Zoning Board – Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, May 06, 2020 – 7:00 P.M.

 

Council Chambers, Westerly Town Hall

45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891

 

A. CALL TO ORDER - Mr. Pawelkiewicz called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. He explained the need for a virtual meeting. He said the intent was to have a short meeting and postpone business until June and also plan a second June meeting, which will comply to State mandates.

 

B. ROLL CALL AND REVIEW OF STAFF ATTENDANCE

Members Present:     Chairman Walter Pawelkiewicz, Vice Chairman John Ornberg, Larry Cioppa, Doug Brockway, and Alternate Members Jeffrey Russo and Jim Torres

Members Absent:      Albert Clemence was excused from the meeting.      

Staff Present:             Administrative Officer and Zoning Official Nathan Reichert, Solicitor Todd

Romano, and Minute Taker Stephanie J. LaSota

 

C. APPROVAL AND REVISION OF MINUTES

1. April 1, 2020 – Mr. Russo made a motion to approve as submitted the April 1, 2020 Zoning Board minutes. Mr. Ornberg seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

D. SET SECOND MEETING DATE IN JUNE

1. June 17 or June 23 – Mr. Russo made a motion that the Zoning Board schedule a second June meeting for June 17 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Ornberg seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

E. CHANGES TO AGENDA Review, discussion, and possible action by the Planning Board on changes to the agenda - on the order in which items will be heard or known continuances.

 

1. All Public Hearings under Old Business will be continued to June meetings.

There was discussion on the June schedule. Mr. Reichert explained which items should be scheduled for the two June meetings. He said the pre-applications should be scheduled for July.  

 

E. OLD BUSINESS

F. APPROVAL OF DECISIONS - Consider, discuss and act on application decisions referred to staff for writing.

1. None

G. PRE-APPLICATIONS - Schedule public hearing date for Application(s). Consider and approve application waivers.

1. Amaral, 134 Potter Hill Road, AP “13” Lot “1”, Addition of an accessory apartment. Special Use Permit (§260-34).

Mr. Ornberg made a motion that the Amaral public hearing be ordered advertised for the June 17 Zoning Board meeting at 6:00 p.m. and that the Board grant waivers for items D and F. Mr. Brockway seconded the motion. Mr. Ornberg asked if discussion on the application should wait until the June meeting and Mr. Pawelkiewicz said yes. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

2. Turdo, 57 John Street, AP ‘77’ Lot ‘166’, Change of use from single to two-family dwelling. Special Use Permit (§260-34) and Dimensional Variance (§260-19).

Mr. Ornberg made a motion to schedule the Turdo hearing for the June 17 Zoning Board meeting at 6:00 p.m. and that the Board grant waivers to items C, D, E, F, G for the Special Use Permit as well as items C and D for the Dimensional Variance. Mr. Cioppa seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

H. PUBLIC HEARINGS OLD BUSINESS - Consider, discuss and act on application(s).

1. LW Houston, LLC, 42 Wawaloam Drive, AP ‘157’ Lot ‘46’, Addition to existing structure. Dimensional Variance (§260-19).

Mr. Torres made a motion to continue the LW Houston, LLC public hearing to the July 9 Zoning Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Ornberg seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

2.  Perlstein / Hamann, 119 Avondale Road, AP ‘162’ Lot ‘30’ Raze and re-build existing single -family residence. Dimensional Variance (§260-19).

Mr. Ornberg made a motion to continue the Perlstein/Hamann public hearing to the July 9 Zoning Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

3. DeCaro, 10 Albert Street, AP ‘36’ Lot’75’, Construction of a single- family residence. Dimensional Variance (§260-19).

Mr. Ornberg made a motion to continue the DeCaro public hearing to the June 3 7:00 p.m. Zoning Board meeting. Mr. Cioppa seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

4. Beattie, 170 Post Road, AP ‘111’ Lot ‘61C’, Ground mounted solar array, Special Use Permit (§260-34).   

Mr. Russo made a motion to continue the Beattie public hearing to the June 3 7:00 p.m. Zoning Board meeting. Mr. Ornberg seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

5. Burkholder, 250 Church Street, AP ‘45’ Lot ‘20’, Accessory Apartment, Special Use Permit (§260-34).

Mr. Russo made a motion to continue the Burkholder public hearing to the June 17 6:00 p.m. Zoning Board meeting. Mr. Ornberg seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

6. Kubicsko, 3 Essex Drive, AP ‘127’ Lot ‘83’, Construction of (2) sheds, Dimensional Variance (§260-19).

Mr. Brockway made a motion to continue the Kubicsko public hearing to the June 17 6:00 p.m. Zoning Board meeting. Mr. Cioppa seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

7. Ritacco, 25 Railroad Avenue, AP ‘56’ Lot ‘53’, Special use permit for operation of an upholstery shop in a DC 1 Zone. Special Use Permit (§260-34). Parking Variance for change of use to mixed use. Dimensional Variance (§260-19).

Mr. Torres made a motion to continue the Ritacco public hearing to the June 3 Zoning Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Cioppa seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.  

H. STAFF REPORT - Mr. Reichert said the Zoning Board could meet at 5:00 p.m. on June 17 for a meal to celebrate a retiring Board member before the 6 p.m. regular business meeting. He said he would be sure all the new memberships and appointments were in order.  

 

I. ADJOURNMENT - Mr. Russo made a motion to adjourn the Zoning Board meeting at 7:25 p.m. Mr. Brockway seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Stephanie J. LaSota

Minute Taker

 

 

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