NORTH SMITHFIELD – Extra consideration of traffic impacts from the in-progress new Nasuti Elementary School just over the Woonsocket line and how it will interact with a property at 3 Greenville Road is causing a delay in the approval process for a new gas station.
On Thursday, Aug. 13, the North Smithfield Planning Board again heard from attorney Elizabeth Noonan, for applicant Marwan Eieadah, who said they were seeking a postponement of deliberations on this major land development project for the second time in two months.
The 1-acre property at 3 Greenville Road previously housed Beef Barn and Coffee & Cream side by side in a barn-style complex. A fire destroyed Coffee & Cream in late 2017, and Beef Barn subsequently relocated.
The applicant is now requesting preliminary approval to construct a new 3,400-square-foot gas station and convenience store with a drive-thru in a Business Neighborhood (BN) zoning district.
Noonan explained last month that they were withdrawing their request for dimensional zoning variances for signage, as the town’s revised ordinance no longer makes it necessary. Several of their requests were resolved with an amendment to the zoning code, planners agreed.
Chairperson Gary Palardy explained that the matter was continued previously, due to an objector wanting to bring in some new testimony. They agreed to continue to Aug. 13, and now there was an request from the objector to continue the matter again because their traffic expert wasn’t available.
Noonan said they were fine with the request, but only on the condition that they receive any written materials seven days in advance of the Sept. 10 meeting, on or before Sept. 3, so they don’t get into another situation where they’re only seeing information within a day of a public meeting.
Palardy said the traffic pattern and how it relates to the future school is the biggest cause for concern here, and it’s important to have everyone in the same room for a discussion.
Member Jeff Porter asked if, since there will be opposing traffic study experts in this matter, should they engage a peer review with one of the companies the town works with to make their decision and what goes into it as black and white as possible?
Planning Director Mark Carruolo said that the applicant submitted traffic information as part of the initial master plan approval, and stated that they would have additional information coming later. The objector came forward with their own review on some issues, he said, and he thinks it’s too early to call in a peer review, as they don’t know whether responses will resolve those issues and everyone will agree on the solutions. If the board is uncomfortable after hearing from both, said Carruolo, they can then request a peer review if they feel it’s needed.
He said the main issue was on traffic from the school and how it will be addressed, and Nooonan noted that Woonsocket officials still haven’t applied for a physical alteration permit. She said supplementary analysis submitted last fall does address the situation in part, and she believes concerns are going to be further winnowed down as more comes in on supplemental analysis related to the school.
Carruolo said that of the concerns raised by PARE Corp., the property’s relationship to the school traffic was the primary one, and all others are quite minor.
The town’s planning office has found the proposal generally consistent with local development and subdivision regulations and the comprehensive community plan, and has recommended approval based on no foreseen significant impacts.
