[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6468463,"mediaKeyId","5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145","parentId",5782129,"title","Votes at a glance: Middletown Planning Board (Sept. meeting)","audioSeconds",4188,"startMs",149000,"endMs",4337000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145&start=149&end=4337","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145/thumbnail_149000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6468463/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Middletown-Planning-Board-Sept-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468463-042c44f9f6ba0587b0971a69c6921de8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776149375&Signature=nkTceqjMPciC1gD9NLWXIldPhEkx4Qsns~UA-OVeL793RbbJvzonTvfL6W06D6KnAsYkkKUTbBUQNkzqQpO5lsXJRuElS5ZM~Dl~RP5y5paOfxk90fm9V9fsnkNVdpzWzCk0fc6D938jDPWeDMrxtQSj1QxxCxyl0KuViZ3kHRDe69q8JWnI7nPUy3w3ai6cI0rwSFlo5Q6UHzWFZmnT5cxdXhyfHShrrRUBurCZlyq8f2Upm7QfG-IvjwDTftWHLOhbEo8dhFkolVQY4ZO7~Et8ABTZR-L0l3~zI8xLvqjILKDE6EQtyfLm5Y6yK0Ldmc9fnhvfErVoMcCfPTrxDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, RI","date","2025-09-13T00:38:42Z","article","At its recent meeting, the Town of Middletown Planning Board recorded the following actions by voice vote:

- Approved minutes of the Aug. 13 regular meeting (voice vote; chair recorded aye).
- Received correspondence (items 2a and 2b, memoranda concerning administrative/minor subdivision applications involving properties on Wolcott Avenue and Berkeley Avenue) and accepted them into the record (voice vote; chair recorded aye).
- Continued item 4a to Oct. 8 with a condition that it not be continued again and required the applicant to submit traffic‑study responses for the next packet (voice vote; chair recorded aye).
- Continued item 4b to Oct. 8 (voice vote; chair recorded aye).
- Continued item 5a (inclusionary zoning draft) to Oct. 8 to allow staff and a newly formed subcommittee to refine recommendations (voice vote; chair recorded aye).
- Directed staff to schedule and advertise a special public hearing on the proposed zoning and subdivision regulation amendments required by recent state legislation and to include the zoning amendments on that hearing agenda (staff to poll the board for a date and publish required notices).
- Adjourned the meeting (voice vote).

All recorded voice votes were resolved in the affirmative with the chair recording aye; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Board Regular Meeting, September 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of procedural votes taken by the Town of Middletown Planning Board: approval of minutes, receipt of correspondence, several continuances, scheduling of a public hearing and adjournment.","taxTitle","Town of Middletown, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",58176,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6468468,"Middletown planning board to hold special public hearing on zoning and subdivision changes required by new state housing laws",1303,2308000,3611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145&start=2308&end=3611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145/thumbnail_2308000.jpg","/articles/6468468/Rhode-Island/Middletown-planning-board-to-hold-special-public-hearing-on-zoning-and-subdivision-changes-required-by-new-state-housing-laws","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468468-72537322d09b33ed0773c8f58de79031/orig.mp4?Expires=1776149375&Signature=RwUg1cjF96vM5dMJW5JNlvJ20jXtDiYStZKbGXja2KSBCBMLBYGiMNfSaQgt1bQDFpp3CURt0wD4~n75FL2o7W2eaGlRpwfNWiNyyXGp3eg515HaZ1j~stmUR7NMQNhDos4YkC9mU9dnx~Uc~CaHd11saFl70YX9EYOrgh-cdTdwRZLMH7a1h3G1ZvGLUXhVP1aak7QMpaFKOP7ThhB9I8KN~2lnHvN77djI~XRPAf2~ZQ4yFYySWZB8jUobcWAdcMWCZq5hH3FdCUOglXOKFe3POWjZZ-v~3MxaKN53VNLA7YXB0x2ddAvJJdH0zCmmNEA86WxSa4FOjf1KkmUIzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff presented draft amendments to multiple sections of the Middletown zoning ordinance and subdivision and land‑development regulations required by recent Rhode Island legislation (bills H5794, H5795, H5801). The Planning Board agreed to schedule a special public hearing to take public comment and then forward recommendations to the Town Council.

Staff said some of the edits are required by state law and others relocate or clarify existing text. Notable changes discussed included: making the pre‑application meeting optional (per state direction), giving the town discretion to adopt density limits for adaptive reuse of commercial buildings (staff suggested one possible metric of one unit per 3,000 square feet of land as a discussion starting point), and permitting the use of wetland buffer area in density calculations (staff clarified that including the buffer in the formula does not authorize development of the buffer itself). Board members also highlighted that the statutory change eliminates a zoning‑relief hardship criterion that states the hardship must not be the result of the applicant’s prior action, and asked staff to point to the statutory language for clarity.

