MEETING NOTICE
Town of West Warwick
Planning Board
Meeting Date: Monday, April 4, 2022
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
Joe Garcia (Alt. member)
Rene Coutu (Alt. member)
Members Absent: Joshua Barrette
Planning Staff: Sue Mara, Consulting Planner
Elaine Mansour, CDBG Manager
Legal Counsel: Albert DiFiore, Esquire
All witnesses were sworn in by Legal Counsel.
Appointment of Elaine Mansour as Secretary to the Planning Board.
Motion to appoint Elaine Mansour as Secretary to the Planning Board by Mr. Appolonia, seconded by Mr. Petrarca. All in favor.
Planning Board Vote
Joseph DiMartino Yes
Felix Appolonia Yes
Anthony Petrarca Yes
Jessica Rubery Yes
Joseph Garcia (Alt.) Yes
Rene Coutu (Alt.)
Motion passes.
The Planning Board at its first meeting on or after April 1st of each year shall have Election of Officers.
Motion for Joseph DiMartino as Chair by Mr. Appolonia, seconded by Mr. Petrarca. All in favor.
Motion for Felix Appolonia as Vice-Chair by Mr. Garcia, seconded by Ms. Rubery. All in favor.
Planning Board Vote
Joseph DiMartino Yes
Felix Appolonia Yes
Anthony Petrarca Yes
Jessica Rubery Yes
Joseph Garcia (Alt.) Yes
Rene Coutu (Alt.)
Motion passes.
Review and approval of the March 7, 2022, meeting minutes.
Motion to approve the March 7, 2022 minutes by Ms. Rubery, seconded by Mr. Appolonia. All in favor.
Motion to hear Item #5 before Item #4 by Mr. Appolonia, seconded by Ms. Rubery. All in favor.
Final Plan Decision
4 Crompton Avenue
Applicant: Legacy Construction
Location: 4 Crompton Avenue
Assessor’s Plat: 13
Assessor’s Lot(s): 53 and 765
Assessor’s Plat: 14
Assessor’s Lot(s): 1
Zoning District: R 8
Land Area: 3.07 acres
Number of lots: 10
Engineer: Crossman Engineering
The applicant is proposing to extend a portion of Narragansett Avenue (a paper street), subdivide three (3) abutting lots totaling approximately three (3) acres to create ten (10) new lots on a proposed new street in a Residential R-8 zone.
Attorney Joseph Brennan is representing. Current mailing address is 240 Chestnut St, Warwick, RI 02888
Mr. Brennan stated the final plan and all requested paperwork has been submitted. Mr. DiFiore noted two changes in the HOA which were incorporated, he also stated the utility easement is fine. There were no questions on the traffic report as submitted. The gate has been removed from the system, it will always be operational.
Motion to grant final approval by Mr. Appolonia to include conditions and stipulations in the staff report to include but not limited to the 17-21 fee, road opening permit and recording of the HOA and utility easement, seconded by Mr. Petrarca.
Planning Board Vote
Joseph DiMartino Yes
Felix Appolonia Yes
Anthony Petrarca Yes
Jessica Rubery Yes
Joseph Garcia (Alt.) Yes
Rene Coutu (Alt.)
Motion passes.
Preliminary Plan Decision
4 Blossom Street
Applicant: LaCroix Properties
Location: 4 Blossom Street
Assessor’s Plat: 36
Assessor’s Lot(s): 5, 220 and 59
Zoning District: R 7.5
Land Area: 12.86
Number of lots: 3
Engineer: Cataldo Engineering
The applicant is proposing to subdivide three (3) abutting lots totaling 12.86 acres to develop 66 residential units.
Attorney Tom Cronin is representing, 1070 Main St, Coventry, RI 02816
Matt Yanuskiewicz, P.E. of Cataldo Engineering is also present as is Joe and Roy LaCroix.
Mr. DiFiore read the exhibits into the record.
Mr. Cronin stated this is a 12.8 acre site, the buildings have been removed and the proposed is a 66 unit condominium complex, a private circulator roadway with 33 duplex buildings, 2 bedrooms, single level, approximately 1,400 sf with a garage. Giorgio Drive has been abandoned by the Town and will become a one-way access.
