I.                     CALL TO ORDER: Board Chair Michael Lester called the meeting to order at 6:07 PM

II.                   ROLL CALL (X for PRESENT, ABS for ABSENT)

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                           ALSO PRESENT:

III.                 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ☒     

Board Chair Michael Lester led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance

IV.                 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

a.       November 15, 2023 Meeting

V.                   NEW BUSINESS

a.       Presentation, Consideration and Possible Action regarding:

VI.                 EXHIBITS:       Hard Copy of Presentation (Project Narrative, Site Plan, Deed, RIDEM Minutes, Will Serve Letter from NBC, PSWB Letter, Pimentel Planner Report, Traffic Report,)

Mr. Jedele recapped since last meeting the purpose of the project outlining that it is a project intending to create housing and cater to individuals with income no greater than 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). With several units maintained at 30% for individuals to have access to safe and modern housing.

Mr. Ford explained that there is a greater detail in the stormwater drainage system from what was shown in the Master Plan review. The drainage design has not been changed in its configuration. Mr. Ford mentioned that the drainage system proposals are being met in accordance to RIDEM regulations. Mr. Ford answered questions from the Board such as the dimensions of the building and whether it the generator will have any disturbance in the neighborhood from the sounds it will be making. Designs have been considered to reduce the noise from the generator.

Mr. Bannon stated that a traffic safety assessment has been created for this project. As part of the effort, site plans have been reviewed to ensure that the design provides safe and adequate access for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. There has been site traffic done to include roadway geometry, physical features, signage. With the Central Falls Police Department, safety concerns have been discussed within the general area of the subject property. Assessed an estimate of volume of traffic according to the general size of use and assessed safety and operation of the general project area. Board members asked questions such as from Mr. Levesque with regards to school bus and their drop offs in the intersection of Illinois and School Street and how it can become congested with vehicles and safety is a concern. Mr. Bannon responded by saying that there is no impact with drop offs and continual vehicular traffic.

Mr. Spinella responded to Board Member regarding the lighting of certain areas of the subject property and stated that RI Housing requires security lighting for visual protection and there has been security plants to make sure that those requirements are addressed.

Mr. Miller swore in Mr. Ford as expert witness

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Accept or Deny Expert in Civil Engineer, Jonathan Ford of Horsley Witten Group.

                ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Accept or Deny CV of Civil Engineer, Jonathan Ford of Horsley Witten as Exhibit C.

                ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

Mr. Miller swore in Mr. Bannon as expert witness

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Accept or Deny Expert in Traffic Engineer, Paul Bannon of Crossman Engineering.

                ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Accept or Deny CV of Traffic Engineer, Paul Bannon of Crossman Engineering as Exhibit B.

                ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Accept or Deny Traffic Report as Exhibit A.

Board members did not vote to accept or deny the Traffic Report as Exhibit A.

Mr. Miller swore in Mr. Spinella as expert witness

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Opening Public Comment.

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

COMMENTORS (Public Hearing): None.

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Closing Public Comment.

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

Mr. Vandermillen read the zoning staff report into the record.

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny the Applicant’s request Dimensional Variances for minimum lot area per dwelling unit. 

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny the Applicant’s request Dimensional Variances for maximum height. 

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny the Applicant’s request Dimensional Variances for minimum front, rear, and side yard setbacks. 

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny the Applicant’s request Dimensional Variances for maximum lot coverage. 

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

Mr. Vandermillen read the planning staff report into the record.

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny the Applicant’s request for Preliminary Plan approval of a Major Land Development to develop 58 residential units on the lots which, when merged, will have an area of approximately 19,100 sq. ft.

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

VII.               ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Mr. Vandermillen thanks the Board for providing input as the City works to update the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Miller explains that the Unified Development Review is a new change for all municipalities in Rhode Island.

VIII.              MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF REVIEW ADJOURNED AT 7:54 PM:

(2024.01.11), Jean Martinez, Principal Planner, Department of Planning and Economic Development