SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES

 

Monday, September 30, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Special Meeting of the City Council was held in the City of Cranston Council Chambers, Cranston City Hall, 869 Park Ave., Cranston, RI 02910, for the purpose of considering the following items listed on the agenda. Remote participation was also available.

 

YouTube Livestream

 

The meeting was also live streamed on YouTube. Click the link below to view the meeting. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtE9vwA1B1PQHuftrNPcZjg.

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:34 P.M. by the Council President Jessica M. Marino.

 

II.                ROLL CALL

 

The roll was called by the Clerk.  Stated as present:  Councilman Robert J. Ferri, Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, Councilwoman Kristen E. Haroian, Councilman John P. Donegan, Councilman Richard D. Campopiano, Councilman Christopher G. Paplauskas, Councilman Daniel Wall, Council Vice-President Lammis J. Vargas and Council President Jessica M. Marino.  Also Present:  Planning Director Jason Pezzullo, Asst. Solicitor John Verdecchia, and City Clerk T. Nelson. 

 

III.             PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT (Votes may be taken)

 

Douglas Doe, 178 Lippitt Ave. has two minor corrections to the existing plan.  In the Appendix, under the long list of zoning changes, Plat 23/Lot 16 is listed as going from A80 to A20.  In reality it’s open space.  On page 419 there’s a map that shows developed land.  The solar projects are listed as forest, woodlands, or agricultural land.  In reality it’s been bulldozed and clearcut.  It’s clearly developed land and should be shown in the map as developed land.  He also suggested providing a colored map of the changes so the public doesn’t have to look them up individually.

 

Albert Scaralia, address not provided, stated he is here for a zone change.  Back in 2012, the property he owned was an A20.  It’s been changed in the last few years to A80.  95% of the property is A20.  The abutting property is all A20.  He would like the zoning changed back to A20.

 

Council President Marino thanked Mr. Scaralia for his comments and explained Council could not engage but would take his comments under consideration.    

 

 

IV.             REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

 

Report from the Chair, Council Vice-President Vargas, on the SPECIAL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE meeting held September 26, 2024: 

 

09-24-01 ORDINANCE Approving the 2024 Comprehensive Plan of the City of Cranston; as recommended by the Planning Commission; Sponsored by Council President Jessica M. Marino; as recommended by the Ordinance Committee at a special meeting held September 26, 2024

(vote may be taken)  [Proposed Comp Plan as of 9-24-2024]*

 

* Please note the attached Proposed 2024 Comprehensive Plan does not reflect any changes that may be made as result of the public hearing held before the Ordinance Committee on September 26, 2024.

 

MOTION made by Councilwoman Renzulli, SECOND by Councilman Donegan to approve Ordinance 9-24-01 approving the 2024 Comprehensive Plan.

 

Discussion:

 

Director Pezzullo pointed out that the changes were made to correct the omissions brought up by former Councilman Stykos at the 9/26/24 public hearing.  They are included in the current draft on the website.  There were no additional changes.

 

Council President Marino explained this is Phase 1 of the process.  Phase 2 is a more in-depth process that will include more public discussion and policy changes.

 

T. Nelson clarified that the version of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan being approved is the version provided by the Planning Director this afternoon, with the corrections referenced by Director Pezzullo; not the version linked to the agenda which does not reflect those corrections.

 

VOTE ON MOTION:  Ayes – 9 (unanimous)

 

 

V.                ADJOURNMENT   (Vote may be taken)

 

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECOND by Councilman Wall to adjourn at 5:46 P.M.                    All Ayes

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Tracy A. Nelson, City Clerk

 

 

Minutes approved as written October 28, 2024

 

 

Attest:  ____________________________

                  Tracy A. Nelson, City Clerk