Minutes
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 6 P.M.
| DATE APPROVED: | May 22, 2024 |
MEMBERS PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT:
| ABS | Michael Lester, Chair |
| X | Gerard Levesque |
| ABS | Hugo Figueroa |
| X | John Burkhardt |
| X | John Marenzana |
| X | Erika Vallejo, 1st Alternate |
| X | Jim Vandermillen, Planning Department |
| X | Dane Ardente, Legal Counsel |
| X | Jean Martinez, PED |
Board Vice-Chair John Burkhardt led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance
a. March 27, 2024 Meeting
| Motion to Approve by: | Levesque | Members Voting in Favor: | Levesque, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Seconded by: | Vallejo | Members Voting Against: | None |
a. Presentation, Consideration and Possible Action regarding:
i. Application PB-24-02UDR – Preliminary Plan Review
Elie Osko, P.O. Box 236, Lincoln, RI, owner and applicant for 79 School St. (Plat 4, Lot 378) submitted an application requesting Preliminary Plan Approval and, under unified development review, zoning relief for a proposed Minor Land Development at the March 27, 2024 Planning Board meeting
EXHIBITS: Hard Copy of Presentation (Site Plan and concept)
Mr. Shekarchi revisited the purpose for this meeting and the conditions that were set by the Planning Board members. Board members were in agreement with the Applicant’s representative with regards to the changes that were delivered. Mr. Vandermillen mentioned that plans were reviewed and the conditions were met.
SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or Deny the acknowledge the changes for the reduction in height 40 ft. to 35 ft., units from 9 to 6, and front yard setback from 6.6 ft. to 12 ft.
| Motion to ACCEPT by: | Levesque |
| Seconded by: | Marenzana |
| Members Voting in Favor (Roll Call Vote): | Levesque, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Members Voting Against: | None |
ACTION: APPROVED, 4-0
a. Proposed amendments to the following sections of the Central Falls Zoning Ordinance: amend Section 101.4 to create a OMUSOD Osram mixed-use special overlay district, Section 304 to allow self-storage for existing buildings within the OMUSOD district, and Section 603 to outline the parameters of the OMUSOD district.
i. Review of proposed amendments
ii. Consideration and possible vote on findings and recommendations of the proposed amendments to be reported to the City Council
| Motion to Open New Business by: | Levesque | Members Voting in Favor: | Levesque, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Seconded by: | Marenzana | Members Voting Against: | None |
EXHIBITS: (Proposed Amendments – OMUSOD Findings and Recommendations, Memo, CF Zoning Ordinance – Amendment Osram Overlay)
Mr. Vandermillen mentioned that there is a proposed amendment of a creation of an overlay district. This overlay district encourages a mixed of uses in industrial areas. Mr. Vandermillen mentioned that any new proposed development might need the review of the Planning Board review. Board members asked questions about this proposed amendment including the reason as to why certain percentages could not be applied to the existing building. Mr. Vandermillen mentioned that the self-storage is not an improvement, however, as part of a whole, if that use allows for a more beneficial mix of uses, then Mr. Vandermillen would recommend approving this. Mr. Marenzana recommends no more than 25% of the existing structure can be used for self-storage and follows by asking if the developer has set a number in mind of the existing structure to be used for self-storage. Mr. Vandermillen responded that the developer would want to use the property for self-storage without necessarily having a set percentage in mind.
RECOMMENDATION: Planning Board members will draft a recommendation that will be circulated among the members of the board that will then be forwarded to the Planning Department and transmit that recommendation and request be made by the Administrative Officer to send recommendations to the City Council.
| Motion to Close New Business by: | Levesque | Members Voting in Favor: | Levesque, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Seconded by: | Vallejo | Members Voting Against: | None |
| Motion to Open Admin. Report by: | Burkhardt | Members Voting in Favor: | Levesque, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Seconded by: | Levesque | Members Voting Against: | None |
Mr. Vandermillen provides an update to the City will engage in the services of a consultant to work with the City to prepare the Comprehensive Plan. The City has made this tied closely to changes being worked on for the zoning ordinance and land development regulations. Darrow Everett is the law firm that has been helping the City to make changes that will be completed before being approved by Council.
Mr. Vandermillen also mentioned there is a pending application for next month.
| Motion to Approve by: | Levesque | Members Voting in Favor: | All (Voice Vote) |
| Seconded by: | Marenzana | Members Voting Against: | None |
(2024.04.24), Jean Martinez, Principal Planner, Department of Planning and Economic Development