Zoning Board – Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - 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 Dawn Robinson, Larry Burns, and Alternate Member Alan R. Martone

 

Members Absent:      Member Jeffrey Russo and Alternate Member Lori Moore

 

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

 

Mr. Martone voted as a full member during the meeting.

 

C. APPROVAL AND REVISION OF MINUTES

1.    Approval of March 13th meeting minutes.

Mr. Cioppa said a correction was needed on page 2 under section H.1. that “Mr. Martone” should be changed to “Mr. Loiselle.” Mr. Cioppa made a motion to amend the March 13 minutes as stated. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions. Mr. Cioppa made a motion to approve as amended the March 13 Zoning Board meeting minutes. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

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

There were no changes to the agenda.

 

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).

1.    BYEO Partners, Natchaug Road AP ‘144, Lot ‘21’ Seeking a 7.32’ variance from the corner-side yard setback for the construction of a covered porch (§260-33) Dimensional Variance

            Mr. Loiselle described the application details to the Board. Representing the application was Beau Lucas, employee of Concept Home Builders, Bradford, Rhode Island. He was sworn in for public testimony but had no additional comments on the application. There was no public comment.

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 6:12 p.m. Mr. Martone seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

Mr. Martone read into the record the details of the application request for a 7.32 foot variance from the corner-side yard setback for the construction of a covered porch at 2 Natchaug Road, including the details shared at the public hearing and made a motion to approve the application aprequest with no conditions. Mr. Pawelkiewicz asked that the motion include that Mr. Russo and Ms. Moore were recused from the meeting. Mr. Martone amended the motion to include that information. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

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).

There was no business to discuss.

 

I. STAFF COMMENTS

There was no business to discuss.

 

J. Applications Declared Complete, Waivers Granted and Scheduled for Public Hearing at the Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 Zoning Board Meeting. Informational only; no action to be taken.

 1. John Voisinet, 29 George Street, AP ‘77, Lot 110’ Special Use Permit: Establish home based occupation in existing garage exceeding 160 square feet (§260-34 Special use permits, Use code J.6 Customary home occupation)

 

J. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Cioppa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, 6:00 P.M. at Westerly Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Stephanie J. LaSota

Minute Taker