I.            Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Michael Lester at 6:06 pm

    II.            Roll Call

Michael Lester (Chair): present (via Zoom)

Leslie Moore (Vice Chair): present (via Zoom)

Gerard Levesque (Secretary): present (at 1280 High Street)

Laurilim Rosado: present (via Zoom)

Hugo Figueroa: present (via Zoom)

Victoria Huang: absent

The meeting was staffed by Jim Vandermillen, Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Development (present at 1280 High Street) and Tyler Miller, Esq., Legal Counsel (via Zoom)

 III.            Pledge of Allegiance

  IV.            Approval of Minutes

a.       October 27, 2021 meeting

Gerard Levesque moved to table approval of the minutes of the October 27, 2021 meeting; Seconded by Leslie Moore.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

b.      January 26, 2022 meeting

Hugo Figueroa moved to table approval of the minutes of the January 26, 2022 meeting; Seconded by Laurilim Rosado.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

     V.            New Business

Leslie Moore moved to open new business; Gerard Levesque seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

a.       Presentation, Consideration and Possible Action regarding:

                                    i.         Case PB 22-01 – Major Land Development

Phoenix Central Falls Industrial Investors LLC, of 401 East Kilbourn Ave, Suite 201, Milwaukee, WI, applicant and owner of 1154 Broad St., 1159 Broad St., and 85 Hunt St. (Plat 3, Lot 3; Plat 2, Lot 30; and Plat 2, Lot 196, respectively) is seeking Preliminary Plan Approval for a proposed Major Land Development to redevelop the former manufacturing facility as warehouse and distribution space.

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

Mr. Lester called the Applicant forward.

Ryan Scrittorale, PE, of Benesch Engineering, was sworn in by Mr. Miller and presented on behalf of the Applicant.

Mr. Scrittorale, a Civil Engineer, provided an overview of the site, including the existing site and the proposed development, sharing his screen to enable participants to see the plans.  He summarized the traffic study that had been prepared for the proposed development and stated that in his professional opinion the proposed development would not adversely affect traffic.

Mr. Scrittorale responded to questions from the Board and staff.

Mr. Lester entertained a motion to open the public hearing.  Leslie Moore moved to open the public hearing; Laurilim Rosado seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Jon Wojcik of 87 Cross Street, Central Falls, was sworn in by Mr. Miller.  Mr. Wojcik asked questions about the truck traffic that would be coming to the site and the routes they would use.  Mr. Vandermillen read from page 4 of the traffic study, and Mr. Scrittorale explained that a lengthy study was done and the intersection of Broad and Hunt Street is the only one where there would be an issue that would require modifications.  Mr. Wojcik also questioned, with the presence of a bike lane, whether the travel lane would be wide enough for large truck.  Mr. Vandermillen commented that the new lanes on Broad Street had been designed for RIDOT and followed standards. 

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

Mr. Vandermillen read the staff memo to the Board recommending Preliminary Plan approval with the conditions that (a.) the Administrative Officer is satisfied that all required State permits have been obtained or will be obtained prior to construction of the specific aspects of the plan subject to such permits, (b.) if a portion of the site is made available to the City for housing such that the traffic and stormwater analyses provided with the current Preliminary Plan will not be adversely affected, the revised plans will be reviewed and approved by the Administrative Officer, and (c.) Final Plan review will be conducted by the Administrative Officer, and should there be any significant changes the final plans would be presented to the Planning Board.

Michael Lester asked whether the Board vote should be continued. 

Leslie Moore asked whether granting preliminary approval would disincentivize the applicant to continue discussions with the Planning Department.

Mr. Miller explained that a vote would be needed to accept whether a vote to accept or deny the application is done with the understanding that required permits must be obtained and any change of use would need to go back to the Board.

Leslie Moore moved to vote on whether to approve or deny the application with the condition that the applicant must obtain required permits and that any change of use would have to go back to the Board; Gerard Levesque seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Leslie Moore – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

Hugo Figueroa – Aye

Michael Lester – Aye

The motion passed.

