Johnston public meetings in 2025

Amended Regular Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on December 18, 2025 to accept minutes, set the 2026 meeting schedule, and consider several variances. The board continued the reconsideration of a special‑use permit denial for 1208 Atwood Avenue to February 26, 2026. It approved use variances for 659 Killingly Street (Lot 14, Plat 27) and 0 Killingly Street (Lot 16, Plat 630) to allow two‑family structures in a B2 zone, and a dimensional variance for a new building and pool cabana at 15 Carriage Way (Lot 48, Plat 583). The board also suspended rules to hear a proposal for the Martini Bar before adjourning.

• Reconsideration of denial of special‑use permit for 1208 Atwood Avenue, continued to Feb 26, 2026
• Use variance for AAA Properties, 659 Killingly Street Lot 14 Plat 27, to build a two‑family structure in B2 zone
• Use variance for Hector Adames, 0 Killingly Street Lot 16 Plat 630, to build a two‑family structure in B2 zone
• Dimensional variance for David Morra, 15 Carriage Way Lot 48 Plat 583, new building and pool cabana
• Motion to suspend rules to hear Martini Bar proposal

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council approved 18 business operating licenses and three resolutions authorizing the purchase of vehicles and equipment for the Department of Development and Public Service. The meeting also included the reappointment of a School Committee member and the withdrawal of a zoning amendment petition.

• Resolution 2025-61 authorizing purchase of two Chevrolet Silverado 5500 trucks with dump bodies and plows
• Resolution 2025-62 authorizing change order for Woodlake Park re-design engineering services
• Resolution 2025-63 authorizing agreement for Belfield Avenue stormwater management project
• Re-appointment of Zachary Gordon to the Johnston School Committee
• Withdrawal of zoning amendment petition 2025-CP-206

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board reviewed several residential subdivision requests and sewer infrastructure upgrades. The board approved plans for new lots on Leading Street and Pocasset Street while continuing other development discussions to future meetings.

• Approved subdivision of 86 & 86½ Leading Street into three lots with specific house size and parking stipulations
• Approved subdivision of 44 Pocasset Street to create three lots for three duplex residential structures
• Public hearing on sewer improvements for Salina Drive and Ostend Street
• Discussion on draft revisions to Land Development and Subdivision Review Regulations
• Continued preliminary plan for three duplex units at 1140 Atwood Avenue to January 6

Cancelled Zoning Board Meeting

The Zoning Board meeting that was to be held on November 20, 2025 in Johnston, RI has been cancelled. No rezoning proposals, contracts, or ordinances will be considered at this time. The cancellation was announced by the Department of Development and Public Service.

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will vote on three resolutions authorizing the mayor to enter agreements for stormwater mitigation, an open‑space grant for the War Memorial Park, and appraisal services for town‑owned buildings. Several utility pole installation petitions and a noise‑level relief request will also be discussed. The agenda includes multiple business and liquor license renewals and zoning petitions pending Planning Board advisory opinions.

• Resolution 2025-56 – authorize mayor to agreement with RI DOT for stormwater mitigation on Atwood and Hartford Avenues
• Resolution 2025-57 – authorize mayor to apply for open‑space grant funds for improvements to Johnston War Memorial Park
• Resolution 2025-58 – award bid and authorize mayor to enter agreement for appraisal services for several town‑owned buildings
• Petition 2025-CP-190 – install new Pole #P6-50 on Buratti Road (Narragansett Electric and Verizon New England)
• Ordinance 2025-4 – amendment of Industrial Performance Standards noise provisions (pending Planning Board advisory opinion)

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Board approved the Angell Street Preliminary Plan (PB 25-20), granting multiple zoning reliefs, a use variance, and a special use permit. It approved dimensional variances and the Preliminary Plan for 23 Columbus Avenue (PB 25-51). The public hearing for the 44 Pocasset Street minor subdivision (PB 25-47) was recessed to the December 2 meeting. Advisory opinions were adopted for a cell tower lease at 1520 Atwood Avenue and for stormwater easements at 112 Peck Hill Road and 16 Elmdale Avenue.