The board then ran through the draft pages section by section. Where the state statute allows local discretion, members discussed alternatives — for example, how to set a density limit for adaptive reuse and whether to allow limited expansions of existing commercial envelopes. Several board members noted that some changes aim to streamline developer steps and reduce procedural burdens; other members observed the potential tradeoffs, such as longer timelines if adaptive reuse projects require additional approvals.

At the end of the review, staff said state law requires the board to hold a public hearing before approving any changes and forwarding them to the council. The board directed staff to schedule a special public hearing (to be advertised per statute) and to include the zoning‑ordinance amendments that are part of the package on that hearing agenda. Staff said they would poll the board to find a special date and conduct the required advertising; several members agreed.

Why it matters: The proposed amendments implement state legislative changes intended to encourage housing production statewide; they will change local procedural steps and provide areas of local discretion affecting density, adaptive reuse, and relief standards.

Next steps: Staff will poll the planning board to set a special public hearing date, publish the required legal notices for that hearing and include the zoning amendments for review. After the hearing the board may vote to approve amendments and forward them to the Town Council.

Ending note: The board asked staff to circulate the amended pages and to highlight areas where local choices remain (adaptive reuse density, affordability thresholds, and buffer/density calculations) before the public hearing.","Planning staff walked the board through draft edits to multiple zoning and subdivision sections to comply with 2025 Rhode Island legislation; the board agreed to schedule a special public hearing and to place related zoning amendments on the hearing agenda.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6468473,"Middletown planning board reopens inclusionary zoning discussion, forms subcommittee and delays action to Oct. 8",1389,919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145&start=919&end=2308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145/thumbnail_919000.jpg","/articles/6468473/Rhode-Island/Middletown-planning-board-reopens-inclusionary-zoning-discussion-forms-subcommittee-and-delays-action-to-Oct-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468473-6495a3f9db7ab857cd41ce6618e2ca6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776149375&Signature=mjuT4h8Xomuq8xYxJTnWqPAlT9fx4LxEDMSDYwTTWiIcwvpOM~HArbE3OdVnrqdSEskS8LEvH1RLY9fRZW8JHISZ83BYzjyaowP4YSczTTo3IMsFdX9d6usaNYEMGIt1qqDdRj6Q12~M1KN5owmJ2q8DJyhprL4354egJqdqHfjmqTR-PrKQVtDC4qNm1~cSz2XknXbMhDI2BU63XF744L6ZoK~-0gjWUftFm-PwVDzVrpBSQVmAetAZbThWhlaEZ0-~DIpcoxKr5cQSUsujUQBfdAe55T3d1F5YY~qz13O5WqV16rwXgH5duHvPwCGWCI5iFh3XJOw1JEMdLegO1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown Planning Board revisited a draft ordinance to implement inclusionary zoning and voted to continue the item to the board’s Oct. 8 meeting while a small subcommittee refines recommendations.

Planning staff presented a revised draft that incorporates recent state legislative changes: the state lowered the statutory minimum affordable housing requirement from 25% to 15% and reduced the bonus-unit ratio for market-rate units. The draft before the board applies the statute's maximum threshold so projects of more than 10 residential units would be subject to the requirement, and it proposes 80% area median income (AMI) for rental affordability and 120% AMI for ownership units as starting points for discussion.

Board members debated policy choices. Leon said the prior statutory framework had forced a doubling of density in many cases and that the new law “makes it a lot more attractive,” but cautioned that adopting inclusionary zoning could affect the town’s use of the comprehensive permit process. Another board member raised concerns that making inclusionary requirements mandatory for small developers could chill housing production and suggested the requirement be elective for developers. Several members said the ordinance allows flexibility — for example, a developer might satisfy requirements with off‑site units, in‑lieu payments, fee reductions, or other incentives — and noted the state law permits a range of policy designs.

The board agreed to form a subcommittee to examine options and details. Leon volunteered to chair the subcommittee and named Mike and Joe as members. The subcommittee will review affordability thresholds, whether to allow in‑lieu options, bonus density calculations, and interactions with the comprehensive permit pathway.

After discussion, the board voted to continue the inclusionary zoning item to Oct. 8 to allow staff, the subcommittee and council contacts time to refine the draft and confirm whether the Town Council intends to request a recommendation. The motion to continue passed by voice vote; the chair recorded an aye.

Why it matters: Inclusionary zoning would change how residential developments of 10 units or more are conditioned for affordable housing in Middletown. Board members emphasized choices about mandatory vs. elective requirements, affordability targets, in‑lieu payments, and how the ordinance would interact with the comprehensive permit option.

