Zoning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, March 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 6:01 p.m.

 

B.     ROLL CALL –

Mr. Cioppa introduced the board and read the Zoning Rules of Procedure into record. Mr. Cioppa recognized former Zoning Board Chairman Walter Pawelkiewicz with a moment of silence for his recent passing

 

C.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES -

1.      February 11^th, 2026- The board reviewed the minutes from the February 11^th meeting. Mr. Martone motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Ms. Moore seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed

 

D.    CHANGES TO THE AGENDA –

There were no changes

 

E.     CONTINUED BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS –

Consider, discuss, and act upon

 

1.                      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 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

 

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

Michael Maloney, applicant, was present to speak on this item. It was explained during testimony that the applicant is seeking to legalize the zoning use of a previously approved spa property, as it has been operating as an Air B and B for over two years, without the proper Town permitting. The applicant expressed that while the property is currently zoned as professional and permits have been received at the State level; to continue as an Air B and B, residential use needs to be granted by the Town. Board members asked questions about the: historical decision to remove residential use, property permitting history, and discovery of the permitting discrepancy. The applicant provided feedback and addressed the inquiries.

Public comment of this application was opened at 6: 17 p.m., to which there was none. With no public comment, Mr. Cioppa polled the board at 6:17 p.m. Mr. Saponare, Mr. Burns, and Mr. Miller were in favor. Mr. Martone was opposed. Ms. Moore and Ms. Robinson were undecided. Mr. Levesque provided legal counsel on the Zoning Board’s role and criteria to follow for Variance and Special Use Permit requests. Mr. Cioppa then re-polled the board at 6:22 p.m. after thorough discussion. Mr. Saponare, Ms. Moore, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Burns, and Mr. Miller were in favor. Mr. Martone and Mr. Cioppa were opposed. None abstained. Upon no further comment, Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to close the public hearing at 6:26 p.m. Ms. Robinson moved the motion, and Mr. Martone seconded. The board was all in favor, and the public hearing was closed at 6:26 p.m.

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 non-material modifications to the approved plans. Mr. Burns motioned to approve the Special Use Permit application, which proposes to amend a 2017 Special Use Permit, to allow residential use of the property in an existing detached structure, pursuant to Section §260-34 Special Use Permits, and §260 Attachment 11-Zoning District Use Tables (Use Code A-18 Mixed Use Development) of the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, with no additional conditions. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. Ms. Moore, Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Burns were in favor. Mr. Cioppa and Mr. Martone were opposed. The permit amendment was granted

 

F.     NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS–

 

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

 

Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to continue this item to the April 8^th meeting. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed. This item will be continued to April 8^th

 

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

 

Mr. Cioppa entertained a motion to continue this item to the April 8^th meeting. Ms. Robinson seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed. This item will be continued to April 8th

 

G.    APPLICATIONS DECLARED COMPLETE –

Waivers granted and scheduled for public hearing. Information only, no action to be taken

 

1.       Alan Peck, on behalf of Wilcox Park, 44 Broad Street, AP ‘56’, Lot ‘83’ is requesting a Special Use Permit to construct a 16’ x 26’ metal carport to shelter park equipment. A Special Use Permit is required for any new structure proposed in the Open Space Recreation Zone, pursuant to 260 Attachment 10 – Schedule of Dimensional Regulations, 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 6:35 p.m. Ms. Robinson moved the motion, and Mr. Martone seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

 

Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – April 8^th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

 

Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 3/31/2026

Approved by Board Vote on 4/8/2026