In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on May 24, 2005 at 6:00 PM at the Narraganset Bay Commission Boardroom – One Service Road, Providence, RI.

MEMBERS

Mike Tikoian, Chair
Paul Lemont, Vice Chair
Jerry Sahagian
Ray Coia
Michael Sullivan
Joe Paolino
Neill Gray

STAFF PRESENT

Grover Fugate, CRMC Executive Director
Ken Anderson, CRMC Senior Engineer
Brian Goldman, Legal Counsel

1. Chair Tikoian called the meeting to order at 6:27 P.M.

Chair Tikoian welcomed new council member Michael Sullivan, nominee for RI DEM Director to the council.

Chair Tikoian made a brief statement of clarification on the council’s permitting process.

Mr. Coia seconded by Mr. Paolino moved approval of the May 10, 2005 minutes. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

2. STAFF REPORTS

There were no staff reports.

3. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Vice Chair Lemont announced that the Champlin’s Marina application subcommittee met last week and there are meetings scheduled for May 31st, June 6, 7 and 15. Vice Chair Lemont said they would then hold a public hearing on Block Island for public comment. Mr. Sahagian noted that this would be a total of 17 meetings on this application.

4. PRESENTATION: Marine Resources Development Plan, Ken Payne, Senate Policy

Ken Payne, Senate Policy, gave council members an update on the Marine Resources Development Plan. Mr. Payne submitted a briefing sheet which was an outline as follow-up to the January 2005 meeting. Mr. Payne stated that council members were given a copy of the first working draft for their review. Chair Tikoian thanked Mr. Payne for his presentation and the work done by him and his staff on the plan. Chair Tikoian asked council members to review the draft plan and filter any questions they had through the executive director. Vice Chair Lemont asked when all is said and done what response this group will have to controversial issues and will the group take on issues like the LNG tank. Mr. Payne felt the LNG was not good. Mr. Payne stated that this plan for the most part was a guidance for the council. He said issues they need to look at are marina uses. Mr. Payne said this was a guide for SAM plans. Vice Chair Lemont asked if they are going to be vocal for people to take action. Mr. Payne replied that he was open to that but it was not the intent of this vast comprehensive plan. Chair Tikoian said this was a progress report and to update the council. Chair Tikoian thanked Mr. Payne and said he look forward for the completion of the plan.

5. Chair Tikoian read through the agenda to see which applicants/attorneys were present.

6. CONTINUANCES:

2004-01-042 STANDISH BOATYARD – Fill in tidal waters at an existing marina rail launching area. In order to secure the fill, a stone retaining wall will be constructed and the top section will be paved. Stated purpose for project is to provide better access to boat slips to the north of the marine railway. Located at plat 6-3, lot 12, 13, 14; 1697 Main Road, Tiverton, RI.

The applicant was not present. Chair Tikoian stated that he received a fax requesting a continuance on the application. Chair Tikoian noted there is a 24-hour rule for continuance requests. Chair Tikoian continued the application to the next meeting agenda. Chair Tikoian stated that this was the first request for a continuance and that an applicant was allowed three continuances. The application was continued.

7. APPLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN OUT TO NOTICE FOR 30 DAYS AND ARE
BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL FOR FINAL DECISION:

2003-10-022 DONALD THEROUSCZEMASKI – Perform new dredging at a permitted dock, this dredging will be piggyback project onto the Federal Dredging Project in Pawtuxet Cove. The dredge material is proposed to be disposed in the CAD cell constructed for the Federal Project. Located at plat 1, lot 160; 75 Seaview Avenue, Cranston, RI.

Donald Theroux, the applicant was present. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary of the application. Mr. Anderson stated that the application was for new dredging at a permitted dock and that this dredging would be a piggyback project into the Federal Dredging Project in Pawtuxet Cove. Mr. Anderson said staff recommended approval of the application. Mr. Sahagian, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

