Community members hoping the Seasons Corner Market proposal would be wrapped up relatively soon got a dose of reality last week, when a three-hour zoning board hearing devoted solely to the project ended at 10 p.m. with an announcement that it would be continued for at least another month and possibly longer. 

Colbea Enterprises, LLC, the Cranston-based owner of the retail chain, plans to build a convenience store, gas station, and drive-through coffee shop on a vacant parcel of land on the corner of Souza and Main roads.

The application has been making its way through the planning and zoning process for about 18 months. Currently an appeal of a prior zoning board ruling by a citizens’ opposition group, Preserve Tiverton, is being heard by Newport Superior Court, with a decision expected sometime in March. 

At this point, the zoning board is considering three special use permit applications relating to the project. At the Monday, Jan. 22 hearing, Colbea presented two experts --one specializing in site planning and the other in planning and zoning -- to discuss their findings and respond to questions from audience members and attorneys representing clients opposed to the project.

Sheryl Guglielmo of DiPrete Engineering, the site plan expert, answered numerous questions relating to exterior lighting, position of fueling trucks in terms of their proximity to other vehicles, and signage.

Abutters such as Main Road resident Steve Mohney expressed the need for viewshed renderings, noting that his house is so close to the site that when he is in the living room, he would be looking directly at the lights and TV monitors on the gas pumps.

Edward Pimentel, Colbea’s planning and zoning expert, said several times during his presentation that the project is consistent with the town’s Comprehensive Plan. 

Zoning board member George Alzaibak pushed back, asking “So we should not be here tonight [since] this is a foregone conclusion?”

Alzaibak said while the project may conform to zoning regulations, consideration must be given to Tiverton’s small town character.

“When you look at an application, does that cross your mind – that we are not putting this in Providence?”

Pimental responded by saying architectural nuances are important, but his primary responsibility is to determine if the proposal is consistent with the town ordinances and its Comprehensive Plan.

At the next meeting, questioning of Pimental is expected to continue. Colbea is expected to call environmental, traffic, and real estate experts to testify as well. For that reason, zoning board chair Lise Gescheidt said several more meetings will likely be required.

“It certainly doesn’t look like they are going to be finished presenting their case in the next three-hour increment,” she said.

The next hearing is tentatively continued to Wednesday, Feb. 7; however prior to that date, the board expects to announce an alternative date to allow for another special three-hour meeting that will work for all participants.