Zoning Board – Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 06, 2020 – 7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, Westerly Town Hall
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
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
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.
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.
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.
1. None
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.
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.
Respectfully submitted,

Stephanie J. LaSota
Minute Taker