NORTH SMITHFIELD – A project that could see six condo-style duplexes built on a 25.8 acre lot on Buxton Street secured a one year extension on the deadline for submission of a preliminary plan from the North Smithfield Planning Board this week.
Owner Frank Jacques proposed construction of six three-bedroom residential duplexes for his mostly wooded lot at 300 Buxton St., in an application submitted on his behalf by DiPrete Engineering two years ago.
“They had applied for a condo development,” explained Town Planner Mark Carruolo in an introduction to the request at the meeting on Thursday, August 14. “I believe it was six two-unit buildings, and they are here asking for an extension.”
In 2023, planners unanimously approved a master plan for the property with 19 stipulations including the addition of interior sidewalks, a plan for invasive species, a conservation easement and establishment of a public access easement, along with a small parking area.
At the time, neighbors expressed concerns about traffic, the presence of wetlands and stone walls on the property, and the removal of compost materials, remnants of a business that ultimately stopped operations following a cease and desist order from the town in 2020. Jacques initially challenged the order, but then dropped the appeal in 2022, applying for the new project the following year.
Current plans for the property envision a development accessed via a private roadway off of Buxton Street, managed by a homeowners’ association, which would be responsible for maintenance of the road, along with the septic system and wells. Trash hauling, snow plowing and drainage maintenance would also be handled privately, under the current proposal.
The structures would clustered near the center of the lot to avoid wetlands, with the northern and southern portions of the property to remain vacant as an open space/recreational areas, deed restricted in perpetuity with a public access agreement.
If the project moves forward, the owner would also be required to implement odor control measures for removal of the remaining compost.
Approval of that master plan, filed in August of 2023, was vested for two years under state law, which also gives the applicant the right to request two one-year extensions.
“We’re simply just seeking our by right extension,” explained Raffaelo Manzo, an associate with law firm Mancini Carter, representing the applicant.
Planner unanimously approved the one year extension.
Well it seems my reply got lost…yes, neighbors did not like housing either. See the original atty papers.
In case anyone noticed that comments were not showing recently: We had an issue where we were not getting notifications of comments pending and had a backlog sitting in the cue, which were all approved today. Sorry for the delay!
Or ya know, sucky humans can stop building everywhere just to make money.
Is this property owner ever going to be allowed to do anything on this property without jumping through a multitude of hoops? And pleasing anyone there nearby? On any single thing? He has tried selling, cleaning it up, etc….now a ton of stipulations added to this new project. Unreal.
What new stipulations? They simply weren’t allowed to site a commercial compost operation in a residential neighborhood. Nobody has an issue with them building housing
Go read all that they have to do on the official paperwork. The have a long list presented to him by his atty after the hearing concerning this housing development.
And yes, the neighbors opposed it. April 27, 2023 planning board meeting. VB.