Planning Board
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Meeting Minutes

Planning Board: Ryan Stone Co-Chair, Courtney Cox Co-Chair, Jon Miner Secretary, Andrew Maneval Select Board Representative, Sarah Kendall Alternate, Don Scott Alternate, Lisa Anderson
Attendees: Noel Greiner, Christine Destrempes, Phil Miner, Kathryn Miner
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer

The Harrisville Planning Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.

Agenda – With the additions of Phil and Kathy Miner and Noel Greiner and Christine Destrempes, Courtney Cox moved to approve the agenda.  Andrew Maneval seconded. All voted in favor.

Minutes of previous meeting, 6/10 – Don Scott moved to approve the June minutes. Jon Miner seconded. All voted in favor.

Voting members – Ryan Stone named the voting members as himself, Courtney Cox, Jon Miner, Andrew Maneval and Don Scott.

Conceptual Consultation – Noel Greiner and Christine Destrempes, 316 Hancock Road (Map 21 – Lot 23). The property asked about the possibility of subdividing their 2.9-acre lot in the lakeside district into two lots in order to create a 1-acre lot on Hancock Road from the existing parcel. If possible, they seek guidance on the process.  The board asked about the frontage for the existing lot, determining that the 114’ feet of frontage on Hancock Road would be inadequate for a new building lot.  200 feet are required for lots in the lakeside district.  The board raised the possible option of upgrading the existing driveway to a private road, in which case additional frontage could be provided to supplement the Hancock Road frontage.  The property owners stated they will consider this and seek guidance from a surveyor familiar with the town’s zoning requirements.

211 Breed Road, LLC, Phil & Kathy Miner (Map 40-102-17) – Continuing previous discussions of the 1981 condition placed on the this parcel as well as the property owner’s land on the west side of Breed Road, approved for a 3-lot subdivision in January 2026, the Miners reiterated their question as to how the PB could have lifted the 1981 condition to approve the subdivision without also lifting the condition on their parcel known as Map 40-Lot 102-17.

The board reiterated its position that 40-102-17 was not part of the subdivision application, or noted in the letter of intent submitted with the subdivision application, and was not addressed as part of the board’s review and deliberation on the subdivision; therefore, the issue of removing the 1981 condition was not considered with respect to that lot.  The co-chairs did, however, reach out to town counsel for guidance on how to proceed with this question, given the impasse and the property owners desire to proceed to the ZBA for a special exception to build on Map 40-Lot 102-17.

The PB shared counsel’s recommendation that the property owners submit a letter and formal narrative to the PB requesting the PB reconsider and rescind the 1981 decision placing the non-buildable condition on the parcel.   Following discussion of this recommendation, the PB noted that, pursuant to submission of such a letter, the PB could legally notice a public hearing on the matter for its next meeting, August 12, 2026.  The PB also offered to contact the ZBA Chair, Charles Sorenson, to notify him of the pending request to the PB and the property owners’ plan and hope, pending the outcome of the PB hearing, to get on the ZBA’s August agenda for a hearing on a special exception application.  The Miners noted their intent to submit the letter and narrative within 10 days.

Committee updates – The Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) met at end of June with the Affordable Housing Team and professional planner Carol Ogilvie. The ORC reviewed a draft of Pocket Neighborhood ideas and sample configurations and provided feedback. A revised draft will be discussed at the July ORC meeting. The ORC asked the AHT to get more public input. A survey on the Pocket Neighborhood idea is planned.

Document Review, Site Plan Review Regulations – Courtney Cox will combine her suggested revisions and Sarah Kendall’s comments for Sections I-IV.  Members will review the checklist section for possible revisions. Sarah and Courtney will also look at Sections V and beyond. The goal is for the board to vote on Sections I-V next month.

New business
– Lisa Anderson spoke to the Community Conversation email list, managed with Mailchimp. Pricing changes at Mailchimp (no longer free) are resulting in the need to consider alternate options or subscriber plans. The cheapest Mailchimp plan would be $13/month, which includes up to 500 email contacts and access by 3 users. The PB feels this is a Select Board decision. Lisa Anderson will reach out to the SB with information for that board to consider.

-Also for the Select Board, the PB requests consideration for next year’s budget funds for removal of dead trees along roadsides in town.  Members raised this as both a safety and environmental concern. Don Scott noted the Conservation Commission’s growing initiative under way to save Hemlock trees. Mr. Maneval noted he would raise the subject with the SB, which also is concerned for safety reasons.

-Mr. Maneval noted that at the Select Board’s July 23rdmeeting, the SB will hold a discussion on the use of glyphosate on Japanese knotweed. The Conservation Commission has a multiyear plan under way and the SB is inviting the public to comment.

– SWRPC – The commission will invite one or two people from Harrisville to join its Board of Commissioners as a town representative. Mr. Maneval will get more information from the executive director.

-Canal Fencing Committee – Mr. Maneval shared that the committee considered ideas, relative to safety and historic aesthetics, for fencing around the canal in the village.  The committee spoke to many people, neighbors, and board members and recommended to the Select Board that only the existing dilapidated fencing be removed and repairs made to a couple of the wood railings. No other changes are recommended at this time.  The SB accepted this recommendation. The issue can always be raised again.  The SB will ask Steve LaMears about stabilizing the fence on Canal Street near the Prospect Street intersection.

The next meeting of the PB is Wednesday, August 12.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.