Patch Coventry, RI --At the April 10 meeting of the Coventry Zoning Board of Review, Board members made the decision in a 4-to-1 vote, to approve a Special Use Permit application submitted by Thomas Miozzi, owner and operator of Green Light Farm, LLC on Town Farm Road.
Miozzi requested permission to complete a 2,000' x 30' private airstrip and construct a 40' x 50' accessory hangar to store his two small planes in addition to a single family residence that he would reside in. He also plans to grow organic vegetables on either side of the airstrip which will be sold at a roadside farm stand.
Click here for a detailed summary of the proposed project.
The permit application was approved by all Board members except John D’Onofrio who cast the opposing vote, however the approval does require the following stipulations:
· The driveway must support the heavy load of Central Coventry Fire Department’s tower ladder and other apparatus and must be maintained in accordance with the Fire Marshal’s recommendations.
· Mr. Miozzi must provide a turnaround for apparatus at the far end.
· Mr. Miozzi must assure maintenance of surface of the driveway during all year and weather conditions.
· The fire department be supplied with a key to any gate on the property.
· No lights may added to the airstrip for night flying and no night takeoff or landing will be authorized.
· No airplane fuel will be stored on the property.
· Only 2 plane(s) will be allowed on the property at any one time, with the exception of in an emergency.
· No plane over a 42-foot wing span will be allowed on the site.
· Previously agreed upon drainage improvements are to be implemented within 3 months of approval of this application.
· If application is approved, Mr. Miozzi will give up his legal pre-existing rights to perform gravel extraction from the property.
· No Propylene Glycol will be used on the property for wing de-icing.
· Emergency personnel have the right to use the airstrip in case of emergency.
· The approved Special Use Permit is valid only for 3 years, at which time it must be reevaluated.
· Liability insurance of a least $1 million must be maintained for any plane on the property.
When asked about his opposing vote, D’Onofrio explained that 11 standards lettered A-K in Section 430 of the Town's Zoning Ordinance must be met before the Zoning Board can grant a Special Use Permit, however only four supporting votes are required for approval.
According to D’Onofrio, Standard “J” states that the application must be in “General Compatibility with the Coventry Comprehensive Plan” and Standard “K” states “That the granting will not result in conditions inimical to the public health, safety, morals and welfare.”
"Based strictly on the evidence presented in the public hearing, it was my opinion that standards J and K were not satisfied," said D’Onofrio. "The other four members of the Board felt these standards were satisfied, but I did not."
In response, Miozzi's legal counsel, Attorney John A. Pagliarini, Jr., stated; "Respectfully, Mr. D'Onofrio is incorrect on both the evidence presented and the standards required."
D'Onofrio declined to comment on Pagliarini's statement.
Click here for additional coverage of this Special Use Permit application. Reported by Patch 7 hours ago.