Planning board recommends allowing construction & demolition processing in planned development park with strict performance standards; recommendation passes 4‑3

The Tiverton Planning Board voted to recommend that the Town Council amend the zoning ordinance to allow construction and demolition (C&D) processing facilities in the Planned Development Park (PDP) as a special‑use activity, subject to a detailed set of performance standards. The motion passed by a 4‑3 vote after extensive public and board discussion.

Applicant representatives (Ryan Demelon, RV Recycling) described a C&D processing facility as “essentially a large warehouse type building that takes in construction, demolition, renovation waste. Mostly consists of wood, cardboard, drywall.” The applicant said materials would be inspected on arrival, separated on a tipping floor and routed—non‑processable or hazardous loads would be rejected or handled separately.

Board and public commenters pressed on potential risks: groundwater contamination, odor, dust, vectors (rodents/insects), traffic volumes and noise given existing uses in the PDP (a power plant, warehousing, and a recreation complex). Staff and the applicant noted that the activity is regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), and that state rules require operators to: obtain RIDEM licensure, maintain operating plans, manage stormwater, establish closure bonds, and ensure 75% of material received is removed from site within six weeks. The board discussed adding town‑level requirements to make the use “right for Tiverton.”

Key performance standards the board asked to forward to council included (summary): - Allow C&D processing in the PDP only by special use permit; require all processing indoors for any facility within 1,000 feet of a residential zone. - Require groundwater monitoring and mandatory submission of RIDEM monitoring and hydraulic reports; establish quarterly reporting cadence (four times annually) consistent with local landfill monitoring practice. - Require an operations and maintenance plan that includes hazardous‑materials mitigation and an emergency response protocol; the town to be notified whenever hazardous loads are identified, in addition to RIDEM notification. - Limit initial building footprint (applicant proposed 40,000 sq ft maximum; applicant said initial facility likely ~20,000 sq ft) and daily incoming tonnage (applicant proposed 50 tons/day initial cap with options to request expansion after 5 years and demonstration of no negative traffic/environmental impact). The board discussed alternatives (100–150 tons/day) and asked for conservative caps in the ordinance with expansion possible by special use permit. - Require a traffic study demonstrating the level of service on Progress Way (and other Business Park roads) will not be degraded; require truck arrival/departure windows (suggested 7 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays; no deliveries Sundays/federal holidays).

Several residents spoke at public comment expressing opposition because the PDP sits partly in the Stafford Pond watershed (a public drinking‑water area) and because of potential noise and truck traffic that could affect nearby recreation and camp uses.

After thorough questioning of the applicant and discussion among members, the board made a motion to recommend the zoning amendments (including a definition and changes to the district use table and Article 6 performance standards) to the Town Council, attaching the board’s proposed 29 performance items and the positive findings of fact prepared by staff. The motion carried 4‑3.

Why it matters: C&D processing facilities can reduce material sent to landfills but raise localized environmental and traffic concerns. The board’s recommendation would allow the use in a town‑designated industrial park but only under strict local controls and RIDEM oversight, with mandatory groundwater monitoring and operational safeguards.