I.            Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.by Kevin Marchand

II.            Roll Call

Board Members:

·         Kevin Marchand, Chair, present

·         Kevin Kazarian, Vice-Chair, present

·         Ann Peckham, present

·         Daniel Klotz, absent

·         Andres Flores, present

·         Gary Berdugo (1^st Alternate), present

The meeting was staffed by:

·         Jim Vandermillen, Assistant Director, Planning and Economic Development

·         Legal Counsel to the Board: Tyler Miller, Esq., Darrow Everett

III.            Pledge of Allegiance

Led by Board Chair Kevin Marchand.

IV.            Approval of Minutes

a.       August 18, 2021 meeting

Kevin Marchand entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2021 meeting. Andres Flores moved to approve the minutes; Ann Peckham seconded. The motion passed by a voice vote.

b.      September 15, 2021 meeting

Kevin Marchand entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2021 meeting. Ann Peckham moved to approve the minutes; Andres Flores seconded. The motion passed by a voice vote.

V.            New Business

a.      Case #ZB-21-08 – Consideration for Dimensional Variances

The Central Falls Housing Authority, of 30 Washington St., Central Falls, RI, applicant for 6 School St. (Plat 4, Lot 483A in an R-3 multi-household residential zone; owned by Central Falls Affordable Housing Corp., 30 Washington St., Central Falls), is seeking dimensional variances for relief from Article IV, Section 401 (Minimum Front Yard) and relief from Article VIII, Section 801.8 – Off-street parking space requirements to provide fewer than two parking spaces per residential unit, to construct a 6-unit residential townhouse in place of the existing 2-family building.

Mr. Marchand entertained a motion to open New Business. Ms. Peckham moved to open New Business; Mr. Flores seconded. The motion passed by a voice vote.

Mr. Vandermillen read the description of the case as it appeared in the agenda (text above).

Mr. Miller swore in Mr. Kevin Beaulieu, AIA, of Union Studios Architecture & Community Design of Providence, RI.  Mr. Beaulieu presented the application and plans on behalf of the applicant and responded to questions from members of the Board.

Mr. Miller swore in Ms. Stephanie Booker of ONE Neighborhood Builders, Providence, RI, who was present to also represent the applicant. Ms. Booker responded to questions from members of the Board.

Mr. Marchand entertained a motion to open the Public Hearing. Mr. Kazarian moved to open the Public Hearing; Mr. Flores seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

No one came forward for public comment, but Mr. Vandermillen read a written statement sent via email by Ms. Carlene Fonseca of 40 School Street, Central Falls.  The email was sent to Mr. Vandermillen on September 15, 2021 and was addressed to the Zoning Board.  Ms. Fonseca’s property abuts the subject property, sharing the property line on the southwest of the subject property.  Ms. Fonseca did not object to the request for a variance for the setbacks but cautioned that adding only six spaces would not be sufficient.  She stated that on street parking spaces are usually taken, stated that one of her two driveways is sometimes blocked by cars, and stated that snow and parking for residents has been an issue on the past.

Mr. Marchand entertained a motion to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Kazarian moved to close the Public Hearing; Ms. Peckham seconded. The motion passed by a voice vote.

Mr. Vandermillen read the Staff Recommendation into the record.

Mr. Marchand entertained a motion to accept the applicant’s testimony as findings of fact.  Mr. Kazarian moved to accept the applicant’s testimony as findings of fact; Ms. Peckham seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

• Kevin Marchand, Aye
• Kevin Kazarian, Aye
• Ann Peckham, Aye
• Andres Flores, Aye
• Gary Berdugo, Aye

The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Marchand entertained a motion to approve or deny the applicant’s request for a dimensional variance based on the findings of fact and the testimony presented.  Ms. Peckham moved to approve the applicant’s request for a dimensional variance based on the findings of fact and the testimony presented; Mr. Kazarian seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

• Kevin Marchand, Aye
• Kevin Kazarian, Aye
• Ann Peckham, Aye
• Andres Flores, Aye
• Gary Berdugo, Aye

The motion passed unanimously

Mr. Marchand entertained a motion to approve or deny the applicant’s request for relief from off-street parking requirements based on the findings of fact and the testimony presented.  Mr. Berdugo moved to approve the applicant’s request for relief from off-street parking requirements based on the findings of fact and the testimony presented; Ms. Peckham seconded.  A roll call vote was taken:

• Kevin Marchand, Aye
• Kevin Kazarian, Aye
• Ann Peckham, Aye
• Andres Flores, Aye
• Gary Berdugo, Aye

The motion passed unanimously

Mr. Berdugo moved to close New Business; Mr. Flores seconded.  The motion passed by a voice vote.

VI.            Old Business – none

VII.            Adjournment

Mr. Marchand entertained a motion to adjourn.  Mr. Kazarian moved to adjourn; Mr. Flores seconded. The motion passed by a voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm.