Minutes

Semi-Monthly Meeting — Full Council — Tuesday, May 12, 2026; 6:00 p.m.
Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI

 

In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Ronald Gagnon, DEM
Steven Izzi
Kevin Flynn
Michael Reuter, PDM
Joe Russolino

Members Excused:
Patricia Reynolds

Staff Present
Richard Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Tom Fitzpatrick, Environmental Engineer II
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Laura Dwyer, Education/Information Coor - remote
Ryan Moore, IT
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary

 

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.

2. Review/Action of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting, April 28, 2026

Council Discussion and Motion:

• Motion: Mr. Izzi
• Seconded: Dr. Reuter
• Motion carried on unanimous voice vote. Mr. Flynn abstained from vote.

3. Subcommittee Reports

None were heard

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis:

• Testified at the Senate Finance Committee on follow up questions on the cad cell portion of the Providence River dredging project and the federal requirement for a new database.
• SouthCoast Wind cable project and the mitigation resolution
• Attorney General’s office filing suit against the Quidnessett Country Club – Mr. Willis to circulate a copy of the suit.

5. Applications which have been Out To Notice for 30-Days and are before the Council for Review and Action:

2024-10-023 Wickford Olde Theatre, LLC -- Convert an existing theater, garage and duplex to 18 condominium units. The garage will be moved to a new location 34.3’ from the coastal feature which is within the required 50-foot setback (Ref RICRMP 1.1.9). Development will be serviced by municipal sewer service. In total, the applicant is seeking a 15.7% reduction in the setback standard. Buffer Zone plantings shall be installed. Located at plat 92, lots 40 and 41; 84 & 90 Phillips Street, North Kingstown, RI.

Sworn in and identified for the record:
Atty John Kupa representing the developer
Paul Boghossian - Developer

Ms. Silva gave a brief overview of the project stating that the applicant proposed the redevelopment of the existing property abutting Type 1 waters of Wickford Harbor. Ms. Silva explained that this project is the 2nd part of the redevelopment plan in which the 1st project involved the redevelopment of the former Wickford School. The objection was alleviated by the relocation of the garage. Ms. Silva asked the applicant to provide as much buffer as possible and to plant the buffer with native plantings.

Ms. Silva stated that the two objections involved the buffer zone and the removal of evergreens. Ms. Silva stated that the applicant proposed the relocation of the garage to increase the buffer zone area, providing minimal parking on site with the remainder of the parking located at the parking area of the Wickford School redevelopment. Ms. Silva provided additional stipulation to plant three native evergreen trees to replace the two trees being removed.

Attorney Kupa stated that the landscape architect wanted the buffer zone plantings to flourish without the shade of the evergreens.

Ms. Silva stated that the objection did not meet the criteria of substantive objection and that CRMC staff did not object to the project if the Council chose to approve.

Ms. Silva confirmed for Chair Coia that staff was ok with the approval of the application and would have asked for an increase in buffer zone even without the submittal of the objection.

No questions for Ms. Silva from the Council.

Attorney Kupa addressed the Council stating that his client fully adopted Ms. Silva’s accounting of the project.

No questions for the applicant from the Council.

For the record, there was no one in the audience to comment on the project.

Council Discussion and Motion:

Motion: Mr. Izzi motioned for the approval of the application based on testimony of staff, staff report and the comments made by the applicant.

Second: Mr. Flynn

Chair Coia did a roll call vote:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Dr. Reuter Aye
Mr. Izzi Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Outcome: Motion passed and application is approved.

9. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:
Motion: Mr. Flynn
Second: Mr. Izzi

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,
Lisa A. Turner, Recording Secretary