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Resident describes severe nuisance at former Leos Auto Parts; zoning officer says owner cited
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Summary
A resident told the North Smithfield Town Council about debris, extended hours and alleged encroachment at a junkyard once run by her grandfather; the town said zoning citations were issued last week and the owner has 10 days to comply.
A North Smithfield resident told the Town Council on May 5 that a property once known as Leo's Auto Parts has become a severe nuisance, and asked the council to intervene.
"It's a complete mess back there," Carrie Roy said, listing mattresses, sofas, piled tires and unattended vehicles, and saying people had defecated on her property and that vehicles and material were encroaching on her family's land. Roy said the site's hours frequently exceed permitted times and that she had documented conditions with photos and video she provided to town staff.
Town officials responded that the property owner had been cited under the zoning ordinance last week. The town's zoning officer, Leo Cody, was named as a contact for updates. "They have 10 days to rectify or else they are subject to fines," a town staff member told Roy, and later the administrator confirmed the citation included multiple violations: expansion of a nonconforming use, failure to fence the property, and storage of prohibited items.
Roy said she had also contacted state agencies including the Department of Environmental Management and the state building inspector but had received limited response; the town recommended that zoning complaints be routed through the zoning officer and said the police had been notified about after-hours concerns.
Why it matters: The complaint raises public-safety and property-rights concerns and prompted a specific town enforcement action; the town provided a citation and a deadline for correction.
Meeting context: Roy spoke during the open public comment period; town staff reported that citations had already been issued and offered contact information for follow-up.
