Click 
to watch the LIVE VIDEO of this meeting on YouTube.
TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM
REGULAR SESSION – 7:30 PM
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
180 HIGH STREET
WAKEFIELD, RI
TOWN COUNCIL
Rory H. McEntee, President
Michael K. Marran, Vice President
Patricia A. Alley
Deborah D. Bergner
Jay G. Wegimont
James M. Manni, Town Manager
Michael A. Ursillo, Esquire, Town Solicitor
Nichole C. Romane, Town Clerk
Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend in person or view the meeting live on ClerkBase at https://clerkshq.com/SouthKingstown-ri or on your local Public Access Television Station.
NOTE: Individuals requesting American Sign Language interpreters or CART service must call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-789-9331 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting date.
DATE POSTED 9/4/2025
1. WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM
1. Update by Christopher Little, South Kingstown Housing Authority Chairperson on South Kingstown Housing Authority services and redevelopment plans for Champagne Heights.
All items listed on the Town Council agenda are subject to discussion.
2. REGULAR SESSION – 7:30 PM
Please be advised that the Council intends to discuss and/or act upon each and every item appearing on this agenda.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
B. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
A. Work Session – August 12, 2025
B. Regular Session – August 12, 2025
C. Closed Executive Session – August 12, 2025
5. CONSENT AGENDA
(CA) A. A resolution granting a Holiday Sales License to Sunshine Vape d/b/a Sunshine Vape, 35 South County Commons Way, Wakefield, RI 02879 for the license year beginning December 1, 2024. Application by Matt Tripoli, Owner. Renewal; License No. 65606.
(CA) B. A resolution granting the Petition #13924560 of Rhode Island Energy and Verizon New England to install Joint Pole P.64 and Anchor on the south side of Matunuck School House Road to provide new service to house #1011 Matunuck School House Road and to use the public ways named for the purposes stated in said petition, that the work be done to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Services and notification to Town for municipal utility mark-out prior to pole setting, and that this approval is conditioned upon the removal of all existing double poles along the entire length of Matunuck School House Road prior to new pole(s) placement; and any new double poles created as part of this request be removed within sixty (60) calendar days of new pole(s) placement. Said petition is further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated August 21, 2025 and entitled “Rhode Island Energy Pole Setting Request – Pole P.64 Matunuck School House Road.”
(CA) C. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Prime Heating and Cooling, 10C Appian Way, Smithfield, RI 02917 for the procurement and installation of an air conditioning system in the communications room at the Public Safety Building in accordance with all specifications in the amount not to exceed $9,245, and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Facilities to the Town Manager dated August 25, 2025 and entitled “Award of Contract –Air Conditioner Replacement- Public Safety Building Communication Room.”
Rule 13: All items listed with a (CA) are to be considered routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests, in which event the item will be removed from Consent Agenda (CA) consideration and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
6. LICENSES
A. A resolution granting a Temporary Mass Gathering Permit to Peace Dale Neighborhood Revitalization, Inc. and Extreme Airsoft, 1425 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 to conduct the annual EA Fest Block Party on Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Application by Danielle Martin, Officer. New; License No. TMG-25-7.
B. A resolution granting a Class F 19-Hour Beverage License to Peace Dale Neighborhood Revitalization, Inc. and Extreme Airsoft, 1425 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 for the annual EA Fest Block Party on Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Application by Danielle Martin, Officer. New; License No. 89931.
C. A resolution granting a Class F 19-Hour Beverage License to the Hera Gallery and Educational Foundation, 10 High Street, Wakefield, RI 02879 for their Full Moon Party on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Application by Sonja Czekalski, Gallery Director. New; License No. 89945.
D. A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to Jinwoong Kim d/b/a Taste of Korea, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI 02881 for the license year beginning December 1, 2024. Application by Jinwoong Kim, Owner. New; License No. 89951.
7. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Update on SBC and School Facilities Project.
B. Report on the Affordable Housing Fund, as requested by Council Member Bergner.
C. Discussion relative to the Town’s plans for Marina Park and Ram Point Marina, as requested by Council Member Bergner.
D. Update on the total outdoor water ban, as requested by Council Vice President Marran.
E. Schedule a Work Session relating to a Homestead Exemption Program from the following available dates: October 6, 7, 9, 21 or 23, 2025.
F. Announce the temporary closure of Robinson Street for the Wakefield Fire Station Community Day on September 20, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS – 30 Minutes
Rule 10A. for the conduct of the meetings of the South Kingstown Town Council: Members of the public shall be entitled to speak at regular meetings during any period designated on the agenda for public comment, once, for a period of five minutes, or longer at the discretion of the President, and at other times when invited to do so by the President. The public shall address their comments to the question under debate as indicated on the agenda. Pursuant to RI General Laws §42-46-6(b), public comment regarding subject matter not on the agenda but received during the public participation portion of a meeting shall be for information purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
A. A Public Hearing relative to proposed amendments to the Town Code Chapter 10 Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II Stopping, Standing, and Parking, Section 10-52 Prohibited at Any Time, as follows:
Proposed Amendments to the Town Code
Chapter 10 Motor Vehicles and Traffic
***
Article II. Stopping, Standing and Parking
***
ADD:
Section 10-52 Prohibited at Any Time
***
Old North Road, Kingston, westerly side, no parking, tow zone from its intersection with Route 138 to a northerly direction across from NEC Pole No. 980 for a distance of eight-tenths ( 8/10 ) of a mile. Except between the hours of 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and continuing until 10:00 p.m. Sundays in the area between Bills Road and Fortin Road, a distance of two-tenths ( 2/10 ) of a mile.
