Minutes 2026-05-14

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TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH
PLANNING BOARD
2200 East Main Road
Portsmouth, RI 02871
401-683-3717

PORTSMOUTH PLANNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES

May 14, 2026

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

The Planning Board meeting was called to order in the Town Council Chambers by
Chairman Lopes at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Chairman Edward Lopes, Vicechair Luke Harding, David
Garceau, Ryan Tibbetts, Kathleen Wilson, Don Clukies, and Frank Rego.

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Giovanni Cicione, Attorney; Lea Hitchen, Town Planner; and Kristen
Black, Planning Technician.

II. Approval of Minutes

Ms. Black wanted to clarify Mr. Tibbetts comment from the April 9, 2026, Planning
Board Meeting on the January 8, 2026, minutes. For the January 8, minutes, Mr.
Tibbetts commented on page 8 where he made the motion that it leaves out one piece
after the first sentence. Where it says, “including requested special use permit for self-
storage unit,” it should read “including requested special use permit for self-storage
unit, and providing for zoning relief from the driveway being counted as part of the
proposed side yard setback, with consideration…” Ms. Black commented that this
addition from Mr. Tibbetts was a separate motion Mr. Tibbetts had made before the
motion to approve the Special Use Permit.

MOTION: Vice Chair Harding made a motion to approve January 8, 2026, minutes as
written, seconded by Mr. Garceau.

VOTE: 7-0 (Chairman Lopes, Vice Chairman Harding, Mr. Garceau, Mr. Tibbetts, Ms.
Wilson, Mr. Clukies, and Mr. Rego).

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MOTION: Vice Chair Harding made a motion to approve the April 9, 2026, Planning
Board Meeting minutes as written; seconded by Mr. Rego.

VOTE: 7-0 (Chairman Lopes, Vice Chairman Harding, Mr. Garceau, Mr. Tibbetts, Ms.
Wilson, Mr. Clukies, and Mr. Rego).

III. McCorrie Lane LLC, Plat 48 Lot 35 – Request for Advisory Opinion to Town
Council for acceptance of the road construction of Ferreira Avenue as a public
road and release of the Subdivision Bond ($425,000) conditioned on a one-year
maintenance bond equal to 5% ($42,500.00) of the surety bond and recording of
the as-built plans.

Chairman Lopes stated that DPW Director Rodrigues sent in a letter of no objection.
The original Bond was $850,000 and was reduced to $425,000 in 2022.

Jon Kent, McCorrie Lane LLC, was online to answer any questions from the Board on
the subdivision.

Ms. Hitchen commented that Planning Staff and DPW Staff had gone out to the site on
several occasions to see what work had been completed and reviewed what was
required before the completion of the subdivision. In addition to Mr. Rodrigues’ letter,
the Applicant submitted the as-builts, have a Homeowners Association with bylaws.

Chairman Lopes asked Mr. Rodrigues that when he was in receipt of the
documentation, did it also include the monumentation. Mr. Rodrigues said yes.

Attorney Cicione asked Ms. Hitchen if the 5% one-year maintenance bond was
standard. Ms. Hitchen replied it is standard and in the Town Ordinance, after one year
they will get the 5% back. The 5% is based on the original bond not the reduced bond.

Ms. Hitchen asked Mr. Kent if all the homeowners were onboard with the Homeowners
Association and if the HOA was up and running. Mr. Kent replied yes and that it has
been for a few years now. Ms. Hitchen then asked if the HOA documents had been
recorded. Mr. Kent replied yes and he would email them over as well.

MOTION: Mr. Tibbetts made a favorable advisory opinion to the Town Council to
accept the road construction of Ferreira Avenue as a public road, and release of the
subdivision bond, conditioned on a one-year maintenance bond equal to 5% of the
surety bond, which is $42,500, recording of the as-built plans, and receipt of the
recorded copy of the Homeowner’s Association documents. Vice Chair Harding
seconded the motion.

VOTE: 7-0 (Chairman Lopes, Vice Chairman Harding, Mr. Garceau, Mr. Tibbetts, Ms.
Wilson, Mr. Clukies, and Mr. Rego).

Motion to adjourn by Vice Chairman Harding; seconded by Ms. Wilson.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:
Kristen Black
Planning Technician