The North Kingstown Planning Commission met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to conduct a unified public hearing on the Ananda Church of Self-Realization of Rhode Island's application for dimensional variances and combined preliminary/final development plan review for a handicapped-access landing/ramp and an exterior condenser at 714 Ten Rod Road. The commission also received an administrative actions report and approved the January 6, 2026 meeting minutes. No final decision was made on the Ananda application; the hearing was continued to February 3, 2026.
Bill 42466C. Notice on the meeting has been posted on the Secretary of State's website. General Business 3A. Public hearing of the unified development review for the dimensional variance application of Ananda Church of Self Realization of Rhode Island to construct a landing with an access ramp. And install a condenser located at 714 Tenrod Road. Assessors Plat 27 Lot 2, Zone Village Residential, excuse me. In the groundwater recharge overlay and scenic overlay districts. And it does after the zoning, but we will hear at the same time a unified development review for the combined preliminary and final plan development plan review application. I'm sorry, assessor's plat 27 lot two, zone village residential and in the groundwater recharge overlay and scenic overlay districts. Thank you. So as I mentioned in my staff report, the subject law is all one property, but previously was three separate lots. As the owner acquired the three lots, they merged them into one, and that was finalized in 2023. The existing building is utilized as a church with an associated yoga studio and a special use permit is required now to establish a religious institution in the village residential zone. However, the use has actually been there for over 200 years. So it is a vested use and a special use permit wouldn't be required for this application. The applicant has since made alterations to the site and the site is within the groundwater recharge overlay and scenic overlay district, and due to those alterations, that's what triggers this level of review. So as for um the process, the applicant has requested unified development since dimensional relief is requested and has also requested the combining of the development plan review preliminary and final stages. So consider that tonight, and if you are comfortable with that, that will be a condition of the zoning application. As for the alterations that have been made, the applicant has had a wood landing and access ramp constructed to allow easier access for people into the building as the only existing entrance right now is only accessible with stairs. The submitted narrative also requests a special use permit for the enlargement of the structure having a non-conforming use. But after internal discussion, it was deemed that this special use permit was not necessary because the improvements that were proposed and already completed for this application don't expand the non-conforming use. So the applicant did provide that and was able to show a planned to plan to establish new parking area to the rear of the building in the existing septic system, which would be accessed off Lafayette Road. And in doing that, following this application, I do recommend that a condition of approval be the applicant working with Ali Sparks, the town engineer, to properly establish that parking area through an excavation permit. The applicant was also previously exceeding the number of signs allowed on site, but that was remedied by removing an existing sign. So this is just something to note that if any additional signs are proposed in the future, there would be zoning relief required. And then I just want to make sure I didn't miss anything here. And then also in it going back to the parking again, I just want to make sure that I state in discussion with the applicant and their attorney. We know that there has been some parking off the property in the grassy area in the right of way of Tenrod Road. It's been previously utilized. As I mentioned, parking wasn't reviewed since this church has been here for many years. So if parking were to be continued there, Rhode Island DOT approval would be required to continue that. Thank you. Was it there was something in there about no parking's allowed within I think 250 feet of an intersection? Is that on the on 10rod road? There is a requirement in the ordinance for that. I believe it was Allie that brought that up. If she wants to touch base on that. It was closed. Only in order to whole site. Sorry, Ali Sparks, Deputy Director of Public Works and Town Engineer. In my memo, I did put there is a 25 the town ordinance has a no parking within 25 feet of any intersection. We have restricted parking in certain areas of Lafayette. So but not in the vicinity of the church, but with the parking issue that I saw the other day, it was within 25 feet of the intersection, which is the issue. Just out of out of curiosity, how is there a marking, or are we just is that just something as town residents were supposed to know not to park within 25 feet? Um in locations where there are issues, we put up signs, no parking here at a corner, um, but it's usually like only if people are parking there frequently. Usually there's at intersections usually just stop signs, so people aren't parking. People don't typically park within intersections. Um this is also a little peculiar with uh it's being a state right-of-way as well. So it's a little harder to I guess not necessarily harder to enforce, but Albi, that's parking on the on-street parking in the right-of-way, not the three parking places that showed in front of the building. Correct.