This ordinance shall take effect upon passage.
B. A Public Hearing relative to proposed amendments to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, Article 5.5 Rental Dwellings, as shown on Exhibit 1 attached hereto.
C. A Public Hearing relative to proposed amendments to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, Article 5. Supplementary Regulations, Section 502.7 Cottage Community, as shown on Exhibit 2 attached hereto.
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Stryker Inc., P.O. Box 93308, Chicago, IL 60673-3308 for one (1) Stryker Power-Load Fastener, in an amount not to exceed $30,175 in accordance with Savvik Buying Group contract #29735, and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Emergency Medical Services to the Town Manager dated August 27, 2025 and entitled “Award of Contract – Stryker Power Load System.”
B. A resolution to authorize the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the amount of $269,990.10 as a result of the settlement for Roy Carpenter’s Beach Association, et al. v. SK Tax Assessor PC-2023-03895, and $21,333.48 as a result of Assessor appeals, elderly later filers, and corrections to property value, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 650.
C. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Coldmasters, 72 Fenner St. Cranston RI, 02910 for boiler replacements at the South Kingstown Animal Shelter in an amount not to exceed $56,500 including a contingency, and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Facilities to the Town Manager dated September 2, 2025 and entitled, “Award of Bid –Boiler Replacements for Animal Shelter SK0023FAC.”
D. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Pivotal Concrete, 88 Hummingbird Hollow, South Kingstown, RI, 02879 for the construction of a half pipe at the Old Mountain Field Skate Park, in an amount not to exceed $22,000, in accordance with all bid specifications and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated August 28, 2025 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – Skate Park Half Pipe Construction.”
E. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to ARC Document Solutions, 335 Webster Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 for digitization of historical permit records in an amount not to exceed $15,000, and as further described in a memorandum from the Building Official to the Town Manager dated September 2, 2025 entitled “Digital Preservation of Historical Permits.”
F. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to McGovern MHQ, Inc., 420-2 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 for the purchase and upfitting of one (1) 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD Police Pursuit Vehicle configured for K-9 operations, in an amount not to exceed $96,130.50 using Opioid Settlement Funds, and in accordance with the GBPC/BAPERN cooperative purchasing quote QUO4025 dated July 16, 2025, as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated September 2, 2025 entitled “Award Recommendation – K-9 Vehicle Purchase and Upfit.”
G. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to CDW Government (CDW•G), 75 Remittance Drive, Suite 1515, Chicago, IL 60675-1515 for the purchase of one (1) Zebra ET85 mobile data terminal package per CDW Quote PMDP964 in the amount of $8,503.44 and one (1) Cradlepoint R1900 router package per CDW Quote PNFX594 in the amount of $2,709.00, for a combined not-to-exceed total of $11,212.44 using Opioid Settlement Funds, and in accordance with Sourcewell cooperative contract 121923-CDWG, as further described in a memorandum from the Police Chief to the Town Manager September 2, 2025 entitled “Award Recommendation – Tablet (MDT) and Cradlepoint for K-9 Vehicle.”
H. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Rhode Island K-9 Academy, Inc., P.O. Box 207, Coventry, RI 02816, for the purchase of one (1) dual-purpose patrol/narcotics police K-9 including initial patrol and narcotics handler training leading to Rhode Island certification, bi-weekly in-service training and annual re-certifications for the life of the K-9 at no additional cost, and vendor guarantee that the K-9 and handler will meet certification standards, in an amount not to exceed $14,000 using Opioid Settlement Funds, and in accordance with the vendor’s quote dated August 26, 2025, as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated September 2, 2025 entitled “Award Recommendation – Patrol/Narcotics K-9 Acquisition.”
I. A resolution removing John Gould, School Department Interim Facilities Director, appointing Liam Lynch, School Department Director of Facilities and Operations, to the School Building Committee as a voting member, and affirming the composition of the South Kingstown School Building Committee, as further detailed in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/ DOAS to the Town Manager dated September 2, 2025, entitled “Appointment of a School Building Committee Member.”
J. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to S.W. Cole Engineering, Inc., 227 Wampanoag Trail, Riverside, RI 02915 for Independent Inspection and Testing Services at the South Kingstown High School on a time and material basis for an amount not to exceed $275,000, as outlined in a memo from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated September 4, 2025, entitled “Authorization to Award a Contract for Independent Inspection and Testing Services – School Building Project.”
K. A resolution amending the Town Council Rules of Conduct and the Rules of Commission, Committee and Board Appointments, as shown on Exhibit 3.
L. Discussion and potential action relative to scheduling a Work Session regarding new State land use laws and the impact on the Town, as requested by Council Member Bergner.
