***** UNAPPROVED MINUTES *****
PLANNING
COMMISSION MINUTES
The meeting was
called to order at
Andrew Kallfelz Betty Hubbard
Victor
Calabretta Jean
MacGregor Brown
William Kelly
Also present:
Lisa Bryer,
AICP Town Planner
A. Lauriston
Parks Town Solicitor
Richard Pastore
Town Engineering Consultant
Peter Brockmann
- Attorney
Kevin Fetzer,
Class IV Soil Evaluator, Ecotones
Nicholas
Piampiano PE
Anthony and
Lorana DeMedeiros
Sav Rebecchi
Charlotte
Zarlengo
Leo Erara
I. Approval of
Minutes from
A motion
was made by Commissioner Hubbard and seconded by Commissioner Calabretta to
accept the minutes as written. So
unanimously voted. William Kelly
abstains.
Commissioner
Holland arrives at
II. Correspondence
1. CRMC Permit to alter Freshwater Wetlands Andrea Colognese and
Doriana Carella 2 Watson Ave,
2. CRMC Assent Joseph Maraia 19 Seaside Dr. Jamestown, RI 02835; to
construct modifications to and existing residential dock by replacing the 3x
20 ramp and 6x 20 float with a 4 x 20 (elevated) access platform and
install one tie-off piling. The terminus
of the pier will (remain the same) extend to 50 feet beyond mean low water. Located plat 14
3. FYI Memo re: Amendment to the
III. Citizens Non
Agenda Item nothing at this time
IV. Reports
1.
Town Planners Report
Town Planner Lisa Bryer reported that
there will be a site visit with Conservation Commission on Saturday March 27 at
2.
Town Committees
Commissioner Kallfelz reported on the new
touch and go facility at east ferry.
Looking at definitive plan for 1000 ft. CRMC line.
3.
Sub Committees
V. Old Business
1. Star Snell
2. Zoning
Ordinance - Article 314 protection of critical lands containing freshwater
wetlands, high ground water table and/or shallow impervious layer Amendments
- Continued
VI. New Business
Attorney Peter Brockman representing Kevin Fetzer, Class IV Soil
Evaluator, Nicholas Piampiano, PE and
Anthony and Lorana Demedeiros. Peter
Brockman made the presentation and noted that there were several items in the
Planners Memo that he would like to address, there are 1.5 full baths and not
2. Mr. Brockman reported that living
space is 2,224 square feet; 1,112 square foot footprint, plus a 2 car
garage. Mr. Brockman read from the URI
fact sheet prepared by URI for the Source Water Assessment entitled Protect your
drinking water, he noted that septic systems are helpful in recharging the
groundwater, he also stated that substandard systems are the greatest
threat. Mr. Brockman read from the
Jamestown Comprehensive Community Plan, on page 2 in the preamble, regarding
managing growth and the density in the shores.
The subject lot is a 15,360 square foot lot.
Kevin Fetzer who is with Ecotones was
questioned by Mr. Brockman. He did two
test pits per the DEM rules, and encountered a 12 inch watertable, and no class
9 soils. Class 7 soil has a perc rate of
20 minutes per inch. Nick Piampiano,
P.E. questioned by Mr. Brockman as the
engineer of record. The system to be
used will be the Advantex bottomless sand filter system. The stormwater drainage is to be handled by
using leaders to be discharged into the driveway with 2 feet of crushed
stone. The dwelling will be slab on
grade, with footings just below frost level.
Mr. Richard Pastore, town engineering
consultant answered a question about building footings being on fill. He
stated, it is not an ideal situation, but as long as they are properly
compacted, then it should be O.K. Mr.
Brockman stated that the overall density in the area is approximately Ύ acres
per house. He did not feel that many of
the surrounding lots could be developed because of environmental reasons such
as wetlands and some lots have been merged to make 14,400 square feet in the
R-40 district.
The fill issue was discussed. Nick Piampiano the P.E. stated that the
maximum amount of fill was 4.5 feet around house. The issue of the two extra rooms on the third
floor was discussed with respect to being bedrooms in the future. Mr. Brockman stated that in the long run, the
property may be better off environmentally because of the drainage in the
driveway and the recharge capacity of the ISDS.
