North Providence Zoning Board Approves 50‑Foot Lot Variance for 0 Victoria Avenue with Conditions

The North Providence Zoning Board Review voted on Sept. 18 to approve a variance allowing a 50‑foot lot at 0 Victoria Avenue for construction of a single‑family house, with conditions intended to preserve a neighboring green strip and control stormwater.

Chair Deborah Gonzales Cavalier introduced the application and identified the applicant, Tanya Bacala. Attorney Louis De Quatro, representing Bacala, told the board the lot otherwise meets zoning requirements and that a shortened roadway was administratively approved to address earlier drainage concerns. "Currently, the lot meets all, zoning requirements," De Quatro said, and planning had no objections to the drainage design presented.

Neighbors spoke in support of the project but asked the board to protect a long‑maintained grassy strip between properties. Bridal McNamara of 7 Grove Avenue said she had "no issues with the the street variance coming in 50 feet," but asked that the relief area not be squared to a full 100 feet because that would remove a green area "that has been maintained for 2 generations." McNamara asked that the relief area be left natural or angled to the corner of property lines to prevent a drive‑through into her backyard.

John O'Connell of 19 Grove Avenue, who lives behind the proposed lot, also said he had no objection to the house but requested assurance about erosion control measures shown on the plans. O'Connell identified an "18 by 40 erosion control pad" on the plan and asked that paving stop short of his corner fence and that "arrobites" or shrubbery be installed diagonally to beautify the corner and act as a barrier.

Board members and the applicant discussed drainage in more detail. The applicant described two basins—one front basin that would overflow via a swale and a rear basin that would overflow into a riprap area—and said the grading plan was designed to retain water on site and meet applicable requirements. The board emphasized that erosion control must be in place on both sides of the proposed house.

Before voting, the board agreed to add two conditions to the approval: that the proposed gravel/relief area remain "unimproved" (it does not have to be paved and may remain natural), and that shrubbery or a similar barrier be installed as requested by the neighbor to protect the maintained green strip. The motion to approve the application, made consistent with the planning board recommendation, was seconded by Ken Scotti. The board voted by voice and the chair declared, "Ayes have it. Approved." The board indicated the applicant may proceed with building‑permit steps once the decision is finalized.

The board also approved minutes from its July 17, 2025 meeting earlier in the session and adjourned after handling the Victoria Avenue item.