M. Discussion and potential action relative to the legal requirements for a second ingress and egress on two recently built duplexes located on Oak Street, as requested by Council Member Alley.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Continued
Rule 10A. for the conduct of the meetings of the South Kingstown Town Council: Members of the public shall be entitled to speak at regular meetings during any period designated on the agenda for public comment, once, for a period of five minutes, or longer at the discretion of the President, and at other times when invited to do so by the President. The public shall address their comments to the question under debate as indicated on the agenda. Pursuant to RI General Laws §42-46-6(b), public comment regarding subject matter not on the agenda but received during the public participation portion of a meeting shall be for information purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.
12. COMMUNICATIONS
A. A letter dated July 25, 2025 from Helen Mederer requesting traffic safety improvements on Fairgrounds Road, as requested by Council Vice President Marran is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
B. An email dated August 11, 2025 from Dr. Sheryl Buchanan, Genesis Center requesting a proclamation in recognition of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, taking place September 14-19, 2025 is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
C. A letter dated August 28, 2025 from Karen and Glen Ramsay, Anne and Tom Healey, Patricia and Wendell Maciejewski, Abraham and Moni Varghese, Maria Haas, Anne Marie and Gary Southwick, and Karen Montgomery concerning the status of water infrastructure and reserves within South Kingstown is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
Rule 18: Correspondence to the Town Council shall be placed on the Council agenda only where action by the Council is requested. Correspondence relating to personnel issues or personal matters shall not be placed on the agenda. The Town Clerk shall confer with the Town Manager and/or Town Solicitor where the intent of the correspondence may be unclear. The Town reserves the right to make correspondence public by posting it on the Town Council agenda or otherwise.
13. APPOINTMENTS
A. A resolution appointing ___________________________________ to the ______________________________ Board/Committee/Commission for a term to expire in _______________. (See Attachment A for Boards and Commissions Appointments Report)
B. A resolution appointing to serve on the South Kingstown USA 250th Ad-Hoc Committee.
Rule 11: No item of business other than that of adjournment may be brought before the Town Council at any meeting unless such an item is introduced before 11:00 PM; provided, however, that this rule may be suspended by an affirmative vote of a majority of members present.
Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members. Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”
Exhibit 1
Proposed Amendments to the Town Code Zoning Ordinance
Appendix A – Zoning Ordinance
ADD:
Article 5.5 - Rental Dwellings
Sec. 550. - Applicability.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all rental dwellings/units within the town except those such as hotels, motels and tourist homes which are licensed pursuant to Chapter 18. Institutional dormitories are exempt from the provisions of this article.
Sec. 551. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Record owner means the property owner of record, as identified by the town’s tax records.
Rental dwelling means any enclosed space which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for occupants who are paying rent therefor.
Rental unit means any room or group of rooms located within a rental dwelling and forming a single habitable unit for living and sleeping by occupants who are paying rent therefor.
Sec. 552. - Registration.
(a) Required. No rental dwelling/unit shall be let, leased or otherwise permitted to be occupied, in whole or in part, by a tenant for residential and/or dwelling purposes unless and until the record owner has registered such property with the zoning official.
(b) Form. The rental registration form shall indicate the tax assessor's plat and lot number address of the rental dwelling/unit the number of rental dwelling units and bedrooms therein, the name and permanent mailing address of the record owner, and the maximum number of tenants at one time, and period of occupancy (summer, September to June, or other). All rental registration applications shall be signed and properly notarized by the record owner.
(c) Filing date; term. On or before December 31 of each year, the record owner of the rental dwelling/unit shall file the completed rental registration form with the zoning official, which registration shall be valid for a one-year period from January 1 to December 31 of the following year. If the property is registered during the calendar year, the registration shall be valid until December 31 of that same year.
Sec. 553. - Posting of notice by owner.
The record owner shall post in plain view, in a conspicuous place within the rental dwelling/unit, a notice containing the ordinances of the town with regard to the dog leash law, trash disposal, parking restrictions, dwelling occupancy limits, unruly gatherings, and any other pertinent ordinance or law which the council may deem appropriate from time to time. Such notices shall be available at the office of the zoning official. The record owner or any person in control or possession of said rental dwelling/unit subject to the provisions of this article, shall cause a copy of the current lease and registration form required by this article to be posted or affixed to the inside of the primary access door to said rental dwelling/unit so as to allow the lease and registration form to be readily available for inspection by police, zoning, building, or minimum housing officials of the Town of South Kingstown.
Sec. 554. - Fee.
To defray the cost of implementing and overseeing compliance with this article and to help defray the costs associated with the frequent use of town services, including, but not limited to public safety personnel, code compliance personnel and managerial personnel associated with the policing of rental dwellings, there shall be a registration fee of $100.00 for each rental unit covered under the provisions of this article. Any owner who is required to file the registration form on or before December 31 of each year, and who does not file on time, shall, in addition to any other applicable penalties provided for in Article 9, be required to pay a late fee of $300.00. Rental units owned by the South Kingstown Housing Authority and rental units that are deed restricted as affordable housing shall be exempt from the registration fee.
Secs. 555—599. - Reserved.
* * *
This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage.