Commissioner Calabretta quoted the
ordinance with respect to the least disturbance to the site. Mr. Brockman stated that he felt that the
intent of the ordinance is that least disturbance does not refer to the amount
of soil being moved or cleared.
Commissioner Holland questioned the
storage capacity of the driveway and whether the water will run over the
driveway and not infiltrate. Mr. Pastore
responded that the void space in the gravel would respond to capacity as well
as slope.
Total impervious surface is approximately
6.7 percent. Commissioner Kallfelz
commented that the overall size of the structure does not provide least site
disturbance as suggested by the ordinance.
Town Solicitor Larry Parks responded to a
comment by Commissioner Kallfelz stating that denial in this type of advisory
capacity would not prevent the applicant from re-applying to the Planning
Commission with a new plan or moving directly onto the Zoning Board.
Sav Rebecchi, as president of the
Jamestown Shores Association was concerned about the height of the structure,
not so much the footprint. He would
rather have it fitted with a 4 bedroom ISDS rather than 2 bedroom ISDS knowing
that it may be used in the future in excess of a two bedroom dwelling. The engineer stated that the ISDS is
oversized for a 2 bedroom system and could accommodate 3-4 bedrooms.
Charlotte Zarlengo stated that allowing 4
+ feet of fill on a sensitive piece of property like this is not acceptable and
asked the Planning Commission to enforce the ordinance that we all worked so
hard to adopt.
Leo Erara stated that the water has to go
somewhere when it is displaced and the Planning Commission should enforce the
ordinance.
Commissioner Kallfelz asked the opinion
of the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Holland stated it is a good
plan and he has sympathy for the fact that this is a double lot, but still is
far undersized for the respective zoning.
He would like to uphold the minimum disturbance criteria that the
Planning Commission developed.
Commissioner Hubbard agreed with
Commissioner Holland.
Commissioner Brown stated they have done
a good job trying to address all the issues, she would like to see this pass,
but noted that the Planning Commission does have a job to do.
Commissioner Kelly stated that he is
concerned with size of house with respect to the size of lot.
Commissioner Calabretta noted that he has
been consistent with this issue and that this proposal does not meet the
minimum disturbance standard set forth in the ordinance.
Lorana Demedeiros spoke about trying to
do everything possible to meet the requirements of the ordinance.
Anthony Demedeiros spoke with respect to the house size not being any
relation to the number of occupants. He
does not think that they are asking for an excessive house. DEM approved the system and feels that the
system will work because it is oversized.
Commissioner Kallfelz addressed the job
of the Planning Commission is to address the standards. He asked for a motion.
Commissioner Brown asked for
clarification on the minimum disturbance standards developed by the Planning
Commission. Richard Pastore, Town
Engineering Consultant addressed the Planning Commission regarding fill and drainage.
Commissioner Calabretta made a motion to
deny the development plan that has been presented to the Planning Commission
because it does not represent the least possible disturbance to the site. This motion was seconded by Commissioner
Hubbard. So voted:
Andrew Kallfelz Aye Betty Hubbard Aye
Victor Calabretta Aye Jean MacGregor Brown
Nay
William Kelly Aye Barry Holland
Aye
Motion passes by a vote of 5-1
As guidance to the Zoning Board, it was
suggested that the footprint be reduced to more closely conform to the Planning
Commissions recommendation of minimum disturbance (600 square feet). The Planner should add discussion to the
motion relating to how the Planning Commission arrived at this minimum
standard. The Planner will provide the
Planning Commission with a draft copy of the motion for approval at the next
meeting.
Commissioner Kallfelz nominated
Commissioner Calabretta for the position
of secretary of the Planning Board this motion was seconded by Commissioner
Hubbard. So unanimously voted.
Commissioner Holland suggested that his
term ending be checked. Commissioner
Hubbard suggested that the terms expire in 2, 2 and 3 instead of 3, 3 and
1.
Motion to
adjourn was made by Commissioner Calabretta and seconded by Commissioner
Holland at
Attest:
Lisa Bryer