• Approval of Angell Street Preliminary Plan (PB 25-20) with zoning reliefs and special use permit
• Approval of dimensional variances and Preliminary Plan for 23 Columbus Avenue (PB 25-51)
• Recess of public hearing for 44 Pocasset Street minor subdivision (PB 25-47) to Dec 2
• Advisory opinion approving cell tower lease at 1520 Atwood Avenue (PB 25-53)
• Advisory opinions recommending stormwater easements at 112 Peck Hill Road (PB 25-55) and 16 Elmdale Avenue (PB 25-56)

Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met on October 30, 2025 to consider a dimensional variance request. Applicant Tracy Loftus seeks approval for an accessory garage measuring 30 × 34 ft on Plat 33, Lot 98, Zone R40 at 5 Castaldi Drive. The board will vote on the motion to approve the variance.

• Dimensional variance request for an accessory garage (30 × 34 ft) at 5 Castaldi Dr., Plat 33, Lot 98, Zone R40
• Approval of minutes from the previous meeting

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will vote on several resolutions, including funding for a stormwater mitigation plan and the sale of a municipal parcel. It will also consider zoning petitions, an industrial noise ordinance amendment, and a liquor license transfer. Additional items include a list of business operating licenses and various constituent petitions.

• Resolution 2025-52: authorize $75,000 from reserve funds for a stormwater mitigation plan
• Resolution 2025-50: authorize sale of Assessor’s Plat 33, Lot 23
• Petition 2024-CP-173: request to rezone Morgan Avenue from R-20 to R-7
• Ordinance 2025-4: amend industrial noise performance standards
• Liquor License 2025-L-11: transfer Class BV license for Sandos Pizzeria

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a preliminary plan for a new restaurant with a drive‑through at 1515 Atwood Avenue (Lot 77, zoned B‑2). It will also consider a preliminary plan for a minor subdivision creating four undersized lots on Leading Street (AP 15, lots 447 & 448, zoned R‑15). A pre‑application discussion will be held for three new undersized lots on Santa Circle, which would convert Santa Lane to a town road (AP 57, lots 85 & 347, zoned R‑40). No decisions are recorded; the items are for discussion and hearing.

• PB 25-05 – 1515 Atwood Avenue, AP 20, Lot 77, zoned B‑2: public hearing for a new restaurant with drive‑through.
• PB 25-27 – Leading Street, AP 15, Lots 447 & 448, zoned R‑15: public hearing on a minor subdivision of four undersized lots.
• PB 25-45 – Santa Circle, AP 57, Lots 85 & 347, zoned R‑40: pre‑application discussion to create three undersized lots and make Santa Lane a town road.

Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board will accept the minutes from the previous meeting and decide on several variance applications. It will deny an applicant’s request for a feline shelter at 27 Zanfagna Street (Zone R15). The board will also consider continuance requests for garage variances at 839 Sanderson Road Apt. 61 (Zone R40) and 11 Nardolillo Street (Zone R20), and a dimensional variance for a new building at 0 Myrtle Avenue (Zone B2) with stipulations.

• Denial of feline shelter application at 27 Zanfagna St., Zone R15
• Continuance request for garage variance at 839 Sanderson Rd Apt. 61, Zone R40
• Continuance request for garage variance at 11 Nardolillo St., Zone R20
• Grant of dimensional variance for new building at 0 Myrtle Ave, Zone B2 with stipulations
• Acceptance of minutes from the previous meeting

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will meet to discuss zoning petitions, business licenses, and a resolution to apply for state grants for stormwater retention and road resurfacing. The meeting is scheduled to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.

• Resolution 2025-44: Apply for state grant funds to purchase land on Belfield Drive for stormwater retention
• Resolution 2025-45: Enter agreement with RI DOT for road re-paving under the RhodeRestore 2026 program
• Petition 2024-CP-173: Change zoning on Morgan Avenue from R-20 to R-7
• Petition 2025-CP-10: Change zoning on Shun Pike from R-40 to I-Industrial
• Ordinance 2025-4: Amend noise standards in the Industrial Performance Standards section