Johnston public meetings in 2024

Town Council Meeting

The Town Council will discuss borrowing funds for stormwater improvements and review several business license applications. The body is also considering resolutions for police and fire equipment and a chronic flooding mitigation project.

• Ordinance 2024-13: Borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater facility planning
• Resolution 2024-66: Agreement for the Atwood and Hartford Avenue Chronic Flooding Mitigation Project
• Resolution 2024-65: Purchase of a new Dispatch Radio System for the Police Department
• Resolution 2024-64: Purchase of body armor for the fire department
• 2024-L-5: Transfer of Class BV Full Liquor License to Brasas, LLC d/b/a Savory Memories

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Johnston Planning Board conducted a pre-application meeting for a 155-unit low- and moderate-income housing development at 178-200 George Waterman Road, with no vote taken. The board also approved a 24-unit housing development at 1725 Plainfield Pike and a Dunkin drive-thru coffee shop at 1296 Atwood Avenue, among other actions.

• Pre-application meeting for 155-unit affordable housing development on George Waterman Road
• Final approval of 24-unit housing development at 1725 Plainfield Pike (AP 26 lots 77, 85, 111, 149)
• Approval of Dunkin drive-thru coffee shop (1,000 sq ft) at 1296 Atwood Avenue
• Advisory opinion to rezone 2697 Hartford Avenue from R-40 and B-2 to B-2
• Advisory opinion on donation of 101 Irons Avenue parcel to the town

Cancelled Zoning Board Meeting

The November 21, 2024 meeting of the Johnston Zoning Board has been cancelled. No items will be discussed or decided at this meeting.

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider an ordinance authorizing $300,000 in borrowing for stormwater facility planning, along with two zone map change petitions and multiple business license applications. A resolution to transfer $118,100 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund is also on the agenda. The meeting includes public hearings, approval of minutes, and a constituent request regarding Market Basket.

• Ordinance 2024-13: Borrow up to $300,000 for stormwater facility planning.
• Petition 2024-CP-158: Zone map change for Assessor’s Plat 57, Lot 170 on Hartford Avenue from B-2/R-40 to B-2 (pending planning board).
• Petition 2024-CP-173: Zone map change for Assessor’s Plat 8, Lot 14 on Hartford Avenue from R-20 to R-7.
• Resolution 2024-59: Transfer $118,100 from General Fund to Capital Projects Fund.
• Resolution 2024-60 and 2024-61: Authorize purchases of equipment (including a Field and Bunker Rake) for Buildings and Grounds Department.

*CANCELLED* Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Johnston Planning Board meeting scheduled for November 12, 2024, has been cancelled due to lack of a quorum. All items originally on the agenda will be heard at the next regular meeting on December 3, 2024.

• Meeting cancelled due to lack of quorum
• All scheduled items postponed to December 3, 2024

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met to consider two property petitions. The board voted to grant a special use permit for a home-based business and a dimensional variance for a new garage.

• Approved special use permit for Derek and Shelby Sousa at 448 George Waterman Rd for a hair salon and 1 bedroom apartment
• Approved dimensional variance for Joseph and Colleen Serydynski at 27 Reservoir Avenue to construct a metal garage

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider business license renewals, including an Amazon holiday sales permit and a fortune teller license, and a petition to rezone a Hartford Avenue parcel. Multiple resolutions authorize purchases of dump trucks, pickups, heavy equipment, and a street sweeper for the public works department. The council will also hear a presentation on community choice aggregation for electricity and a claim for injury damages.

• Business license renewal for Amazon.com Services, LLC (holiday sales at 2120 Hartford Ave)
• Petition to rezone Assessor's Plat 57, Lot 170 on Hartford Avenue from mixed B-2/R-40 to B-2
• Resolution 2024-50: Award bid for two 42FR-Mack Dump Trucks for the Department of Development and Public Services
• Resolution 2024-45: Authorize acceptance of donated land on Allendale Pond (Plat 35, Lot 185)
• Claim from Jessica L. Basso on behalf of Ariana Calabro for injury/damages

*CANCELLED* Regular Planning Board Meeting

The October 1, 2024 regular meeting of the Johnston Planning Board has been cancelled. All items originally scheduled will be heard at the November 12, 2024 meeting. No items are discussed at this meeting.

• Meeting cancelled for October 1, 2024
• All business postponed to November 12, 2024 meeting

Cancelled Zoning Board Meeting

The September 26, 2024 meeting of the Johnston Zoning Board has been cancelled. No items were discussed or decided.

