Town Council - Regular Meeting

I will call the order to the September 1st, 2026 North Providence town council meeting. Please stand for a pledge of allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence.

The flag of the United States of America.

Item number one, acceptance of meeting minutes, discussion and possible action and vote with regard to the acceptance of meeting minutes from the meetings of August 4th and August 18th, 2026. Do I have a motion to accept? So moved. Motion been made by Councilman Bacala, seconded by Councilman Pollack. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it. Item number two, sale of property. Mayor Lombardi would like discussion and possible vote on the sale of an abandoned paper road on Oliver Street. Mayor?

Chairman, members of the council, I sent you some information. This is another piece of property that we purchased some time ago from a national grid, which is now Rhode Island Energy. It's not buildable. I think about 3,100 square feet. that we're not getting tax dollars for it. So talk to one of the neighbors that's willing to purchase it with the agreement that there'll be no construction on it. You have the paperwork there and also another piece of property that will now be on the tax rolls so that we'll be able to collect taxes on, which we haven't as of yet. I think it's 3,100 square feet. I think it's about $10,000 of revenue that could come to the town.

Okay, does anybody have any questions? Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Motion to be made by Councilman Pollack. Is there a second? Seconded by Councilman Faiola. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it.

Thank you. And just to give you a one-off, Mr. Chairman, you will be getting some additional paperwork. We're just waiting for the surveyors. There are a couple of other small portions of property that are not useful to the town. They're not on our tax rolls. And we have the availability to sell them and then derive some profit yearly from the taxes.

Thank you. Okay, item number three, Centerdale School Property. Mayor Lombardi would like discussion and possible vote concerning the Centerdale School Property.

Mr. Chairman, as we have discussed, we have an organization that would like to talk with us for either a sale or a lease on that property. So I think just a suggestion and request that we set a meeting up for discussions. It could be profitable.

greatly profitable for the town so the town has all the we've done all our due diligence on our side i reached out to the representative she's waiting to get her clients together and then we'll set up a meeting

We did. We did have Mr. Randolph spend some time there to give us some advice as to the numbers of the property for boat sale and lease. And I think it might be the right thing to do. So if we put everyone around the table, so to say.

Sounds good. Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay item number four zone change amendment town council to consider approval of an application from smith smith realty llc to amend article 2 section 203 use table of the zoning ordinance of the town of north providence to classify doggy daycare as permitted use in cp cv and cg districts only this application was advertised in the providence journal on february 6 13th and 20th 2026 for a hearing on this date does anyone hear from the doggy daycare

how are you today good just state your name for the record please joel tamaris thank you you and i spoke on the phone yes okay nice to see you in person you as well um so go ahead just give you you said you wanted to explain exactly the concept there because i said we had a lot of questions and that's why it hasn't moved yet yes of course um so i went through the recorded videos that you post on youtube i understand kind of what the issues are what the concerns are and was able to prepare the rebuttals for those um concerns for me um my name is Joelle Tavares I am not I'm from North Providence originally my family owned a um business in Johnston um it is a pet store business so while this this uh This investment is new to me. The industry is not. My family owns the business for over 30 years, so I'm very familiar with the regulations and what is needed to run a successful doggy daycare. On top of that, I'm a human resource consultant, so I have a lot of experience with regulations and making sure things are compliant. But like I said, I did go through to understand kind of what your concerns were and be able to rest your concerns. I know there are concerns regarding the noise, which is one of the most primary concerns. and we understand that noise can be a factor one of the biggest things is that the building is a brick building which does help with the noise factor of it but additionally oh i'm so sorry okay but additionally what we are prepared to do is to get an acoustic test Um, so that way we can make sure that we can rate the noise level and make sure that it is within the levels that are needed to, um, not affect any of the neighbors or anybody around him. Additionally, I know that there was some concerns regarding the mixed commercial and residential use of the building. Um, so well, you know, we recognize that it is, um, not a regular situation. The current intention is to make the apartments available to the workers that are working at the doggy daycare. So not only does that allow less commuting and staff parking demand, it does allow opportunities for additional residences. With that being said, we're still not relying on employee occupancy as the answer to the noise. So that's why we're willing to do the professional acoustic assessment to make sure that the sound is appropriate. And then we don't have any sanitation or operational controls that will affect the residents of the building.

Okay. So, uh, talking to some of the neighbors, uh, there was a concern where the dogs would go to go to the bathroom. How does that work with you?

Um, so dogs, this is going to be a primarily indoor, um, doggy daycare. And there are a good amount of doggy daycares that are primarily indoor. There is specific requirements when it comes to, you know, waste and sanitation. And that would all come with the build, which we will be prepared to provide you with our layout and how we're going to, you know, overcompensate for that. Just because, you know, just because we would be approved the zoning, we'd still be required to have the boarding kennel license under the Rhode Island DEM. So we would be able to still be held, you know, up to standard with their requirements under the boarding requirements, which has a lot to do with the waste, the sanitization, the noise levels. Additionally, one of the other big things is people think a doggy daycare, how many dogs can you pack in a building, right? That's not what we're trying to do. Especially in my background, the business that my grandfather built in Johnston and had for over 30 years, it means a lot to me. And I'm big with animals. So it's not about how much can we, you know, make in revenue here. It's, you know, how many dogs can we safely fit in here that's not going to cause any risk with sanitation, noise control, etc. We want to make sure that we're finding the balance between being, you know, a successful doggy daycare, respecting our neighbors, And making sure that we are in a good place for a mixed commercial and residential building.

Okay, so, um, how many dogs approximately will you be putting in there?

Um, it all depends on the layout of the building, um, and the square footage. So that is something that we're working on as we're building the inside. Um, so the inside right now is currently is kind of brought down to, like, the studs and we're rebuilding it up and that is all done within the floor layout and how we can do the kennels. So I don't have a direct number for you, but that would all be, um, under the standards of the, um. that the DEM sets for the boarding requirements.