Leslie Moore moved to approve the application for Preliminary Plan approval with the condition that all necessary permits be obtained, and that the plan will come back to the Planning Board if there are any significant changes to use; Gerard Levesque seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Leslie Moore – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

Hugo Figueroa – Aye

Michael Lester – Aye

The motion passed.

                                  ii.    Case PB 22-02 – Major Land Development

Jeffrey L. Lykins, of 110 ½ South Killingly Rd., Foster, RI, applicant for 387 Broad St. and 59 Clay St. (Plat 1, Lots 70 and 34, respectively, owned by Jetender Behl/R&J LLC, of 12 Valleybrook Dr., East Greenwich, RI) is seeking Master Plan Approval for a proposed Major Land Development to develop 31 residential units and parking.  The Planning Board may also consider Preliminary Plan Approval during this meeting if requirements have been met by the applicant to the satisfaction of the Board.

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

Mr. Vandermillen stated that the requirements for both Master Plan and Preliminary Plan Review have been satisfied, and recommended that the two stages of review be combined.

Gerard Levesque moved to combine Master Plan Review and Preliminary Plan Review; Leslie Moore seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Mr. Lester called the Applicant forward.

Mr. Miller swore in Jeffrey Lykins, the project architect from 110 ½ South Killingly Rd., Foster, RI.

Mr. Miller swore in Jetender Behl of R&J LLC, the property owner, from 12 Valleybrook Dr., East Greenwich, RI

Mr. Lykins, provided an overview of the plans to redevelop the building at 387 Broad St. to provide 31 residential units and to provide parking on site at 387 Broad St. and at 59 Clay St.  Mr. Lykins stated that his client is in the process of obtaining 59 Clay St.

Gerard Levesque moved to open the public hearing; Laurilim Rosado seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Jon Wojcik of 87 Cross Street, Central Falls, asked questions and commented on parking, emergency vehicles, and traffic.  He stated that he supports the project but recommends watching the traffic.

Mr. Lester asked how many parking spaces would be provided.  Mr. Lykins responded; 27 spaces will be provided if both properties are developed.

Gerard Levesque moved to close the public hearing; Hugo. Figueroa seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Mr. Vandermillen presented an overview of the staff review of the applications and recommended approval of the Master Plan. 

Gerard Levesque moved to approve the Master Plan; Laurilim Rosado seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Leslie Moore – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

Hugo Figueroa – Aye

Michael Lester – Aye

The motion passed.

Mr. Vandermillen recommended Preliminary Plan approval and restated the conditions for approval: Zoning Board approval of any required zoning relief, and submission of engineering details for stormwater management; final plan approval to be granted by Planning Department staff. 

Michael Lester entertained a motion to grant Preliminary Plan approval subject to conditions.

Leslie Moore moved to grant Preliminary Plan approval subject to Zoning Board approval of any required relief from the zoning ordinance, review of stormwater plans by staff, and owner obtaining ownership of 59 Clay Street, with Final Plan approval granted to Planning Department Staff.  Gerard Levesque seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken:

Leslie Moore – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

Hugo Figueroa – Aye

Michael Lester – Aye

The motion passed.

                                iii.         Case #PB-22-03 – Major Land Development

Jeffrey L. Lykins, of 110 ½ South Killingly Rd., Foster, RI, applicant for 690 Lonsdale Ave. and 1 Orchard St. (Plat 9, Lots 58 and 58A, respectively, owned by Carlos Ramirez, of 45 Mavis St., Pawtucket, RI) is seeking Master Plan Approval for a proposed Major Land Development to develop 6 residential units and a commercial building.  The Planning Board may also consider Preliminary Plan Approval during this meeting if requirements have been met by the applicant to the satisfaction of the Board.