• Meeting cancelled

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will review several business license applications and resolutions regarding land and infrastructure. The body is also considering a significant fund transfer for road maintenance and an ordinance update regarding dog barking.

• Resolution 2024-44: Transfer of $1,563,000 of Surplus Funds to the Capital Projects Fund for Road Improvement and Maintenance
• Ordinance 2024-12: Amendment to the Excessive Dog Barking Ordinance
• Resolution 2024-45: Acceptance of donated land at Allendale Pond (Assessor’s Plat 35, Lot 185)
• Resolution 2024-47: Agreement for a video surveillance system at Johnston War Memorial Park
• Petition 2024-CP-144: Request for a speed bump on Lafayette Street

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The September 3, 2024 regular meeting of the Johnston Planning Board has been cancelled. No items were discussed or decided.

Amended Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on August 29, 2024, and approved a petition for a use variance for an indoor children's play area with offices at 2674 Hartford Ave. The applicant, Karissa Kane, Stacy Behan, and Kristina Behan, received approval with stipulations including jersey barriers and bollards. Minutes from the previous meeting were also approved. No old business was discussed.

• Petition of Karissa Kane, Stacy Behan, and Kristina Behan for a use variance at 2674 Hartford Ave (Ap 46 Lot 32, zoned B2) for an indoor children's play area with offices on the second floor
• Variance approved with stipulations of jersey barriers and bollards
• Minutes from previous meeting approved
• Meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board approved a comprehensive permit for a mixed-income housing project and granted variances for two minor subdivisions. The board also voted to cancel its September 3rd meeting.

• Approved 32 housing units at 198 Shun Pike (Western Meadows), including 16 low-to-moderate income units
• Approved minor subdivision and variance for 3 undersized lots at 29 Pleasant Street
• Approved minor subdivision and variance to create 2 lots at 1114 Central Avenue
• Conditioned 198 Shun Pike approval on an expanded roadway and permeable walking path

Town Council Meeting

The Town Council will hold public hearings on several ordinances, including one to borrow up to $300,000 for stormwater and sewer facility planning (Ordinance 2024-11) and another amending zoning rules for animal shelters, boarding, daycare, grooming, and breeding kennels (Ordinance 2024-10). The Council will also vote on resolutions to sell a town-owned lot on Dyerville Avenue (Resolution 2024-41) and award bids for installing an electrical hot box on Atwood Avenue (Resolution 2024-42) and for street paving services (Resolution 2024-43). Several business licenses, reappointments to boards, and a petition for a speed bump on Flanders Street are also on the agenda.

• Public hearing on Ordinance 2024-11 authorizing up to $300,000 in borrowing for stormwater/sewer planning
• Public hearing on Ordinance 2024-10 amending zoning for animal shelters, boarding, daycare, grooming, and breeding kennels
• Resolution 2024-41 authorizing sale of Assessor's Plat 13, Lot 142 on Dyerville Avenue to Jessica and Corey Harris
• Resolution 2024-42 awarding bid for installation of an Electrical Hot Box on Atwood Avenue behind the Police Station
• Resolution 2024-43 awarding bid and ratifying agreement for Street Paving Services

Zoning Board Meeting

The Zoning Board of Review decided on two property use petitions. The board approved a special use permit for a doggie daycare and a variance for a plumbing business with specific landscaping and vehicle restrictions.

• Approved special use permit for a Doggie Day Care Center at 1665 Hartford Ave (max 10 dogs)
• Approved variance for plumbing business at 1225 Atwood Ave (Ap 24 Lot 112)
• Required 5-foot wide buffer strip with shade trees and shrubs along Atwood Avenue
• Prohibited heavy vehicles (backhoes, vacuum trucks, jet trucks, dump trucks) at 1225 Atwood Ave, except for two junk trucks stored inside overnight

Special Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council is holding a special meeting to vote on a resolution transferring $2,350,000 from surplus funds to the Capital Projects Fund for road improvements. Additionally, the Council will consider six resolutions placing charter amendment questions on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot, covering topics such as School Committee representation, four-year terms for Council members, ethics compliance, an auxiliary judge of probate, budget procedures, and audit standards.

• Resolution 2024-33: Transfer $2,350,000 from surplus to Capital Projects Fund for road improvements
• Resolution 2024-34: Ballot question on amending Charter for School Committee representation
• Resolution 2024-35: Ballot question on amending Charter for four-year Town Council terms
• Resolution 2024-36: Ballot question on amending Charter for abiding by the Code of Ethics
• Resolution 2024-39: Ballot question on amending Charter for audit and audit standards

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding a permit application for 32 housing units at 198 Shun Pike. The project includes 16 units deed restricted for low- and moderate-income households. The board will also review a draft zoning ordinance update and the draft land use map.