Exhibit 2
Proposed Amendments to Appendix A Zoning Ordinance
***
Article 5. Supplementary Regulations
***
Section 502.7 Cottage Community
A. Purpose. The purposes of this section, Cottage Community, are to:
- Provide housing types that are responsive to changing household demographics (e.g., retirees, young people entering the workforce, small families, single parent households, single person households, dual owner households);
- Provide more opportunities for low to moderate income (LMI) housing within single-family neighborhoods;
- Encourage creation of functional usable open space in residential communities;
- Promote neighborhood interaction and safety through design; and
- Ensure compatibility with neighboring uses.
B. Applicability. The Planning Board may approve, as a Major Land Development Project, a Cottage Community in the Town’s R10 and R20 Zoning Districts, as defined in Map 6.1, Sewer Service Areas, Town of South Kingstown Comprehensive Community Plan, 2014 as amended and adopted, unless the proposed Cottage Community Development is within the Town’s Historic Overlay District as defined by Article 6, §600 of the Zoning Ordinance where they are prohibited.
1. A Cottage Community shall only be allowed on lots that have existing access to water and sewer service or where the applicant can demonstrate that new water and sewer access will be provided prior to occupancy.
C. Procedures. Applications for Cottage Community approval shall be made in accordance with the procedures for approval of a Major Land Development Project per the Town’s Subdivision and Land Development Regulations.
D. Inclusionary Zoning. Any Cottage Community is subject to the Inclusionary Zoning requirements of Sec. 502.6.
1. The maximum density shall be eight (8) cottage units per developable acre of land.
2. An individual cottage development shall contain a minimum of six (6) dwelling units and may contain a maximum of thirty (30) dwelling units.
3. None of the provisions of this subsection shall be interpreted as removing any density limitations or nutrient loading limitations that may be required by RIDEM or RICRMC for specific areas.
1. A Cottage Community may be developed with dwelling units on separate lots, a single lot, or a combination thereof.
2. No detached accessory buildings shall be allowed except shared community structures such as storage sheds, garages, utility structures, or similar common facilities.
3. Dwelling units shall be separated by a minimum of ten (10) feet from the side edge of one building to another. Where attached architectural features such as eaves, window bays, bulkheads, etc. project into the space between residences, the ten (10) foot separation shall be measured from the outside edge of these features.
4. Dwelling units not abutting or oriented towards a right-of-way shall front the common open space.
5. The first floor area of each cottage unit shall not exceed 900 square feet (foot print) not inclusive of any porch or deck area. Where a second floor is included, the habitable area of the second floor shall not exceed 50% of the ground floor area.
6. Dimensional requirements for porches shall comply with Subsection H.2. Porches.
7. The distance between the front building edge and the right of way or the edge of the common space shall be at least fifteen (15) feet.
8. The building height for all structures shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet. Where included, the second floor area shall primarily be located under the pitched area of the roof as a half story, with the spring point for the eave starting no higher than (3) feet above the finished floor, and with no more than fifty (50) percent of the roof length interrupted by dormers. In no instance shall the first floor exterior walls exceed 14 feet in overall height.
9. Dwelling units shall have a minimum 6:12 roof pitch. Portions of a roof with a pitch less than 6:12 shall be limited to architectural features such as dormers, porch roofs, and shed roofs.
10. No building in the cottage community shall be closer to an adjacent property line than the required side yard setback of the zoning district of any adjacent property.
11. Accessory dwelling units are not allowed within a Cottage Community.
G. Common Open Space
1. A minimum of 250 square feet of common open space shall be provided per dwelling. However, not less than 3,000 square feet of common area shall be provided regardless of number of dwelling units.
2. No dimension of a common open space area used to satisfy the minimum square footage requirement shall be less than 20 feet, unless part of a pathway or trail.
3. Required common open space shall be divided into no more than two separate areas per cluster of dwelling units.
4. Common open spaces shall have dwelling units that face each other across the common open space.
5. Common open space shall be designed for passive or active recreational use. Examples may include but are not limited to courtyards, orchards, landscaped picnic areas, or gardens. Common open space shall include amenities such as seating, landscaping, trails, gazebos, outdoor cooking facilities, covered shelters, or ornamental water features.
6. The Planning Board may allow storm water drainage facilities within the common open space if it finds that the drainage areas are designed as a fully integrated part of the overall common open space landscape plan which incorporates the types of design features and amenities noted above in Sec. 502.7.G.5, and are designed to facilitate infiltration and recharge.
7. All dwelling units shall have dedicated access ways to the common open spaces.
H. Private Open Space.
1. Intent. A sense of community requires the right balance of personal privacy. Private open space is an essential component of this balance. A ‘front’ yard creates a transition between public and private spaces, while a ‘side’ or ‘back’ yard offers increased seclusion.
2. Location. A semi-public transition zone and semi-private porch shall separate the main entrance to the dwelling from the common open space or street. This transition zone should include some combination of fencing, plantings, and or railings, none of which may exceed 36 inches in height. Private open space may be located in the side and/or rear yards.
3. Size. Each residential unit shall be provided with a minimum of 200 square feet of usable private open space, with no dimension less than 10 feet. Such open space requirements may be met with a combination of front, side or rear yard locations.
