Zoning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, February 11th, 2026

Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers

45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891

 

 

 

 

A.    CALL TO ORDER –

Mr. Cioppa called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

B.     ROLL CALL –

Mr. Cioppa introduced the board and read the Zoning Rules of Procedure into record

 

C.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES -

 

1.      December 10^th, 2025- The board reviewed the minutes from the December 10th meeting. Mr. Martone motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Ms. Robinson seconded the proposed motion. Ms. Moore, Mr. Saponare, and Mr. Miller abstained, as they were absent on December 10th. Mr. Burns, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Cioppa, and Mr. Martone were in favor. The minutes passed

2.      January 14^th, 2026- The board reviewed the minutes from the January 14^th meeting. Mr. Martone motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Ms. Moore seconded the proposed motion. Ms. Robinson abstained, as she was absent from the meeting. Mr. Miller, Mr. Burns, Mr. Cioppa, Mr. Martone, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Saponare were in favor. The minutes passed

 

D.    CHANGES TO THE AGENDA –

Mr. Loiselle informed the board that Two Gray Cats Properties LLC did not mail out their abutter notices, so this item would be continued to the next meeting. Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to move Two Gray Cats Properties LLC to March 11^th. Ms. Robinson moved the motion, and Mr. Martone seconded. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. Discussion of this item will be continued to the March 11^th regular meeting

 

E.     NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS –

Consider, discuss, and act upon

 

1.      Neil and Susan Walsh, 9 Crandall Ave, AP ‘165’ Lot ‘6’ are seeking a 7.7’ front yard, 6.1’ westerly side yard, and 5.6’ easterly side yard setback request to construct a 2’6” deck extension to the front yard, and a proposed 4’ deck extension to the rear of the house. Pursuant to (§260-33) Dimensional Variance

 

Mr. Loiselle read the narrative and stated that the zoning department supports the application. There were no questions of the narrative from board members.

Attorney William Nardone, 42 Granite Street, Westerly, RI 02891, was present to speak on this item. Mr. Nardone provided a summary of the project and informed the board that both the applicant and project contractor were present to provide additional comments. It was explained during testimony that the requested variance was necessary in order to make modifications that increase the functionality of the existing outdoor space for property owners and their guests. Board members did not have any questions for the applicant.

Mr. Cioppa opened the meeting to public comment at 6:10 p.m. Leon Dinofrio 1 Crandall Avenue, Westerly RI 02891, spoke in favor of the project, expressing he believed the modifications were minor in nature and would not have a large impact on neighboring properties. No other members of the public were present to speak on this item. Mr. Cioppa then polled the board at 6:11 p.m. All members were in favor of the application and did not need any additional information. Upon no further comment, Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to close the public hearing at 6:11 p.m. Ms. Robinson moved the motion, and Mr. Martone seconded. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously. The public hearing was closed at 6:12 p.m.

Ms. Moore 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 non-material modifications to the approved plans. Ms. Moore motioned to approve a 7.7’ Front Yard Setback variance to construct a 2’6” expansion of an existing front deck, as well as a 6.1’ westerly side setback variance and a 5.6’ easterly side setback variance to construct a 4’ extension of an existing rear deck at 9 Crandall Avenue, pursuant to Section §260-33 “Variances” and §260 Attachment-10 “Schedule of Dimensional Regulations” of the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, without conditions. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the variance was granted

 

2.      Two Gray Cats Properties LLC, 18 Franklin Street, AP ‘87’ Lot ‘144’ is seeking to amend an approved Special Use Permit from 2017 to allow a residential use to the property in an existing detached structure. The previously approved Special Use Permit authorized the change of use from a mixed-use development to a spa/boutique with a condition set forth to not allow for a residence. The applicant is seeking to remove that condition and have a legally established residential unit. Pursuant to (§260-34) Special Use Permits – This item is tabled to March 11^th, 2026

 

3.      Coastal Farms LLC, c/o Patrick Kilroy, 105 Franklin Street, AP ‘98’, Lot ‘70’ is seeking a Special Use Permit to establish a retail cannabis store at the subject property, and the zoning ordinance permits this specific use pursuant to Sections (§ 260-34) Special Use Permits, and (§260-87.9) Cannabis Retail

 

Mr. Loiselle read the narrative and stated that the zoning department supports the application. There were no questions of the narrative from board members.

Attorney Lisa Holley, 536 Atwells Avenue, Providence, RI, 02909, was present to speak on this application. Mr. Cioppa swore in for testimony Norman Peck, of Niantic CT. Mr. Peck shared that he is the current leasing agent for the Mill Pond Plaza, where the proposed dispensary would be located. Ms. Holley distributed for the board’s review a document describing Mr. Peck’s qualifications and experience, marked as Applicant’s-1 by Mr. Levesque. Ms. Holley then examined Mr. Peck, asking a variety of questions pertaining to his qualifications and background, proposed property location and history, previous experience with cannabis retail, and parking, in addition to other topics. The board asked questions in response to testimony, and Ms. Holley and Mr. Peck provided feedback. At 6:40 p.m. applicant Patrick Killroy, 62 Bridge Street, Newport, RI, was sworn in for testimony. Mr. Kilroy addressed the board’s inquiry regarding security measures, commenting on camera recording times, vaulting of products, state involvement, and the licensing process.

Public comment of this item was opened at 6:44 p.m. Melissa Falcone, 5 Whipple Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891, spoke in opposition of this application, expressing safety, parking, and increased traffic concerns. Additional topics of discussion in response to public comment included traffic reports, other retail locations, and increased traffic in the area. The applicants provided feedback. Upon no further comment from members of the public, Mr. Cioppa polled the board at 6:51 p.m. All members were in favor of the project and did not need any additional information. Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to close the public hearing of this item at 6:52 p.m. Mr. Martone moved the motion, and Ms. Moore seconded. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously. The public hearing of this item was closed at 6:54 p.m.

Mr. Martone 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 non-material modifications to the approved plans. Mr. Martone motioned to approve the Special Use Permit application, which proposes to operate a retail cannabis dispensary at 105 Franklin Street, Units 32 & 33, pursuant to Section §260-34 Special Use Permits, §260-87.9 Cannabis Retail, and §260 Attachment 11-Zoning District Use Tables (Use Code F 8.11) of the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, without conditions. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and 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.      Hinckley Allen, on behalf of their clients RH McLeod Family, LLC and Margot Perot, have submitted an appeal application (ZAPL-26-1) to the Zoning Board of Appeals pursuant to Section §260-38 Appeals of the Westerly Zoning Ordinance. The appeal application is regarding the Building Permit (B-25-931) that was issued to demolish the existing house and construct a new 4,800 square foot single-family residence at 2 Spray Rock Road.

2.      Pierce Atwood, LLC, on behalf of their client 4 Spray Rock, LLC, have submitted an appeal application (ZAPL-26-2) to the Zoning Board of Appeals pursuant to Section §260-38 Appeals of the Westerly Zoning Ordinance. The appeal application is regarding the Building Permit (B-25-931) that was issued to demolish the existing house and construct a new 4,800 square foot single-family residence at 2 Spray Rock Road.

 

H.    STAFF COMMENTS –

The board discussed assignments of the two upcoming appeal applications

 

I.       ADJOURNMENT –

Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m., Ms. Robinson moved the motion, and Ms. Moore seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

 

Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – March 11^th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

 

Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 2/19/2026 – Approved by Board Vote on 3/11/2026