S REPORT

The Town Solicitor’s Report is accepted.

13.     APPOINTMENTS

A.       UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to reappoint Anne Heffron to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire in September 2021.

C.       UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize the Tax Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $19,697.48, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 550.

I.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize an award of contract to Peterson’s Oil Service, Inc., 75 Crescent Street, Worcester, MA 01605 for the purchase of gasoline and diesel fuel from July 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 based on the State of Rhode Island Master Price Agreement 114, at the lowest daily rack prices published by Oil Price Information Services (OPIS) plus the increment of $0.0475/gallon for gasoline and an increment of $0.06/gallon on diesel fuel from April 1^st to October 31^st and $0.0729/gallon from November 1^st to March 31^st, and to further extend for up to 2 one-year term extensions based on State of RI Contract Extensions for the period of July 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019; as further described in a memorandum from the Procurement Administrator to the Town Manager dated July 18, 2018 and entitled “Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Recommendation.”

15.     EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION

A.       UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize the Town Manager, at the request of South County Hospital or any state agency, to execute all documents and take all steps necessary and proper to allow the Hospital to utilize Town Farm ball field as a temporary helipad site for the transportation of patients. The Town Council shall review any actions taken by the Town Manager at its next regular session or at an emergency session called by the President of the Town Council, if necessary. 

16.     CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION

A.       UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recess to Closed Executive Session at 10:19 PM pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(1) to discuss matters pertaining to personnel re: Robert C. Zarnetske, Town Manager.

Council President Healy notes that Mr. Zarnetske, who is the subject of this Closed Executive Session has been notified of his right to have this discussion in open session.

Regular Session is reconvened at 10:58 PM, and it is

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to seal the minutes of the Closed Executive Session held pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(1) to discuss matters pertaining to personnel re: Robert C. Zarnetske, Town Manager.

It is noted that there were no votes taken in Executive Session.

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:  to adjourn at 11:00 PM.

Dale S. Holberton, CMC

Town Clerk