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Johnston, RI

Johnston public meetings in 2023

39 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Thu Dec 28, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning board approves two dimensional variances for home additions

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met and approved two petitions for dimensional variances. Both requests were approved unanimously. The meeting was brief and adjourned at 6:46 PM.

zoningvariancesresidentialbuilding
Thu Dec 14, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning board continues 19 MW solar field permit decision to Jan. 25

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on December 14, 2023, and voted to continue the special use permit application for a 19 MW solar field on a 160-acre parcel at 118 Winsor Avenue to its January 25, 2024 meeting. The board also accepted minutes from previous meetings and a letter from Smithfield into the record. No final decisions were made on the solar project.

zoningsolarspecial-use-permitpublic-hearing
Mon Dec 11, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Johnston Town Council to discuss zoning changes and commercial building regulations

The Town Council will review several zone change petitions and a public hearing regarding commercial building size regulations. The meeting also includes discussions on ARPA fund expenditures and a resolution for surveying services at Woodlake Park.

zoningbusinessordinancesparksgovernment-spending
Tue Dec 5, 2023

Regular Planning Board Meeting

Planning Board to review new elementary school, rezoning, and grants

The Johnston Planning Board will hold public hearings and reviews on several development proposals, including a new elementary school, a rezoning for senior housing, and grant applications for park improvements. The board will also consider revisions to local land development regulations and zoning ordinances to align with state law, and discuss the town's comprehensive plan.

zoninghousingschoolsparksland-developmentcomprehensive-plan
Thu Nov 30, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning Board approves three residential construction and addition petitions

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on November 30, 2023, to review several property petitions. The Board voted to approve requests for a new single-family home, an accessory dwelling unit addition, and a side yard dimensional variance.

zoningresidentialhousingconstruction
Wed Nov 29, 2023

Special Town Council Meeting

Council to consider grant for War Memorial Park trail renovations

The Johnston Town Council is holding a special meeting to consider two resolutions: one authorizing a grant application for walking trail renovations at Johnston War Memorial Park, and another authorizing a change order for a water and sewer system at the Department of Planning and Public Services storage building. A public hearing will be held on the grant submission. The meeting is scheduled for November 29, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at Johnston Municipal Court.

parksgrantspublic-hearinginfrastructuretown-council
Tue Nov 14, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Town Council to consider zone changes, licenses, and repair contracts

The Johnston Town Council is meeting to consider several zone changes, business and liquor licenses, and resolutions for public works projects. The agenda includes public hearings on ordinances, including one to allow retail cannabis sales and another to rezone property behind 8 Putnam Pike. The council will also vote on contracts for road repair, dam engineering, and playground improvements, plus appointments and a tax abatement list.

zoninglicensespublic-workscannabiscontractsappointments
Tue Nov 7, 2023

Regular Planning Board Meeting

Planning Board approves subdivisions, duplex project, warehouse extension

The Johnston Planning Board approved two minor subdivisions, a 12-unit duplex development, and a warehouse master plan extension, and continued a rezoning request. The board also discussed draft revisions to land development and zoning regulations and received an update on the Comprehensive Plan.

planning-boardsubdivisionrezoningland-developmentzoningcomprehensive-plan
Thu Nov 2, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning board continues solar field permit to Dec. 14

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on November 2, 2023, and took action on two items. The board voted to continue the minutes from the September 28 meeting to the next meeting, and continued a special use permit application for a 19 MW solar field on Winsor Avenue to the December 14 meeting. No final decisions were made on the solar project.

zoningsolarspecial-use-permitmeeting-minutes
Thu Oct 26, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning board approves daycare expansion, continues two petitions

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on October 26, 2023, to handle old and new business. The board approved a petition to expand a non-conforming daycare at 1269 Plainfield Street, withdrew a petition to legalize a pergola at 73 Simmonsville Avenue, and continued two other petitions to future meetings.

zoningvariancesdaycarepermitsmeeting-minutes
Tue Oct 10, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Johnston Town Council discusses Market Basket safety and reviews zoning petitions

The Council discussed safety issues regarding the Market Basket truck entrance and resident complaints about traffic. Members also reviewed several zoning petitions and approved various business and liquor licenses.

zoningpublic safetybusiness licensesliquor licensinginfrastructure
Wed Oct 4, 2023