• Public hearing for Western Meadows housing development (198 Shun Pike)
• Review of draft zoning ordinance restructuring
• Discussion of Draft Land Use Map

Town Council Meeting

The Town Council will review several ordinances regarding zoning, stormwater management, and the creation of a Re-Development Agency. The agenda also includes discussions on business licenses and resolutions for municipal services.

• Ordinance to authorize borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater and sewer improvements
• Creation of a new Re-Development Agency ordinance
• Zoning amendments regarding animal shelters, boarding, and breeding kennels
• Resolution for a conceptual design proposal for Pocasset Reserve Stormwater Flooding
• Petition for a speed calming device on River Drive

Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met to review property petitions and approve previous meeting minutes. The board approved a detached garage expansion for a single-family dwelling on Bishop Hill Road. A petition regarding business use and an apartment at 1225 Atwood Avenue was continued until July 25, 2024.

• Approval of detached garage expansion at 51 Bishop Hill Rd
• Continuation of petition for business use and apartment at 1225 Atwood Ave until July 25, 2024
• Approval of May 30, 2024, meeting minutes

Special Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council is holding a special meeting to conduct a budget hearing for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The agenda also includes a resolution regarding trust fund contributions and a reading of an ordinance for property tax collection.

• Public hearing for Ordinance 2024-6 to appropriate $134,342,201 for the town budget
• Resolution 2024-27 to contribute $400,000 to the OPEB Trust Fund from healthcare reserves
• Reading of Ordinance 2024-7 regarding property tax assessment and collection

Town Council Meeting

The Town Council will review a presentation regarding the School Deficit Report. Members will also consider resolutions for streetscape improvements on Hartford and Atwood Avenues and a $300,000 loan for a new Waste Water Management District. Additionally, the agenda includes various business license approvals and utility pole petitions.

• Resolution 2024-23: Allocating $85,000 for engineering services for Hartford and Atwood Avenue improvements
• Resolution 2024-26: Creating a Waste Water Management District via a $300,000 loan
• Presentation regarding the School Deficit Report
• Resolution 2024-25: Using ARPA funds for a bocce court enclosure at Johnston Senior Center
• Ordinance 2024-3: Amending Municipal Court Judge authority

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board approved subdivision plans for properties on Borden Avenue and Ludlow Street. The board also issued a favorable advisory opinion regarding amendments for animal services such as boarding and grooming. Additionally, members discussed a major restructuring of the town's zoning ordinance.

• Approval of subdivision plans at 63 Borden Avenue
• Approval of subdivision plans at 9 & 11 Ludlow Street
• Advisory opinion on animal service zoning amendments
• Decision regarding the sale of a vacant lot at 37 Dyersville Avenue
• Discussion of the draft zoning ordinance update

Cancelled Zoning Board Meeting

This agenda announces that the Johnston Zoning Board of Review will not hold a meeting on Thursday, May 30, 2024. The notice lists board members and officials but contains no items for discussion or decision. It is purely a cancellation notice with no business to conduct.

• No meeting scheduled for May 30, 2024

Special Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council is holding a special meeting to receive an update from the Finance Department on funding for the Town Storage Building Projects. The main action item is Resolution 2024-20, which was tabled from May 13, 2024, and authorizes a change order to the agreement with MD Development to construct a Multi-Purpose Building at Woodlake Park and a Facilities Building at Memorial Park instead of the originally planned two storage buildings for Police and Fire Departments.

• Resolution 2024-20: change order to MD Development agreement for Multi-Purpose Building at Woodlake Park and Facilities Building at Memorial Park
• Finance Department update on funding status for Town Storage Building Projects
• Special meeting at Johnston Municipal Court, 1600 Atwood Avenue

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider a series of resolutions awarding contracts for IT services, sewer plan updates, audit services, and engineering work, including flood mitigation on Salina Avenue. They will also hear a presentation from the Charter Review Commission and consider multiple business license applications and appointments.

• Resolution 2024-10: agreement with Northern Rhode Island Conservation District for acquiring three properties on Salina Avenue to address flooding
• Resolution 2024-11: award bid for update to Town's Sewer Facilities Plan
• Resolution 2024-13: award bid for Annual Audit Services
• Resolution 2024-18: change order for water, sewer, and electricity installation for Splash Pad at Johnston War Memorial Park
• 2024-CP-70: Presentation by Charter Review Commission on proposed charter amendments

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Johnston Planning Board approved a major land development for 24 housing units at 1725 Plainfield Pike, subject to conditions including a final drainage report and fire marshal review. The board also continued a minor land development application for 138 Scituate Avenue to next month due to an incorrect address, and discussed a draft zoning ordinance update.

