By Newport This Week Staff | on September 29, 2022

At the Sept. 19 meeting of the Middletown Town Council an hourlong discussion ensued regarding the second reading for updated language to the Comprehensive Community Plan. However, several residents misunderstood the docket item and stepped forward to voice concerns instead about the proposed Middletown Center development on West Main Road.

“We’re giving away our power to the developers,” said resident Josie Rock.

“Are there 15 affordable units out of 150 housing units in the proposal by Rocky Kempenaar, Chris Bicho and James Karam?” asked School Committee Chair Theresa Spengler. “What benefit is that really? And what is the definition of affordable housing?”

“What’s on the docket is the update of language on the housing component of the comp community plan,” town solicitor Peter Regan said. “This is not about the Middletown Center project.”

Regan addressed the audience comments, saying, “This a 10,000- foot view,” and said specific proposals will be approved by the Town Council as they arise. “The future land use plan needs language added to the plan’s housing elements to give us more control over future development,” he said.

“When, or if, we get to the point of negotiating with a developer on that property, the council would be making the ultimate decisions, [such as] terms of the ground lease, the housing component, what percentage of units will be affordable, at what level, and what the mix will be.”

Town Council President Paul Rodrigues said the language requires updating so the state can’t say the town doesn’t have a plan regarding its 10 percent affordable housing benchmark for all municipalities, and thus could allow developers to do whatever they wish.

Town planner Ron Wolanski addressed the town’s housing needs and projects in the works, saying, “Low income to moderate to workforce and fair market housing, which town solicitor Regan cited, are all needed. We would then have inclusionary zoning that a developer would have to abide by.”

Councilor Terri Flynn made the motion to approve the updated language, asking that multi-family units and senior housing be added to the definition of affordable units. The motion was unanimously approved.

Later, Flynn presented a memorandum that included photos of the South County Commons on Route 1 in South Kingstown, where there is a similar mixed-use complex with a hotel, retail and residences. She encouraged residents to compare that “village” to the West Main Road Middletown Center proposed development.

– Potential amendments to the Middletown zoning ordinance regarding the increase of off-street parking and loading spaces for new residences and commercial properties was continued until the second meeting in October;

– A memorandum from the superintendent of schools on American Rescue Plan Act funds allocation still needs to be finalized. The $200,000 of funding includes a $171,000 request for athletic equipment and the need for a teacher for two art classes;

– The Middletown Youth Wrestling Club’s request for civic appropriation from the Parks & Recreation Department fund for the purchase of a new wrestling mat was approved;

– The council unanimously passed a resolution by the city of Newport to appoint an Academic Advisory Committee to discuss potential regionalization educational improvements and to prioritize and commit the use of reimbursement funds by creating an endowment to improve the educational opportunities for the students of the regionalized district. (Full article in the Sept. 22 edition of Newport This Week);

– Flynn asked that pros and cons be part of the regionalization websites. She also asked that upcoming public meetings be publicized. Spengler said a joint meeting was set for Sept. 20. Flynn hoped that the meeting was not a missed opportunity to inform residents, since it was not on the town website.

Rodrigues said he and Councilor Barbara VonVillas made a presentation to the Middletown Rotary Club on Sept. 21. The issue of the state’s Title 16 mandate was also raised. In looking at future finances, Rodrigues said the elementary schools are going to need major renovations within 10 years;

– A voter guide and the wording for three local ballot questions were approved. Question 4 will be about regionalizing the school district with Newport; Question 5, will be about the issuance of $235 million in bonds for the construction of new Middletown schools; and Question 6 addresses cannabis-related licenses;

– A recommendation from the Roads & Utilities Committee regarding porous, Flexi Pave product for use on Purgatory Road met with opposition. Although funding for the project will come from the state and federal sources Brown was not in favor of using the pavers, siting the higher cost of product and maintenance. Council Vice-President Tom Welch raised the question about the road’s cherry trees and said their life of 15 to 20 years has almost been met. The decision was reached to remove the trees on one side of the road and lengthen the sidewalk. A proposal for ADA compliant gravel will be researched. Construction is planned for next spring;

– The council approved a resolution to continue road paving projects, with contracts awarded to East Coast Landscaping and Construction. Drain projects will be done this fall and paving next spring. National Grid will assist with repairs on Aquidneck Avenue.  Repaving of the Second Beach parking lot is planned and being paid out of a fund created in 2018;

– A fiber optic cable and conduit installation contract for $118,000 was awarded to Third Millennium Communications. Beach operations have requested connectivity that would allow cameras. The project could be started immediately;

– The appointment of seven members from 11 applicants was made to the new Middletown Citizens Advisory Committee, which is charged with giving input related to the West Main Road redevelopment and presenting recommendations to the Town Council. Recommendations made by VonVillas were approved for Karen Barbera, Emily Buck, Diana Campagna Skaggs, Kerrie James, Deborah A. Murphy, Karen Roarke and Melissa Welch;

– The planting of a memorial tree in Valley Park by the Middletown High School class of 1972 was approved; n The renewal of 16 victualling licenses and hours of operation for the 2022-23 licensing year was granted for establishments, including Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonalds and Starbucks;

– Christine Nolan was named to the Middletown Prevention Coalition. Two other vacancies remain unfilled;

– Kathleen Redgate resigned from the Aquidneck Planning Commission;

– Rodrigues asked for a moment of silence to acknowledge the passing of longtime resident Debbie Bulk.

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