North Smithfield zoning board affirms April decision for 100 Mendon Road, continues applicant hearing to May 27

The Zoning Board of Review for the Town of North Smithfield voted May 13 to approve its April 8 decision on a special-use permit for the property at 100 Mendon Road (ZBR25-01) and to continue a separate application (ZBR25-03) to a date certain of May 27, 2025, at the applicant’s request.

The board’s chair opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and conducted a roll call. After a short check of the April 8 minutes, a board member moved to approve the board decision on ZBR25-01; another member seconded the motion and the board voted in favor. Later in the meeting the applicant for ZBR25-03 requested a continuance to May 27; the board voted to grant that continuance, contingent on town counsel confirming whether the matter must be re-advertised to meet statutory/public-notice requirements.

Why it matters: ZBR25-01 concerns a previously considered special-use permit for 100 Mendon Road; approving the board’s April decision finalizes that earlier action. The ZBR25-03 continuance, by contrast, pauses consideration of a separate application while the applicant prepares or supplements the record and while counsel determines whether re-advertising and associated fees are required.

Details of the votes and next steps - Approval of ZBR25-01 (decision from April 8): a motion to approve was made and seconded; the board voted in the affirmative. The record does not include individual roll-call votes by name in the transcript. - Continuance of ZBR25-03 to May 27, 2025: the applicant requested the continuance; the board recorded a motion to continue to that date and approved it. The board asked counsel to confirm whether re-advertising the hearing was required; members noted the applicant would be responsible for any re-advertising costs if counsel determines re-advertising is necessary.

What board members and staff said Board members noted they had received two phone calls from people identified as concerned abutters; the transcript records one caller identified as Ashley Tice and a second related call described as coming from her husband. The board noted those callers had been told of the rescheduling. A member also stated that, if re-advertising were required, an advertisement deadline had already passed (the member mentioned an advertisement deadline of 1:00 p.m. on the prior Monday) and asked counsel to advise how to proceed if the deadline could not be met.

Administrative notes A building official named Leo told the board he had spoken with the applicant and advised that the applicant understood they would be responsible for re-advertising costs if required. The board approved the continuance with the explicit contingency that counsel confirm whether re-advertising was needed; if counsel advised re-advertising was required but the deadline had passed, the board agreed staff could be given authority to move the application to the next available meeting date.

Votes at a glance - ZBR25-01 (approval of April 8 decision; special-use permit for 100 Mendon Road): motion approved (unanimous “aye” as recorded). Individual recorded roll-call votes by name were not recorded in the transcript. - ZBR25-03 (continuance to May 27, 2025): motion approved (unanimous “aye” as recorded); continuance contingent on counsel confirmation about re-advertising; applicant to pay any required re-advertising costs.

Next scheduled appearance ZBR25-03 will be heard at the Zoning Board of Review meeting on May 27, 2025, unless counsel determines additional notice is legally required and staff reschedules pursuant to the board’s contingency instructions.