And you mentioned boarding, so you will be boarding dogs on a nightly basis?

No, so we won't do any overnights. So no overnights, but the Rhode Island DEM considers the doggy daycares as a daily boarding. Daily boarding, that's what they consider it. So it's still considered boarding, even though it's just a daily operation.

So does that mean at five or six o'clock at night, there's no one there?

So there won't be any dogs there. No. So there won't be any dogs there. And I know that another question, another issue that had arised about the is the traffic, right? The traffic that is going to cause on Smith Street. And we all know that Smith Street gets busy. So what we're prepared to do to come up with a solution for that is to stagger the drop off times. Um, so not everybody can just come and drop their dogs off at 7 o'clock in the morning. We're going to stagger it into specific waves. So, 715, 730, you know, 745, et cetera. So that way it would help with the, um, congestion, the traffic, um, and be, it, it also allows us to be more thorough when, you know, welcoming in the dogs and getting them in.

So I have a kind of a crazy question. I'm sorry.

Crazy questions are always welcome.

Dogs, let's say you have 15 dogs, I'm just using that one, and they go to the bathroom in the course of the day.

Yeah.

How do you get rid of that waste?

How do you get rid of that waste?

Are you going to put it in a dumpster?

No. So there's specific processes and regulations that you would have to do. in order to safely discard of that waste. And that is something that I can get you, but there are specific waste systems that we would be putting in and installing. That all comes with the build. We want to make sure that when we are building the actual layout of it that that is all considered um and that we're able to get the um kind of like the high end um items to overcompensate for those waste disposals etc so we would do it you know obviously at the time that the dog um had the waste and then you know periodically through the day we would we would make sure that we um get rid of that waste and the ways that it's required by the rhode island dem so that way is when i go over time Um, no, it wouldn't go into a dumpster. Um, we're not just going to throw the dumpster and expect it to get, you know, a weekly pickup. Um, there is going to be a process for that and I can come prepared with that process next time.

Council just, uh, you mentioned the staggering of pick up and drop of what time would you be including your day?

So ideally, we're thinking like a 7.30 to 5, 5.30. We want to make it conclusive to the residents, right? When you're thinking about a doggy daycare, this is for people that are going to work their job and they don't want to leave their dogs alone. or their dog that wants extra socialization. So preferably we'd like to have it during business hours. But with that being said, we would be prepared to compromise regarding what the zoning is. So if we need to start a little later or end a little earlier, we're prepared to do that. We would not be going until 8 p.m., 9 o'clock at night. That's not something that we're looking to do.

Thank you.

Yeah, of course.

Councilman? Yeah, I'm going to be honest. I'm concerned about this. Of course, one, not for you. I mean, what we're talking about here is we're talking about changing zoning across the town. So this is not going to just affect you. I mean, this could be happening across the town. I'm glad our zoning officials here. Brent, I don't see how this helps her. Directly next, it says it can't be within 100 feet of a lot containing a principal residential use. Literally, right next door, there's apartments. And behind. And behind. So I don't know how, even if we put this in, it's still prohibited within 100 feet of a, which, by the way, I think is a good thing. But I don't know how, even if we were to pass this, that it would allow you to put that back there. I mean, I don't know. I could be wrong.

Brent, can you come up? Brent is our planning director.

Nice to meet you.

You can, you can have a seat.

Okay.

So stay up front because I'm sure we'll have in front of me, but if it is in fact, a hundred feet away from the residence, um, I was supposed to be a residential structure.

Um, so there may have been, uh, no, it kind of has from any residential zoning district and, and, uh, hundred feet of a lot containing a principal residential use so we we could certainly work on the on the language and do um from a structure or from well i mean something that works in her instance not that i don't want to want to see anybody have a successful business or be able to do business but you know i i think frankly that might be too too short of a distance um you know we're talking about residences and I mean, I have a neighbor who their dogs bark incessantly and it's, you know, I don't hear it in my house, but. You go outside, that's all you hear is bark, bark, bark, bark, and it is, uh, incredibly aggravated. So. I don't, I don't know. I mean, I'm, I'm, I'm very hesitant about this to be honest.

So this was actually a discussion at the planning board meeting when they provided the recommendation and, um. it was essentially decided upon as a group that the noise ordinance still applies and um it would still be regulated so if they do perhaps violate that noise ordinance it would still be in violation of the noise part is one thing it's the neighbors that are around it if it's 100 feet you have a three or four tenement house right next to it and you have a uh an apartment house on the side of it on the other the hair salon and apartment upstairs and then behind it you've got a couple houses across the street as well so and they're all with inside of 100 feet easily so yeah i i don't think anyone realized that when they uh added that clause as it pertains to this uh project but i think the intent of that was to generally protect the townsfolk

No, I, by the way, I mean, I think that makes sense, isn't it? You've got to allow this, you should have some sort of a buffer. My concern is where I know we're not dealing with 1 specific property, but we are and. Yeah, we can go ahead and pass this, but it might not help you.

So does that trigger anything else in the town?

was changing that zone for that and doing that does that affect us in other places so it's not just for one you know we look at it from town wide not just so if i remember correctly i believe they decided on 100 feet because that's the general distance um the cg zone runs off of mineral spring and um throughout the commercial corridors in town i know i'm sorry i don't know if i got the answer i'm looking so it gives opportunity for them to potentially put a building towards the front away from a residential zone. But the average zone for commercial general and commercial professional matter along mineral spring and the main commercial corridors is generally about 100 feet. It's generally the first lot.

Is there any other questions from the council? Are there any other residents here? so unfortunately i think we're going to have to i know you don't want to hear this but i think we have to continue this again until we have a an ordinance that works for everyone because i was unaware of you know that's a good point that you've made by the way i think i i don't know i mean well it doesn't seem like i like the way you think usually it doesn't seem like there's a not anything against you but on the safe it doesn't seem like there's a clear conclusion here with this so and if i can ask the council president if she can come back up for one second

Are you starting construction or you're not? Are you going ahead? We've had this conversation before with a couple other businesses. Please do not go forward thinking it's a yes and spending money at your own peril. We had this discussion with another business and the zone didn't go through and I hate to see waste good money after bad money. So good money, whatever.

No. So regardless, you know, that we're putting apartments there right now. Yeah. And the building needs to be, you know, it's the old Salvation Army. And so, you know, obviously there was some much needed improvements to that. So while we're leaving that space is, you know. Buildable, um, we are still making sure that the big areas and they're like, the, um, you know, the fire system and things like that are up to speed. So we're using this time to make sure that those are up to regulation, getting them improved, updated. Um, and then hopefully we'll be able to come to a conclusion when the time is ready so that we can proceed.

Even if it's not doggy daycare, it's going to be some kind of commercial residential. Let's hope.

I don't own the building.

Doing a very good presentation for someone who doesn't own the building.

Truthfully, one of the biggest things that intrigued me about this location was the fact that it was the Salvation Army. I used to go in there as a little girl. That location saved my father when he was in a fire and rebuilt him up. Every week, we'd go in there and we'd grab one thing and give them a donation, et cetera. Because the business, the pet store was right up the road. I don't know if anybody knows it's Pure Paradise Pets. So that's why that means a lot to me. So hopefully he would do something with it. But for me, I would like to kind of do something with my grandfather's legacy and build something into that. And that's why. And Councilman Marton, what I will say is I completely understand. I have two dogs. They bother me sometimes, right? They bark a lot. They're loud. It's aggravating. But that is why we would make sure to have that professional acoustic assessment done so that we can see kind of where those levels are going. And if they are too high, how can we prepare to get them lower? Can we soundproof it? Can we minimize those noises? And while I understand the zoning, rightfully so, is 100 feet from the residentials, that would allow us to... that that would being able to get that assessment done um and prepare that property would overcome the noise for the neighbors and the um you know the aggravation because trust me i get it i have two german shepherds myself um who won't be going to the doggy daycare just as an fbi um but uh that is how i would you know rebuttal that one no no and i understand and i have three dogs so i i understand

But what I will say is like something like that actually sounds fine. And that's something that you would be doing of your own volition. Like that's something if we want to seriously consider this, we should make that one of the standards in our zoning ordinance that says you have to have a some sort of a noise engineer come in. and prevent noise from emanating from the four walls of the building.

And honestly, it's fair. That's a fair ask for somebody that's building a business like that. I think that that's a small ask to be done. And that would prevent a lot of businesses coming in and taking advantage of that being waived if we were to change that. But when I was kind of looking into how we can overcome that, that was one of the biggest things that I could come up with. And if there are other concerns, I might not have the answers right away, but I can definitely come up with a solution to meet you guys in the middle.

Our biggest concern is other residents. And then if we change something, it's very hard to go back if we get it wrong. And we don't want to do that to you or do it to the residents. So my opinion.

I don't want to say that we have a bunch of time, right? Because we can't, right. You want to get to that approval portion, but, um, you know, we're willing to, you know, be thorough and wait till you guys get that, uh, ordinance where you guys need it. Um, and if there's anything that we can do to provide, um, you know, back up for that, let me know.

But the ordinance that was proposed was from your attorney. It was from the green McGree.

yes it was um and then you know we were kind of letting you know him lead obviously coming here etc and um and then i stepped in so what was that and it doesn't live and you know and grow i grew up in this town you know since i was as a baby so i mean like i said it just um It means a lot. Truth be told, whoever bought the business when my family sold it kind of put the legacy down. And I want to bring it back up if that makes sense. But I am very familiar with the industry. Ernest, the animal control officer, I've spoken with him about this. He backs us. You guys can speak with him. He knows me very well. I volunteered there as a kid, you know, so even in the kennels, you know, I have experience there.

There's definitely no issue with you caring for animals that I can talk to you on the phone in tonight. That's not the issue.

Well, and I'm not a construction guy or a woman, right? Construction woman, but I'm an HR professional. And what I can do is make sure regulations and compliance is in order and make sure that, for example, if we were live and we had a fully operational business and the apartment above the salon complained. um you know and they're saying your dogs are so loud I can't you know I it's disrupting my morning coffee um what I would do is I would get the complaint I would investigate it see you know is it valid what we can do to overcome it and then how we can you know mitigate that problem I'm not just going to wave people off I'm going to have a grievance uh process that people can know and they're also going to be able to contact me directly they're not going to go to a 1-800 number where they're gonna you know, leave a voicemail and nobody's going to call them back. Um, I'm a very involved person. Um, you know, so it's not something that, um, people would, people would be able to get ahold of me.

I, I, I, just in the back of my mind, I also think this gets continued, a layout showing what it's going to be like, how many potential dogs they're going to have in there is very important.

Yeah.

I actually, I think that should have been kind of, Here already.

You're right. And I created the layout. Um, I'm sad that our lawyer didn't provide it, but I did create the layout. It was a bit ago. Um, and I actually don't have it here, but what I can do is when this is continued, I can come to the next one prepared with that layout, um, and provide you guys with it. So you guys can see it with the approximate numbers under what's required with the square footage.

