Zoning Board – Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - 6:00 p.m.

Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers

45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891

 

A. CALL TO ORDER –

Mr. Pawelkiewicz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. He introduced and welcomed Lori Moore as a new alternate member of the Zoning Board. He then read into the record the order of hearing applications from the Zoning Board’s Rules of Procedure

 

B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

C. ROLL CALL AND REVIEW OF STAFF ATTENDANCE

 

Members Present:     Chair Walter Pawelkiewicz, and Members Jeffrey Russo, Dawn Robinson, and Larry Burns, and Alternate Members Alan Martone and Lori Moore

 

Members Absent:      Vice Chair Larry Cioppa

 

Staff Present:             Zoning Official Martin E. Loiselle, Jr., Assistant Solicitor for Planning & Zoning Scott Levesque, Minute Taker Stephanie LaSota, Information Technology Technician Lanny Fuller

 

D.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

1.    February 8, 2023 – Mr. Loiselle described the staff edits to the submitted meeting minutes. Ms. Robinson made a motion to approve the February 8, 2023 meeting minutes as presented by staff. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. Ms. Moore abstained from voting. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote.

 

E.   CHANGES TO AGENDA – Consider, discuss and act upon schedule change for Applications

 

There were no changes to the agenda.

 

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

 

There was no business to discuss.

 

G.    PUBLIC HEARINGS - Continued Business - Consider, discuss and act on application(s).

 

1.    Eugene F. Mason, 167 Watch Hill Road, AP ‘162’ Lot ‘30A’ Raze existing and construct new single-family residence. (§260-33) Dimensional Variances Continued to April 12th, 2023

Mr. Loiselle said the applicant is now pursuing a dimensionally compliant property, so the application has been withdrawn.

 

G.   PUBLIC HEARINGS - Appeal to the Zoning Board of Review – Consider, discuss, and act upon appeals.

 

 There was no business to discuss.

 

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

 

1. PCFP Westerly Real Estate, LLC, 162 Granite Street, AP ‘77’ Lot ‘397’ Addition (12’ x 12’) to an existing structure (§260-33) Dimensional Variances

 

            Mr. Loiselle described the application to the Board. Peter Santilli, of 13 Conanicus Road, Narragansett, was present to represent his father, the lease holder of the building. He said they require more storage and currently use portable storage. The addition will replace the existing storage container on site.

            In a poll of the Board, all members were in favor of approving the project. There was no public comment.

            Ms. Robinson made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:13 p.m. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

            Mr. Burns read into the record the details of the application for PCFP Westerly Real Estate, LLC, 162 Granite Street, AP ‘77’ Lot ‘397’ to build a 12 by 12-foot addition on an existing structure, including information discussed at the March 8, 2023 Zoning Board hearing and made a motion to approve the 11.98-foot left side setback variance to construct the 12 by 12-foot outside storage addition in the rear of the existing building with no conditions. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

I.  STAFF COMMENTS - There was no business to discuss.

 

J.    Applications Declared Complete, Waivers Granted and Scheduled for Public Hearing at the Wednesday April 12th, 2023 Zoning Board Meeting. Informational, no action to be taken.

 

 1.    Stephen Crandall, 668 Atlantic Ave., AP ‘156’ Lot ‘50’ Addition of an alcohol license to an existing restaurant. (§260-34) Special Use Permit

 

2.    Michael & Suzette Sands, 36 Knowles Ave., AP ‘157’ Lot ‘103’ Proposed wood deck, swimming pool, granite steps, and concrete pool equipment pad. (§260-33) Dimensional Variances

 

K.   ADJOURNMENT –

Mr. Russo made a motion to adjourn the Zoning Board meeting at 6:19 p.m. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

Next Regular Meeting: April 12th, 2023, 6:00 P.M. at Westerly Town Hall.

 

          Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Stephanie J. LaSota

Minute Taker

 

Approved by vote of the Board on April 12, 2023