• Approved PB 23-04 (listed as PB 23-01): 12 buildings, 24 units, R-7 zone, 1725 Plainfield Pike
• Continued PB 24-13: minor land development, 138 Scituate Avenue, R-40 zone, renotify abutters
• Discussed draft zoning ordinance update (PB 23-12) due to state law changes
• Approved April 2, 2024 meeting minutes

Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met and approved minutes from a previous meeting, granted a two-year extension for a property at 279 Scituate Ave, and approved two new petitions for garage construction. The board approved a detached two-car garage with a new driveway at 61 Lookout Ave and a special use permit for a free-standing two-car garage at 17 Jenckes Street, with a restriction that it be used for storage only.

• Approved 2-year extension for 279 Scituate Ave
• Approved detached two-car garage with new driveway at 61 Lookout Ave (AP 9 Lot 238)
• Approved special use permit for free-standing 2-car garage at 17 Jenckes Street (AP 39 Lot 108), restricted to storage only

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will hold public hearings on two ordinances: one setting rules for mobile food truck events and park events, and another approving a revised tax stabilization agreement with Amazon.com Services, LLC. The council will also consider seven business license applications, a petition to buy a vacant lot, and tax abatements.

• Ordinance 2024-5: revised Tax Stabilization Agreement with Amazon.com Services, LLC
• Ordinance 2024-4: guidelines for Mobile Food Truck Events and events in Town Parks
• 2024-CP-50: Petition by Jessica & Corey Harris to purchase vacant Assessor's Plat 13, Lot 142
• Seven business license applications, including Babylon Market, Johnston Express, and Famous Pizza
• 2024-TO-4: Tax Assessor Abatements for April 2024

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Johnston Planning Board held its monthly meeting and approved a minor land development for a countertop fabrication business with outside storage at 1763 & 1765 Plainfield Pike. The board also granted one-year extensions for several master plan approvals, ratified a performance bond call, and discussed a zoning ordinance update and state law changes.

• Approved PB 24-10: Compass Stone & Tile countertop fabrication business with outside storage at 1763 & 1765 Plainfield Pike (AP27 Lots 165 and 227), subject to landscaping and 30x200 storage as submitted
• Granted one-year master plan extensions for Winsor I, II, III, Harilla I, and Elmgrove II projects under RIGL 45-23-40(g)
• Re-established master plan approval for SASA-29 Pleasant Street (1056 Atwood Avenue) subject to zoning approval
• Ratified Administrative Officer's call of performance bond for Alexandria Way (adjacent to 29 Taylor Road)
• Discussed draft zoning ordinance restructuring and state law changes to RIGL 45-23 and 45-24

Special Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council is holding a special meeting on March 28, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Johnston Municipal Court. The sole substantive item is a public hearing for the first reading of Ordinance 2024-5, which would approve a revised Tax Stabilization Agreement between the Town and Amazon.com Services, LLC, setting a stabilized tax amount on certain real and personal property. The council may vote on this item, followed by adjournment.

• Public hearing and first reading of Ordinance 2024-5, a revised Tax Stabilization Agreement with Amazon.com Services, LLC
• Agreement sets a stabilized amount of taxes on certain real and personal property in Johnston
• Meeting held at Johnston Municipal Court, 1600 Atwood Avenue
• Votes may be taken on any or all agenda items

Cancelled Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review has cancelled its regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Avenue. No zoning board business will be conducted on that date. Agendas and minutes are available online or at the Department of Development and Public Services, 100 Irons Avenue, Johnston.

• Regular meeting cancelled for March 28, 2024 at Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Avenue
• No zoning board meeting will occur on that date
• Agendas and minutes available at https://clerkshq.com/johnston-ri or 100 Irons Avenue, Johnston

Special Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council held a special meeting on March 11, 2024, primarily to enter executive session to discuss two lawsuits against the town: Stay Away From The Cans v. Town of Johnston (PC-2019-5993) and Saccoccia et al v. Town of Johnston (1:18-cv-00697-WES-LDA). The council voted 4-0 to enter executive session, then returned to open session, voted unanimously on two items, and sealed the minutes. The meeting was otherwise procedural, with no public decisions or discussions on other matters.