This is a conforming project, no variances or relief is being sought. Mr. Cronin is also asking for the final approval to be administrative. The condo docs and the chipping and blasting plan will be presented at the final stage and all permits will be obtained.
Mr. DiMartino asked if the Master Plan was presented to the Town Council at the time of the street abandonment and Mr. Cronin said yes. Mr. DiFiore reviewed the Town Ordinance and stated the Town Council was aware at the presentation.
Mr. Cronin asks that Matt Yanuskiewicz be accepted as an expert witness. Mr. Yanuskiewicz stated his qualifications.
Motion to accept Mr. Yanuskiewicz as an expert witness by Mr. Appolonia, seconded by Ms. Rubery. All in favor.
Mr. Yanuskiewicz reviewed the traffic report stating Giorgio Drive will be one way in, the width of the roadway will remain the same as it is now. RI DOT said the site at Blossom and Providence Street does not qualify for a traffic light. The traffic study was submitted at Master Plan and all recommendations were included. There is a cell tower at the SW side of the property. Mr. Petrarca sked if there are any marked visitor parking spaces, Mr. Yanuskiewicz stated there will be multiple scattered spaces. Dumpsters will be fenced.
He also discussed drainage stating the old portion of Giorgio Drive had a system that will be removed and capped and there will be no runoff into that section. The runoff is redirected to the center of the property and out to the river as it currently flows. RI DEM has deemed this as an Insignificant Alteration. The current 7.2 acres of pavement will be reduced to 3.3 acres of pavement.
The houses along Providence Street actually have sewer lines behind their homes, a bypass plan has been submitted and those will not be interrupted. All approvals are in hand, an easement will be provided for the new sewer line and all stipulations have been addressed. Power lines will be underground.
Mr. DiMartino noted the landscape plan is in depth and very extensive. Mr. Cronin stated the mature trees around the perimeter will be preserved to the best extent possible at the North and East boundaries.
Mr. Appolonia questioned the fire apparatus hammerhead turnaround not being required….that is because it is one big circular roadway and not required by code.
Lynn Oberg, 450 Providence St, Unit #37: She stated the land behind her privacy fence has been cleared and she thought it was because of this project, however the developers stated they have not done any excavating and it was determined it was from a different project. Her contact information was forwarded to the Building Official for further information.
Sharon Kilday, 12 Blossom St: She’s concerned with blasting and possible damage to nearby homes. Ms. Kilday was advised if blasting is necessary, part of the permit process is to notify nearby homeowners within a specific radius and a survey is taken of those homes for documentation. The state permit requires review by the Building Official and the Fire Marshal also.
Mr. Cronin stated there are no plans for blasting right now. They will come back to the board with a plan if blasting is necessary.
Paul Villa, 15 Janet Drive: Were sewer calculations done and verified by the Town Engineer? Mr. Yanuskiewicz stated they have a wastewater permit and also stated the previous use created more wastewater than the residential will. Mr. Villa wants to know if Mr. Geremia stated the system can handle the flow and wants it part of the record. Mr. DiFiore will contact Mr. Geremia regarding this information.
Motion to close the public hearing by Mr. Appolonia, seconded by Ms. Rubery. All in favor.
Mr. Garcia noted there were two concerns from Jim Geremia. Sue Mara, consulting planner stated those were addressed and incorporated into the plan.
Motion to grant Preliminary to include all stipulations and recommendations listed in the Master Plan and TRC recommendations and to include a letter from Mr. Geremia regarding the calculation of the wastewater by Mr. Appolonia, seconded by Ms. Rubery.
Planning Board Vote
Joseph DiMartino Yes
Felix Appolonia Yes
Anthony Petrarca Yes
Jessica Rubery Yes
Joseph Garcia (Alt.) Yes
Rene Coutu (Alt.)
Motion passes.
None.
Motion to adjourn at 7:00 pm by Mr. Petrarca, seconded by Mr. Garcia. All in favor.