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Zoning Board – Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 10, 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 read into the record the process for hearing applications from the Zoning Board’s Rules of Procedure.
B. ROLL CALL AND REVIEW OF STAFF ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Chair Walter Pawelkiewicz, Vice Chair Larry Cioppa, and Members Jeffrey Russo, Dawn Robinson, and Larry Burns, and Alternate Members Alan R. Martone and Lori Moore
Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Zoning Official Martin E. Loiselle, Jr., Assistant Solicitor for Planning & Zoning Scott Levesque, Minute Taker Stephanie J. LaSota, and Information Technology Technician Lanny Fuller
C. APPROVAL AND REVISION OF MINUTES
1. April 12, 2023 – Mr. Russo made a motion to approve as submitted the April 12, 2023 Zoning Board meeting minutes. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
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. The 2 Leeward Drive application has been continued to the June 14th public hearing. There was no further discussion on the matter.
E. APPROVAL OF DECISIONS – Consider, discuss, and act on application decisions referred to staff for writing.
There was no business to discuss.
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS CONTINUED BUSINESS – Consider, discuss, and act on application(s).
There was no business to discuss.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS NEW BUSINESS – Consider, discuss, and act on application(s).
1. Thomas & Nicole McCarthy, 53 Beatrice Street, AP ‘17’ Lot ‘80’ One-car garage addition with master bedroom above. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance
Mr. Loiselle described the application for a 7.3-foot left side yard setback variance request to build a one-car attached garage with a master bedroom and full bathroom above it. Thomas McCarthy, the applicant, was sworn in for public testimony. He was accompanied at the meeting by his wife and applicant, Nicole McCarthy, and he explained that they want to configure their home specifically so they can live there long-term through retirement, accommodate guests who visit overnight, and create needed storage.
There were no questions from the Board. Kyle Brasier, of 55 Beatrice Street, spoke in support of the project. He asked how this application may affect possible variance requests for his property in the future. Mr. Loiselle said each application is heard on a case-by-case basis and it may have no effect at all but will not preclude him from future applications. In a poll of the Board, all members were in favor of approving the application.
Ms. Robinson made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:13 p.m. Mr. Cioppa seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
Mr. Russo read into the record the details of the McCarthy application for a 7.3 foot left side yard dimensional variance to construct a detached one-car garage addition with a master bedroom and full bathroom above it, including the information read in the submitted application and heard at the public hearing and made a motion to approve the McCarthy application request with no conditions. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
2. Morgan H. Hvolbeck, 2 Leeward Drive, AP ‘137’ Lot ‘32B’ Master bedroom addition over existing garage and covered front porch. (§260-33) Dimensional Variances
This application was continued to the June 14th public hearing.
3. Bailes, Firenza & Groves IV, LLC, 50 Wells Street, AP ‘87’ Lot ‘93’ New medical office building and parking area. (§260-34) Special Use Permit
Mr. Loiselle introduced the application request for a Special Use Permit to construct a 12,751 square foot one-story medical office building at 50 Wells Street. He described the location of the property and the surrounding neighborhood. He said Zoning staff is supportive of the application.
Present at the meeting on behalf of the applicant was Attorney Vincent A. Indeglia and Attorney Brittney Wilson, both of Indeglia Lutrario Attorneys at Law. Atty. Indeglia said Project Engineers Thomas Cousineau and Sam Hemenway were also present to provide testimony.
There was no public comment. In a poll of the Board, all members were in favor of granting the Special Use Permit. Cioppa-Russo motion to close the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Burns read into the record the details of the Special Use Permit request by Bailes, Firenza, & Groves IV, LLC. to construct a 12,751 square foot one-story medical office building at 50 Wells Street and made a motion to approve the application with no conditions. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
I. STAFF COMMENTS
1. Discussion and possible vote on an advisory letter to the Town Council regarding pending land use legislation in the General Assembly.
Mr. Cioppa complimented Atty. Levesque and Mr. Loiselle on the language in the draft letter. He said he was disappointed that they have not heard more from owners of single-family homes in the area. He said it is not too late to make changes in the pending legislation. Mr. Cioppa suggested that the Zoning Board send the letter to the Town Council. Atty. Levesque reviewed the most recent actions of some House bills. Mr. Cioppa made a motion to send an advisory letter to the Town Council regarding pending land use legislations. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. In discussion, Mr. Pawelkiewicz confirmed that the letter is drafted and signed by the Chair of the Board. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
On an unrelated matter, the Board had some brief discussion on procedural guidelines for when the reader of a motion is opposed to a project.
J. Applications Declared Complete, Waivers Granted and Scheduled for Public Hearing at the Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 Zoning Board Meeting. Informational, no action to be taken.
1. Frank Alviani, 5 Pauline Street, AP ‘37’ Lot ’64’ Construction of a single-family residence. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance
2. Peter C. & Susan E. Harkins, 19 East Hills Rd., AP ‘163’ Lot ‘31’ Addition of a (3) season room to a non-conforming structure. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance, (§260-34) Special Use Permit.
3. Rosina Gabrielle, 85 Pierce Street, AP ‘46’ Lot ‘58’ Demolish existing planter and construct a 6’ x 34’ stone porch. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance
4. GX3 LLC, 10 Oak Street, AP ‘47’ Lot ‘139’ Installation of a second wall sign (53.4 s.f.). (§260-33) Dimensional Variance
Mr. Cioppa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
Next Regular Meeting: June 14th, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at Westerly Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie J. LaSota
Minute Taker
Approved by vote of the Board on June 14, 2023