How the Middletown Planning Board voted on former Benny's, mini-golf, Starbucks proposals

MIDDLETOWN — The Planning Board on Oct. 12 made decisions regarding three development projects in town.

The proposed revamping of the former Benny’s property at 1400 West Main Road, owned by Carpionato Group, received unanimous support for a development plan review and a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review.

A planned mini-golf course on Valley Road also received a unanimous OK for a development plan review and a positive recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review.

By a 4-2 count, the Planning Board voted against giving a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review regarding a proposed Starbucks drive-through building at the Aquidneck Centre, 99 East Main Road.

Carpionato Group's plan for former Benny's gets initial approval

David Taglianetti, vice president of development for Carpionato Group, said this project has been in the works for some time, but the COVID pandemic put things on hold.

Initially, a health club was going to anchor the one-time Benny’s store, but ultimately, the lease could not be worked out. Instead, Lifespan will operate a 15,500-square-foot primary care facility inside part of the building.

Previously: Restaurant, retail and more: Here are the plans for the former Benny's in Middletown

Riverhead Building Supply also will receive a new retail building, and make renovations to its warehouse and storage space.

Much of the discussion around what else will go inside the 26,000-square-foot former Benny’s is the restaurant that is slated to open there. Taglianetti said he’s still waiting for the lease agreement to be executed in full, but offered a clue.

“There are several of these in Connecticut. This will be their first one in Rhode Island,” he said.

Board member Betty Jane Owen asked what type of restaurant can people expect: Chinese? Italian? Lebanese?

“I’m going to make sure you’re the first one to know,” Taglianetti said, smiling at Owen.

The Planning Board voted in favor 5-0. Member John Ciummo was absent, and fellow member Joseph Pierik recused himself as he is vice president of retail leasing and acquisitions for Carpionato Group.

“I think we’ve all been looking forward to Benny’s resurrection and I think that this is a very good plan, at least from everything that I have seen,” Owen said.

Mini-golf course OK'd with little discussion

There wasn’t much discussion before the Planning Board approved this item by a 6-0 vote. Developer Derek Savas is proposing to build an 18-hole mini-golf course on an empty lot on Valley Road, across the street from Ida’s Restaurant.

The course, which will include a 600-square-foot building for bathrooms and an office, will take up the front portion of the property, while the back of the property, abutting two residential streets, will remain vacant.

Savas, a Portsmouth resident and father of three, told The Daily News in September this project will be good addition to the town.

Previously: A proposed mini golf course in Middletown may help to fill the nothing-to-do void

“I think for a lot of people, they have the same in opinion in there’s not a lot of places for kids to go and have fun and be kids,” Savas said in a telephone conversation with The Daily News on Tuesday. “Every resort town I’ve ever been to has stuff like that for kids.”

Starbucks project questioned

The applicant, Aquidneck Group LLC, has operated the shopping center at 99 East Main Road since 1983, according to attorney David Martland.

Starbucks, already a tenant, wants to move from its place next to Flint Audio and Video to a newly constructed building nestled between the Citizen’s Bank location and Aquidneck Liquors. The new Starbucks would have a drive-through, something it lacks now.

More: Why a judge dismissed the Jamestown harbormaster's $5 million lawsuit against Starbucks

The Planning Board voted 4-2 not to give a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Board of Review, with Pierik and Mike Fenton supporting the project. Those against the project said it was too tight of a fit.

"I’m not convinced that three drive throughs in this parking lot is the best use of this property,” board member Bill Nash said. “I think it’s too much for that property.”

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Middletown RI: Benny's, mini-golf, Starbucks get Planning Board votes