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Zoning Board – Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 13, 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. Mr. Martone will vote as a full member tonight as Ms. Robinson is excused from the meeting.
B. ROLL CALL AND REVIEW OF STAFF ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Chair Walter Pawelkiewicz, Vice Chair Larry Cioppa, and Members Jeffrey Russo, Larry Burns, and Alternate Members Alan R. Martone and Lori Moore
Members Absent: Dawn Robinson
Staff Present: Zoning Official Martin E. Loiselle, Jr., Assistant Solicitor for Planning & Zoning Scott Levesque, Minute Taker Stephanie LaSota, and Information Technology Technician Lanny Fuller
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. October 11th, 2023 – Mr. Martone made a motion to approve the October 11, 2024 Zoning Board meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
2. November 8th, 2023 – Mr. Martone made a motion to approve the November 8, 2024 Zoning Board meeting minutes as presented. 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).
There was no business to discuss.
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. Victor Lagamma 36 Salt Pond Way AP ‘142’ Lot ‘69’ Seeking a 5.5’ front yard variance for a covered porch and a 5.75’ side yard variance for construction of an upper deck (§260-33) Dimensional Variance
Mr. Martone described the application for a second story addition, covered porch and deck for a single-family residence. The owners wish to update the home and enjoy its existing view by completing this project. He said the septic will be in the rear of the property and will not interfere with proposed work. Mr. Martone said the Zoning Office supports the project.
Present on behalf of the application was engineer Tony Nenna, principal of On-Site Engineering, and project architect John Patrick Walsh. Both Mr. Nenna and Mr. Walsh were sworn in for public testimony. Mr. Nenna referenced Exhibit 1 in the Zoning packet, a GIS map of the property. He said this parcel is a larger lot compared to neighborhood lots and has frontage on Salt Pond Way and Terrace Avenue. He read from the application a letter expressing the justification for the requested Zoning relief. Mr. Nenna said the lot is nonconforming and platted in 1924 so the hardship of the lot is not created by the applicant. The home was built in 1953 and the applicants bought it in 2021. The deck will be minimal in size - just large enough for a table and chairs. The project received four letters of support from abutters at 38 Salt Pond Way, 35 Salt Pond Way, 34 Salt Pond Way, and 33 Terrace Avenue.
There was no public comment. In a poll of the Board, all members were in support of the application. Mr. Burns said he was happy that letters of support were received from the neighbors.
Mr. Russo made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:20 p.m. Mr. Cioppa seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
Mr. Burns read into the record the details of the Victor Lagamma 36 Salt Pond Way AP ‘142’ Lot ‘69’ application for a .5’ front yard variance for a covered porch and a 5.75’ side yard variance for construction of an upper deck, including the information presented at the public hearing and the content of the Zoning narrative and made a motion to approve the request for a renovation and expansion of the dwelling for additional living space with no conditions. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
2. BYEO Partners, 2 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
There was no applicant present to be heard. Mr. Cioppa made a motion to continue the application to the April Zoning Board meeting. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions. Mr. Russo asked to be excused from the April and May meetings.
I. STAFF COMMENTS
There was no business to discuss.
J. Applications Declared Complete, Waivers Granted and Scheduled for Public Hearing at the Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 Zoning Board Meeting. Informational only; no action to be taken.
There was no business to discuss.
K. ADJOURNMENT -
Mr. Russo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:29 p.m. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
Next Regular Meeting –6:00 P.M. at Westerly Town Hall and Zoom.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie J. LaSota
Minute Taker