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

Mr. Vandermillen stated that the requirements for both Master Plan and Preliminary Plan Review have been satisfied, and recommended that the two stages of review be combined.

Michael Lester entertained a motion to combine Master Plan and Preliminary Plan Review.

Gerard Levesque moved to combine Master Plan Review and Preliminary Plan Review; Leslie Moore seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Mr. Miller swore in Jeffrey Lykins, the project architect from 110 ½ South Killingly Rd., Foster, RI.so his client can obtain the property. 

Mr. Lykins, provided an overview of the proposed plans to develop the properties.  He explained that the properties are in receivership, and his client is in the process of working with the (court-appointed) receiver to obtain the properties.   Mr. Lykins responded to questions from the Board. 

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

No one was present to provide public comment.

Hugo Figueroa moved to close the public hearing; Laurilim Rosado seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

Mr. Vandermillen presented the Planning Department staff’s recommendation to approve the Master Plan and Preliminary Plan.

Michael Lester entertained a motion to approve or deny the Master Plan for 690 Lonsdale Avenue and 1 Orchard Street.

Gerard Levesque moved to approve the Master Plan Plan for 690 Lonsdale Avenue and 1 Orchard Street; Laurilim Rosado seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Leslie Moore – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

Hugo Figueroa – Aye

Michael Lester – Aye

The motion passed.

Michael Lester entertained a motion to approve or deny the Preliminary Plan for 690 Lonsdale Avenue and 1 Orchard Street subject to Zoning Board approval of any required relief from the zoning ordinance, and review of stormwater plans, with Final Plan approval granted to Planning Department Staff. 

Gerard Levesque moved to approve the Preliminary Plan for 690 Lonsdale Avenue and 1 Orchard Street subject to Zoning Board approval of any required relief from the zoning ordinance, and review of stormwater plans by staff, with Final Plan approval granted to Planning Department Staff ; Leslie Moore seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

Leslie Moore – Aye

Gerard Levesque – Aye

Laurilim Rosado – Aye

Hugo Figueroa – Aye

Michael Lester – Aye

The motion passed.

b.      Program Year 2020-2021 Community Development Block Grant Application – Compliance of Proposed Activities with City’s Comprehensive Plan

                                       i.      Presentation of proposed activities

•         Proposed Public Facilities and Improvements Activities

1.       Jenks Park and Cogswell Tower Improvements - Phase II

2.       Train Station/Bus Hub Access - Phase II

3.       Community Center Improvements

•         Proposed Public Services Activities

1.       Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center – Homeless Victim Support

2.       Family Services of Rhode Island – Link-to-Quality-Jobs

3.       Project Weber/RENEW – Overdose Prevention

4.       The ELISHA Project – Share Box and Share Market

•         Proposed Planning Activity

1.       Comprehensive Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance Updates

Mr. Vandermillen provided a summary of the projects and public services that will be included in the City’s application. 

                                     ii.      Review of proposed activities for determination of conformance with Comprehensive Plan and State Guide Plan

To assist the Board in its review of the proposals to ensure conformance with the general policies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan, Mr. Vandermillen presented a memo that referred to the State Goals, Municipal Goals, and Municipal Policies included in the Comprehensive Plan that were pertinent to each of the proposed projects and public services that will be included in the City’s application. 

                                   iii.      Consideration and possible action with respect to conformance with Comprehensive Plan and State Guide Plan

Mr. Levesque moved to approve certification of the proposed activities to be included in the City’s CDBG application based on the staff’s findings and recommendations.   The motion was seconded by Mr. Figueroa.  Mr. Levesque, Ms. Rosado, Mr. Figueroa, and Mr. Lester voted to approve; Ms. Moore abstained. The motion to approve certification passed.

  VI.            Staff Report

VII.            Adjournment – Next scheduled meeting: March 23, 2022 

Mr. Levesque moved to adjourn.   The motion was seconded by Mr. Figueroa.  The motion passed by a voice vote.  The meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.