I. Cottage Building and Fence Design Standards. In addition to the dimensional regulations in Article 4, and the standards contained in South Kingstown, RI - Cottage Community Regulations Design Guidelines - Bulletin #1 (July 2021), the following building design standards shall apply:
1. Variety in Building Design. The same combination of building elements, features, and treatments shall not be repeated on individual dwelling units for more than one-third of the total dwelling units in a CCD. Dwelling units with the same combination of features and treatments shall not be located adjacent to each other. The following building design features are required:
· Variation in general architectural elevation and size
· Predominant wall materials shall be or have the appearance of wood, brick or stone, shall be made of a paintable material, and may be painted or coated in a nonmetallic finish. Vinyl siding materials are prohibited unless such products have the appearance of natural wood (i.e. CertainTeed Signature Cedar Impressions solid pvc Siding products or AZEK paintable trim material)
In addition, a minimum of five (5) of the following building elements, features, and treatments shall be provided in a manner that creates visual variety between adjacent structures and within clusters of cottage units:
· Variation in building stories (a mix of one- and one-and-a-half-story buildings)
· Variation in roof/building colors and/or materials
· Varying roof shapes or gables between adjacent structures
· Windows with visible trim and mullions
· Roof brackets
· Dormers
· Bay windows
· Entry enhancement such as a well detailed door (multi-panel or glass insert), sidelights, transoms, and/or roof extensions
· Attached trellis elements over windows or patios
· Exterior Chimney made of, or clad in, brick or stone
· Other building elements, treatments, features, or site designs approved by the code administrator that provide variety and visual interest
· Additional porches and patios (required porch not included)
2. Porches.
a) Cottage housing units shall have a covered porch of the primary entrance oriented to the common open space or the public street right of way as applicable.
b) The required front porch shall have a minimum sixty (60) square feet in area with a minimum dimension of six (6) feet and a maximum dimension of ten (10) feet on any side, except that:
1. A porch may extend, but is not required to extend, the full length of the front façade. The porch may also wrap around the cottage for a maximum length of twenty (20) feet along either side of the cottage. Note: listed this as an exception to b).
3. Fences. All fences interior to the development shall be no more than thirty-six (36) inches in height. Fence materials shall be or have the appearance of natural materials, such as wood, brick or stone, shall be made of a paintable material (i.e. Azek, Walpole Outdoor Fence products), and may be painted or coated in a nonmetallic finish. Chain link fencing is prohibited.
1. A minimum of 1 parking space per dwelling unit shall be provided for the entire cottage community. Parking spaces located within garages and driveways may count towards this requirement. Any parking spaces in excess of 1 per dwelling unit shall be designed with pervious materials such as pervious pavement, porous asphalt, gravel surfaces, grass or other similar pervious options. Parking spaces, whether uncovered or in garages or carports, shall not count toward the total floor area of a cottage unit, as described in subsection F.5.
2. Parking for individual dwelling units shall be combined into an individual facility or into parking clusters in order to facilitate housing clusters that are oriented to common open space areas.
3. Garage doors shall not be oriented towards a public right-of-way (i.e. street).
4. Garages and carports shall not be located between the common open space and the dwelling units.
5. Surface parking lots shall be broken into sub-lots of no more than fifteen (15) parking spaces. Any surface parking lot with more than seven (7) parking spaces shall contain at least one landscape island. Landscape islands shall:
a) Be a minimum of 144 square feet (18 ft. parking spaces) or 160 square feet (20 ft. parking spaces).
b) Have a minimum dimension of at least eight (8) feet at the widest point measured from the edge of pavement or back of curb where curbing is proposed.
c) Be located, graded and designed to pretreat storm water runoff
d) Be planted with vegetation suited to the storm water management strategy and resilient to the stressors anticipated in the parking area (e.g., heat, sand, etc.)
e) Include at least one deciduous shade tree of not less than two (2)-inch caliper and at least ten (10) feet in height at the time of installation.
f) Applicants may deviate from these standards where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Board that storm water management is not feasible because of the location of the island (i.e., up-gradient) or other pre-existing site conditions.
6. Parking in the form of garages, carports, or surface lots may occupy no more than 40 percent of site frontage on a public right-of-way, except in the case of an alley, in which case no restriction applies.
7. Surface parking lots shall be set back twenty (20) feet from the outside perimeter of the cottage community. This setback can be reduced to below twenty (20) feet but never less than ten (10) feet along no more than 50% of the perimeter. Where the setback is less that twenty (20) feet a decorative and sturdy fence at least six (6) feet in height (measured from grade) shall be installed (See Section H for fence standards).
8. Surface parking lots of more than four (4) spaces, visible from a public right-of-way (not including alleys) or adjacent single-family uses or zones shall be screened by landscaping and/or architectural features, in accordance with Article XIII, Section G of the Subdivision Regulations.
9. Enclosed parking structures shall have a minimum 6:12 roof pitch and a maximum height of eighteen (18) feet. Portions of a roof with a pitch less than 6:12 shall be limited to architectural features such as dormers, porch roofs, and shed roofs. Parking structures shall also comply with the architectural elements required by Section H. (Cottage Building Design Standards).
