Minutes
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 6 P.M.
| DATE APPROVED: | June 26, 2024 |
MEMBERS PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT:
| ABS | Michael Lester, Chair |
| ABS | Gerard Levesque |
| X | 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. April 24, 2024 Meeting
| Motion to Approve by: | Marenzana | Members Voting in Favor: | Figueroa, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Seconded by: | Vallejo | Members Voting Against: | None |
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
| Motion to Open New Business by: | Marenzana | Members Voting in Favor: | Figueroa, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Seconded by: | Vallejo | Members Voting Against: | None |
EXHIBITS: (Proposed Amendments – OMUSOD Findings and Recommendations, Memo, CF Zoning Ordinance – Amendment Osram Overlay)
Mr. Vandermillen mentioned that the planning department had a discussion with the applicant regarding a particular agenda item and application. After this discussion, it was mutually agreed between both parties that it would be best to continue consideration of this specific application. Therefore, at the request of the applicant and with the recommendation of the planning department, the board is being asked to continue consideration of this application until the next regularly scheduled meeting. This will allow more time for review and discussion between the relevant parties before a decision is made on the application in question at a future meeting. Vice-Chairperson Burkhardt asked when the next meeting is. Mr. Vandermillen responded the next meeting would be for June 26, 2024 at 6pm at City Hall.
SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Opening Public Comment.
| Motion to APPROVE by: | Marenzana |
| Seconded by: | Vallejo |
| Members Voting in Favor (Roll Call Vote): | Figueroa, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Members Voting Against: | None |
ACTION: APPROVED, 4-0
COMMENTORS (Public Hearing):
Wilbur Barth, 37 Ledge St., Central Falls raised concerns about parking and commercial space for the proposed development at 37 Ledge Street. Mr. Barth voiced concerns over the proposed commercial development, noting they were recently denied a permit for a home business due to potential increased traffic in the neighborhood. Mr. Barth also questioned how three new commercial businesses could be allowed when their single home business was rejected for traffic reasons, especially given the area already experiences heavy traffic at certain times of day that the neighborhood cannot sustain.
SUBJECT OF VOTE: Approve or deny Closing Public Comment.
| Motion to APPROVE by: | Marenzana |
| Seconded by: | Vallejo |
| Members Voting in Favor (Roll Call Vote): | Figueroa, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Members Voting Against: | None |
ACTION: APPROVED, 4-0
SUBJECT OF VOTE: Propose to move to have a continuation on June 26, 2024 at 6pm at our next regularly scheduled Planning Board Meeting at City Hall.
| Motion to CONTINUE by: | Marenzana |
| Seconded by: | Figueroa |
| Members Voting in Favor (Roll Call Vote): | Figueroa, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Members Voting Against: | None |
ACTION: APPROVED, 4-0
| Motion to Close New Business by: | Marenzana | Members Voting in Favor: | Levesque, Burkhardt, Marenzana, Vallejo |
| Seconded by: | Figueroa | 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 of the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance for the Osram Special Overlay District was approved by the City Council on May 20th in its original form, after receiving the Planning Board's memo and recommendation. Proper public notice procedures were followed for the June 5th meeting, allowing for additional public comments on potential changes to the amendment at that time. The administrative report outlined this process to ensure all procedures were correctly carried out.
Mr. Marenzana asked for clarification on when the Central Falls Planning Board is invited to attend Pawtucket Planning Board meetings as observers without participating in votes. He requested an explanation of the purpose behind the Central Falls Planning Board members observing the Pawtucket meetings in this capacity. Mr. Vandermillen responded in researching the background on the joint planning commission between Central Falls and Pawtucket, a previous memo from the Special Projects Coordinator indicated the intent was for it to be a joint committee where both cities' planning board members could participate and vote on proposals spanning city lines. However, only the host city's planning board vote is required for approval. Vandermillen finds this a bit contradictory and plans to further discuss the proper procedures with Pawtucket to clarify the role of Central Falls Planning Board members in these joint meetings.
Mr. Marenzana also questioned the status of contract for the Comprehensive rewrite of the plan and Mr. Vandermillen responded in reaching out to the city solicitor and chief of staff about moving forward with a recommendation, there was no progress. Mr. Vandermillen informed the chief of staff they are prepared to proceed as recommended, but the law department still needs to review it as a legal contract. Mr. Vandermillen expressed interest in getting started but believes there may be a desire to first get through the zoning process. Mr. Vandermillen emphasized his eagerness to move the process forward and promised to provide updates as soon as anything develops.
Discussion on the potential implementation of electronic note-taking for future meetings was discussed.
Mr. Vandermillen also mentioned there is a pending application for next month.
| Motion to Approve by: | Figueroa | Members Voting in Favor: | All (Voice Vote) |
| Seconded by: | Vallejo | Members Voting Against: | None |
(2024.05.22), Jean Martinez, Principal Planner, Department of Planning and Economic Development