So I'm going to continue this and then, but it's going to be on you too. work with our zoning department absolutely workable ordinance for us to look at yeah um and then you know when it's you've concluded we'll put it back on the agenda okay sounds great i really appreciate you guys hearing me out thank you so much for your time let me just take that motion i think we have to continue it to a date because isn't this advertised amanda it was advertised in february so i think i think we have to continue it to a actual date if not they're going to re-advertise okay so we'll continue this to the to the um october meeting sounds great thank you so much i appreciate it motion motion has been made by councilman mccullough second second by councilman laporte mayor you can take a seat thank you mr chairman members of the council that were on this subject and we had the opportunity to

meet with the owner of this property we asked him to come in uh we did receive some complaints of the aesthetics of the building and um he assured us by the way uh that he would be cooperating to clean the property up a little i just want to let you know so it's something that we're working on whether it become a doggy daycare or any other use The property is unsightly. We explained that to the gentleman, and he did assure us that he would cooperate to clean it up. As far as the ordinance, the ordinance is what it is right now. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, motion has been made and seconded. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it. Item number 5, ordinance 26-002Z, an ordinance amending the Town of North Providence zoning ordinance, article 2, section 203, use table. This item is in connection with the previous zone change item. Do I have a motion to continue to October? Motion to be made by Councilman Lepocho, seconded by Councilman Bacala. All those in favor? All those opposed? Yes, I have it. And item number 6, doggy daycare. Joelle Tavares would like to address the council regarding the pending zone change for doggy daycare. That item was already taken care of. Real quick, while Brent is here, I want to just go to item number 18, storage facility. Discussion and vote on the changes made by the zoning department to a storage facility located on Douglas Avenue at Platte 6, lots 338, 339, and 365. Just real quick, Brent, I'll call you up here in one second. I know there's a lot of residents here from Cushing Street. I just want to give a brief overview of this issue. This item was voted on in 2017. Myself and Councilman DiLorenzo were the only two council people that were on the council at the time of that vote. Since this facility has been constructed, I've been very concerned, and I've spoke with Councilman DiLorenzo and Councilman Martone, who represents the area now as well, that this simply is not what was voted on. So the three of us did a lot of research. We pulled the plans. We pulled every meeting minute, every time this was discussed from 2017 on and went over everything. What's being built there is simply not what I voted for. I stand by my votes. There's some I regret, but that I can't sit here without being constructed when I did not vote for that. I did vote for a storage facility. There was eight one level buildings with a 30 foot buffer and greenage to so the neighbors would not see that. That is simply not what is being built there. So I hate to put him on the spot, but Councilman Matone is a very good attorney and he looked over a lot of his paperwork for us and he seems to agree with our assessment.

So, I mean, listen, this is not my area of expertise and Brent, you know, certainly you can explain what's going on, but I just don't see how they're building what they're building in this location. all the paperwork so the the application says nine buildings the ordinance that was passed says in conformance with the plan that was submitted at the council meeting which is nine one-story buildings the planning report that they gave uh in support of their request to the council in 2017 relies on the garofalo engineering plan which is nine one-story buildings the comprehensive plan assessment was based on nine one-story buildings the there's a requirement that there be uh foliage and buffers it's in here somewhere there's so much paperwork um i And here's my big concern. My big concern is what this sets us up for. So if, and I know in a lot of this documentation, it talks about it being less than 40 feet and it may be less than 40 feet or a proud, I'm sorry, 40, 40 feet high or high, high. and the problem is even if they keep it below 40 feet what they are building is not what was approved by the council or it was not in conformance with the plans that were approved by the council i i you know and and so let me explain why i'm very concerned about this why i'm very concerned about this is if this is allowed to continue and if this just we just say okay go ahead and do it what i would do or what i would advise all my clients is to come in put a proposal in that doesn't bother anybody. And then just put little fine print in saying it's gonna be less than 50 feet, it's gonna be less than 100 feet wide. And as long as I keep it within those parameters, I could say, well, you approved it with this amount of square footage, you approved it with this amount of height. And so we're gonna come in, neighbors are gonna get notified they're gonna say oh it's i mean it's nine one-story buildings or it's whatever it's a doggy she left it's a doggy daycare and then two years down the road three years down the road six months down the road they completely changed the plan and neighbors in my opinion did not have a meaningful opportunity to come in and be hurt neither did we no Uh, so, you know, I, um, and, and by the, and like I said, this is all subject to the fact that this is not my area. So someone can explain to me that it's totally legal. And if I see the, what I need to see, okay. But I just can't, I can't understand it.

I don't have a degree, but why would you submit those plans if that's not what you were building?

I don't know. So I would just like to provide a little background. It seems like, uh, There may have been a step miss from everyone that was critical. So in 2017, it was approved with those eight units or the eight structures, one story. That was before my time. I started in 2020. Around 2023, I believe it was. Don't quote me on that year, but it was a few years back. They came in. They had a reasoning for a amendment to the plan. It wasn't going to be as financially feasible if they did the singular buildings or the multiple buildings instead of the singular one. I spoke with Kelly Morris, who was our attorney at the time, who essentially confirmed to me that If the existing zoning ordinance permits supply right, then it would essentially be considered a minor modification enough to do administratively. And since this plan came in within the section 204 dimensional regulations, and it's still I believe met the, the conditions, which didn't explicitly state the height, but rather, uh, you know, the site plan and, uh, there were conditions on, uh, setbacks. I believe there's a 30 foot setback requirement and the buffer requirement, and we're going to still hold them to the buffer requirement. That's still part of the plan. I think it's just come later on once they further develop the property. So, um, just so. I'm going to put that background.

Oh, okay. What is it? What is it? Council? Yes.

So a lot there. All right. So I want to understand. So they came in with an amendment in 2023 to change the plan.

Correct.

And our position was that because the zone now was, what do we change it to? We change it from CG to industrial?

Right. what do we i can't remember exactly the zone but all zones in the town allow for 35 foot minimum including residential zones except for um adult use in commercial general zones which is limited to 30 feet for some reason okay so because wait wait all right so all zones allow for 35 feet is this building 30 less than 35 feet believe it it was okay that's hard to believe but i mean someone's gonna go out there a tape measure we're gonna i'm gonna let you guys speak so just

Yeah. Okay. So because it, let's just for the sake of argument, assume it's less than 35 feet. I don't, it's tough to, because all zones allow for any structure, as long as it's less than 35 feet, then the change that they made was an administrative change.

Yes, because it was within the confines of our zoning ordinance.

All right. But let me ask you this. In order to make an administrative change, how big of a change can you make in order for it to qualify as administrative?

