MINUTES OF THE CUMBERLAND ZONING BOARD MEETING
HELD AT
THE CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL AND
ALSO VIRTUAL CAPABILITY ON THE ZOOM PLATFORM,
45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND
ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026 AT 7:00 P.M.
ZONING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT WERE THE FOLLOWING:
John McCoy, Chaiman
Robert Chaput, Vice‑Chairman
Mike McGrath
Joseph Craveiro
Rachael Guadagni
Diane Emerson, 1st Alt.
ALSO PRESENT
Peter Skwirz, Esquire, Counsel to the Zoning Board
Lawrence Enright, Building Official
* * * * * * * * * *
1. Call to Order.
Mr. McCoy called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., and all the Members of the Board listed above were present.
* * * * * * * * * *
2. Approval of Prior Meeting's Minutes.
Mr. McCoy stated that the Board has the minutes from the last meeting held on April 8, and he asked for a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. McGrath then made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Chaput seconded the motion. Mr. McCoy then took a vote on the motion, and the MOTION WAS APPROVED 5‑0.
* * * * * * * * * *
New Matter:
26‑3. Ronnie C. Ramos and Daniele A. Ramos, of 204 Leigh Road, Cumberland, RI 02864, have petitioned this Board for a Dimensional Variance for relief of the minimum side yard and rear yard setback. Seeking relief for structure in front yard. Article 18‑2, Section (a). Described as Assessor's Plat 064, Lot(s) 0044, and Designated Zone R‑1. It is located at 204 Leigh Road, Cumberland, RI 02864.
Attorney Richard Pacia came forward to represent the applicants in this matter. Mr. Pacia presented Edward Pimentel as a witness in this matter.
Mr. McCoy stated that Mr. Pimentel has testified before this Board as an expert, and the Board would accept him on that basis. Mr. Pimentel was sworn as a witness and testified in favor of this application. Mr. Pimentel stated he is an urban planner and has been accepted as an expert in land use and zoning in all 39 cities and towns and some towns in eastern Massachusetts.
Mr. Pacia also presented Mr. Ronnie Ramos as a witness in this matter, who also testified in favor of this application.
No one else came forward to testify in this matter. The Planning Director of the Town of Cumberland, Amelia Morton, appeared on the Zoom Platform and stated that the Planning Board had handled this matter earlier in the month, and she just wanted to see what was going on.
After Mr. Pacia concluded his presentation and the public hearing was closed, Mr. McCoy asked for comments from the Board. Mr. Chaput stated that he did not believe he could support this variance. He stated the Board has three standards that the Board is supposed to uphold, the second of which is the hardship is not the result of any prior action of the applicant. Mr. Chaput stated he understood what Mr. Pimentel said and how the Board possibly could avoid that; but, in this particular instance, Mr. Chaput stated this person was in the construction industry and has been for a long time and put up a 3,000 square foot building and chose not to get a building permit. Mr. Chaput stated that, had he made that choice, he would have been required to get a survey that may or may not have given him a place to put it someplace else on that property. Mr. Chaput stated that Mr. Pimentel said, "Well, if we were putting it in today, wouldn't you give us the variance?", and Mr. Chaput said maybe not because the Board would be asking questions like, "Is there any other place? Can you move it back 10 feet? Can you move it over five feet? Could it be a smaller building?" Mr. Chaput stated that it was not an automatic thing that this would be granted.
Mr. Chaput stated the fact that it was so blatantly built without any consideration of the Town, he could not support it.
All the other Board Members commented and agreed with Mr. Chaput that they could not support the granting of this application.
Mr. Pacia then came forward and stated that, given the tenor of what he was hearing, he would request a continuance to allow them to see if there was some pathway to resolving some of the problems and the concerns that have been addressed. Mr. Pacia stated that the neighbors were given notice of this hearing, and nobody has objected.
Discussion ensued between Mr. Pacia and Members of the Board. During discussion, Mr. Pimentel stated he did not know what was going on behind the scenes, but he knew nothing ever moves fast with a Council. Mr. Pimentel stated he was wondering if 90 days would be in order; and, at the end of 90 days, if they were nowhere, they know they would have to remove it or cut it back, fifty percent of it.
Mr. McCoy stated he had no problem with 90 days, and there would be no promises when they would come back to this Board. Mr. McCoy stated that they heard what the Members of the Board were thinking.
Mr. McCoy asked the Board if they had any objection to a 90‑day continuance, and none of the Board Members objected to the continuance. Mr. Pimentel asked if it was the second Wednesday of the month, and Mr. McCoy answered yes. Mr. Pimentel stated that would be October 14th. Mr. McCoy stated he would see everyone then, and without motion the matter was continued to October 14.
* * * * * * * * * *
Mr. McCoy then asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. McGrath then made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Emerson. Mr. McCoy then asked for all those in favor, AND THE MOTION TO ADJOURN PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
(THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:15 P.M.)
* * * * * * * * * *
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew J. D'Angelo
ANDREW J. D'ANGELO,
Court Reporter
(Signed Electronically)
I hereby certify the foregoing minutes to be a true and accurate interpretation, to the best of my ability, of my stenographic notes taken at the Cumberland Zoning Board Meeting on July 8, 2026.
Andrew J. D'Angelo
ANDREW J. D'ANGELO,
Court Reporter
(Signed Electronically)