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TOWN OF WESTERLY
Zoning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Members Present: Chair Larry Cioppa, Vice Chair Dawn Robinson,
Members: Larry Burns, Alan Martone, and
Alternate Leonard Saponare (Acting as Full Member)
Absent: Member Jeffrey Russo and Alternate Lori Moore
Staff Present: Administrative Zoning Official Martin Loiselle, Solicitor for Planning and Zoning Scott Levesque, Minute Taker Chloe Chenot,
and Information Technology Lanny Fuller
A. CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Cioppa called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL:
1. Mr. Cioppa introduced the board and read the Zoning Rules of Procedure into record
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. June 11th, 2025
The board reviewed the minutes from the June 11th meeting. There were no further revisions to the draft minutes. Mr. Martone moved a motion to approve the minutes from the June 11th meeting as submitted, and Mr. Saponare seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed unanimously
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:
1. Shelter Harbor Holdings, LLC, 10 Wagner Road, AP ‘125’ Lot ‘042’, is seeking a Special Use Permit to expand a legally non-conforming use to construct a 557 square foot addition to the existing structure to create additional space for the existing dining area. Pursuant to (§260-34) Special Use Permits, and (§260-32 (D) Nonconformance).
Mr. Loiselle informed the board that this application has been withdrawn
E. NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS: consider, discuss, and act upon.
1. Town of Westerly – Wastewater Treatment Facility, 87 Margin Street, AP ‘86’ Lot ‘55’, is seeking a 54’ residential zone setback request for the installation of two (2) aeration tanks to accommodate the nitrogen reduction upgrades. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance.
Mr. Loiselle read the narrative and stated that the zoning department supports the application. The board members did not have any questions.
Mr. Cioppa swore in representatives of the application for testimony: McKenzie Schmitz, lead Site Civil Engineer, and Tyler Morrisey, Site Superintendent, of Jacob’s Engineering, 120 St. James Avenue 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02116. Ms. Schmitz explained that the variance requested is required to expand the Town’s current wastewater treatment facility, in response to a nitrogen limit regulation from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The board inquired further about potential noise and odor impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Ms. Schmitz and Mr. Morrissey addressed the inquiries.
With no members of the public present to provide comment, the board was polled at 6:15 p.m. for discussion. All board members were in favor of approval. Ms. Robinson moved a motion to close the public hearing, and Mr. Martone seconded the motion.
Mr. Burns then provided a summary of the application and discussion from the public hearing. The board granted administrative authority to the Zoning Official to approve further nonmaterial modifications to the approved plans. Mr. Burns motioned to approve a 54-foot residential zone setback variance, to construct two new aeration tanks for the wastewater treatment facility at 87 Margin Street, pursuant to Section §260-33 “Variances” and §260 Attachment-10 “Schedule of Dimensional Regulations” of the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, with no conditions. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously. The variance was granted.
F. CONTINUED BUSINESS – There was no discussion
G. APPLICATIONS DECLARED COMPLETE: Waivers granted and scheduled for public hearing. Information only, no action to be taken.
1. Martin Green, 2 Egret Lane, AP ‘142’ Lot ‘20’, is seeking a 10.4’ front yard setback variance to construct an attached 14’x26.9’ (approximately 377 square foot) garage within the front yard setback. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance.
2. Desiree Cika, 106 Atlantic Ave, AP ‘176’ Lot ‘14’, is seeking a 0.3’ right side yard setback and 6.55’ left side yard setback request to remove the existing sunroom from the attached primary residence and construction of a 240 square foot single story addition for a kitchen is to be established and expansion of deck once addition is completed, and proposed restructuring of second floor roof. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance
3. Michael Lynch, Attorney on Behalf of High Road Dispensary, is seeing a Special Use Permit to establish a Cannabis Retail establishment for property located at 267 Post Road, AP ‘112’, Lot ‘28AA’, Unit E3 and portion of Unit E2 pursuant to (§260-87.9) Cannabis Retail and (§260-34) Special Use Permits.
H. STAFF COMMENTS – There was no discussion
I. ADJOURNMENT –
Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m. Ms. Robinson moved the motion, and Mr. Martone seconded. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting - August 13th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 7/21/2025