Item 1  Approval of Minutes

Review and approval of the April 04, 2022 meeting minutes.

Motion to approve the April 04, 2022 minutes by Ms. Rubery, Seconded by Mr. Coutu.  All in favor.

Motion to hear Item #4 by Mr. Coutu, seconded by Ms. Rubery.  All in favor.

Item 4  June Carr Subdivision

146 Cowesett Avenue & Carlson Circle Assessor’s Plat:   13; Lot: 599

Final Plan Decision

The applicant, Shoreline Properties is requesting Final Plan approval to subdivide an existing 2.8-acre parcel of land with an existing dwelling to create ten (10) lots; one (1) lot with an existing dwelling having access from Cowesett Avenue, seven (7) new house lots and two (2) drainage lots (not for development) on a new street with access from Carlson Circle in a Residential R-8 zone.

Discussion

Mr. DiFiore stated he spoke with Attorney Cronin regarding the fact that all necessary documents are not yet available and Attorney Cronin indicated he would be requesting a continuance.

Attorney Tom Cronin is representing.  He requests a continuance to the July 11, 2022 meeting.

Motion to continue to the July 11, 2022 meting by Ms. Rubery, seconded by Mr Coutu.

Planning Board Vote

Joshua Barrette           Yes                 

Jessica Rubery            Yes                 

Rene Coutu (Alt)        Yes     

All in favor, motion passes.

Item 2  Medrecycler

Master Plan Approval– Second Extension Request

The applicant has filed a request for a second extension of the 2019 Master Plan approval to install a waste to energy recycling facility at 1600 Division Road. This decision was recorded on May 24, 2019.  The first extension of this approval was granted by the Planning Board and recorded on April 19, 2021. 

Discussion

Mr. DiFiore stated this is the second extension request, it is a routine matter and they are entitled to it

Motion to grant the second one-year extension by Ms. Rubery, seconded by Mr. Coutu. 

Planning Board Vote

Joshua Barrette           Yes                 

Jessica Rubery            Yes                 

Rene Coutu (Alt)        Yes                 

All in favor.  Motion passes.

Item 3  54/60 East Main Street

Council Recommendation for Rezoning as a Mill Reuse District

The applicant would like to renovate 54/60 East Main Street (assessor’s parcel 18, lots 59 and 61).  They are mill buildings within a CI zone and he would like to take advantage of the Mill Reuse District zoning.  This request is for a positive referral to the Town Council for a zone change to designate this property as a Mill Reuse District.       

Discussion

Attorney Philip Primeau of Roberts, Carroll, Feldstein & Pierce, 10 Weybosset St, Providence is representing. Brandon Havener is also present.  He stated they are requesting a zone change to Mill Re-Use.  Sue Mara, Consulting Planner stated this is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the developer would be back before the Planning Board.

Mr. Primeau detailed the project: 60 East Main is a two-story building dating back to 1908, approximately 17,000sf on 1/4 acre of land, currently zoned CI and they are requesting a positive recommendation to the Town Council to rezone under the overlay district for Mill Re-Use.  The building is in disrepair and has been neglected.  This building will be split with commercial and residential. The basement will be used for long term storage of luxury vehicles, it will not be a parking garage.  The second floor will be six upscale residential units, two bedrooms, approximately 950sf. 

54 East Main will be four upscale residential units, approximately 850sf, two bedrooms, two baths.

There is ample off-street parking in the rear lot which will be screened by a fence.  This proposal is not inconsistent with the neighborhood, it is a low density, low impact development. 

Sue Mara, consulting planner, stated the following:   Section 5.14 of the West Warwick Zoning Ordinance is titled “Vacant historical mill structures.”  This section describes the purpose of the Mill Reuse District zoning and the procedure for review of projects within the Districts.

Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to recognize that certain existing mill structures and properties in various zoning districts are desirable for conversion to mixed use and occupancy. However, uncontrolled conversion may lead to potential adverse impact on adjacent areas. These properties can be permitted to convert to a variety of limited housing, business and professional office uses. The full range of potentially acceptable uses and the limits of size and intensity that are acceptable are not able to be predetermined and therefore the final determination of acceptability must be made on an individual basis, predicated upon a definitive statement of proposed use and operation.

This project is consistent with that purpose, and therefore, consistent with the Zoning Ordinance.

In the West Warwick 2019 Comprehensive Plan, Goal #1 for Economic Development is “Revitalization and reuse/redevelopment of existing commercial and industrial facilities, particularly the numerous historic mill complexes, will bring additional economic development to the Town.”

This project is consistent with the Town Comprehensive Plan.

Based upon these findings, staff recommends a positive recommendation to the Town Council for rezoning as a Mill Reuse District. 

Motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for the zone change by Ms. Rubery, seconded by Mr. Coutu.

Item 5  Public Comment

None

Motion to adjourn at 6:25pm by Ms. Rubery, seconded by Mr. Coutu.  All in favor.