1. Cottage developments shall be required to implement a mechanism that ensures the continued care and maintenance of common areas. All common areas shall be protected against further development and unauthorized alteration in perpetuity by appropriate deed restrictions. The Planning Board shall approve the form and content of all deed restrictions at the time of final approval of the application. Every deed restriction providing a maintenance guarantee shall contain the following provision:
“If the owners or their successors or assigns fail to maintain the common area, or fail to keep a Home Owners Association active and in good standing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State responsible for said maintenance, the Town may perform any necessary maintenance and enforce the payment for such costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, by an action at law or in equity against the owners or their successors or assigns, or seek judicial relief to compel the owners to perform any necessary maintenance."
2. Ownership of the common area shall be conveyed to a corporation or trust owned or to be owned by the owners of lots or units within the cottage development or owners of shares within a cooperative development. If such a corporation or trust is used, ownership shall pass with conveyances of the lots or units. A typical example would be creation of a homeowner’s association or condominium association with authority and funding necessary to maintain the common areas.
L. Storm Water Management. All applications shall be required to meet RIDEM’s Storm water Standards and shall conform to the Town's Subdivision and Land Development Regulations and Design Manual with particular regard for the need to encourage infiltration and groundwater recharge as opposed to detention or retention basins.
M. Sunset Provision. The provisions of § 502.7 of this Zoning Ordinance shall expire as of 12:00 midnight on March 1, 2023, unless renewed by the Town Council in the same manner as the enactment of a new ordinance.
Exhibit 3
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RHODE ISLAND
TOWN COUNCIL RULES OF CONDUCT
RULE 1. REGULAR MEETINGS
The Town Council shall hold regular meetings in the Town Hall, or other designated locations deemed appropriate by the Town Council, at _______7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month, unless another date is designated in advance by the Town Council.
RULE 2. WORK SESSIONS
A. A work session is a meeting of the Town Council that may include other officials, bodies, agencies or groups. The primary purpose of a work session is to obtain information and exchange ideas rather than to take formal action. Consequently, work sessions are open to the public, but public participation is at the discretion of the Town Council.
B. The Town Council mayshall hold a work session preceding aeach regular meeting. The time of the work session will be determined based upon the amount of business that needs to be discussed. The work session shall begin no later than 7:00 p.m. Work sessions scheduled to commence earlier than 7:00 PM will be posted 48 hours prior to the meeting in accordance with the provision of Title 42, Chapter 46 of the RIGL (the Open Meeting Law) governing notice. In addition, the Town Council may hold work sessions and informational meetings from time to time upon agreement of a majority of its members. Unless an emergency exists, no official vote on any business may be taken at a work session or informational meeting. If such a vote is taken, the same motion shall be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting for ratification.
RULE 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings or emergency meetings of the Town Council shall be called by the Town Clerk, or a duly authorized assistant, at the request of the Town Council President or at the request of three members of the Town Council. Notice of a special meeting or emergency meeting shall be personally served on each member as far in advance of the meeting as practicable.
RULE 4. CONDUCT OF SPECIAL MEETINGS
At all special meetings or emergency meetings, the first order of business shall be the special or emergency business for which the meeting was convened. Such business shall be exclusively considered until it is finally acted upon or until consideration is concluded and no other business shall be considered or acted upon. Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members. Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”
RULE 5. OPEN MEETINGS
All meetings of the Town Council, including regular meetings, work sessions, informational meetings, special meetings and emergency meetings shall comply with the provisions of Title 42, Chapter 46 of the Rhode Island General Laws (the Open Meetings Law) governing notice, open meetings, closed sessions, and preparation and availability of minutes; provided, however, that if it is not possible to post notice of an emergency meeting 48 hours in advance, notice of such a meeting shall be posted immediately upon scheduling of the meeting and shall remain posted at least 48 hours following the meeting. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the Town Council. If the Town Clerk is absent from a meeting, the President shall appoint an acting town clerk to record minutes.
RULE 6. PRESIDING OFFICER
The President, or in the President’s absence, the Vice President shall preside at all meetings. In the event of the absence of both the President and Vice President, or in the event that both the President and Vice President are unable to discharge the duties of the President, the Town Council, with the senior member in point of service presiding, shall elect another member to perform the duties of the President during the absence or disability of both the President and Vice President.
RULE 7. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
The President shall take the chair at the hour designated for the meeting of the Town Council, and shall promptly call the members to order. Three members of the Town Council shall constitute a quorum. The start of a meeting may be delayed for a reasonable period of time pending arrival of a third Council person needed to constitute a quorum. The President shall preserve decorum and order, and shall rule on all points of order, subject to an appeal to the Town Council or by any member. No other business shall be in order until such an appeal shall have been decided by a majority of the members present. The President may speak on points of order in preference to other members. The President may speak on general questions, but to do so, the President shall wait until other members have addressed the question at hand. When speaking on general questions, the President, if requested by a majority of Council members present, shall “take the floor” by the symbolic act of surrendering the gavel to the Vice President.
RULE 8. ROLL CALL VOTES
If the vote on any question before the Town Council is not unanimous, the President shall ask the Town Clerk to conduct a roll call vote, and the Town Clerk shall separately record the vote of each member.
