MEETING MINUTES
Town of West Warwick
Meeting Date: Monday, August 2, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: West Warwick Town Hall
Town Council Chambers
1170 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
Members Present: Joseph DiMartino, Chair
Felix Appolonia, Vice Chair
Anthony Petrarca
Jessica Rubery (Alt. member)
Members Absent: Joshua Barrette
Joe Gardosik
Joe Garcia (Alt. member)
Planning Staff: Mark Carruolo, Town Planner
Legal Counsel: Albert DiFiore, Esquire
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by the Chairman.
Review and approval of the June 7, 2021 meeting minutes.
Motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Ms. Rubery, seconded by Mr. Petrarca and passed unanimously.
Major Land Development Project
Applicant: Justin Wilbur
Location: 45 Greene Street
Assessor’s Plat: 4
Assessor’s Lots: 215
Zoning District: Residential R-8
Land Area: 3.88 acres
Number of lots: NA
Engineer: Commonwealth Engineers and Consultants, Inc.
The applicant was represented by Attorney Sanford Resnick. Attorney Resnick explained that the applicant was requesting final approval of a 16-unit condominium project on a 3.88-acre lot in a Residential R-8 Zoning District. Attorney Resnick introduced project engineer, Mike Zavalia, P.E., who reviewed the final plans and specifically addressed the outstanding stipulations necessary for final approval. Mr. Zavalia reviewed the landscape plan and the easterly buffer and screening. Mr. Zavalia informed the Board that the plan was reviewed with the abutter to the east and they were okay with the screening. Mr. Zavalia also reviewed the guest parking area location and design. He reviewed the construction consisting of turf stone pavers that allow for grass to grow through the pavers to maintain the aesthetics of the property and to assist in accommodating the drainage on site.
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 Zoning Board of Review Special Use Permit (BK:1847 Pg:233) to have a 16-unit multi-family residential development in an R-8 zoning district.
3) That there will be no significant negative environmental impacts from the proposed development. The proposed development has received a RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) approval application # 19-0058 and RIPDES # RJR101874.
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
The Planning Office recommendation is to grant final approval with the following stipulations:
1) That the development shall be constructed in substantial compliance with the “Final Submission Land Development Plan for Harris Greene Condominiums,” stamped and signed by Timothy J. Behan, PE. and dated, June 2021.
2) The developer shall provide a buffer and substantial screening which includes live vegetation and fencing along the easterly property line to provide adequate screening of the development and drainage system from the abutting residents (see plan sheet 13 of 19, “Landscape Plan” dated June 2021).
3) That the developer shall install and be responsible for maintenance of the proposed “shadowbox fencing” (see plan sheet 13 of 19, “Landscape Plan” dated June 2021).
4) That the required roadway width shall not be less than 24’ which may include measurement of the bituminous concrete berm. (see plan sheet 15 of 19, Construction Details 2, dated June 2021).
5) That the visitor parking shall be constructed and maintained in substantial compliance with the “Overflow Parking Plan” (see plan sheet 6 of 19, “Landscape Plan” dated June 2021).
6) That all retaining walls associated with the drainage area shall include fencing for safety purposes and said fencing shall be aesthetic ornamental fencing in character with the architectural design of the development.
7) That all exterior lighting shall be contained on site and directed away from and/or shielded from the abutting residential properties.
8) That the developer shall be required to submit a Soil and Sediment Control Plan to the Building Official in conformance with Development Review Regulations Section 17-18(F)(1) “Erosion and Sediment Control Plan required” prior to commencement of construction on the site.
9) That the proposed development shall not receive any Town of West Warwick trash hauling services, snow plowing, roadway maintenance, drainage maintenance and other similar services.
10) That the developer shall be required to pay a fee-in-lieu of land dedication which shall be $2,500.00 per dwelling unit at the time of application for a building permit as required per Land Development Regulations Section 17-21 (E) “Fees-in-lieu of land dedication.”
11) That the Condominium Association documents and by-laws shall be approved by the Planning Board Legal Counsel prior to recording the final plan.
12) That the condominium association shall be responsible for providing annual drainage maintenance according to an approved drainage maintenance plan and shall provide an annual report to the Building Official and Town Engineer stating that the required maintenance has been performed.
Following a general discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Petrarca, seconded by Mr. Appolonia to grant final approval with the Planning Office recommended findings and stipulations. The following vote was taken on the motion.
Planning Board Vote
Joseph DiMartino Yes
Felix Appolonia Yes
Anthony Petrarca Yes
Jessica Rubery Yes
The Town Planner provided details of the following administrative subdivisions and informed the Board that the have been recorded.
Plan Attached
Project name: Administrative Subdivision – 3-7 Guertin Street
Applicant: KDS Investments.
Location: 3 & 7 Guertin Street
Assessor’s Plat: 5 Lots: 260 & 261
Plan Attached
Project name: Administrative Subdivision – 10 Guertin Street
Applicant: Alan & Patricia C. Lefebvre
Location: 10 Guertin Street
Assessor’s Plat: 5 Lots: 277 & 616
Plan Attached
Project name: Administrative Subdivision – 1270 Main Street
Applicant: Pannone Lopes Devereau & O’Gara, LLC.
Location: 1270 Main Street
Assessor’s Plat: 6 Lots: 419, 420 & 1141
Plan Attached
Project name: Administrative Subdivision for Synergy Capital LLC.
Applicant: Synergy Capital LLC.
Location: 6 Highland Street
Assessor’s Plat: 2 Lots: 193 & 194
None