Cole v. ZONING BD. OF E. PROVIDENCE

These are two petitions for certiorari brought to review a decision of the zoning board of review of the city of East Providence granting an application for a variance and authorizing the use of a tract of land presently in a residence A district for an off-street parking lot to service the needs of an existing adjoining shopping center. The writs issued and in compliance therewith the pertinent records and papers have been certified to this court.

The relevant facts are these. The applicant, Fred Podren, is and has been for approximately 11 years the owner of a 550,000-square-foot tract of…