I.            Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Michael Lester at 12:37 pm

II.            Roll Call

Michael Lester (Chair): present

Victoria Huang (Vice Chair): present

Leslie Moore (Secretary): present

Gerard Levesque: present

Laurilim Rosado (absent)

Daniel Sierra resigned from the Board as of December 1, 2021

The meeting was staffed by Jim Vandermillen, Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Development.

III.            Pledge of Allegiance

IV.            Approval of Minutes

a.       October 19, 2021 meeting

b.      October 27, 2021 meeting

Victoria Huang moved to table approval of the minutes until the next meeting.  Seconded by Leslie Moore.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

V.            New Business

a.       The 2021 Central Falls Vacant or Blighted Property Redevelopment Plan

                          i.      Review and vote on reporting an advisory opinion to the Central Falls City Council on the Plan’s conformity to the City of Central Falls Comprehensive Community Plan

The proposed “Ordinance Adopting The 2021 Central Falls Vacant or Blighted Property Plan: A Redevelopment Plan Sub-A v2” Introduced by Council President Jessica Vega and the “2021 Central Falls Vacant or Blighted Property Plan: A Redevelopment Plan” are included in the record as Exhibit A.

The memo from Assistant Director Jim Vandermillen to the Central Falls Planning Board dated December 3, 2021 Re: “Report on Conformity of “The 2021 Central Falls Vacant or Blighted Property Plan: A Redevelopment Plan”, including the staff recommendation, is included in the record as Exbibit B.

The proposed ordinance and the staff memo were provided to the members of the Board prior to this meeting and were referred to during the meeting.

Mr. Vandermillen provided an overview of the proposed Redevelopment Plan and the requirement, as per State law, for the Planning Board to report to the City Council on the conformity of the Redevelopment Plan to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.  Mr. Vandermillen referred to the staff memo to the Board and the findings that the proposed Redevelopment Plan conforms to the Comprehensive Plan.

A discussion and questions followed. Concerns were raised about the “taking” of properties by the City, which was characterized as “far-reaching”, and about the process for acquisition of properties.  Concerns were also raised about whether the City or the Redevelopment Agency could lose money if the properties must be sold to a developer at a price lower than the acquisition cost.  A request was made for further discussion (at a future meeting) about how the City acquires properties.

The Chair entertained a motion to open public hearing.  Gerard Levesque moved to open the public hearing; Leslie Moore seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

The Chair asked if anyone wanted to come forward to speak on this matter. He subsequently asked that the record show that no one came forward for public hearing.

The Chair entertained a motion to close public hearing.  Leslie Moore moved to close the public hearing; Victoria Huang seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

The Chair asked if there were any other questions, concerns, or comments about the proposed Redevelopment Plan.  No one raised any additional questions, concerns, or comments.

The Chair asked that the December 3, 2021 memo from Jim Vandermillen to the Planning Board and the proposed Ordinance and Redevelopment Plan be entered into the record.

The Chair entertained a motion concerning reporting on the proposed Redevelopment Plan’s conformance to the Comprehensive Plan.

Gerard Levesque moved that the City of Central Falls Planning Board finds that the “The 2021 Central Falls Vacant or Blighted Property Plan: A Redevelopment Plan” conforms to the Central Falls Comprehensive Plan and directs Planning Department Staff to report this finding to the Central Falls City Council; Victoria Huang seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Michael Lester (Chair): Aye

Victoria Huang (Vice Chair): Aye

Leslie Moore (Secretary): Abstain

Gerard Levesque: Aye

The motion passed.

b.      Proposed Ordinance Amending the Duties and Powers of the Central Falls Planning Board

                          i.      Review and vote on reporting an advisory opinion to the Central Falls City Council on passage of the proposed ordinance

The draft proposed “Ordinance Amending the Duties and Powers of the Central Falls Planning Board” is included in the record as Exhibit C.

Mr. Vandermillen read the draft ordinance and explained that the ordinance is being proposed, in large part, to define the composition of the Board as a five-member Board with two alternate members to help ensure sufficient membership at each meeting to conduct business.  Mr. Vandermillen also explained that there are no by-laws for the Board, and that a document will be drafted.

A discussion and questions followed.  Mr. Vandermillen explained that the powers and duties included in the proposed ordinance are based on State Law. 

The Chair entertained a motion to open public hearing.  Leslie Moore moved to open the public hearing; Victoria Huang seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

The Chair asked if anyone wanted to come forward to speak on this matter. He subsequently asked that the record show that no one came forward for public hearing.

The Chair entertained a motion to close public hearing.  Leslie Moore moved to close the public hearing; Victoria Huang seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

The Chair asked if there was any further discussion.  No one raised any additional questions, concerns, or comments.

Leslie Moore moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed “Ordinance Amending the Duties and Powers of the Central Falls Planning Board” and authorize staff to report this recommendation to the Council; Victoria Huang seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Michael Lester (Chair): Aye

Victoria Huang (Vice Chair): Aye

Leslie Moore (Secretary): Aye

Gerard Levesque: Aye

The motion passed.

VI.            Staff Report

Gerard Levesque moved to table the staff report; Leslie Moore seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

VII.            Adjournment

Victoria Huang moved to adjourn; Gerard Levesque seconded. The motion passed by a voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 2:39 p.m.