Special Town Council Meeting

Council hears PFM report on Johnston School Department finances

The Johnston Town Council held a special meeting to receive a presentation from PFM Group Consulting, LLC on its financial and operational analysis of the Johnston School Department. The consultants highlighted areas of concern and reviewed recommendations, followed by questions from the council and audience. No formal decisions were made; the meeting adjourned after the presentation.

school-departmentfinanceconsultingtown-councilspecial-meeting
Tue Oct 3, 2023

Regular Planning Board Meeting

Planning Board approves Gateway 55+ housing rezoning and KFC drive-through

The Johnston Planning Board met on October 3, 2023, and approved several items. They continued a minor subdivision application, discussed draft revisions to land development and zoning regulations, and approved a master plan for a 55+ housing development (The Gateway) and a KFC with a drive-through. The board also discussed the Comprehensive Plan.

planning-boardzoninghousingsubdivisioncomprehensive-planfast-foodregulations
Thu Sep 28, 2023

Special Zoning Board Meeting

Solar field special use permit continued to Nov. 2

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met and voted to continue a special use permit application for a 19 MW solar field on a 160-acre parcel at 118 Winsor Avenue to the November 2, 2023 meeting. No other business was conducted.

zoningsolarspecial-use-permitpublic-hearing
Thu Sep 21, 2023

Special Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning board approves parking expansion, additions, garage at Johnston properties

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on September 21, 2023, and voted on several zoning petitions. The board approved a use variance for expanded parking at 136 Simmonsville Avenue, approved dimensional relief for additions at 20 Almond Drive and 39 Union Avenue, and approved a detached garage at 18 Weaver Road. Two petitions were continued to a later meeting.

zoningvarianceparkingadditionsgaragepublic-hearing
Mon Sep 11, 2023

Special Town Council Meeting

Council adopts union contract, cannabis ordinance, and multiple licenses

The Johnston Town Council held a special meeting on September 11, 2023, where it read and referred a cannabis retail ordinance to the Planning Board, adopted a new union contract with AFSCME Local 1491, and approved numerous business licenses. The council also granted a zone change referral, appointed a temporary probate judge, and heard a resident's traffic safety concern about Market Basket.

zoningcannabislaborlicensespublic-safetyroadsappointments
Tue Sep 5, 2023

Regular Planning Board Meeting

Planning Board to review 28-unit condo project and cannabis retail zoning

The Johnston Planning Board will hold its regular meeting on September 5, 2023, to review several land development applications and proposed regulatory changes. Key items include a preliminary plan for a 28-unit condo development on Atwood Avenue, a minor subdivision on Jackson Avenue, and a site plan for renovations to Johnston Memorial Park. The board will also discuss draft revisions to zoning and subdivision regulations, including amendments to allow cannabis retail and set standards for drive-through uses, as well as an update on the Comprehensive Plan.

zoningsubdivisioncondoscannabisparkscomprehensive-planplanning-board
Tue Aug 22, 2023

Special Town Council Meeting

Council approves Calef School sale amendment, appointments, bingo licenses

The Johnston Town Council held a special meeting to approve an amendment to the purchase and sales agreement for the Calef School sale to Tri-County Community Action Agency, make appointments to several boards, and renew annual bingo licenses. All items were approved with votes ranging from 3-1 to 5-0, with some recusals.

appointmentsbingo-licensesboardscalef-schoollicensesreal-estatetown-council
Tue Aug 15, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Council adopts age-restricted 30-unit housing at 1725 Plainfield Pike

The Johnston Town Council held public hearings and voted on several items, including adopting an ordinance to rezone land at 1725 Plainfield Pike from R-20 to R-7 for an age-restricted (55+) development of up to 30 units, with conditions. They also adopted resolutions for a senior tax credit, road improvements, and other agreements, and granted multiple business and liquor licenses.

zoninghousingtax-creditroadslicensesordinancepublic-hearing
Mon Jul 10, 2023

Town Council Meeting with School Comm.

Council to vote on police/fire injury admin contracts, tax ordinances

The Johnston Town Council will hold its regular meeting on July 10, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The agenda includes public hearings on several zone changes, new business resolutions authorizing third-party administrative services for injured police officers and firefighters, and public hearings on tax-related ordinances. The council will also consider various business licenses, appointments, and claims.

zoningtaxespolicefirelicensesappointments
Thu Jun 29, 2023

Special Town Council Meeting with School Comm.

