[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6469394,"mediaKeyId","5784640-89923835a4d508f56c81a010545687da","parentId",5784640,"title","Portsmouth moves planning application submissions to OpenGov ahead of state deadline","audioSeconds",271,"startMs",2673000,"endMs",2944000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784640-89923835a4d508f56c81a010545687da&start=2673&end=2944","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784640-89923835a4d508f56c81a010545687da/thumbnail_2673000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469394/Rhode-Island/Portsmouth-moves-planning-application-submissions-to-OpenGov-ahead-of-state-deadline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469394-30928673684438242943deb7d1ced2fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770865062&Signature=MqCgsPhas3KeTJaBdJVRllvv8fkTstHj~QQy~IqhtV~ml0~SW0oWp-2JOf0HJ-Fkq-y2atNyO0t01vnaMEJ-24jiAtGNAgZFn8JrvVpLZcC-TE~CpjAmPzPTj1YdTgiHvo61eY88lGzJOorU97TAiSeahg8Uk3gwU~YdPb9vR~feSnte~PCtdXsnXhFJVAgecthZgY2981qGp~xiydqjvRtP6FMdPQNRL85jTPxDR38TfW0QXPxiienRN2C4yaKz7JEAGdr5VVGFFBoYH9qBD9F7L0LBwKBL6xLfEHiZPIuWnSnMbFfrGn3eb1k7XANpYBi1eshnHAUrKEDfjZSL4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Portsmouth","date","2025-09-15T14:04:32Z","article","Portsmouth planning staff told the Planning Board on Sept. 11 that the town began a soft rollout on Sept. 1 of OpenGov for planning application submissions to meet state law requiring electronic submissions by Oct. 1, 2025.

Planning Department staff explained that zoning applications already have been processed through the platform since April and that building permits have used electronic submission since 2017. Staff said they will provide guidance and a “cheat sheet” for board members about reviewing large-format plans in the online system and will assist members who need help downloading or printing documents.

Board members raised practical concerns. One board member said, “I’m a tactile person, so I print out an 11 by 17 when you send me those,” and asked whether the planning office could provide printed materials on request while the board adapts. Planning staff replied they will help members and that the town can provide assistance during the transition.

Staff emphasized the change is driven by state legislation and that the planning office will continue to support board members as they move to online review. The board discussed whether applicants may be required to supply a limited hard-copy package for ease of review during the transition; staff said they will work with members and applicants to ease the move to the online platform.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portsmouth Planning Board Meeting - 9/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff announced a soft launch of OpenGov for planning application submissions on Sept. 1 to comply with state legislation requiring electronic submissions by Oct. 1, 2025; board members raised concerns about access and printing of large-format plans.","taxTitle","Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",79583,"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},6469399,"Board continues Elm Street (Portsmouth Heights) progress review to Oct. 9 after contractor reports cleanup and paving plans",519,2145000,2664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784640-89923835a4d508f56c81a010545687da&start=2145&end=2664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784640-89923835a4d508f56c81a010545687da/thumbnail_2145000.jpg","/articles/6469399/Rhode-Island/Board-continues-Elm-Street-Portsmouth-Heights-progress-review-to-Oct-9-after-contractor-reports-cleanup-and-paving-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469399-da9bf7806a8c25cff55db8d87581d686/orig.mp4?Expires=1770865062&Signature=gp5A5-QyeI-4tNlucmnqyGQIhiltWa1TpgogzO9w6SQo0jpfSvaAVtm2ZUBR80qtUCvFbpkIQRyQAVGyztcOa1c6cen8W~SppZvLX-Kgm1-ffhxMoRRRBqbRpZTRAmh8qPtWo-InhMbF3r2D4CZlXrE8p9El6pKAgcSupossldxTiVIN78heK6eZJIbwyF40HpuSVqMp~uOjt4tbIwyr1srNNkHDELh35v42YSZCZvTPdOU18vKsRQHTLW685KJ5BBj3kyMb1Cqgv8SsI~oTo48skbaatixIxMCY1VvJ3Q~XjVDvrjWq5t0VBlsGObOAqCG4YSdqU2XrmZzn4OjyXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth Planning Board on Sept. 11 continued the Elm Street progress report for the Portsmouth Heights subdivision to its Oct. 9 meeting after staff and the contractor described recent site work and plans to repave.

Paul Rodricks, director of public works, told the board crews had mowed detention ponds, completed DigSafe markings and identified binder areas that must be replaced before the final top course. Rodricks said the general contractor and paver marked needed binder replacement and indicated the contractor hoped to pave within about three weeks.

Michael Atkinson of WC Excavation, the contractor on-site for the applicant, said his crew had cleaned retention ponds, performed preliminary swale work and planned to rip out and repave the cul-de-sac binder because the asphalt was not salvageable. “It will be paved by, hopefully, the end of next week,” Atkinson told the board.

Board members and staff discussed a row of plantings in the town right-of-way that could be removed if future utilities require the right-of-way to be cleared and noted a continuing question over whether a homeowners association has formally organized and who will manage long-term maintenance of swales and ponds. Planning staff said they will ask the applicant to return to the Oct. 9 meeting with a progress update.