2004-12-066 RI DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION -- The proposal will reconnect Warren Avenue with Bold Point Park. Approximately 2,000 feet of new road will be constructed. The typical section of the new roadway will be 32 feet in width, consisting of two 12-foot travel lanes with four-foot shoulders. The new road will generally follow the coastline along the route of the existing abandoned railroad tracks, which will be removed as part of construction. It will run southwest from the extended end of Warren Avenue and terminate at the entrance to Bold Point Park. From zero to four feet of fill will be placed along the alignment to achieve the proposed profile. The new road will run roughly parallel to Pier Road for approximately 900 feet; however, the proposed slope limits in this area will extend onto Pier Road. Therefore the existing Pier Road bituminous pavement will be removed and the area presently occupied by Pier Road will be graded, loamed and seeded. The existing Warren Avenue will be extended approximately 200 feet to the west to connect the new road. A portion of an existing retaining wall will be demolished to accommodate this connection. At the southwest end of the new road, a realigned 200-foot driveway connection to Bold Point Park will also be constructed. Existing pavement in that area will be removed and the existing gravel driveway will be replaced.

A new storm water drainage system will be installed. There is a high point at about the iddle of the new road. Runoff from west of this point will be collected by a network of catch basins and piped to a water quality structure adjacent to the Bold Point Park access, then discharged into a proposed new outfall adjacent to an existing paved waterway. Runoff from east of the high point will be collected by a network of catch basins and piped to two water quality structures located at the southwest and northeast corners of the WAC/Mauran Avenue intersection. The discharge from the water quality structures will then be conveyed to the existing 24-inch brick storm drain in Mauran Avenue, which outfalls into the Seekonk River. Project Location: Plat 16, lot 1010; Warren Avenue Connector, East Providence, RI.

Edward Sczemaski, RI Dept. of Transportation, was present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary on the application. Mr. Anderson stated that this was an application in East Providence to extend Warren Avenue to reconnect with Bold Point Park. Mr. Anderson said the application was for 2,000 lf. of new road construction, a 22’ variance from the coastal area, a riprap revetment along the southern portion of the proposal and a stormwater management plan. Mr. Anderson said staff recommended approval of the application. Mr. Sczemaski stated that he reviewed the staff’s report and agreed to all of staff’s stipulations. Mr. Sczemaski said there is a draft agreement with RIDOT and the City of East Providence for construction of the riprap revetment with Tockwood Developers. Mr. Sczemaski stated that they had letters from the town and the contractor. Mr. Coia, seconded by Mr. Paolino moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

2004-10-027 RI DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION -- Remove and replace the existing Warren Bridge #124. The RIDOT also proposes to remove the Warren Temporary Bridge #1024 and to restore wetlands altered during the construction of the temporary bridge. Located at plat 624; County Road, Bridge 124; Barrington, RI.

Mr. Sczemaski, RI Department of Transportation, was present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary on the application. Mr. Anderson stated that the application was to remove and replace the existing Warren Bridge and the temporary Warren Bridge. Mr. Anderson noted that there would be 2,000 s.f. of wetland removed and would be replaced on a 2 to 1 ratio. Mr. Anderson said staff deferred to the council for the monetary reimbursement issues on the wetland. Mr. Sczemaski explained that they would be removing two piers and two archways for the old bridge and three piers and four archways for the new bridge. Mr. Sczemaski stated that they would gain 60’ of additional waterway. Mr. Sczemaski said the mitigation was part of the Barrington project. He said the monetary amount to be set aside for Walker Farm Restoration Project was between $5,000 and $9,000. Mr. Sczemaski requested that the amount set by the council be in the range of $7,000. Chair Tikoian noted that on page “P4” the cost was $11,000 for the DOT mitigation. Mr. Sczemaski explained that this figure was for bulk planting and labor for 3,000 s.f. of wetland and now there was only 2,000 s.f. of wetland. Mr. Sczemaski said the cost is approximately $3.66 per s.f. roughly $8,000. Chair Tikoian asked how much federal money they would receive for mitigation. Mr. Sczemaski replied 80% federal money for mitigation. Chair Tikoian asked staff was their recommendation was between the $5,000 and $9,000. Mr. Fugate replied given the size of the project he felt between $7,000 and $9,000 was reasonable. Mr. Sahagian, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations and a $7,000 mitigation fee. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

8. APPLICATIONS REQUESTING SPECIAL ESCZEMASKICEPTION BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC HEARING:

2004-09-061 RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION -- Construct and maintain roadway alignment and drainage improvements at the Ross Hill Road/Route 1 intersection, as is shown on the attached plans. As part of this project, the RIDOT proposes to alter tributary wetlands, and seeks Special Exceptions to the prohibitions to altering such wetlands as are contained in the RI Coastal Resources Management Program Section 300.12 and in the Salt Ponds Region Special Area Management Plan, Section 9. Project Location at Post Road/US Route 1; Charlestown, RI.

