North Kingstown Planning Commission Meeting - December 3, 2024

The North Kingstown Planning Commission met on December 3, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Town Hall. The meeting covered four main agenda items: a cost estimate for the Post Road Apartments, a decision on the preliminary plan for The Edge Apartments, a waiver request for the North Kingstown Food Pantry, and public hearings for a digital menu board at Dunkin'. The Commission approved the cost estimate, approved the preliminary plan with one abstention, granted the waiver request unanimously, and held public hearings on the digital menu board, approving zoning relief contingent on development plan approval and continuing the final decision to December 17, 2024.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was listed on the agenda. All items were considered under General Business.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3d/3e – Digital Menu Board (Dunkin'): One member of the public, Rick, asked whether the sign would be set back. The applicant clarified the sign was moved further to the rear and center of the building, facing Home Depot. No other public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• 3a – Cost Estimate: Post Road Apartments: Staff presented a revised construction estimate of $3,322,651.71, reflecting minor changes in sewer pipe costs (6-inch and 8-inch PVC pipe). The applicant was not present but had agreed to the estimate. The Commission unanimously approved the estimate (6-0).
• 3b – Decision: Preliminary Plan – The Edge Apartments: The Commission reviewed a draft decision for a major land development comprehensive permit for two 28-unit apartment buildings on Devils Foot Road. The decision was amended with minor formatting and repetitive language edits. The Commission voted 5-0-1 (one abstention due to absence during the original presentation) to approve the decision as amended.
• 3c – Waiver Request: North Kingstown Food Pantry: The Food Pantry requested relief from several preliminary checklist requirements for a minor land development at 445 School Street (zoned Public). Staff recommended granting relief for items B, C2, D8, D9, E1, and E2 (including administrative and project review fees). The fee waiver had been approved by the town manager. The Commission unanimously granted the relief.
• 3d/3e – Public Hearing: Digital Menu Board (Dunkin'): The Commission held a combined public hearing for a zoning variance and unified development review (preliminary and final) for a 19.98 sq ft digital menu board at 1241 Ten Rod Road. The applicant, Joe Gavin, stated the board would replace an existing static menu board, be smaller, and incorporate ambient light dimming. The board displays customer orders and pricing, with menu content changing quarterly. The existing sign had deteriorated. The Commission discussed three dimensional variances: (1) lowest portion of sign above 7 ft (requested variance 5 ft 2 in), (2) image change frequency exceeding once per 12 hours, and (3) sign size exceeding 8 sq ft (variance of 11.98 sq ft). The Commission noted the sign's location in a drive-through, low speeds, and lack of visibility from Ten Rod Road. They made a positive motion on zoning relief, then amended it to include a condition that the relief is void if the development plan is not approved. The development plan review findings were discussed, and the Commission made a positive motion to recommend approval, but continued the final decision to December 17, 2024, to allow staff to prepare a written decision.

Key Outcomes

• Post Road Apartments Cost Estimate: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• The Edge Apartments Preliminary Plan: Approved as amended (5-0-1, with one abstention).
• North Kingstown Food Pantry Waiver: Granted unanimously (all items requested).
• Digital Menu Board (Dunkin'):
  • Zoning relief approved (with condition that it is contingent on development plan approval).
  • Development plan review given a positive recommendation, but final decision continued to December 17, 2024.
• The meeting adjourned after the above actions.