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Plan Commission approves setback variance, subdivision at 21 Turner Avenue
Summary
The Cranston Plan Commission granted a 4.3-foot side-setback variance and approved a two-lot replat at 21 Turner Avenue, despite public objections about neighborhood character and prior denials; staff recommended approval as consistent with the comprehensive plan.
The Cranston Plan Commission voted to grant a variance to the side-yard setback and to approve a two-lot replat for property at 21 Turner Avenue, allowing creation of a 6,000-square-foot Lot B alongside an 8,000-square-foot lot that will contain the existing house.
Attorney Robert Murray, representing owner Richard Cardello, told the commission the proposal would leave the existing house in place and asked for relief because the current home sits close to the proposed new lot line. "We're not taking it down. We're leaving the existing house," Murray said, describing a configuration that he said was more conforming overall than the present record-lot layout.
Planning staff (Miss Valcourt) recommended approval, citing consistency with the comprehensive plan and zoning standards. Valcourt told commissioners the resulting density and lot configuration would be more conforming than the existing 4,000-square-foot buildable lot and noted the proposal satisfied the applicable findings of fact.
Neighbor Michael Luciano urged the commission to deny the request, saying the owner had previously been denied similar relief and that repeated exceptions would erode the neighborhood: "Where does it end? You keep making exceptions. You keep piling people on top of one another," Luciano said, urging the commission to protect historic Oak Lawn Village.
Commissioners discussed fire-safety and stormwater concerns raised in public comment; staff said the proposal would meet applicable building and fire-code requirements and noted that stormwater must be addressed as part of any future building permit. After limited discussion, the commission voted to grant the zoning variance in accordance with the staff recommendation and then approved the subdivision approval with conditions that include payment of impact fees and a sidewalk waiver (the commission did not grant a waiver for curbing).
The zoning-board hearing on the application will take place at the separate zoning board of review, where the applicant may present additional materials and evidence; the plan commission's action tonight is a recommendation regarding consistency with the comprehensive plan.