So the actual administrative modification section allows me up to 15% of the literal dimensional regulations and excess. So allows me to grant 15% excess of what our regulations say. So administratively, technically, I could have granted 15% excess to what the regulations allow with there's a process with that that requires mailing direct to butters instead of a radius within Twitter fee.

So if I come in and I get approval for a building that's 20 feet and I come in before the planning board, i get my approval at some point i have to submit actual plans right yes and a 20-foot building was approved yes and i wanted and and i get to and at some point i say actually i want to go to 30 feet and 30 feet's allowed by right i don't need to tell anybody or ask anybody you would just need a building permit okay so okay councilman here's my question

why did not anyone come to this town council and say, listen, here's a change. It's going from eight one-story buildings to this monstrosity. How come no one, and let me tell you the reason why I say it. We're responsible for it. Indirectly, we're responsible for it. So why would making a change like that not come in front of us?

To be honest, I was not here. I did not know there was, I mean, I researched after, but I did not know there was a specific requirement at the time. And Kelly told me that the law essentially allows it by right. So it would be taking away rights if I didn't allow what our laws grant them.

I don't know that Kelly Morris, that's her last name, runs this town council, I think that we should have been notified just to because we would have X that out immediately. We got to protect these folks and all of a sudden we got this just doesn't make any sense to me at all at all.

Why even come in front of boards or come in front of the council just to disregard it and let one person say, Well, you know what, you can do this.

Well, I would say that the boards are responsible for reviewing each project based on what the law has to say that, that I agree with. And I think because the law grants them the 35 feet by right, it was, it was just deemed legal.

And whether it be Kelly or nobody had the, So I'm sorry, the thought to turn around and say, well, you know what, this was approved by everybody else. We should at least notify people that now, all of a sudden this is going in.

In hindsight, I would have predicted that.

So, in 2023, that's when the administrative change was made around there.

Yes.

Do we have documentation as to when they came in and the whole process there is a recorded so.

Because that change wasn't me actually altering the law, there was no administrative modification process. We deemed it allowed by right because of the dimensional regulations. If it was an excess of the 35 feet that the zoning ordinance grants them, if it was that additional anywhere between zero and 15% over, then uh we would have done uh you know there would have been an application there would have been an ad in the paper there would have been mailing of direct butters um a 14-day waiting period um but there was not that process in this because it was not exceeding can you understand our concern i do understand your concern and so and i have i'm sorry i have one of the uh you're gonna roll go ahead so

So here's the other problem that I have. The problem that I have is someone came in and asked us for a zone change, right? And so as part of our calculation, whether it be in this case or in another case, we approve that zone change based on certain conditions, one of which was they conformed to the plans that were submitted at the council meeting. So this is my concern because I want to understand this as we go forward as well. mean we're considering another zone change right now so i want to make sure that we're where everybody's on the same page if an ordinance get pa gets passed that says we will change the zone provided you conform with the plans that are submitted to the council even though the plans restrict them more than what the zoning allows what is your position on that so we grant a zone change but we say you can only go to let's just say it was explicit you can only go to 20 feet and that's the only reason why we're granting this zone change right with this person i would um i would hold them to that site plan and bring them back to to every board involved but but i'm asking you your opinion though not not as a result of this case if you have a zone that was changed with a condition that was put on it by ordinance is it your and and and i know i'm i'm acting like i'm cross-examining please i apologize but but i really do want to understand my worry is if we pass a zone change that is more restrictive than what zoning allows I wanna make sure that, and if your position is that we can't do that, I'm fine with that. Just let me know so that we can figure it out. But if a council passes an ordinance that permits a zone change with certain restrictions that are more restrictive than what zoning allows, do you believe that that is okay? And that the person who is on that zone is beholden to those restrictions, even though they're more restrictive?

I believe that is accurate. That's how I would interpret the law. Um. Again, this was a very tough decision trying to figure out. How not get the town in trouble taking white people's property rights. There was threats of lawsuits when I.

Why was that? Why is that a problem? Isn't that for a quote to decide?

So it is. We didn't want to take that chance. I was relying on the advice of the attorney. I'm not a legal expert. I'm not either, but I've been through it enough now to know what's... That was her answer a lot years ago.

We don't want to do this. We don't want to fight it because it's going to cost the town money if we go to court.

Okay. Brent, you can have a seat. Would any of the neighbors like to speak on this matter?

Okay. uh chris conklin i live at 44 cushing street um i have a direct line of sight to the giant gray structure um so one i i believe i asked this exact question in 2017 and that was and i like you know i wish i could use a tv and pull up to a meeting but i don't think that's the thing no it's online i did watch it actually um but I asked if somebody sold the property with the zoning change could somebody just do whatever they wanted within that zoning I believe the answer was no we're doing a variance that is to protect the neighborhood this is sounds like it just got the zoning was just changed permanently and it's not a variance it's a permanent zoning change where you know so the ad exact thing happened the land was sold to somebody else and somebody came in and did whatever they wanted um regardless I have no trees or anything to block anything the land behind us is falling down every time it rains hard um there was a rock retaining wall that was placed in which is now listed as existing retaining wall but i asked for a stamped engineering print to see that for that block retaining wall that's over 42 inches um nobody can produce that um and i'm almost positive if it's over 42 inches you need a stamped print for a retaining wall um so at this point it's really just a pile of rocks that's doing what it can which does not require soil testing nuclear density testing to say that the ground is stable in any way shape or form and that the embankment isn't going to fall all the foliage that was there on the previous paper road was removed prior to the paper road being um dissolved so anything that was holding the soil is no longer there to hold the soil so those trees that were existing aren't there to hold anything up um I just don't and at this point you know I've got a house that looks at a giant building I didn't mind the eight one story eight buildings even if it was one boat building HAB-Jacques Juilland, One story hi you know i'm not i'm not here to stop things from happening right, but at the same time when I bought the House, I was looking at woods and now i'm looking at. HAB-Jacques Juilland, A giant industrial building that does not fit the surrounding neighborhood.