Town Council adopts $129M FY2024 budget, 4-1 vote

The Johnston Town Council held a special budget hearing and adopted Ordinance 2023-9, appropriating $129,081,852 for the FY2024 town budget, personnel plan, and tax levy. The vote was 4-1, with District 5 opposed. The council also read ordinances on property tax assessment and tax classification, and adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to oversee school department finances on an interim basis.

budgettaxationschoolsordinancepublic-hearing
Tue Jun 20, 2023

Special Planning Board Meeting

Johnston Planning Board to hear subdivision, rezoning, school master plan

The Johnston Planning Board will hold a special meeting with a public hearing on the FY 2022 Community Development Block Grant Program, then consider several land-use applications. These include a major subdivision at 2113 Hartford Avenue, two rezoning requests, a master plan for a new elementary school, and a review of the Comprehensive Plan. The board will also review and possibly vote on comments regarding a mixed-use development in Smithfield.

zoningsubdivisionschoolcommunity-developmentcomprehensive-planpublic-hearing
Tue Jun 6, 2023

*CANCELLED* Regular Planning Board Meeting

Johnston Planning Board June 6 meeting cancelled

This regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting was cancelled. The agenda would have included a public hearing on the FY 2022 Community Development Block Grant program, several subdivision and zoning applications, and a review of the Comprehensive Plan.

planning-boardcancelled-meetingzoningsubdivisioncommunity-developmentcomprehensive-plan
Tue May 16, 2023

*Cancelled* Special Town Council Meeting with School Comm.

Special Town Council meeting with School Committee cancelled

The Johnston Town Council's special meeting scheduled for May 16, 2023, has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2023. No agenda items were listed for this cancelled meeting.

cancelled-meetingtown-councilschool-committee
Tue May 9, 2023

Special Town Council Meeting with School Comm.

Council and School Committee to hear school construction updates

The Johnston Town Council and School Committee are holding a special joint meeting to receive a presentation from S.L.A.M. and Colliers on updates for the School Construction Projects. The meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the N.A. Ferri Middle School Library. No votes or decisions are listed on the agenda; the item is a presentation and discussion only.

school-constructionschool-committeetown-councilpublic-meeting
Mon May 8, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Johnston Town Council to consider zone changes, licenses, and police agreements

The Johnston Town Council is meeting to discuss several zone change petitions, business license renewals, and resolutions including agreements with police chiefs and a building upgrade. The agenda also includes public hearings, abatements, and requests to be heard. Most items are pending Planning Board advisory opinions or are routine renewals.

zoninglicensespolicebudgetpublic-hearinginfrastructure
Thu Apr 27, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning board to hear three variance and permit requests

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review will hold its regular monthly meeting on April 27, 2023, at 6:30 PM at the Johnston Senior Center. The board will consider three petitions: a dimensional variance for wall signage at Coastal1 Credit Union, a dimensional variance for an accessory storage structure at a residence, and a special use permit for automobile sales at Johnston Auto Sales. The meeting will also include roll call, approval of the March 30 minutes, and adjournment.

zoningvariancespecial-use-permitsignageautomobile-sales
Mon Apr 24, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Council to consider selling former Calef School and several zone changes

The Johnston Town Council is meeting to consider resolutions authorizing the sale of the George C. Calef School to the Tri County Community Action Agency, awarding bids for records scanning and engineering services at War Memorial Park, and ratifying a grant consulting agreement. The agenda also includes public hearings on two zoning map amendments, referrals of three new zone change petitions to the Planning Board, and the first reading of an ordinance amending the Unified Development Review for municipal or public school projects. The Council will also act on numerous business, restaurant, and other license applications, as well as three claims for damages.

zoningproperty-salelicensescontractspublic-hearing
Mon Apr 24, 2023

Special Town Council Meeting

Town Council to discuss opioid settlement agreements in executive session

The Johnston Town Council is holding a special meeting to enter executive session under Rhode Island law to discuss and possibly vote on new settlement agreements related to the national opioid crisis. After the closed session, the council will return to open session, consider sealing the minutes, and adjourn. No other business is listed.

opioid-litigationexecutive-sessiontown-councilsettlement
Tue Apr 11, 2023

Special Planning Board Meeting

Planning Board approves four subdivisions, rezonings, and school master plan

The Johnston Planning Board held a special meeting and approved several land-use items, including a four-lot subdivision at 2113 Hartford Avenue, two zoning map amendments, and a master plan for a new elementary school. The board also discussed the FY 2022 Community Development Block Grant program and scheduled a second public hearing. A review of the Putnam Pike mixed-use development was moved to a future meeting due to incomplete application materials.