• Executive session discussion on Stay Away From The Cans v. Town of Johnston, PC-2019-5993
• Executive session discussion on Saccoccia et al v. Town of Johnston, 1:18-cv-00697-WES-LDA
• Vote 4-0 to enter executive session
• Vote 5-0 to seal executive session minutes
• Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council is meeting to consider a first reading of an ordinance regulating mobile food truck events and park events, along with multiple business license applications. The council will also hold public hearings on two ordinances, one amending the firefighter and police pension fund and another on municipal court judge discretion, and will vote on a resolution seeking state authority for the municipal court to handle housing violations. The agenda includes several claims for damages and tax abatements.

• Ordinance 2024-4: amends mobile food establishment and parks codes for food truck events
• Resolution 2024-8: requests RI General Assembly to give municipal court authority over housing violations
• Public hearing on Ordinance 2024-2: amends firefighter and police pension fund
• Public hearing on Ordinance 2024-3: amends municipal court judge discretionary authority
• Business licenses: A1 Auto Sales (577 Killingly St), Nail Max (1561 Plainfield Pike), Tails By Taya (2071 Plainfield Pike), Little Angels Academy (415 Central Ave), and others

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider several resolutions, including a request to the state for up to $40 million in bonds for stormwater and sewer work, a PILOT agreement with Central Pike Solar, and contracts for a splash pad, diesel fuel station, and sewer repairs. The agenda also includes public hearings on commercial building size limits and a zone change for several parcels, plus multiple license applications and claims.

• Resolution 2024-7: request for $40,000,000 in bonds for stormwater/sewer facilities
• Resolution 2024-2: PILOT and scholarship agreement with Central Pike Realty/Solar
• Resolution 2024-3: bid award for utilities for Splash Pad at Johnston War Memorial Park
• Resolution 2024-4: bid award for Diesel Fuel Station at Dept. of Development and Public Services
• Ordinance 2024-1: zone change for Plat 5, Lots 213, 232, 234, 238, 262 & 263 from R-20 to Industrial-L

Special Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will hold a special meeting to discuss and potentially take action on the legal matter Wilcox v. The Town of Johnston, et al. The Council also plans to seal the meeting minutes.

• Executive session regarding Wilcox v. The Town of Johnston, et al., 1:22-CV-00282-MSM-PAS
• Sealing of the minutes

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Johnston Planning Board approved an extension for a planned development at 80 Morgan Avenue. The Board also adopted revised land development and subdivision regulations to align with state law and discussed the Johnston Comprehensive Plan.

• Extension of preliminary plan approval for a Planned Development CCRC at 80 Morgan Avenue (Lots 1 and 276)
• Adoption of revised Land Development and Subdivision Regulations to conform with state law
• Discussion regarding the Johnston Comprehensive Plan

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on January 25, 2024, and voted on several petitions. They denied a special use permit for a 19 MW solar field on Winsor Avenue, and granted permits for construction equipment leasing, a dimensional variance for two dwellings, and auto sales with stipulations. The board also re-elected its officers and approved Anthony Pilozzi as a member of the Johnston Land Trust.

• Denied special use permit for 19 MW solar field at 118 Winsor Avenue (AP 59 Lot 15)
• Granted special use permit for construction equipment leasing at 2200 Hartford Avenue (AP 54 Lot 53)
• Granted dimensional variance to place two existing dwellings on separate lots at 111 Grand View Avenue (AP 11 Lot 514)
• Approved special use permit for auto sales/rentals at 5 Mowry Avenue (AP 41 Lot 132) with stipulations (max 10 cars, painting, new sign, fencing, no after-hour lighting, 6-month probation)
• Re-elected officers and approved Anthony Pilozzi to Johnston Land Trust

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Johnston Planning Board held its monthly meeting, approving minutes and taking action on several items. They voted to remove an access easement condition from the Cherry Blossom Estates preliminary plan, continued draft revisions to land development regulations and zoning ordinance to align with state law, and approved a minor subdivision and dimensional variance for the Giarusso property at 41 Tartaglia Street. The board also received an update on the Johnston Comprehensive Plan.

• Approved removal of access easement condition from Cherry Blossom Estates preliminary plan (PB 21-4)
• Continued draft revisions to Land Development and Subdivision Regulations (PB 23-34) to next meeting
• Continued draft revisions to Zoning Ordinance (PB 23-35) to next meeting
• Approved minor subdivision and dimensional variance for Giarusso Property, 41 Tartaglia Street, AP 27 Lot 60, zoned R-20 (PB 24-01)
• Received status update on Johnston Comprehensive Plan (PB 22-57)