Meeting Minutes Approved: January 12, 2023
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
401-294-2592
A Regular Meeting of the Exeter Zoning Board of Review was held on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at the Town
Hall Offices, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI.
Members present: Richard Booth, Tom McMillan, Richard Quattromanni, Loren Andrews and Susan
Littlefield
Members absent: Tim Robertson and Susan Franco-Towell
Others present: Peter Ruggiero, Solicitor and Dixie Foisy, Clerk
Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm by Chair Richard Booth and a motion was made by Tom McMillan to open the public hearing; seconded by Loren Andrews. Vote was all in favor. The public hearing was open.
A. The application of Jeffery J. Davide and Kristy L. Davide, Applicants and Owners of property located at 65 New Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 25, Block 4, Lot 11; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section
2.4.2.6 (left-side setbacks and right-side setbacks), for a proposed single-family dwelling. Chair Richard Booth introduced this petition and asked if anyone was present to speak on behalf of the applicant. Attorney Jason Marinelli stated he was representing the Davide’s – Jeffrey and Kristy, who were also present. Attorney Marinelli gave a brief overview of their proposal for a
4-bedroom, single-family home on New Road, stating the Davide’s are requesting two, side setbacks; 10 feet on the right side and 20 feet on the left side of the property.
Michael McCormick, a professional land surveyor with Alpha Associates was also present on behalf of the Davide’s. Mr. McCormick stepped forward and was sworn in. He described the details of the site plan, gave a lay of the land stating that the front of the lot is pretty flat and then slopes to the west with some wetlands that goes down to the Queens River. All required testing has been completed and the well and septic have been installed.
Chair Richard Booth asked if the home could be moved over to the center of the property. The
Chair explained that the Board is tasked with providing the least amount of relief possible. The Chair asked if the Board members had any questions.
Richard Quattromanni stated he was all set with this application.
Tom McMillan inquired about the excavation work that had been completed on the property. Susan Littlefield asked if they considered turning the house?
Loren Andrews stated he went by the property and saw there was a silt fence up and noted that all the clearing was being completed.
The applicant, Jeffrey J. Davide stepped forward and was sworn in. Mr. Davide stated that he and his wife are excited about moving to Exeter with their growing family.
Public Comment:
Mr. James Johns, 53 New Road, Exeter, RI: Mr. Johns stepped forward and was sworn in. He stated he was not there to object but is concerned about the 10’ relief on the side closer to his property due to the mature trees and has concerns about his trees falling onto their property and possibly causing damage. Chair Richard Booth suggested that Mr. Johns speak directly with the applicants as this is out of the Board’s purview. Mr. Johns further explained his concern for his trees falling on their new house.
Chair Richard Booth asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Loren Andrews made a motion to close the public hearing; seconded by Tom McMillan. Vote was all in favor. The public hearing was closed.
At this time, Richard Quattromanni made a motion to approve the application of Jeffery J. Davide and Kristy L. Davide, Applicants and Owners of property located at 65 New Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 25, Block 4, Lot 11; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.6 for a left-side setback of 20 feet and right-side setback of 10 feet, for a proposed single-family dwelling. Loren Andrews seconded the motion. Vote was taken; it was all in favor. Motion passed.
B. The application of Jonathan J. Mendes of Full Keel Marine LLC, Applicant and Gashy Dowlatshahi, Owner of property located at 560 South County Trail, Exeter, RI; Zoned B and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 72, Block 2, Lot 10 (Building C); a request for a special use permit under Zoning Ordinance Appendix A, Section 2.4.1.32, for the purpose of indoor boat storage in a warehouse facility.
Chair Richard Booth introduced the petition and asked in anyone was present to speak. Jonathan J. Mendes, applicant, stepped forward and was sworn in. Mr. Mendes gave a brief overview of his proposal. Gashy Dowlatshahi, owner of the property was also in attendance.
Chairman Booth asked Mr. Mendes if there was any fire protection in the building. Mr. Mendes stated no, not at this time.
Richard Quattromanni asked the applicant about how many boats they planned to store at any given time. Mr. Mendes replied that they expect about 25; a mix of both power and sail boats. Board member Quattromanni asked about the gas tanks and if they would be emptied prior to storing. Mr. Mendes explained that the preference is to leave the tanks about 7/8 full as this is safer; fuel lines are turned off and all power boats are stored completely dead of power.
Mr. Quattromanni then asked about having customers coming in and out of the building. Jonathan
Mendes replied that they have a very strict policy of not allowing this.
Chair Richard Booth asked about the fuel in the boats and asked if the fuel leaked, would it stay in the boat/hull? Mr. Mendes replied in the affirmative. Chairman Booth asked about the sizes of the boats that would be in storage. Mr. Mendes stated that the boats would not exceed 40 feet in length.
Tom McMillan asked if the building had been built yet. It was confirmed that the building has been built and it is building C, as noted on the site plan (there was a discrepancy on one of the plans submitted). Mr. Gashy Dowlatshahi stepped forward and was sworn in. Mr. Dowlatshahi reviewed the site plan with Mr. McMillan to clarify which building this business will be residing in. Mr. McMillan also asked Mr. Mendes about his other operations in Wakefield and Wickford.
Susan Littlefield inquired about whether there would be people there every day and inquired about security on site. Mr. Mendes stated there will be someone there every day but that they have surveillance cameras for security. Ms. Littlefield then asked Hal Morgan, Zoning Official why they need an SUP in this zone. Mr. Morgan responded that the LB-R zone requires special use for warehousing. Board member Loren Andrews asked about the number of boats that they plan to have in storage. The applicant stated approximately 25.
Chair Richard Booth asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to speak. There were none. At this time, Chair Richard Booth asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Loren Andrews made a
motion to close the public hearing; Susan Littlefield seconded. Vote was all in favor. The public hearing
was closed.
Chairman Booth asked the Clerk if we were in receipt of all the green cards. The Clerk replied in the affirmative.
Richard Quattromanni made a motion to approve the application of Jonathan J. Mendes of Full Keel Marine LLC, Applicant and Gashy Dowlatshahi, Owner of property located at 560 South County Trail, Exeter, RI; Zoned B and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 72, Block 2, Lot 10 (Building C); a request for a special use permit under Zoning Ordinance Appendix A, Section 2.4.1.32, for the purpose of indoor boat storage in a warehouse facility. Loren Andrews seconded the motion. Vote was taken; all in favor, 5-0. (Richard Booth, Tom McMillan, Richard Quattromanni, Loren Andrews and Susan Littlefield.) Motion passed.
The Solicitor asked the applicant if the permit should be made out to the business or him (Mr. Mendes)
personally. Mr. Mendes stated to the business.
A. Approval of Invoices: Esquire Deposition Solutions, Southern RI Newspapers and Solicitor Peter Ruggiero. The Clerk stated that the invoices were approved prior to the meeting by Chairman Richard Booth.
B. Approval of Meeting Minutes: October 13, 2022
Tom McMillan made a motion to approve the October 13, 2022 minutes as submitted; seconded by Loren Andrews. Vote was all in favor, 3-0 (excluding Richard Booth and Susan Littlefield). The minutes of October 13, 2022 were approved.
C. Future Meeting: December 8, 2022
Motion made by Richard Quattromanni to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 pm; seconded by
Loren Andrews. Voted all in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Minutes prepared by: M. Dixie Foisy
Zoning Board Clerk