Next steps: The subcommittee (Leon, chair; Mike; Joe) will meet to prepare recommendations for the planning board ahead of the Oct. 8 meeting; staff will also check with Councilmember Paul Rodriguez about council interest and report back.

Ending note: The board deferred action to allow the subcommittee and staff to clarify policy tradeoffs and to confirm council interest before forwarding any recommendation.","The planning board discussed a draft inclusionary zoning ordinance revised to follow recent state changes, formed a subcommittee to work through details, and continued the item to Oct. 8 for further consideration and potential council coordination.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6468478,"Middletown planning board gives final continuance on traffic-focused subdivision, sets Oct. 8 deadline",548,285000,833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145&start=285&end=833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782129-72d08370390be2cfda3c93761de3f145/thumbnail_285000.jpg","/articles/6468478/Rhode-Island/Middletown-planning-board-gives-final-continuance-on-traffic-focused-subdivision-sets-Oct-8-deadline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468478-891616fbdb1f533017f02913e54cb91f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776149375&Signature=NNe0kTEc7jtcWRvqX0hCaNyqncY-dKnbTAHQaJu-1h~Qt8WUjH0VVe7XlZwy5LEMdwokA1XlrVsEyJRxT7LTqgy1EmlKhwuwRLfqCom7BJoYcwTGMFakxtg1I1s0h5tW5d2gH7~1z0idW0qFGOqC9WcE2vVyHJybq3jK~pKhV04O-4bQ0l1xEAqra5oj4Ncx6XAYlYgjHQ-2HijOdiJZB5UPHYw4j7VIkzRh1RRIPCQWbhKPWnievOjWAUo1-KTSp3qiGo5sRRJIzpLZl57HfKxweYRuxR5dzap~e9g5X~9R0pjvogSMGMbO80x~HznyQFfCIqeQQsbZKPUGMqa4sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown Planning Board continued two agenda items concerning proposed subdivisions to the board's Oct. 8 meeting and set a condition that one application would not receive another continuance.

Board members debated whether to allow another postponement for a subdivision that has been before the board for months. Planning staff said Crossman Engineering had submitted comments on Aug. 18 and the applicant had asked for more time to respond; the applicant's attorney told staff the engineer was still preparing responses and expected to be ready for the next meeting. Planning board member Leon, however, said the applicant had previously failed to address traffic questions raised by board members and Crossman Engineering “in any meaningful manner” and argued the board should follow its continuance policy and not grant another delay.

The board balanced those views and voted to continue item 4a to the Oct. 8 meeting on the condition that the applicant provide its traffic study responses in time for the packet and that no further continuances be granted. The motion passed by voice vote; the chair recorded an aye.

Item 4b, also absent its project representative, was continued to Oct. 8 after staff reported ongoing communications between the property owner and a potential tenant. The board was told that, if the applicant remained unprepared, the applicant could withdraw at the next meeting.

Why it matters: Board members said the continuances have delayed resolution of projects that raise traffic and land-use concerns. One member said the project subject to item 4a has been on the agenda for about seven months and that the board has the option under its policy to drop items that extend past the six-month mark.

Board and staff comments: Planning staff (Ron) said Crossman Engineering’s letter was dated Aug. 18 and that the applicant had requested additional time to have its consultant respond. Leon said earlier continuances had not produced thorough responses and said the board should enforce its policy. Another board member suggested the applicant should include regional, known future development in any traffic study so impacts are considered in context; staff said the town's broader traffic study is not yet available and therefore applicants must rely on current guidance.

What the board decided: The board
- Continued item 4a to Oct. 8, subject to the condition that it would not be continued again and that the applicant submit study responses for the next packet; and
- Continued item 4b to Oct. 8, noting the request was based on ongoing negotiations between the owner and a prospective tenant.

Next steps: Applicants for both items must provide updated materials in time for the Oct. 8 packet or risk withdrawal or denial. The board said staff will post plot diagrams with administrative subdivision approvals in the online packet going forward at the request of board members.

Ending note: The board recorded the continuances by voice vote; the chair voted aye on the motions.","The Town of Middletown Planning Board continued two subdivision items to the Oct. 8 meeting and placed a firm, final deadline on one application after members said the applicant had not adequately responded to traffic engineering comments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Middletown Planning Board (Sept. meeting)

Middletown planning board to hold special public hearing on zoning and subdivision changes required by new state housing laws

Middletown planning board reopens inclusionary zoning discussion, forms subcommittee and delays action to Oct. 8

Middletown planning board gives final continuance on traffic-focused subdivision, sets Oct. 8 deadline