zoningsubdivisionschoolcommunity-development-block-grantpublic-hearingcomprehensive-plan
Mon Apr 10, 2023

Postponed Town Council Meeting

Johnston Town Council April 10 meeting postponed due to lack of quorum

The Johnston Town Council's regular monthly meeting scheduled for April 10, 2023, was postponed because not enough council members were present to form a quorum. No business was conducted. A new meeting date will be announced in the near future.

town-councilmeeting-postponedquorum
Thu Mar 30, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning Board hears 5 petitions: variances, weddings, church, new home

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review will hold its regular monthly meeting on March 30, 2023, at 6:30 PM at the Johnston Senior Center. The board will hear five petitions: one old business item and four new business items, covering dimensional and use variances, a special use permit for weddings, a special use permit for a church, and a dimensional variance for a new home. The meeting also includes roll call, approval of January minutes, and adjournment.

zoningvariancesspecial-use-permitweddingschurchhousingpublic-hearing
Mon Mar 13, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Johnston Town Council to vote on school consulting, turf renovation, charter review

The Johnston Town Council will hold its regular meeting on March 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The agenda includes several resolutions for action, such as authorizing a consulting agreement for a financial and operational analysis of the school department, awarding a bid for turf renovations at the soccer complex, and establishing a Charter Review Commission. The council will also hear presentations on pension and GASB actuarial reports, consider multiple business license applications, and hold a public hearing on an ordinance amending mobile food truck regulations.

schoolsbudgetparkszoninglicensesordinancepensions
Tue Mar 7, 2023

Regular Planning Board Meeting

Planning Board to hear solar/residential subdivision and discuss Comprehensive Plan

The Johnston Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a preliminary plan for a solar field and residential subdivision at 1252-1262 Central Avenue, and will also discuss the town's Comprehensive Plan. No new business is listed.

zoningsolarresidentialcomprehensive-planpublic-hearing
Mon Feb 13, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Council to hear zone changes, food truck rules, scooter/bike ordinance

The Johnston Town Council is holding its regular meeting with several zoning petitions awaiting Planning Board opinions, a first reading of a mobile food truck ordinance, and public hearings on noise (dumpster collection hours) and digital scooter/bike rentals. The council will also consider committee appointments, an MS4 stormwater engineering agreement, a Rhode Island Ready enrollment for 1307 Hartford Avenue, and multiple business licenses.

zoningordinancespublic-hearinglicensesstormwaterbusinessnoisetransportation
Thu Jan 26, 2023

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

Zoning Board hears 3 petitions: auto repair/sales, two merger reliefs

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review will hold its regular monthly meeting on January 26, 2023, at the Johnston Senior Center. The board will vote on minutes from December 29, 2022, and hear three new business petitions: a special use permit for automotive repair and sales at C&T Motors, and two separate requests for special use permits and dimensional variances for relief from merger on Tartaglia Street.

zoningspecial-use-permitdimensional-varianceautomotivemerger-relief
Tue Jan 10, 2023

Town Council Meeting

Council to weigh zone changes, noise rules, scooter regs

The Johnston Town Council will hold its regular meeting on January 10, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The agenda includes status updates on several pending zone change petitions, first readings of ordinances on noise restrictions and shared scooters/bikes, and a public hearing on solar energy system regulations. The council will also consider business licenses, a bid award for highway materials, and a resolution amending the town's copy machine agreement.

zoningordinanceslicensespublic-hearingnoisesolartransportation
Tue Jan 10, 2023

Regular Planning Board Meeting

Planning Board approves multiple developments, including self-storage and solar projects

The Johnston Planning Board held its regular monthly meeting, approving minutes and the 2023 meeting schedule. The board voted on several development applications, including modifications to the Residences at Hopkins Pond parking, preliminary plans for a solar/residential project and two self-storage facilities, a FedEx parking expansion, and a new 8-lot subdivision. It also issued a positive recommendation to rezone two properties on Shun Pike from R-40 to Industrial.

zoningdevelopmentsubdivisionself-storagesolarrezoning
Mon Jan 9, 2023

Town Council Meeting

New Johnston Town Council to elect officers and appoint judges

The Johnston Town Council is holding its first meeting of the new term, where newly elected council members will nominate and elect a Council President and Vice-President. The council will also vote on resolutions to appoint the Municipal Court Judge, Auxiliary Municipal Court Judge, and Probate Court Judge. All other regular business is scheduled for the following evening.

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