Planning Board Hears Preapplication for Condo Development

By Cynthia Drummond for BRVCA

January 28th 2026

RICHMOND -- At the Jan. 27 meeting, the Planning Board heard a preapplication for the proposed “Carolina Equestrian Preserve Conservation Condo Development.” The subdivision, at 61 Pine Hill Road, is permitted by right in the R-2 residential zone.

The board also asked Town Planner Talia Jalette to schedule a site visit of the 32-acre parcel, which is owned by the Carolina Equestrian Preserve, which is, in turn, owned by Paul Mihailides, the developer of The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort.

The Project

The Carolina Equestrian Preserve would comprise 12 lots. An existing building on one of the lots would become a condominium. New condominiums would be built on the remaining 11 lots. The developer, MPDR Construction of West Warwick, also proposes to set aside a conservation area.

“A 20-acre portion of lot is proposed as a designated Conservation Area to protect natural features and limit disturbance,” the preapplication states.

Presenting the proposal to the Planning Board were attorney Dane Ardente and surveyor Samuel Suorsa.

“This is just a preapplication to receive some feedback,” Ardente told the board. “Site plans are being presented to you.”

An equestrian facility, owned by The Preserve, currently occupies the site. The Preserve website describes the site as “… a beautiful facility surrounded by lovely grass fields, with access to a wonderful trail system and a large indoor arena for year-round comfort.”

Suorsa described a single road that would lead into the site.

“Basically the thought was, this would be the way to get to the horse area, the riding arena, and then the residents would kind of access all the different private areas, separating a little bit from the horse area and the private residences, just so it’s a little more private,” he said.

Board Chair Phil Damicis said there should be two ways to exit the property.

“The whole idea requiring two means of egress or at least a loop is that, in the event of a major snowstorm or some kind of hurricane event, something happens where there’s a big tree down across the road and someone needs emergency assistance, how do you get to those people?” he said.

Suorsa responded by proposing dividing the single road closer to the entrance.

“We could split the road sooner so that the critical area, like, say, if something were to happen, is a very short section, obviously reducing that risk,” he said.

Damicis said Suorsa’s idea might be acceptable, as long as the egress would not be impacted by flooding.

The Condos

The condominiums, which Suorsa described as four-bedroom units, would share wells and septic systems.

“They’re going to be serviced by shared wells,” he said. “So, we’re proposing right now that lots 2 and 3 will share the existing well with lot 1, and then another well for lots 4, 5 and 6, another well for 9,10,11 and 12. So basically, one well for every three dwellings. Same for the septic system, one for each three dwellings,” he told the board.

Board member Dana Millar asked if the property was still an equestrian area.

“They do have horses, goats, that kind of thing there,” Suorsa replied. “I think the goal would be just that the owners of the condos would have their horse there. “

Damicis noted,

“So, the lots that you’re building on, the owners of those lots, the idea is that they share use of the of the equestrian area.” 

The discussion concluded with a request to the developer to schedule a site visit for board members.

“The site visit will allow the Planning Board to understand the specifics of the subject site,” Jalette said. “What is discussed during a site walk is not binding on an applicant, the Planning Board, or any other participants.”

Jalette will coordinate the site visit, which may require clearing a path through the snow to make it possible for board members to access the site.

Jalette added that the Master Plan for the project will be submitted later.

“The site visit and Master Plan are separate components of the process. The Master Plan will be heard once it has been submitted and certified complete,” she said.