EAST PROVIDENCE — The scheduled July 14 meeting of the East Providence Zoning Board was cancelled because the body could not form a quorum per state open meeting laws.

Set to be entirely conducted via virtual format, under the continue executive order from the governor’s office on meetings held during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors were greeted with a slide written by Zoning Officer Edward Pimentel reading, “ Tonight's meeting of the Zoning Board of Review has been cancelled due to the
lack of a quorum.

“All Items scheduled to appear on the July 14, 2021 docket have been continued to the August 4. 2021 meeting.

“The August 4, 2021 Zoning Board of Review meeting will be held via Zoom. All login information and passwords will remain the same.

“No further notices for continued items will be sent.”

The meeting was considered to be of consequence on two noteworthy matters in front the board.

Circle Holdings, LLC was once again on the agenda seeking use and site plan variances for its proposed attempt to convert the East Providence Credit Union branch at 15 Circle Street in Rumford into a “Medical Marijuana Compassion Center.”

Circle Holdings, LLC had initially approached the board earlier this calendar year with its requests, but later asked for further discussions to be postponed pending legislation passed by the General Assembly during the 2021 session and other associated issues.

Also, the owners of the shopping center opposite the proposed redevelopment of a long-dormant parcel on Newport Avenue abutted by New Road and Moore Street, contesting an approval made by the Planning Board at its May 2021 meeting.

Gansett, L.P., C/O Quincy & Co., Inc., is attempting to appeal the approval of the “Newport Center” project, owned by Schiavo Enterprises, LLC, which will see the construction of two four-story apartment buildings, a gas station/convenience store and a commercial outlet, the stated intention for the space being a grocer.