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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING – TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
JOURNAL/MINUTES OF MEETING
MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6:00P.M.
MARTIN MIDDLESCHOOL
111 BROWN STREET
EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02914
City Council:
Council President, Robert Britto - Ward 1
Council Vice-President: Bob Rodericks - At Large
Councilwoman Anna Sousa -Ward 2
Councilman Nate Cahoon -Ward 3
Councilman Ricardo Mourato - Ward 4
City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello
City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett
Rezone and Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Owner: Metacomet Property Company LLC
Petitioner: Marshall Development LLC
Street address: 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Location: Map 107, Block 15, Parcel 1
AND
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE 2010-2015 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
AND
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 19 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTILTED,
"ZONING"
For full ordinance language, visit:
https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri
They will be listed under 08/11/2020Council Meeting Agenda. Hyperlinks will be available to click on.
This meeting will be held in person at the above address.
This is a public hearing.
The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 9:00 p.m. The Council will maintain a three minute time limit per speaker.
This meeting will also be offered on Zoom as an alternate method of participation.
The Zoom meeting information is: Log onto: www.zoom.us
Meeting/Webinar ID: 993 0796 0324
Passcode: 653929
You can also copy and paste the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/99307960324?pwd=NDA5bHVhQVdhYIRtcmZXUUpMdllDZz09
To join in audio only call: 877 853 5247 (Toll Free)
Meeting/Webinar ID: 993 0796 0324
Passcode: 653929
For those unable to attend the meeting, but would like to have their comments included on the record, all notifications must be received by the City Clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. All written communication can be dropped off in the City Hall dropbox, mailed to: East Providence City Hall-City Clerk, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, 02914 or emailed at:
sburnett@eastprovidenceri.gov.
If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett at 401.435.7596.
LIST OF SPEAKERS THAT PARTICIPATED VERBALLY:
1. Senator William Conley – supportive and presenter
2. Lianne Marshall – supportive and presenter
3. Matt Smith – presenter
4. Jeff Dirk – presenter
5. Mena (young woman) - opposed
6. Carl Sherry of Greenwood Avenue - supportive
7. Kimberly Francis - opposed
8. Catherine Vieria-Baker of Carousel Drive - concerned
9. Candy Seel - opposed
10. Matt Sluter - supportive
11. John Kennedy of Riverside - opposed
12. Lynn Miller - opposed
13. Ben Schwartz of Howland Ave - opposed
14. Gail Ahlers of Bond Road - opposed
15. Michael Zairon of North Hampton in Warwick - opposed
16. Pam Nunes of Port Street - opposed
17. Ruarri Miller - supportive
18. Terrance of South Broadway - opposed
19. Cynthia Mendes - opposed
20. Lauren Leonard - opposed
21. Mary Madgee of Church Street - opposed
22. Sue Prentis of Euclid Avenue - opposed
23. Patrick Brennan of Bent Road - opposed
24. Mary Dwyer of Spring Street - opposed
25. Delmar Condinho - supportive
26. Denny Morse (sp) of Peck Avenue - opposed
27. Anthony Tebo of Mason Street - opposed
28. Jim Cunningham of East Providence (off Martin Street) - opposed
29. Kathy Webber of Bayview Avenue - opposed
30. Greg Olson of Fischer Street - opposed
Three other speakers were not captured in this due to audio technical issues. Two were opposed, one was supportive.
CLERKS’ note: Presentation provided by Marshall Properties, and their development team, (including legal representation) is available in both physical and digital format in the archives. Presentation has been filed with the minutes for reference.
Councilman Cahoon made the motion to continue the meeting to Zoom on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Council President Motion passes 5-0.
City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett, stated that all correspondence via email or mail that all were captured and each Council member received a copy of each letter submitted through the City Clerk.
Candy Seel, resident, asked if the meeting on August 26, 2020 will need to be published for three weeks again.
Solicitor Marcello responded and say it will not, because this is a continuation of the current public hearing tonight, and the City Clerk will be posting the meeting notice on the Secretary of State. Marcello stated there were about 15 people who were in line to speak via Zoom but could not due to technical difficulties, and this includes Marshall Developers.
Zach Darrow, presenter and legal team member for Marshall Properties, addressed the Council. He asked that the Council fact check and verify information they receive and provided several examples.
William Conley, presenter, and legal team member for Marshall Properties, addressed the Council. He stated that the Planning Board provides the Council with an advisory opinion and requested this opinion be a part of the record). He stated the Planning Board found that their petition to rezone the property, that would be known as, “Metacomet Sub-District" voted unanimously that Marshall Development met the objectives, requirements and legal standards in Section 19-2 in the Zoning Chapter (East Providence City Ordinances).
Councilman Mourato had a few questions for the Marshall team regarding the American Planning Association and factors on how people choose where to live. He addressed concern that he felt the Marshall team seemed to be referring to a lawsuit against the City.
William Conley stated that he has an obligation on the record to state that they met requirements based on the ordinances of the City.
Lianne Marshall provided closing comments to the public and City Council. She did state that she would like the opportunity where both sides can be heard and all can be respectful of each other.
Council President Britto stated that Public Comment was closed.
Councilman Cahoon stated at the next meeting, he requested to learn Marshall is anticipating any TIF’s and if there can be a discussion on the record.
Ms. Marshall stated that yes, they can have that discussion.
It was asked by a member in the audience asked about questions of the next meeting, (CLERK’S note: the member in the audience not identified or approached the podium or microphone).
Councilman Cahoon responded that the next meeting is a continuation for Marshall to finish their presentation, and hear from those who wanted to speak but could not due to technical difficulties.
Solicitor Marcello approached the podium stated that a public hearing is an opportunity for the Council to hear all sides and for the Council to have their questions answered. He stated that this is not the most opportune way to handle a public hearing, but we must allow people to participate remotely during the pandemic. Next meeting will be an all electronic meeting and should avoid the technical issues that were had tonight.
Council Vice President Rodericks asked the community to please exercise common sense through this process. He stated that he has heard all the sides.
A member in the audience asked additional questions, regarding posting of meeting notifications.
Councilman Cahoon recognized the member as a Mrs. Lowell, stating that the meeting notification will be posted on the Secretary of State website at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. The member in the audience then asked about the 200 foot abutter notices, and she was told by Councilman Cahoon that those notices are not given by the Council.
Meeting to recess and continue the meeting to Wednesday, August 26, 2020 made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 5-0. Meeting is recessed until Wednesday, August 26, 2020.