Middletown First-11.15.05 design review article

Newport Daily News 11.15.05

By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff

MIDDLETOWN - The goal of proposed regulations now before the Planning Board isn't to change the way Middletown's commercial development looks overnight, but over time.

Town Planner Ronald M. Wolanski said over the past year or so, the volunteer planning group has been working with members of the business community on the proposals, tweaking them to best fit what everyone is looking for.

Kenneth J. Alves, a local businessman who was one of the most outspoken critics of the proposal when it first came out, said the Planning Board listened to different ideas and incorporated them into the draft amendments.

"I'm not at all against improving the look of our commercial areas," Alves said. "I think everyone would agree it's needed in a lot of cases. The problem was the regulations initially were so stringent they would stop people from renovating their buildings. Had it went forward, you would have gone to the Planning Board to crack seal a parking lot, but they did away with that."

In different circles, the appearance of the town's commercial stretches - particularly East Main and West Main roads - have been widely

criticized, with Middletown called Aquidneck Island's "shopping mall."

Responding to that feedback and a push around town to revamp those areas, more than a year ago, the Planning Board came up with ideas to start the process.

The proposals impact only commercial development in town, not residential construction, Wolanski said. If the council adopts the new regulations, the town center zoning district in the heart of the community would be discarded, with the new standards applying to commercial properties across Middletown.

Wolanski said existing commercial construction would be "grandfathered," meaning it would be exempt unless the building goes through a "substantial change" as defined under the proposed changes.

In addition to improving the look of the town over time, Wolanski said the proposed regulations should also speed up the review process as well.

While the Planning Board would continue to review significant applications and major development projects, an "in-house technical review committee" would be charged with analyzing applications not looking for relief from the regulations.

That group would meet twice a month and be made up of representatives from the town's Planning, Public Works and Zoning departments along with Town Engineer Warren Hall. Matters also could be referred to the Fire and Police departments for review, if necessary.

Changes in the proposed "Commercial Development Plan Review & Design Standards" include:

• Reducing the minimum front-yard setbacks to 10 feet in business districts to promote rear and side-yard parking.

• Encouraging building exteriors to be done in "traditional" materials such as wooden clapboards, shingles, brick, stone or stucco. Other materials can be used with Planning Board approval.

• Prohibiting internally lit signs.

• Encouraging traditional roof forms such as hip, gambrel and gable.

• Allowing shopping centers, industrial and office parks, along with multi-use projects, to display one sign at the entrance to the establishment, with additional signage allowed for shopping centers.

• Keeping existing trees and vegetation whenever possible and requiring planted landscaping to occupy at least 25 percent of the total project area.

• Planting at least one tree for every five parking lot spaces.

• Preserving scenic and historic stone walls, fences and trees as much as possible.

"No one should expect to see wholesale changes right away," Wolanski said. "This is something that will help the situation over time."

WHAT'S NEXT

Thursday: The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on proposed commercial design standards at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall on East Main Road.

Future: The Town Council would have to hold two public hearings on the changes before approving them.


	Newport Daily News 11.15.05 Design guidelines take shape By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff MIDDLETOWN - The goal of proposed regulations now before the Planning Board isn't to change the way Middletown's commercial development looks overnight, but over time. Town Planner Ronald M. Wolanski said over the past year or so, the volunteer planning group has been working with members of the business community on the proposals, tweaking them to best fit what everyone is looking for. Kenneth J. Alves, a local businessman who was one of the most outspoken critics of the proposal when it first came out, said the Planning Board listened to different ideas and incorporated them into the draft amendments. "I'm not at all against improving the look of our commercial areas," Alves said. "I think everyone would agree it's needed in a lot of cases. The problem was the regulations initially were so stringent they would stop people from renovating their buildings. Had it went forward, you would have gone to the Planning Board to crack seal a parking lot, but they did away with that." In different circles, the appearance of the town's commercial stretches - particularly East Main and West Main roads - have been widely criticized, with Middletown called Aquidneck Island's "shopping mall." Responding to that feedback and a push around town to revamp those areas, more than a year ago, the Planning Board came up with ideas to start the process. The proposals impact only commercial development in town, not residential construction, Wolanski said. If the council adopts the new regulations, the town center zoning district in the heart of the community would be discarded, with the new standards applying to commercial properties across Middletown. Wolanski said existing commercial construction would be "grandfathered," meaning it would be exempt unless the building goes through a "substantial change" as defined under the proposed changes. In addition to improving the look of the town over time, Wolanski said the proposed regulations should also speed up the review process as well. While the Planning Board would continue to review significant applications and major development projects, an "in-house technical review committee" would be charged with analyzing applications not looking for relief from the regulations. That group would meet twice a month and be made up of representatives from the town's Planning, Public Works and Zoning departments along with Town Engineer Warren Hall. Matters also could be referred to the Fire and Police departments for review, if necessary. Changes in the proposed "Commercial Development Plan Review & Design Standards" include: • Reducing the minimum front-yard setbacks to 10 feet in business districts to promote rear and side-yard parking. • Encouraging building exteriors to be done in "traditional" materials such as wooden clapboards, shingles, brick, stone or stucco. Other materials can be used with Planning Board approval. • Prohibiting internally lit signs. • Encouraging traditional roof forms such as hip, gambrel and gable. • Allowing shopping centers, industrial and office parks, along with multi-use projects, to display one sign at the entrance to the establishment, with additional signage allowed for shopping centers. • Keeping existing trees and vegetation whenever possible and requiring planted landscaping to occupy at least 25 percent of the total project area. • Planting at least one tree for every five parking lot spaces. • Preserving scenic and historic stone walls, fences and trees as much as possible. "No one should expect to see wholesale changes right away," Wolanski said. "This is something that will help the situation over time." WHAT'S NEXT Thursday: The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on proposed commercial design standards at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall on East Main Road. Future: The Town Council would have to hold two public hearings on the changes before approving them.