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Zoning board grants setback variance for garage at 30 Elliot Avenue
Summary
The board unanimously approved an 8.1-foot left-side setback variance for a two‑story garage at 30 Elliot Avenue to provide climate-controlled storage for a mobile coffee business; the applicant presented an easement from a neighbor and no public comment was offered.
The North Providence Zoning Board unanimously approved a left‑side setback variance on June 11 for a two‑story garage at 30 Elliot Avenue that the owners say is needed to store equipment for their mobile coffee business, Maria Maria Coffee.
Attorney David Ursillo represented owners Amy and Lee Sufi and told the board the property is a nonconforming lot (about 4,200 square feet) that makes it difficult to site a detached garage without relief. Ursillo said the applicant addressed planning‑board concerns by supplying updated plans, a proposed drywell (to manage roof runoff), revised access arrangements and an easement from a neighboring property to permit side access for maintenance.
Owner Lee Sufi testified he has lived at the address 11 years and that the garage is intended for storage only, not habitation. “We’d like to keep it out of the elements,” Sufi said, describing the need to store espresso machines and a trailer in a climate‑controlled space. He told the board he was willing to install required interior fire‑rated doors and that the neighbor has agreed to an access easement that will be recorded after solicitor review.
Public comment was opened and none was offered. A board member moved to approve, a second was recorded, and the motion passed 4–0. The planner said he will draft the decision and post it to the permit portal for recording.
