Opinion ID: 1942038
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: analysis

Text: The city argues that the trial justice exceeded his statutory authority, in violation of § 45-24-69(d), when he erroneously found that a privately owned C & D transfer station [5] was an authorized use under § 410-12.5(I) of the zoning ordinance. [6] Specifically, the city contends that § 410-12.5(I) permits only refuse transfer stations owned and operated by a governmental entity, and it argues that a C & D transfer station is different from a refuse transfer station, and, thus, is not an authorized use under the ordinance. PTO counters that the trial justice was wholly correct in his finding that C & D transfer stations are permitted under the ordinance. Based on our de novo review, and after giving due deference to the interpretation of the zoning board with respect to the ordinance it administers, we hold that a C & D transfer station is not an authorized use under § 410-12.5(I). Because the language in this provision is unclear and ambiguous  the drafters did not define a Refuse transfer station in § 410 of the ordinance  we seek to determine the city council's intent in enacting the provision. See Labor Ready Northeast, Inc. v. McConaghy, 849 A.2d 340, 344 (R.I.2004). We also look to the interpretation of the ordinance by the zoning board, which we conclude is neither clearly erroneous nor unauthorized. Based on the record before the board, we hold that the city council did not intend § 410-12.5(I) to include C & D transfer stations. Michael D. Cassidy, director of the Department of Planning and Redevelopment for the City of Pawtucket testified that there is no category for [a] construction and demolition transfer station in the City of Pawtucket use code, that category does not exist. No evidence adduced during the hearings before the board contradicted Cassidy's statements. We also cannot conclude that the massive scope of the commercial operations proposed by PTO was contemplated by the city council when it enacted § 410-12.5(I), or that it intended to permit such a use. Because a C & D transfer station is not the same as a refuse transfer station, and the former is not listed as a permitted use in § 410-12.5, we hold that a C & D transfer station is not an authorized use under the ordinance. See § 410-12.5(G).