Mr. Sczemaski, RI Dept. of Transportation was present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary on the application. Mr. Anderson stated that the application was to construct and maintain roadway alignment and drainage improvements at the Ross Hill Road/ Route 1 intersection in Charlestown. Mr. Anderson stated that there would be impact to the wetlands and that 11,000 s.f. of wetland would be disturbed and a special exception was required. Mr. Anderson said the staff biologist and engineer felt the applicant met the requirements for a special exception. Chair Tikoian opened the public hearing. Mr. Sczemaski explained that this project was Route 1 in the Charlestown/Westerly area and they were redesigning the intersection and increasing pavement area. Mr. Sczemaski said this would increase safety at this intersection on Old Post Road. Mr. Sczemaski stated there would be impact on the wetlands on both sides of the roadway. Mr. Sczemaski explained that there would be less than 5,000 s.f. of wetland disturbed and they have Army Corps approval. Chair Tikoian called for public comment. There was no public comment. Chair Tikoian closed the public hearing. Chair Tikoian asked if he felt this was the minimum necessary for environmental impacts taken. Mr. Sczemaski replied yes they minimized the work and downgraded the application. Chair Tikoian asked if there was another reasonable alternate site. Mr. Sczemaski replied no. Chair Tikoian noted that this was for a public purpose. Mr. Sahagian felt the application served a compelling public purpose and the applicant’s met the requirements for a special exception. Mr. Sahagian, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the special exception. Chair Tikoian called for a roll call vote on the special exception:

On the approval of the special exception:

Mr. Coia Yes Mr. Gray Yes
Mr. Paolino Yes Mr. Sullivan Yes
Mr. Sahagian Yes Chair Tikoian Yes
Vice Chair Lemont Yes

7 Affirmative 0 Negative 0 Absentation

The motion carried.

Vice Chair Lemont, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations and the special exception. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

2004-05-007 RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -- Construct two additional interchange ramps at the Route 1 and Route 138 interchange, including two stormwater control/treatment ponds (which discharge to Mettatuxett River view intermittent stream/wetland). A Special Exception is required for filling freshwater wetlands within the watershed, per NRSAMP Section 940.C.1. Project Location: Route 1 and Route 138 interchange, North Kingstown, RI.

Mr. Sczemaski, RI Dept. of Transportation, the applicant was present. Mr. Anderson gave council members a brief summary on the application. Mr. Anderson stated that the application was to construct and add two additional interchange ramps at the Route 1 and Route 138 interchange, including two stormwater control/treatment ponds. Mr. Anderson said this would require filling under 6,000 s.f. of freshwater wetlands and require a stormwater management plan. Mr. Anderson stated that staff recommended approval of the application. Chair Tikoian opened the public hearing. Mr. Sczemaski explained that the application would improve safety along road of Route 1 and add additional interchange ramps. Mr. Sczemaski stated that the construction of the new ramps would be inside the existing ramps and enveloped within them. He said this would allow the public to reverse direction in a safe and direct manner. Chair Tikoian called for public comment. There was no public comment. Chair Tikoian closed the public hearing. Chair Tikoian stated that all reasonable steps for environmental impact had been taken, there was no alternate location and the application served a compelling public purpose for a public infrastructure. Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Gray moved approval of the special exception. Chair Tikoian called for a roll call vote on the special exception:

On the approval of the special exception:

Mr. Coia Yes Mr. Gray Yes
Mr. Paolino Yes Mr. Sullivan Yes
Mr. Sahagian Yes Chair Tikoian Yes
Vice Chair Lemont Yes

7 Affirmative 0 Negative 0 Absentation

The motion carried.
Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Coia moved approval of the application with all staff stipulations and the special exception. The motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.

9. Category “A” List

There were none held.

There being no further business before the council the meeting, the council adjourned
at 7:04 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Grover Fugate

Executive Director CRMC

Reported by Lori A. Field

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