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Council notified of zoning text amendment request for sand and gravel processing and a proposed energy PUD; hearings to be scheduled
Summary
Town planning staff told the Glocester council it received a zoning text‑amendment application to allow processing of sand, gravel and loam in B‑2 highway commercial zones (proposed license modeled after earth‑removal licensing) and a separate plan/PUD amendment for an energy/solar district; both items will be scheduled for public hearings.
Town planning staff updated the Glocester Town Council on Aug. 21 that the planning office had received a zoning application from an applicant (identified in the record as "Kaluch") seeking to allow processing of sand, gravel and loam (not associated with earth removal) in B‑2 highway commercial zones through a zoning text amendment and a new annual license.
Staff explained that the change would be town‑wide for properties zoned B‑2 and recommended creating a licensing mechanism—modeled on the existing earth‑removal license—to regulate operations, establish conditions and enable enforcement. "My recommendation is... it should be licensed," the planner said, noting licensing would allow annual review and conditions similar to existing licenses for extraction activities.
Staff also reported receipt of a zone‑change application and comprehensive plan amendment from an applicant identified as "Faculty Mutual" to create a planned unit development (PUD) district with energy components such as solar arrays. Both items are at the application stage; staff said they were holding incomplete filings until missing materials arrived and that hearings will be advertised and scheduled (staff suggested a public hearing for the sand/gravel application could be set for Sept. 18).
The council asked procedural questions—whether the council should amend zoning text to allow the use in all B‑2 zones or create a new industrial zone—and staff advised either approach is possible but reiterated that licensing is a key control tool. No zoning change or license was adopted; the council was notified that public hearings and advertising will follow once applications are complete.
Context: the sand/gravel request would not create an earth‑removal operation but would permit continuous processing activities in B‑2 zones; staff recommended the activity be subject to an annual license with stipulations and enforcement conditions. The PUD energy district application was reported as forthcoming; staff will provide formal public‑hearing materials for both items.
