MEETING MINUTES

Town of West Warwick

Planning Board

 

Meeting Date:             Monday, November 16, 2020

 

Time:                          6:00 p.m.

 

Members Present         Joseph DiMartino, Chair

Via Zoom:                   Felix Appolonia, Vice Chair

                                    Joshua Barrette

Joe Gardosik

                                    Anthony Petrarca

                                                Jessica Rubery (Alt. member)

 

Members Absent:        Joe Garcia (Alt. member)

 

Planning Staff:             Mark Carruolo, Town Planner

 

Legal Counsel:             Albert DiFiore, Esquire

 

Item 1  Approval of Minutes

 

Review and approval of the June 8, 2020 meeting minutes.

 

Motion to approve the June 8, 2020 minutes by Mr. Gardosik, seconded by Mr. Petrarca.  All in favor.

 

 

Item 2  Public Meeting  Minor Subdivision

 

Applicant:                    Padula Builders, Inc.

Location:                     511 East Greenwich Avenue

Assessor’s Plat:            30

Assessor’s Lots:           17

Zoning District:           Residential R-10

Land Area:                  8.95 acres

Number of lots:            3

Engineer:                     SFM Engineering & Scituate Surveys, Inc.

 

The applicant was represented by Attorney Thomas Cronin and was requesting preliminary approval to subdivide an 8.95-acre parcel containing a single-family dwelling to create three conforming lots; one lot with an existing dwelling and two new residential lots for development of single-family homes in a Residential R-10 zoning district.  Attorney Cronin explained that the subject property was before the Planning Board approximately one year ago to rezone a portion of the property from Commercial Industrial to Residential R-10 to comply with the surrounding property along East Greenwich Avenue.  Cronin stated that the zone change was subsequently approved by the Town Council.  He informed the Board that the applicant was now requesting approval of a minor subdivision to create two new lot and to build single family homes.  Attorney Cronin further explained that the proposed subdivision had received RIDEM approval and all required local approvals, including KCWA and WW Sewer.

 

Attorney Cronin closed his presentation by informing the Planning Board that his client agreed with the Planning Office’s findings and recommendations.

 

Mr. Gardosik inquired about the RIDEM requirement that the driveways must consist of pervious pavement and asked if the homes could be expanded in the future.

 

The Planner explained that the development plan had received a RIDEM for the plans as presented and that any additions or expansions to the approved plans would require a new application/approval from RIDEM.

 

Planning Office Findings

 

The Planning Office finds the proposal to be generally consistent with Section 17-5 “General Purposes” of the Towns Subdivision and Land Development regulations, and:

 

1)     Generally consistent with the Comprehensive Community Plan.

 

2)     In compliance with the standards and provisions of the Town Zoning Ordinance having received a Town Council Zone Change (Ordinance #2020-4) from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential R-10.

 

3)     That there will be no significant negative environmental impacts from the proposed development.  The proposed subdivision and construction of two (2) new dwellings received a RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) approval application # 20-0133.

 

4)     That the development will not result in the creation of individual lots with such physical constraints to development that building on those lots according to pertinent regulations and building standards would be impracticable.

 

5)     That the proposed development possesses adequate physical access to a public street.

 

6)     That the proposed development provides for the safe circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, adequate detention of surface water runoff, suitable building sites, and the preservation of natural, historical and cultural features; and

 

7)     That the proposed development will not result in any increased flooding and soil erosion.

 

Planning Office Recommendation

 

After conferring with the Planning Board Attorney, the Planning Office recommendation is to grant preliminary approval with final approval to be through the Administrative Officer with the following stipulations:

 

1)     That the proposed new dwellings shall be constructed in compliance with RIDEM approval application #20-0133.

 

2)     That the proposed driveways shall be constructed with pervious material to allow surface water infiltration.

 

3)     That the roof drains shall be connected to drywells to allow infiltration of roof runoff.

 

4)     That the applicant shall receive a soil erosion control permit from the Building Office prior to construction.

 

5)     That the applicant shall receive a road opening permit from the Department of Public Works prior to construction.

 

6)     That the applicant shall receive approval from the WW Sewer Authority for design of the sewer connection prior to the issuance of a building permit.

 

7)     That payment of a section 17-21 “Fee-in-lieu of Land Dedication” of $2,500.00 shall be required for the two new dwelling units and shall be collected at the issuance of a building permit.

 

Motion was made by Joshua Barrette to approve the subdivision with the Planning Office findings and recommendations.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Gardosik and passed unanimously as presented below:

Planning Board Vote

 

Joseph DiMartino                    Yes

Felix Appolonia                       Yes

Joe Gardosik                           Yes

Anthony Petrarca                    Yes

Joshua Barrette                       Yes

Jessica Rubery (Alt.)                Yes

 

Item 3  Public Hearing: Changes to Recorded Plats and Plans Matteson Ridge Condos

 

Applicant:                    Matteson Ridge LP

Location:                     175 Greenbush Road

Assessor’s Plat:            12

Assessor’s Lots:           20 & 772

Zoning District:           Residential R-10

Land Area:                  40.54 acres

Number of lots:            NA

Engineer:                     Boyer Associates

 

Attorney Brian LaPlante represented the applicant and was requesting the Planning Board to approve a revised condominium layout site plan for Phase 1 and Phase 3 of the Matteson Ridge Condominium in accordance with Subdivision and Land Development Regulations Section 17-39 “Changes to recorded plat and plans.”  Attorney LaPlante explained that the proposed minor changes would have no material effect on the development. The changes included a slight increase in the square footage of the buildings (from 60’x 60’ to 65’x 66’) and that there were three changes to the layout depicted on the proposed plan in three circles.  The changes include changing two duplexes to triplexes and adding a new duplex.  The attorney explained that the total number of approved units would remain the same.

 

Chairman DiMartino asked if the changes would have any effect on the approved drainage system.

 

Mr. Robert Boyer, surveyor responded that the changes would not affect dating.  Mr. Boyer explained that the rooftop drains are being directed into drywells and not into the drainage system.

 

Mr. Barrett asked if the TRC and Fire Department review the plan.

 

The Planner responded that the plans were reviewed by WWFD and the TRC.

 

Motion was made by Joe Gardosik and seconded by Joshua Barrette to approve the proposed changes to the final plan.  The motion passed unanimously as presented below:

 

Planning Board Vote

 

Joseph DiMartino                    Yes

Felix Appolonia                       Yes

Joe Gardosik                           Yes

Anthony Petrarca                    Yes

Joshua Barrette                       Yes

Jessica Rubery (Alt.)                Yes

 

 

Item 4  Administrative Subdivision/Approval for Informational Purposes

 

The following Administrative Subdivisions were presented to the Board for informational purposes only.

Plan Attached

Project name:              Administrative Subdivision – JBACH Realty

Applicant:                    JBACH Realty, LLC.

Location:                     10 Crudale Drive

Assessor’s Plat:            30        Lots:    50 & 96

 

 

Plan Attached

Project name:              Administrative Subdivision – Highland Street & Sisson Street

Applicant:                    John M. & Kathleen C. Greenhalgh

Location:                     11 Sisson Street

Assessor’s Plat:            2          Lots:    180 & 492

 

 

Item 5  Public Comment

 

None

 

Motion to adjourn at 6:26 pm by Mr. Gardosik, seconded by Mr. Barrett.  All in favor.