EXETER ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW

MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2020

 

Approved: August 13, 2020

 

675 Ten Rod Road

Exeter, R.I. 02822

401-294-2592

Fax: 267-0128

 

 

A Regular Meeting of the Exeter Zoning Board of Review was held on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 7:30 pm, in the Town Council Chambers of the Exeter Town Hall, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI.

 

Members present:     Richard Booth, Richard Quattromani, Tom McMillan, Tim Robertson, Susan Franco-Towell and Susan Littlefield

Members absent:       Joe St. Lawrence (recused)

Others present:           Ron Ronzio, Stenographer, Stephen Sypole, Solicitor and Dixie Foisy, Clerk

 

Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by Chairman Richard Booth

 

Chairman Booth requested a motion to open the public hearing.  Motion made by Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr. McMillan; voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.

 

Chairman Booth stated that we had a recusal for the record; Joseph St. Lawrence recused himself from the hearing of the proposed 20’ x 24’ shed.

Chairman Booth asked if the appropriate recusal paperwork had been completed. The clerk stated it was being completed at the time for the record.

Solicitor Sypole noted that Joseph St. Lawrence who is a member of the Zoning Board is the applicant

tonight and he did request an advisory opinion from the Ethics Commission to allow him to represent himself and also to recuse himself from the hearing tonight.

Chairman Booth noted that the advisory opinion #2020-15 was approved on 3/3/2020 by the RI Ethics Committee signed by Marissa Quinn and has been marked as exhibit A for the record.  Additionally, a letter from Joseph St. Lawrence to the RI Ethics Commission has been marked at exhibit B for the record.

 

Chairman Booth read the first petition as follows:

 

The petition of Joseph St. Lawrence; Applicant and owner for property at 316A Hog House Hill Road Exeter, RI.; Zoned RU-4, and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 64 Block 1 Lot 20; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.1/.2/.4/.6; for a proposed 20’x 24’ shed.

Mr. Joseph St. Lawrence was present and sworn in.  Mr. St. Lawrence stated he wants to construct a

20’ x 24’ shed.  He asked the board to look at his site plan to see that this is the only location on the lot to build because the septic is in the back of the house and the well is on the left side of the house. Chairman Booth asked if the shed would be used for storage.  Mr. St. Lawrence responded yes that it is just for storage.

Mr. McMillan asked about the existing shed on the property.  Mr. St. Lawrence responded that he will be tearing it down.

Mr. Robertson asked Mr. St. Lawrence about his property being in a RU-4 zone and inquired if his 2- acre  lot  is  an  existing  pre-approved,  non-conforming  lot.    Mr.  St.  Lawrence  responded  in  the affirmative.

Chairman Booth stated that for the record, Susan Littlefield was appointed as the first alternate for voting purposes.

Mr. Quattromani discussed the criteria that the Board must consider when granting dimensional relief. Chairman Booth asked if anyone was present to speak either for or against this petition. There was no public comment.

 

Chairman Booth requested a motion to close the public meeting.  Mr. Robertson made a motion; Mr. Quattromani seconded. Voted all in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Quattromani made a motion to grant the petition of Joseph St. Lawrence; Applicant and owner for property at 316A Hog House Hill Road Exeter, RI.; Zoned RU-4, and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 64 Block 1 Lot 20; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.1

– relief of 2.2 acres;  Section 2.4.2.2 – frontage relief of 50 feet; Section 2.4.2.4 – front setback relief of

18 feet; Section 2.4.2.6 – right setback relief of 58 feet; Section 2.4.2.6 – left setback relief of 29 feet per the documents and drawings that were submitted during this application.

 

Chairman Booth stated that we have a motion by Mr. Quattromani; Mr. Robertson seconded.  Voted all in favor. Motion carries.

 

Solicitor Sypole requested that the letter from the RI Ethics Commission (exhibit A) be recorded along with the decision.

 

Administrative Issues:

Minutes: Chairman Booth requested a motion to approve the November 14, 2019 minutes with revisions.  Mr. Quattromani made a motion; seconded by Ms. Littlefield.  Voted all in favor.  Motion carries.

Chairman Booth requested a motion to approve the December 12, 2019 minutes with revisions.  Mr. Robertson made a motion; seconded by Mr. McMillan.  Voted all in favor. Motion carries.

Chairman Booth requested to table the February 13, 2020 minutes until our next meeting for Solicitor

Sypole to review.

Invoice Approval: (1) invoice from Allied Court Reporters approved by Chairman Booth.

Future Meeting: Chairman Booth announced that there are no applications for April, so our next meeting will be May 14, 2020.

Adjournment: Motion made by Richard Quattromani to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.; seconded by

Tim Robertson. Voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.

 

Meeting Minutes prepared by: M. Dixie Foisy

Zoning Board Clerk