The board voted to continue the item to the Oct. 9 meeting for a status report; the developer was granted the extension that the board previously provided in June to remedy outstanding items including replacement of binder, riprap and swale reestablishment, removal of silt from the drainage pond, installation of bounds, completion of as-builts and final loam-and-seed restoration.

Planning staff and DPW said recent coordination with the contractor and the applicant’s representatives in the preceding days produced visible progress, and the board requested that a field representative attend the Oct. 9 meeting to report final paving and as-built status.","Harkins Development’s Portsmouth Heights work has progressed; DPW and contractor reported cleaned ponds and scheduled binder replacement and paving, and the board continued the Elm Street progress report to the Oct. 9 meeting for an update.",{"_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},6469403,"Portsmouth planning board approves road-shape and berm changes to address Cutler Court drainage complaints",2018,127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784640-89923835a4d508f56c81a010545687da&start=127&end=2145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784640-89923835a4d508f56c81a010545687da/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/6469403/Rhode-Island/Portsmouth-planning-board-approves-road-shape-and-berm-changes-to-address-Cutler-Court-drainage-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469403-f1d3805df1886f35bd69619798235e77/orig.mp4?Expires=1770865062&Signature=DXXSxPwtlIbY4AgPJxEDPsVFdyE6kGWuKXVt8vVvaB7L0vB037ioMUooDE5RpHqBb1fU4jJdNJ1Ieg0tdznPi5-JZQDL-~AOB2tnJKZXz0RAulUnaF~Ep3OXTDZ1RoDSLGoJlmpcqOWWIuyYo-RaMI-jDTV5lbVtEj-IDnNmxgy3y2rOTm54Wx1q3ajZG9z2lyIqGtTToENePN0EaANKNSFziX4XlHxuCqKE1kpM6kAMWEyrWnH38xzPHHKaHFwF3JTcsSCnp8Qxv95pWAkGofWKEoMqYOvEON2YDvjMWtAuJH5MomTGxIM7L1vAOyn3R5ISF6YhMJXZ7VWnmxg1Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Portsmouth Planning Board on Sept. 11 approved limited changes to the Cutler Court final plan intended to reduce stormwater flowing onto private yards at the cul-de-sac on Tax Assessor Plat 58, Lot 49 (Lots 49A–F).

The board accepted testimony from John Bridal Jr., the engineer and surveyor of record, who recommended an exaggerated crown at the centerline of the cul-de-sac and a short Cape Cod berm along the east side of the circle to redirect water away from Lots 33 and 41 Cutler Court. Paul Rodricks, Portsmouth director of public works, said removing a west-side swale would not by itself resolve the eastern flooding and supported trying the pavement-and-berm approach after resurfacing.

The modifications matter to nearby homeowners because residents reported repeated standing water and localized flooding. Jonathan Jeffries, 33 Cutler Court, told the board, “There is a problem with drainage. I agree that there’s a crown to the road. My issue is there isn’t a crown to the circle.” Resident Susan Ware, 41 Cutler Court, urged the board to clarify who will maintain swales and berms if they are installed.

During discussion, Bridal described the technical proposal: raise the centerline crown through the cul-de-sac by roughly two-tenths of a foot (about two inches) when the top course is applied and install a roughly three-inch Cape Cod berm around the eastern side of the circle. Bridal said he took more than 300 topographic shots for the as-built base course and that the crown in the road exists but is less pronounced in the cul-de-sac area.

The board’s motion, made by Miss Wilson and seconded by a fellow board member, directs the following as conditions of approval for the requested minor modifications: (1) raise the pavement centerline in identified areas by about two inches per the engineer’s plan to create a more defined crown; (2) require the contractor to clean and flush pipes and swales after resurfacing; (3) install a Cape Cod berm at the east side of the cul-de-sac but shape it so it is not a “speed bump” at 33 Cutler Court; and (4) require the project engineer to be on-site to supervise berm installation so the final grade is blended at driveways. The motion passed.

Developer and on-site representative Connor Melville said the applicant intends to complete the work this calendar year and the board directed staff to monitor progress; the board also stated it will not accept the subdivision as complete until the outstanding pavement and drainage work is satisfactorily finished. The town solicitor will review deed records after residents raised questions about a homeowners association recorded in 2018.

The board and public emphasized that if the pavement-and-berm solution does not resolve the problems, additional measures — including additional swales or installing a pipe under the driveway at 33 Cutler Court — could be required. The board asked staff to follow up after resurfacing and report back if the solution fails to reduce runoff onto private property.

The board’s approval does not constitute final acceptance of the subdivision; the board reiterated that final acceptance will occur only after required work and documentation are complete and confirmed.","The Portsmouth Planning Board approved minor modifications to the Cutler Court final plan to address stormwater reaching several homeowners’ yards, directing a slightly higher crown at the cul-de-sac, installation of a Cape Cod berm and contractor cleanup after resurfacing; acceptance of the subdivision will remain pending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Portsmouth moves planning application submissions to OpenGov ahead of state deadline

Board continues Elm Street (Portsmouth Heights) progress review to Oct. 9 after contractor reports cleanup and paving plans

Portsmouth planning board approves road-shape and berm changes to address Cutler Court drainage complaints