I.                     CALL TO ORDER: Board Vice-Chair John Burkhardt called the meeting to order at 6:14 PM

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

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                           ALSO PRESENT:

III.                 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ☒     

Board Vice-Chair John Burkhardt led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance

IV.                 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

a.       May 22, 2024 Meeting

V.                   OLD BUSINESS

a.      Application PB-24-04UDR – Preliminary Plan Review and Request for Zoning Relief

Tabares Bros 3, Inc., 768 Broad St., Central Falls, RI, owner and applicant for 37 Ledge St. (Plat 5, Lot 479), is seeking Master Plan and Preliminary Plan approval for a proposed Major Land Development to develop a 25-unit residential building on the lot and 3 commercial spaces. Pursuant to Unified Development Review, the applicant is also requesting a Use Variance to allow commercial use and Dimensional Variances for relief from minimum lot area per dwelling unit and maximum lot coverage

EXHIBITS:       (Site Plans, Drainage Plan, ESA Phase I)

Mr. Tabares described the project proposed for 37 Ledge Street, a new building with 25 residential units, 3 commercial spaces, and 25 parking spaces. Planning Board Members expressed concerns and inconsistencies as the site plans did not show details such as access to garage and storefronts. Mr. Burkhardt also expressed concerns about the traffic impact and parking on Ledge Street as no parking spaces will be assigned to be used for the proposed commercial areas. There were further questions with regards to the use of a commercial space in a residential area. Mr. Burkhardt also questioned whether this project will be affordable housing or not. Mr. Tabares stated that this project will be market rate only.

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Opening Public Comment.

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

COMMENTORS (Public Hearing):

Wilber Barth III, 37 Ledge St., Central Falls; Via letter (Mr. Barth was present at the hearing)

-          Emailed to City Councilor Meaghan Levasseur (6/19/24), forwarded by Councilor Levasseur to Planning Director Jim Vandermillen (6/26/24); Mr. Barth requested during the hearing that Mr. Vandermillen read the letter

-          Mr. Vandermillen read the letter, which expressed Mr. Barth’s opposition to the project

-          Mr. Barth acknowledged that the letter read by Mr. Vandermillen was the letter he had sent to Councilor Levasseur

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Closing Public Comment.

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Re-Opening Public Comment.

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

COMMENTORS (Public Hearing):

Mr. Levesque asked Mr. Barth the reason for his application last year (referred to in Mr. Barth’s letter) and to which Board Mr. Barth appeared. Mr. Barth clarified that the application was for zoning and the proposal was for a gunsmithing shop. Mr. Vandermillen provided further clarification for the denial of Mr. Barth’s zoning application, which included concerns about public safety.

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Closing Public Comment.

        ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

SUBJECT OF VOTE: Proposal to continue consideration of the application to the next regularly scheduled Planning Board Meeting on July 24, 2024, at 6pm at City Hall.

ACTION:                                APPROVED, 5-0

VI.                 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Mr. Vandermillen provided an update on the status of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Vandermillen mentioned that there has been further discussion about moving forward with the comprehensive plan and, per the Board’s request at the June meeting, distributed to the Planning Board the draft of the scope of work.

Mr. Vandermillen also stated that there will be a staff change, as Jean Martinez will be leaving to take a new position with the State of Massachusetts.  Mr. Vandermillen acknowledged Mr. Martinez’s contributions to the Department and the Board and acknowledged there will be challenges as the Department moves forward to fill the position and restructure.

VII.                MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF REVIEW ADJOURNED AT 7:14 PM:

(2024.06.26, prepared by Jean Martinez, Principal Planner, Department of Planning and Economic Development)

(2024.07.24, revised by Jim Vandermillen, Director, Department of Planning and Economic Development)