Zoning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026- 6:00 p.m.

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 -

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

 

C.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES -

      1. December 10^th - A quorum of those in attendance was not reached, therefore, the minutes were tabled to the February 11^th meeting

 

D.    CHANGES TO THE AGENDA –

There were no changes to the agenda

 

E.     NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS –

Consider, discuss, and act upon

 

1.      Kenneth Thomas, 21R Nichols Lane, AP ‘18’ Lot ‘104A’, is seeking a 10.3’ front yard and 8.9’ rear yard variance request for the construction of a new single-family dwelling consisting of three bedrooms, one full bath, one half bath and a new driveway per Town standards. (§260-33) Dimensional Variance

 

Mr. Cioppa swore in for testimony representatives of the application: Anthony Nenna, On-Site Engineering Inc, 3 Crestview Drive, Westerly, RI, and applicant Kenneth Thomas, 112 Cliff Street, Mystic, CT. Mr. Loiselle read the narrative and stated that the zoning department supports the application. There were no questions of the narrative from board members. Mr. Nenna then reviewed the variance criteria and described the current site conditions. It was explained during testimony that the variance requested was necessary to build a livable size home on the narrow property. Inquiries posed by board members during testimony included topics such as the GIS mapping square footage discrepancy, the attached garage, assessment details, and property easement. Mr. Loiselle and Mr. Nenna addressed the inquiries

  The board was polled for discussion at 6:16 p.m. and were all in support of the project. No members of the public were present to comment on this application.

Upon no further discussion, Mr. Martone motioned to close the public hearing of this item at 6:16 p.m., and Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the public hearing was closed at 6:16 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 a 10.3’ front yard and 8.9’ rear yard setback variance to construct a 3-bedroom single family home at 21R Nichols Lane, pursuant to Section §260-33 “Variances” and §260 Attachment-10 “Schedule of Dimensional Regulations” of the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, with no conditions. Mr. Burns 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.      Neil and Susan Walsh, 9 Crandall Ave, AP ‘165’ Lot ‘6’, is seeking a 7.7’ front yard, 6.1’ westerly side yard, and 5.6’ easterly side yard setback 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

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 Specia 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 residence. The applicant is seeking to remove that condition and have a legally established residential unit. Pursuant to (§260-34) Special Use Permits

3.      Coastal Farms LLC, c/o Patrick Kilroy, 1045 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

 

H.    STAFF COMMENTS –

 

Mr. Loiselle reminded members of the mandatory municipal board member training, and discussion ensued

 

I.       ADJOURNMENT –

 

Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:26 p.m. Mr. Martone moved the motion, and Mr. Burns seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.

 

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

 

Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 2/2/2026

APPROVED BY BOARD VOTE ON 2/11/2026