I just don't know what we're going to do. You said that when it rains, the back of your yard kind of washes. It's behind the fence.

So it's like the fence sinks.

And that has gotten worse with this development happening?

For the last 10 years. Because there's no more trees. There were trees there before. Trees hold dirt. But they do. You know? not just you know provide oxygen they provide they have a geo stabilization effect um you know and if you don't have grass you end up with the desert nothing to hold the water nothing to hold the soil it's basically what exists right now you know you have a very steep incline with not enough support to hold the dirt i think that's all i got

Thank you. Anyone else like to speak? Just state your name for the record, please. Just state your name for the record.

My name is Douglas Norman. I live at 30 Prospect Street. So my property looks directly down over this monstrosity. And one of the selling points of the house was the beautiful view over that part of town. the nice-ish view over that part of town, and now there is an ogre fortress there in the middle of it. And so not only, like, it's unfinished now. What happens when it's lit all night? What is that light pollution going to do? Not to mention the erosion to all of the properties back there because there's nothing holding the soil in, but the ecological effect of all of that light now in our backyards. So it's... These are... long-lasting or like far-reaching kind of effects um that i don't think i don't know a lot of people are took into account or really care about um when they built it and it's it's frustrating when i can't keep a chicken but they can build that monstrosity in in north providence it seems kind of silly no thank you thank you one question that's it

So hi, my name is Margo Conklin. I live at 44 Cushing. Um, so, um, when this all happened in 27, we agreed on the plans that were. uh provided and that was great but in the past year i can't even tell you how many times i've been in brent's office and the inspector's office the inspector looked at the plans with us and i'm pretty sure the plans are over 40 feet i'm i really remember him saying this building is over 40 feet so i just want to put that out there so i i have a question not for you but i have a general question does that paper street stop

And the back of your house. So your fence would. Okay, but there's a go to the back of your fence. Right. In. There's a talent store on the paper street. And it was a question that I like to know. So.

Yeah, there was an issue maybe eight months ago, where someone brought to my attention that when whoever recorded the abandonment, they record it 5050 one side to the other and not 5050 the long ways, which is how you're supposed to do it. So there was a correction on that.

So Do you know how wide the paper street was?

I was a typical paper street. I believe it was, I don't even want to guess. I don't want to misquote.

I'm going to get, I'm going to guess at least 20 feet wide. No. So my, my question was 24, 24 minimum.

My question is a paper street that, that was not bought from the town or the, the town still owns it. How can that storage unit give them this? that paper street should be like that why how do they leave it like that that's a question i have so that paper streets the laws and you know it was flat at one time and now it's like this with erosion why why wouldn't it be like why can't they make it like that again and stop all the erosion hypothetically i think they probably could if they were willing um there is a drainage plan that is required

I don't enforce that. That's the building official that enforces the stormwater maintenance plan and ensures that doing proper sediment control and whatnot during construction. I just want to add a point. I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but if that same owner came in with a proposal for a maxed out height office building they could essentially do that by right with a building permit without seeing any any boards so that was part of the thought process when we were making this decision except that an office building is permitted self-storage was only permitted because of the zone change The use correct. That's correct.

So they could not build self storage, regardless of the height, unless we change the zone, which we did with conditions. So if they came in for an office building, they could, but that use is already permitted. They didn't need a zone change from us.

Right. That's correct. They could build a, a very similar structure with a different use.

I get it. Yes.

So, so there was a purpose for the change.

I feel as though there's a lot of unanswered questions. and we don't even know the height of the building right now and i think it is within our authority to issue a stop work instruct our zoning department to issue a stop work order at least until these questions are answered am i correct are we within are we operating within our authority with that one question did they submit the plan with the

the existing building. Now, do we have the set that's with the building department for the building permit? So I got to say, I know the price of that had to be different from one one levels to three level monstrosity. So that that just the permit itself, the dollar amount is going to be different.

I did the this modification 2023 on a site plan, not a elevation plan the elevation plans were still to conform with the zoning order they did a foundation permit and then they did a building permit uh yes and mike campagnon is monitoring to make sure that all the so what was the difference in the in the foundation permit because that's not the same foundation as was for eight buildings that is for that monster so yes um in my opinion it went from eight Eight foundations to a single foundation and smaller of a footprint.

Which had to be deeper and higher to support that building.

Yes, but I would say smaller and less impactful in the eyes, in the way I interpret zoning.

That's less impactful on your eyes than eight buildings?

A smaller footprint foundation, I would say, is less impactful than a larger footprint, or more square footage footprint.

The law interprets that as a minor footprint. according to what Kelly said, a minor alteration of the property?

Yes, she said it was minor because it was within the confines of the zoning ordinance. Can we have Kelly come in and testify that?

I mean, she doesn't... Theoretically, we have the ability to subpoena people, but I mean, I guess...

This is a big deal. I mean, this is not... This is a big deal.

This is my opinion. Take it for what it's worth. My opinion is that this zone was changed by us to allow for self-storage, which wasn't allowed anywhere in town with certain conditions. And I'm reading directly from the approved ordinance. that the amendment is approved based on the plans submitted at the hearing, which are incorporated herein by reference. And the town of North Providence hereby approves the plans as submitted. So the zone change was approved based on those plans. We can all agree. that the building that is being built right now is not the same as the plans that were submitted in 2017. Absolutely. Therefore, they're in violation of the ordinance. I think we should make a motion to direct either Brent or Mike to issue a stop work order so they don't pour any more money into this thing. We can have our lawyers, Charles and Anthony, because I think this is a town issue, Look into it. But I got to be honest with you. In these cases, the Supreme Court has said tear the thing down because they don't want people coming in, deceiving the town, and then changing their mind halfway through. So I think we need to stop our court at the very least. If we get a legal opinion that we're satisfied by that says that they're legally entitled to do what they're doing, great. If we don't, then I think we're in even – Yeah, that's in the form of motion. I'll second that.