RULE 9. SPEAKING BY MEMBERS
A member wishing to speak shall address the President. After being recognized to speak, a member shall not be interrupted except by a call to order, for the correction of a mistake, or to yield to another member. Each member shall confine his/her remarks to the question under debate. No member shall speak more than once on the same question until all other members wishing to speak on the question have done so. Meetings shall be conducted in an orderly manner.
RULE 10. SPEAKING BY THE PUBLIC
A. Members of the public shall be entitled to speak at regular meetings during any period designated on the agenda for public comment, once, for a period of five minutes, or longer at the discretion of the President, and at other times when invited to do so by the President. The public shall address their comments to the question under debate as indicated on the agenda. Pursuant to RI General Laws §42-46-6(b), public comment regarding subject matter not on the agenda but received during the public participation portion of a meeting shall be for information purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.
B. The President shall enforce order and decorum among members of the public in attendance at regular meetings. Any person addressing the Town Council shall, while speaking, be subject to the same rules and shall be entitled to the same privileges of order applicable to members of the Town Council, provided, however, that a member of the Town Council may ask the speaker a question or obtain information.
RULE 11. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT
No item of business other than that of adjournment may be brought before the Town Council at any meeting unless such an item is introduced before 11:00 p.m.; provided, however, that this rule may be suspended by an affirmative vote of a majority of members present.
RULE 12. AGENDA
The Agenda for regular meetings will be finalized on ThursdayWednesday before a Monday meeting, and made available for Council members and the general public on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Any member of the Town Council may request a New Business or Communication item to be placed on the Agenda by Wednesday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. The Office of the Town Manager will work in conjunction with the Office of the Town Clerk in the preparation of the Agenda at the direction of the Town Council. New Agenda items can be added only during the Council meeting by majority agreement of the Council members present. All items on the Agenda shall be considered moved and seconded for purposes of discussion at all meetings of the Town Council. Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6 (b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members. Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”
RULE 13. CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed with a (CA) are to be considered routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests, in which event the item will be removed from Consent Agenda (CA) consideration and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
RULE 14. RECUSAL
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §36-14-6, when a member of the Town Council must refrain from participating in discussion and/or voting on a particular matter because of a conflict of interest, that member shall complete a “Recusal Form” which will be filed as part of the record of the meeting. Said form shall be kept on file in the Office of the Town Clerk, and a copy shall be forwarded to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.
RULE 15. CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §45-5-5, Clerk of council, the Town Clerk shall be the Clerk of the Town Council; but whenever the Town Clerk or Deputy Clerk shall not appear at the time and place appointed for the meeting of the Town Council, the Town Council may appoint a clerk pro tempore, who, after being duly engaged, shall do and perform all the duties enjoined by law on the Town Clerk as Clerk of the Town Council.
RULE 16. DEPUTY CLERK
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §45-7-2, Deputy clerk, the Deputy Clerk shall have all the powers and perform all the duties which are incumbent on the Town Clerk.
RULE 17. MATTERS NOT ADDRESSED
Any question of procedure not addressed by these Rules shall be governed by “Robert’s Rules of Order.”
RULE 18. PLACEMENT OF CORRESPONDENCE ON AGENDA
Correspondence to the Town Council shall be placed on the Council agenda only where action by the Council is requested. Correspondence relating to personnel issues or personal matters shall not be placed on the agenda. The Town Clerk shall confer with the Town Manager and/or Town Solicitor where the intent of the correspondence may be unclear. The Town reserves the right to make correspondence public by posting it on the Town Council agenda or otherwise.
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RULES OF COMMISSION, COMMITTEE AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS
I. Selection Process of Members
1. As authorized by the Town Council, the Town Clerk shall advertise twice in a local newspaper, and shall post on the Town’s website, the commissions, committees, and boards that will have upcoming appointments/reappointments using the following schedule:
Appointment Period Advertising Period Filing Deadline
January thru March October November 15
April thru June January February 15
July thru September April May 15
October thru December July August 15
2. The Town Clerk shall notify individuals whose terms are about to expire, by letter, to determine if that individual wishes to be considered for reappointment.
3. Upon receipt of an application, the Town Clerk shall retain the original and distribute a copy of each application received to the Town Manager, who will forward a copy to the Town Council. The Town Clerk will also acknowledge in writing to the applicant receipt of each application.
4. The application shall remain on file for a period of one year from the date received and may be considered should vacancies for that particular committee, commission or board occur during that time.
5. All applications received shall be available for public review in the office of the Town Clerk, consistent with the Access to Public Records Act.
6. The charge for each board, commission or committee shall be available in the office of the Town Clerk.
II. Requirement for Membership
1. Applications for the various commissions, committees, and boards shall be available in the Town Clerk's office and on the Town’s website, at http://www.southkingstownri.com/689/Application-and-Vacancy-Information.
2. Applications shall be completed and submitted to the Town Clerk no later than the advertised filing date.
3. Individuals wishing to be considered for reappointment shall notify the Town Clerk prior to the expiration of the filing date.
4. The chairperson of each commission, committee or board shall submit an attendance record, to the Town Clerk, for those individuals wishing to be considered for reappointment.
5. No person shall be appointed to serve concurrently on more than one commission, committee, or board created by the Town Council, with the exception of interim/ad hoc commission, committees or boards.
