1.         Approval of Minutes

2.         Change of Agenda Order

Recommendation to the Town Council for the Statewide Mandate regarding Zoning Regulations in the Town of West Warwick

Kelly Salvatore esq. is the representative for the Town of West Warwick to complete the revision to The Code of Ordinances - Zoning 5.3.  This work is being conducted through a grant from Rhode Island Housing to meet the changes mandated by the Rhode Island State Legislature as it relates to zoning and land use regulations.

Ms. Salvatore presented an overview and summarization of model templates and explained the changes as they pertain to criteria for Dimensional Standards of review, Special Use Permits, Modifications, Substandard lots of record, mergers, and non-conformances in House Bill #6059.

Ms. Salvatore then explained the criteria for Adaptive Re-Use of Commercial, Mill, School, and Church buildings specified in House Bill #6090.

Ms. Salvatore then explained the criteria and procedures for appeals, administrative officer responsibilities, Development Plan Review criteria, Unified Development Review, Minor and Major Development and Subdivision criteria and the role of the Technical Review Committee in House Bill#6091. 

Ms. Salvatore also explained that the changes to the regulations governing Zoning and Land Development and Subdivision review and approval are effective January 1, 2024.

Additional review of these regulations was rescheduled for review at the March 4, 2024, Planning Board Meeting.

Motion to approve the hearing date of March 4, 2024, was made by Mr. Barrette and seconded by Mr. Coutu.  The vote was unanimous.

                                    Felix Appolonia Yes

                                    Rene Coutu        Yes

                                    Joshua Barrette   Yes

                                    Paul Villa            No

Old Business

1.         Major Land Development – Public Hearing of Combined Master and Preliminary Plan – Mill Re-Use –for Multi-Family and LMI Units.

Allan Fung, Esq. introduced the presentation for 60 E. Main Street, West Warwick for 10 multi-family rental units, with 5 of those units to be LMI units and car storage on the ground floor. The Mill Re-Use application was granted August 2022 and approval of the Special Use Permit was granted September 1, 2022.  The Town Council granted a 6-year tax stabilization agreement in October 2023.  

Legal Counsel, Al DiFiore, for the Town of West Warwick, read the application exhibits into the record.

#1 -Application

#2 – Report from Jim Geremia, Town Engineer

#3 – Narragansett Engineering Site Plan

#4 - Town Planner letter

#5 - Lt.  Houle, West Warwick Fire, email dated 11/27/23.

#6 – Branden Havener email date 11/10/23

#7 - Affidavit of Notice

#8 - 3-page abutters list

#9 - Master Plan Checklist

#10 – Avizinis Wetlands Report

#11 – Preliminary Environmental Site Screening

#12 - Master Plan & Preliminary Plan Set

#13 - Administrative Subdivision

#14 - Water & Sewer Service Plan

#15 - Plans dated 11/10/23

#16 – Access easements plan dated July 21.  2023

Expert witnesses were sworn in by Al DiFiore, legal counsel.  Motion to approve the expert testimony was made by Mr.  Barrette and seconded by Mr. Villa.  Expert testimony was given by Joseph Malo, P.E. and Craig Barry from Narragansett Engineering regarding the site layout, parking, circulation, RIPDES Permit and freshwater wetlands.  Mr. Malo stated that the RIDEM permits and the RIDOT curb cut permits as well as an executed access easement from the adjacent property at AP 18; Lot 62 were pending and would be submitted with the Final Plan submission. 

The next expert witness was sworn in by Al DiFiore, legal counsel. Motion to approve the expert testimony was made by Mr.  Barrette and seconded by M. Villa.  Brian King P.E. of Crossman Engineers gave expert testimony regarding the water meter, back flow preventors, plumbing plans and fire suppression requirements meets the flow calculations as required for the project.  Mr. King did state that final permits from KCWA needed to be approved and would be submitted with the Final Plan submission.

After discussion and questions by the Board a motion to approve the combined Master and Preliminary plan and that the Final would return to the Planning Board for review and approval, was made by Mr. Barrette and seconded by Mr. Villa. The vote was unanimous.

Felix Appolonia  Yes

                                     Rene Coutu        Yes

                                    Joshua Barrette   Yes

                                    Paul Villa            Yes

                                    William Malloy   Yes

4.         Discussion:   none

5.         Public Comment: none

6.         Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM by Mr. Barrette seconded by Mr. Villa. The vote was unanimous.