A motion has been made by Councilman Matone. Is there seconded by Councilman DiLorenzo? Is there any other questions? Shane?

Good evening.

Shane Piche, 8 Robert Drive. I was watching the video and watching the meeting transpire and watch the things that takes place. In 2017, when this came before the planning board, if you pull the record, I think a lot of the things we're talking about tonight, I brought up during that time, and I was the sole no vote on this particular development. And the reason why I was the sole no vote is because the rest of the board was convinced by that then solicitor Kelly Morris that they had to allow Uh, to pass the suggestion that the zoning be allowed for the use. It's clear, as you pointed out, that is not the case. I will tell you that I feel that the planning and zoning board were both directed. To allow for this and then when this came up before Brent, I think he was misled a little bit. I don't know. I don't want to speak for him, but. if Kelly said or if she said to him that he could do what he did knowing that she was the solicitor in 2017 who was there when all this took place in both planning and zoning that in and of itself is a little devious uh because she knows that it was a zoning variance which would only allow that use as Mario pointed out for that particular developer for that particular development if they were to sell it it doesn't transfer and that they shouldn't be able to do anything in terms of an overall change, which I would say that their master plan and what they're building now are nothing alike. So there's no way that anybody worth their salt in planning or zoning would ever look at those two plans and say, the master plan of eight single structures is anything like the monstrosity that they built. So if she made that, I would say that either a, she's the most incompetent attorney ever, or in my opinion, there may be nefarious activity. I commend you for what you just said and what you did. I think 100% there should be a stop work order and there is precedent that this building should be torn down and these neighbors shouldn't have to live with it. I discussed that during the time when they even proposed this again, cause we know storage is a concern in the town. Um, And I think it's important that you guys do set the precedent that we're not going to allow our town to be pillaged like this. And I do think you should call in that solicitor. I do think she should have to swear under oath. And I do think she should have to testify. I think you should ask her, does she work for this developer outside of other, you know, ventures let's say, because how can you be an attorney for a client and go in front of say Cumberland as their attorney? But then you're a solicitor in North Providence and that same client comes before the board and then you coerce the planning board and zoning board to go in a certain direction because if they don't, you can't defend it in court. Mr. Bacala proved the types of things that we can defend in court with what happened on Marconi. We're doing it on Baird Avenue. I think it's the time has come for the town to stop. being taken advantage of the way it has. And I appreciate you guys doing it, but I had to put that on the record and I'd be happy to testify to anything for the time that I spent on the planning board from 2015 till whenever I left. So, but thank you guys for that. I wanted to just give you some more.

Thank you. Is there any other residents I'd like to speak? Okay. Emotions have been made and second it. All those in favor. All those opposed. You guys have it. Thank you.

Is this in order to put a stop work in the morning? Yeah. All right. I'll work with Mike on that.

Thank you. Item number seven, check on probationary licenses. Town council requests discussion and possible vote on the applications for BV liquor license, entertainment, and DJ entertainment licenses for the Pizza and Catering Gourmet LLC following the probationary period. Is anyone here from the Pizza and Catering Gourmet? It's the Gourmet.

We thought it was going to be Gourmet. How are you?

Dave Goulart with Catering Gourmet and Pizza Gourmet. Hope you'll all come and get some soup soon.

Only if you're getting a takeout on Friday. You all have the information in front of you. Is there any questions? Do we have a motion to approve? Motion has been made by Councilman Pollack, seconded by Councilman Laporte. All those in favor? All those opposed? You guys have it. Thank you. Good luck with everything.

Good luck, Dave. Appreciate you all.

At number 8, Victorine Licensed Town Council to consider the approval of a Victorine License for Frenchies Ice Cream, LLC, DBA Frenchies Ice Cream at 995 Middle Spring Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island.

Okay. Brandon Veens, I'm the new owner of Sweet Licks. It's going to be still operated as an ice cream shop, and the only thing that's changed is the name. Any questions? Councilman?

So this is the one across from Twins?

Yes.

The only thing I'm going to ask, if you haven't been asked already, is nightly. before you close, that somebody go around and clean up the grounds all around the property. That's been an issue the past few months. We've had some complaints from the neighbors. So I'll make the motion to approve, but you've got to clean up every night on the outside, please.

So I've spoken with someone. I'm not exactly sure who it was. They did come and approach me about three, four weeks ago, and I spoke with my employees and told them that they need to do frequent checks of the lot. Good. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Okay, motion has been made by Councilman Pollock. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Feolo. All those in favor?

Aye.

All those opposed? The ayes have it. Good luck. Good luck. Number nine, victualling license. Town Council to consider the approval of a victualling license for the local shop, New England, LLC, DBA, the local shop, number 021 at 1394 Middle Spring Avenue, North Providence.

Just state your name, please. My name is Nadeem Shakur. I'm here to pick up the license. I'm a district manager, work for a local shop.

Okay. Any questions? Do I have a motion to approve? Motion has been made by Councilman Bacala. Is there a second?

Second.

Seconded by Councilman Lepocho. All those in favor?

Aye.

All those opposed? You guys have it. Thank you.

Good luck. Good luck.

Item number 10, victualling license. Town Council to consider the approval of a victualling license for SM Foods LLC DBA Hangry Joe's at 1670 Middle Spring Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island. Anyone here from Hangry Joe's?

It's this place to open.

Huh?

I've been waiting for this place to open. I know. Is there anyone here from him? Then I figured somebody was here.

Do I have a motion to continue to the October meeting? So moved. Motion been made by Councilman Bacala. Is there a second? Seconded by Councilman DiLorenzo. All those in favor?

Aye.

All those opposed? Yeah, I have it.

Thank you.

