I.   Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Michael Lester.

II.  Roll Call

Michael Lester (Chair): present

Victoria Huang (Vice Chair): present

Leslie Moore (Secretary): present

Gerard Levesque: present

Laurilim Rosado: present

Daniel Sierra: absent

The meeting was staffed by Jim Vandermillen, Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Development, and Tyler Miller, Esq., Darrow Everett (legal counsel).

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Approval of Minutes

a.   October 19, 2021 meeting

Leslie Moore moved to table approval of the minutes of the October 19, 2021 meeting until the next meeting; Seconded by Victoria Huang.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

V.  New Business

a.       Presentation, Consideration and Possible Action regarding:

                          i.      Case PB 21-03 – Major Land Development

Pawtucket Central Falls Development Corp., of 204 Broad St., Pawtucket, RI, owner and applicant of 44 Central St. (Plat 1, Lot 261) is seeking Master Plan Approval and Preliminary Plan Approval for a proposed Major Land Development to develop 24 residential units.

Mr. Lester read the description of the case as it appeared in the agenda (text above).

Mr. Vandermillen provided an overview of the application and recommended that the Board combine the Master Plan and Preliminary Plan approval stages.

Mr. Lester entertained a motion to combine Master Plan and Preliminary Plan approval. 

Victoria Huang moved to combine Master Plan and Preliminary Plan approval; Leslie Moore seconded.  The motion passed.

Mr. Lester called the Applicant forward.

Linda Weisinger, Executive Director of Pawtucket Central Falls Development (PCFD), was sworn in by Mr. Miller.  Ms. Weisinger provided background and an overview of PCFD, and described other projects the organization has developed. Ms. Weisinger distributed hardcopies of the Central Falls page of the 2021 Housing Fact Book from Housing Works RI that documents the need for affordable housing.

Andrew Pierson, Director of Real Estate Development for PCFD, was sworn in by Mr. Miller.  Mr. Pierson provided an overview of the proposed development, stating that the subject property was one of 12 sites in a combined scattered-site project; 20 % of the units would be market rate and 80% affordable; 2,200 square feet of commercial space would be included; several funding sources are being pursued to make the development possible; if approved, construction would begin in late 2022 and development is expected to take 18 months; the 24 units would include a mix of 1, 2, and 3-debroom units; and based on their experience and portfolio the 27 parking spaces to be provided would meet the typical demand of one parking space per unit.

Ed Wojcik, of Ed Wojcik Architects, was sworn in by Mr. Miller.  Mr. Wojcik has been working with PCFD for approximately 29 years.  He presented the design, including the site plan and building elevations.

Brian King, of Crossman Engineering, was sworn in by Mr. Miller.  Mr. King explained that Crossman is a Civil Engineering firm and described his role as being responsible for the design of everything outside the building.  He stated that he has worked with PCFD for many years.  Mr. King presented the site plan, explaining how stormwater will be managed on the site, stating that water and sewer would be serviced from High Street, explaining that lighting would not shine onto neighboring properties; and that erosion controls would be in place during construction. 

Mr. Pierson summarized and then invited questions from the Board.

The Applicant team responded to questions from the Board and distributed pages C-1 and C-2 of the site plan.

Mr. Lester entertained a motion to open the public hearing.  Ms. Huang moved to open the public hearing; Mr. Levesque seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Neither of the two members of the public in attendance came forward to provide comments, but Mr. Vandermillen read a letter in support of the project submitted by Ann and Gene Racquier, the owners of 33 Cross Street.

Mr. Lester entertained a motion to close the public hearing.  Ms. Moore moved to close the public hearing; Mr. Levesque seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Mr. Vandermillen read the staff recommendation into the public record.

Mr. Lester asked members of the Board if there was any further discussion or comment.  Ms. Huang stated her positive opinion of the proposed development.

Ms. Rosado stated that she also serves as a member of the PCFD Board, and would abstain from a vote of that Board if this project comes before that body.

Leslie Moore moved to grant Master Plan approval of the Major Land Development proposed for 44 Central Street; Victoria Huang seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:  

Michael Lester – Aye

Leslie Moore – Aye

Victoria Huang – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

The motion passed.

Victoria Huang moved to grant Preliminary Plan approval of the Major Land Development proposed for 44 Central Street, subject to the Zoning Board’s approval of all required variances; Gerard Levesque seconded.  A roll call vote was taken: 

Michael Lester – Aye

Leslie Moore – Aye

Victoria Huang – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

The motion passed.

Gerard Levesque moved that the Planning Board delegate Final Plan Approval to Planning Department staff, with the condition that any significant changes to the development as currently proposed will be submitted to the Board before final approval; Leslie Moore seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Michael Lester – Aye

Leslie Moore – Aye

Victoria Huang – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

The motion passed.

VI. Staff Report

·        Mr. Vandermillen distributed the draft Redevelopment Plan ordinance and Planning Director Thom Deller’s memo requesting the Board’s review.  State Law requires the Planning Board to report to the City Council on a proposed Redevelopment Plan’s conformance to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.  Discussion and a vote will be on the agenda for the next meeting. 

·        Mr. Vandermillen distributed materials for the next meeting of the Pawtucket Central Falls Joint Planning Commission.

VII. Adjournment

Gerard Levesque moved to adjourn; Victoria Huang seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.