GLOCESTER – The Glocester Planning Board approved a seventh extension for a project to build an industrial park on Putnam Pike this week, giving J.R. Vinagro until August of 2026 to move forward with a master plan first passed in 2017.
And according to the minutes from the Planning Board meeting where the last extension was approved in December, the ongoing blasting on the 92 acre property has no end in sight, with the work expected to continue for up to another decade.
Planners took up the latest request for the major land development project at their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, noting that the applicant asked for the additional year in writing in July.
“This vesting includes zoning requirements, conceptual layout, and all conditions shown on the approved master plan drawings and supporting materials,” notes the decision.
The business, which purchased the property from Adler Bros. Construction in 2023, last appeared before the board in December of 2024. The project, known as Glacier Ridge, envisions a mixed use development, with small local retail, restaurants and professional offices in the front portion of the lots, and manufacturing-type businesses toward the back. The six lots listed in the project are adjacent to the Pinewood Park area, are zoned Highway Commercial and Industrial.
Minutes from the December meeting note that at the time, planners asked questions about ongoing blasting by contractor Maine Drilling and Blasting. Steve Lombardi, a representative for Vinagro, told the board that the blasting would likely continue for eight to ten years but “should lessen in intensity.” The business is represented by Smithfield-based attorney Timothy Kane.
A mater plan for a project to subdivide the properties and create a 20-lot business park prepared by DiPrete Engineering Associates, Inc., was originally submitted by Adler and approved in June of 2017. Vinagro purchased the land for $6,250,000, and later secured a two year earth removal license from the town, currently set to expire in November.
Planners unanimously approved an extension to the timeline for preliminary plans this week, which is now valid through August 21, 2026.
