Town of North Kingstown Planning Commission Meeting Summary - August 20, 2024

The North Kingstown Planning Commission met on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Town Hall, 80 Boston Neck Road, beginning at 7:00 PM. The Commission ratified the Hollow Ridge Vineyards decision, approved several Reynolds Farm surety and cost-estimate reductions, held hearings on two Volta electric vehicle charging station applications, and approved the July 16, 2024 meeting minutes.

Hollow Ridge Vineyards - Final Decisions (3A/3B)

• The Commission considered two continued Unified Development Review applications for Joule Vineyards & Winery LLC's Hollow Ridge Vineyards project at 2845 Tower Hill Road, Assessor's Plat 5, Lots 9 and 20, zoned Very Low Density Residential and located in the Scenic Overlay District. Both items were continued from August 6, 2024.
• Staff presented the draft decision. Chair James Grundy praised the detailed staff work. Minor amendments included correcting the requested setback relief to 35 feet, not 200 feet, and adding meeting minutes to the applicable documents.
• A motion to approve and ratify the decision as amended carried 5-0, covering both the zoning variance/special use permit decision and the combined master/preliminary plan decision.

Reynolds Farm Reductions (3C, 3D, 3E)

• 3C: Phase 2B surety reduction to 90 percent, leaving the guarantee held at $99,379.35; approved 5-0.
• 3D: Phase 2C surety reduction to 90 percent, leaving the guarantee held at $42,019.52; approved 5-0.
• 3E: Phase 2E cost estimate reduction of $749,574.80, processed as a cost-estimate reduction rather than a bond reduction; approved 5-0.

Volta Charging, LLC - EV Charging Station Applications (3F and 3G)

• The Commission heard two similar unified development review applications from Volta Charging, LLC to install two Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at Stop & Shop plazas: 90 Frenchtown Road, Assessor's Plat 177, Lot 21, zoned Post Road and located in the Groundwater Wellhead Overlay District; and 1300 Ten Rod Road, Assessor's Plat 101, Lot 18, zoned General Business and located in the Groundwater Recharge Overlay District.
• Applicant's attorney Edward Parry of Brown Rudnick stated that each charging unit includes an integrated digital advertising display, approximately 48 inches by 27 inches, about 9 square feet with a 55-inch diagonal, changing roughly every 8 seconds in accordance with the Federal Highway Administration standard. The advertising revenue supports free customer charging. He described the units as 85 inches tall, 36.5 inches wide, and 15.5 inches deep, placed in existing landscape islands with protective bollards, using designated existing parking spaces rather than removing spaces.
• Because the sign ordinance regulates ground-mounted signs, the applicant requested dimensional relief from the 5-foot height limit, the 8-square-foot sign area limit, the 12-hour message-change interval, the limit on the number of freestanding signs, and a special use permit for off-site advertising.
• The applicant argued that the EV charger is the primary use, the signage is an accessory use, the units are deeply set back within large commercial lots, and the proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's clean-energy goals. The applicant also cited prior digital sign relief granted for Burger King and Starbucks.
• Commissioner concerns included whether the variance criteria can be met when the need arises from the applicant's advertising-funded business model rather than unique characteristics of the land, the potential distraction of a sign changing every 8 seconds, and the uncertainty created by Volta having reportedly been sold to Shell.
• Town engineer Ali Sparks confirmed that the fire department raised no issue with the locations, bollards will protect the units, and the sign issues were left to the Commission.
• The 90 Frenchtown Road application required additional Post Road design standard findings; the 1300 Ten Rod Road application did not.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard Welch of 8 Arrow Lane, North Kingstown, spoke during the 90 Frenchtown Road hearing. He expressed concern about existing handicapped parking shortages at the Stop & Shop plaza, objected to placing free EV charging spaces near the front entrance, and suggested protective bollards. The applicant confirmed bollards are included.
• During the 1300 Ten Rod Road hearing, the public comment period was opened and closed with no speakers.

Key Outcomes

• 3F (90 Frenchtown Road): After public comment and discussion, the Commission reached a unanimous positive consensus on the requested zoning relief and development plan review, but continued the formal decision to September 17, 2024 by a 5-0 vote.
• 3G (1300 Ten Rod Road): The applicant incorporated the prior testimony by reference. The Commission reached positive findings by reference and voted 5-0 to continue the formal decision to September 17, 2024.
• Discussed conditions included a nighttime dimming timer, replacement of disturbed landscaping and tree protection, verification that ADA/handicapped parking remains compliant, and a condition requiring Volta to return for reconsideration if the stations ever become pay-to-use.
• The July 16, 2024 meeting minutes were approved 4-0-1.
• The meeting adjourned.