Committee forwards Jordan Farms master-plan for 49 affordable units and standalone solar array to planning board

Staff presented PLN 26-10 (Jordan Farms) as a comprehensive-permit master plan for a 17.27-acre site off Coppola Road. "So, again, the project is 49 units, 5 duplexes, and 13 triplexes," staff said, and described a 98-space parking layout (two spaces per unit), two driveways including a 24-foot access road terminating in a cul-de-sac, and a stand-alone utility-scale solar array behind the residential portion that will not directly power the units.

Staff explained the project is governed by Rhode Island's Low and Moderate Income Housing Act and noted density bonuses tied to the law: "the state law allows for a density bonus of 12 units per acre," staff said, and observed that 49 units represent roughly half of the maximum entitlement calculated under full bonus assumptions. Staff also cautioned that the density bonus and higher unit counts are contingent on having public water and sewer; the committee was advised that proceeding at master-plan stage is at the applicant's risk if the water commission later finds inadequate water supply.

The committee discussed site constraints including wetlands and steep slopes, potential adjustments needed to allow multifamily buildings in an RS-20 district, and the request for relief to permit a utility-scale solar facility in that zoning district. After technical discussion, a motion to forward a positive recommendation for master-plan review to the planning board was seconded and approved.