Item number 11 class F1 liquor license town council to consider a vote for the approval of a class F1 liquor license for hostility for an event at Camp Meehan on October 31 2020. So many Victoria Susan saying, Okay, any questions? Do I have a motion to approve the F1 license? Motion been made by Councilman Bacala, seconded by Councilman DiLorenzo. All those in favor? All those opposed? You guys have it. Good luck. At number 12 class F1 liquor license town council to consider a vote for the approval of a class F1 liquor license for easy bar LLC for events that can't be in on September 29th, October 3rd, October 10th, October 30th, November 6th, and December 18th, 2026. Do I have a motion to approve? Motion to be made by Councilman Laportio, seconded by Councilman Pollack. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it. At number 13, class F1 liquor license town council to consider a vote for the class F1 liquor license for enchanted sip mobile bar for an event at Camp Meehan on October 24th, 2026. Is anyone here? Just state your name for the record, please.

Sonia Torres.

Thank you. Anybody have any questions? Do you have a motion to approve? Motion has been made by Councilman Bacala, seconded by Councilman DiLorenzo. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? You guys have it. Good luck. And number 14 class F1 liquor license town council to consider a vote for the approval of a class F1 liquor license for crazy our Rhode island for an event at camp me and I November 11 2026 state your name, please.

will money merchant.

Thank you.

Yeah. I have a question.

Yes.

So I was called by a customer. They want me to do their wedding in two weeks. I couldn't apply for the license. I just want to ask if it's possible to have it for September 11 at the same place. They overlook at Meehan.

Yeah, I don't want to be able to do the wedding. You know, that's for you. I think that's what I want to do.

Let me take the vote.

Do I have a motion to approve this F1 license? So moved. Second. Motion to be made by Councilman Bacala, seconded by Councilman DiLorenzo. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it.

I think we if if all the information is is essentially the same I think um the clerk's office could probably administratively approve it and then it could go on next month's agenda for essentially ratifying okay that way we don't have to take a vote here because I don't think we're allowed to and we could just put it on this month's agenda okay can you make is that in the form of a motion no no motion no I don't, I don't think we can, I don't think we can act on it.

Okay. All right. All right. I go, I know what you're saying.

On certain circumstances, the court's office administrator.

Yes. So they'll you, you understand that. All right. So they're going to approve it for you tomorrow.

Okay.

Right. It's pending. Everything's the same.

Yeah, and I already sent the insurance papers to the top. Okay.

Everything's the same. And then we'll ratify that next month.

Okay. But just make sure everything's the same. So October 6th for that meeting?

Yes.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Good luck. Thank you.

Thank you. Have a good night.

All right. Item number 15, Class BV Limited Liquor License. Notice was given of a public hearing to be held on this date in the Providence Journal on August 14th, 21st, 2026 for a new Class BV Limited Liquor License for La Dolce Vita Cafe, LLC, DBA, La Dolce Vita Cafe, 1706 Middle Spring Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island, 02904.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Veronica Cellini.

Thank you, Veronica. All right.

If you've ever tried Veronica's food.

Fantastic.

Italian food. Thank you. It's very, very good.

Thank you so much.

All right. Do I have a motion to approve? So moves. Everybody's motion has been made by Councilman seconded by Councilman Pollack. All those in favor. All those opposed. You guys have it. Good luck. Thank you. At number 16, ordinance, introduction, discussion and possible vote. Of the introduction of ordinance 26 dash 015, amending the North Providence zoning ordinance, establishing a mixed use commercial corridor overlay district. This item has to be continued to the October meeting. There are motion.

So, I'm going to be made by constantly seconded by constantly my tone. All those in favor.

All those opposed the eyes habit. At number 17, boy board appointment, town council discussion action for God to an appointment to be made to the following board. New appointment a historic district commission, alternate Sandra King. Be juvenile here hearing board 2 appointments to mayor appointments. And 1, try town appointment motion to appoint Sandra King. Motion to be made by councilman failures or 2nd, 2nd, by Council McCullough all those in favor. All those opposed the eyes had. Item number 19 is being removed from the agenda. At number 20 block party councilman dealer ends or request discussion and possible vote on a block party on Vulcan's Boulevard circle Councilman.

Okay. So, uh, I, I brought it in front of the town council because it's a pretty good party in the circle of Vulcan Boulevard. It's been going off for 22 years. They call it Zabfest. It's a great place to come and have a drink and it's a great time. Are you a sponsor? I'm not a sponsor. Are we invited? But I am going. Are we invited?

Okay. When is it? It's September 22nd. Okay.

Okay, do I have a motion to approve so moved motion to be made by Councilman collars or 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, my Council report you all those in favor all those opposed you guys have it. Item number 21 ordinance committee report town council discussion action forgot to the ordinance committee report to be presented by Councilman.

Excuse me, Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to pass it as presented.

Thank you emotions have been made by councilman failures or 2nd, 2nd, by was that councilman Martonals in favor? All those opposed you guys have it. Right number 22 claims committee report town council discussion action with regard to the claims committee report to be presented by councilman.

Thank you council president, uh, due to a scheduling conflict that I did not know I had. We cannot make the claims committee meeting tonight, so I have nothing to present, but we'll be doing a meeting in a couple of weeks. So, it'll be ready for next month. Plus, whatever you give me now, we'll be done then. All right. Thank you.

Councilman and item number 23 claims submitted town council discussion and possible vote regard to the claims received from the following lose Jennifer Martinez, 9 Oak street apartment for North Providence, Rhode Island. 02911 author purchase by attorney Andrew. and attorney Lily Birchfield, 123 Dyer Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, and Nick Dagarian. Attorney Andrew Cormier and attorney Lily Birchfield 123 Dyer Street, Providence. Rhode Island 02903 to have a motion to send those to the claims committee. Most of them made by councilman feel a 2nd, by councilman all those in favor. All those oppose the eyes have it. Do I have a motion to adjourn?

So, move their 2nd.

2nd.

Public service meeting, I want to put 1 together. We've got to finalize, but we're going to hit the hammer. Okay, me neither.