6. Any appointee who is absent without cause for three (3) consecutive meetings may be subject to removal by the Town Council.
7. When any member of a Commission, Committee or Board is absent for (3) consecutive meetings, the Chairperson shall notify the Town Clerk, who shall in turn notify the Town Council for direction. Should the Chairperson recognize any other attendance deficiencies, the Town Clerk shall be notified, who shall in turn notify the Town Council for direction.
Appointees shall comply with all State Laws and Regulations, including without limitation, the Code of Ethics.
III. Appointment Review Process
1. The Town Council shall review each application and may invite specific candidates for appointment and/or reappointment to an interview with the Council duringprior to a regularly scheduled meeting or work session. Candidates interviewed by the Town Council will be sent a letter of appreciation by the Town Clerk.
2. When making a nomination, the Council member making recommendation will verbally outline reasons for nomination.
3. Every person appointed to serve pursuant to these Rules shall attend a video or zoom presentation prepared by the Solicitor’s office relating to the Open Meetings Act and applicable ethics rules within 3 months of appointment.
Attachment A: Boards and Commissions Appointments Report
The following information reflects the status of those Town boards, commissions and committees which have vacancies, members whose terms are expiring and are eligible for reappointment, and/or applications filed for consideration of appointment. The Town Council may make appointments at any meeting.
Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired August 2025. Richard Morrissey, Peter Swain, and Susan Mittendorf wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Morrissey has attended 3 of 3 meetings, Mr. Swain has attended 2 of 2 meetings, and Ms. Mittendorf has attended 3 of 3 meetings held during their current term.
Vacancy: term to expire August 2027 (Bethany Sorrentino resigned)
Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Minimum 5, maximum 9 members; 2 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire July 2025. Kenneth Burke wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting responses from Dorothy Hill, Neil Murray, Lisa-Beth Sanford, and Joshua Saunders.
Vacancies: two terms to expire in July 2025 (David Hamel and James Vogel did not wish to be reappointed; Christopher Moore resigned; two additional open positions).
Building Code/Minimum Housing Code Boards of Appeals (5 members; 5 year term)
Vacancy: one term to expire in June 2029 (Paul Schurman did not wish to be reappointed).
Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for one term to expire September 2025. Melissa Hughes wishes to be reappointed. Matthew Bradywood and Vernon Wyman do not wish to be reappointed.
Vacancies: one term to expire September 2027 (Margaret Clune did not wish to be reappointed).
Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)
Vacancy: 1 term to expire March 2028 (Henry Thayer did not wish to be reappointed).
Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Vacancies (2): one term to expire in December 2025 and one term to expire December 2027 (David Hill resigned and Linda Stedman and David Nedwidek did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicant: Elle Noordzy (applied 6/18/2025); Joan Nippo (applied 8/19/2025).
Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointment for one term to expire October 2025. Christi Saurette does not wish to be reappointed
Library Board of Trustees (7 members; 3 year term)
Vacancy: one term to expire July 2028 (Mario Briccetti did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicant: Kim Salisbury-Keith (applied 5/28/2025).
Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)
Vacancy: one term to expire May 2026 (Peter DiStefano resigned)
Applicants: William Green (reapplied 3/25/2025; interviewed 3/11/2024); Richard Jurczak (applied 6/30/2025; interviewed 7/28/2025); Armand Monaco (applied 7/3/2025; interviewed 7/28/2025); Bobby Votava (applied 8/14/2025); Joseph Martin (applied 8/26/2025); Christopher Gerath (applied 9/2/2025).
Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee (8 members)
Vacancy: Economic Development Committee Ex-Officio Member (Larry Fish resigned)
Applicants: Jenn Judge (applied 9/30/2024); William Green (applied 10/1/2024); Maureen White (applied 10/8/2024).
Route 138 Reconstruction Project Area Committee (11 members; 2 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired in May 2023: Susan Spranger Axelrod, Dorald Beasley, Gail Faris, Thomas Marcello and William Rosen wish to be reappointed. Awaiting a response from Diane Johnson.
Vacancies: terms expired in May 2023 (Peter Maynard did not wish to be reappointed; James Garfield, Ex-Officio member of Historic District Commission resigned; and URI representative)
Saugatucket Veterans’ Memorial Park Commission (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire January 2025: Stephen Stewart and Richard Pike wish to be reappointed. Awaiting responses from Thomas Browning and Judith Ann Munson.
Vacancy: Vietnam Veteran, term expires in January 2025 (Mark Spangler deceased)
Statistical Modeling and Analytics Research Tools (SMART) Committee (9 members)
Two vacancies: (Lauren Weinstock and Jonathan E. Daly-LaBelle resigned)
Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire June 2025. William Rosen wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting response from Benedict Ingegneri.
Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired June 2025. Samuel Grimley and Michael Sherry wish to be reappointed. Awaiting response from Joseph Nuzzolillo.
Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired March 2025. Geoff Elia and Thomas Daniels wish to be appointed.
Vacancies: Alternate # 2 term to expire March 2026 and Alternate #3 term to expire in March 2027 (Brian Dupont deceased; William MacDonald promoted to Alt. #1)