Town Planner Quarterly Report

August 9, 2006

TO: Town Council

FROM: Robert W. Gilstein, Town Planner

Gary Crosby, Assistant Planner / Zoning Enforcement Officer

RE: Quarterly Update - Planning Office - April - July 2006

PARK AVENUE ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT

This project is all but complete. A few mailboxes must be moved to provide the minimum 36" clear width to meet ADA requirements, road re-striping, completing the electrical connections for the new lighting; planting day lilies in the two islands, and a few minor miscellaneous improvements to complete the project.

The Town will have to apply separately to the State Traffic Commission to change some of the No Parking signs.

SURVEY - SEWERS VS. WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WWMD)

The Wastewater Advisory Committee met several times this quarter with the Planning staff and the consultant.
The consultant, Woodard & Curran, completed its work, except for the final write-ups. Especially important were the cost estimates for four sewer alternatives, plus the 40 year costs of replacing septic systems over time instead.
Planner prepared financial summaries of costs, broken down to the per-household level for repayment of a potential bond issue plus annual operations and maintenance.
Planner analyzed the possible use of Tax Increment Financing to help pay capital costs.
The Staff and Committee are preparing a full report to be submitted to the first Council meeting in September.
Results of this work will be presented to DEM for their approval as the Town's solution to the TMDL documented pollution problem. Consultant's work will be incorporated into a Wastewater Facilities Plan to be submitted to DEM for approval.

ISLAND PARK/PORTSMOUTH PARK WASTEWATER FACILITIES PLAN (WWFP)

Plans on hold pending the town’s sewer decision.

If no sewers, these areas must have a Wastewater Management District with mandatory inspection, pumpout and repair. Smoke and other tests to find illicit connections to storm drains will be done. (We have a DEM grant for these tests, but may seek more funding.) Full time staff probably needed; to start about April 2007. Staff will work with the Wastewater Advisory Committee in devising a workable program.
Results of this work will be presented to DEM for their approval as the Town's solution to the TMDL documented pollution problem. This will be incorporated into a Wastewater Facilities Plan to be submitted to DEM for approval.
When completed, an ordinance to implement the program will be written and submitted to Town Council for adoption.

TOWN-WIDE WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (WWMP)

A Town-Wide Wastewater Management Plan will be completed by staff. This will make the entire not-to-be-sewered parts of town eligible for the State’s 2% septic repair loan program.
When completed, an ordinance will be written and submitted to Town Council for adoption.
Planning staff will complete the necessary work once the sewer vs. Wastewater Management District decision is made.

WEST SIDE DEVELOPMENT & REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The new Portsmouth Redevelopment Agency has met monthly to educate itself on the various factors involving the re-use of the Navy tank farms and toured the tank farms in May. Members have also attended meetings of other groups to gain more information. The Agency, working with staff, will:

Recommend a Re-Use Plan to the Town Council for adoption. This plan will be forwarded to our Congressional delegation in their attempt to free navy tank farm property for development.
Work with RIEDC and our Congressional delegation to release excess Navy property.
Recommend incorporation of certain zoning designations and zoning ideas into zoning ordinance. The EPA Smart Growth work will be a great help in this effort.
Investigate with the Navy and DEM the exact status of the tank farm cleanup, and recommend alternatives to current cleanup schedule.

WEST SIDE DEVELOPMENT & COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Assistant Planner incorporated major provisions of the West Side Master Plan into our Comprehensive Plan, which was reviewed and recommended by Planning Board and redevelopment Agency, then adopted by the Town Council.

LOW-MODERATE INCOME HOUSING PLAN

Necessary zoning amendments to implement the plan written by staff, reviewed by the Planning Board, and adopted by the Town Council.
Amendments to the Subdivision regulations will follow.
Staff will assist boards in evaluation of proposals as needed.
Staff will work on regulations to possibly permit affordable housing to be built off-site, and possibly a fee-in-lieu to a housing trust fund.

AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE - PUDs

Staff created a new set of Planned Unit Development regulations (Planned Marina Village Developments and Planned Resort Developments) to enable our zoning ordinance to deal with the marina village and the resort being planned by the O'Neill Group.

Staff has met several times with Planning Board to finalize wording.
Assistant Planner drafted new Performance Standards to be applied in the review of such development applications. Planning Board will commence its review of these standards at its August 16 meeting.

TOWN CENTER

RIDOT has extended an existing consultant contract to evaluate feasibility of roundabouts in this area. That consultant has retained a nationally know n expert on roundabouts. Still awaiting a report.

BUILDOUT ANALYSIS

Utilizing GIS, Assistant Planner estimated and mapped remaining single family residential development potential.

TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE

As parcels has been divided and combined over time, the listing of non-residential parcels in the zoning ordinance has failed to keep pace. Assistant Planner is working on updating this list parcel by parcel, for submission to the Town Council. After Council approval, a new zoning map will be created.

STORMWATER II PLAN

Help ensure that promised town actions are budgeted.
Set up system to monitor our compliance over time.
Submitted first annual report to RIDEM.

GIS IMPROVEMENT

Assistant Planner updated GIS parcels with 2005 tax data.

HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

Assistant Planner is assisting the new Harbor Management Committee with reviewing the existing plan.

HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Assistant Planner completed plan; adoption in the hands of the Emergency Management Coordinator.

AQUIDNECK ISLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

Planner sits in on all meetings and helps direct activities of that organization on behalf of the Town. Works closely with the AIPC on certain activities.

PRUDENCE ISLAND PLANNING INITIATIVE

Assistant Planner worked with the P.I. Planning Board on revising their part of the Comprehensive Plan.

TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE AND MAP

Address the subject of re-zoning heavy industry zoned parcels to better reflect actual use and plans.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AWARD

Applied for additional funding for more decorative lighting, benches and trash receptacles.

ZONING ENFORCEMENT

The Assistant Planner is also the Zoning Enforcement Officer and spends a substantial percentage of his time handling complaints. He will also be responsible for ensuring that any development agreements under the PUD are fulfilled.

ENTERPRISE ZONE

As Mr. Clark is part time, Planner handles Enterprise Zone when Bill is not in his office.

CONCENTRATION for NEXT SIX MONTHS

The Wastewater study and aftermath, be it sewers or a wastewater management district; possible sewers for just the Melville area; completion of PUD ordinance; implementation of the Low-Moderate Income Housing Plan; staffing the Portsmouth Redevelopment Agency, moving along on the Town Center once RIDOT's consultant finishes its work on the feasibility of roundabouts, adoption of the Stormwater Management Plan. In addition to his time-consuming zoning enforcement duties, Gary Crosby is the primary planner for Town Center, Harbor Management Plan, Prudence Island, Zoning Technical Amendments and Stormwater Management, GIS mapping, and provides considerable assistance on other projects.

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