Duff’s looks to find home at former PJ’s Pub

The former PJ’s Pub at 198 Putnam Pike already has a new tenant lined up, despite only closing in late July after an “unsuccessful lease negotiation.”

James Rutkovsky and Ezra Williams, owners of the North Providence bar Camp Nowhere, are looking to open an establishment called Dr. Duff’s Lost and Found Project at the Johnston location. They appeared before the Town Council Monday evening along with their attorney Peter Petrarca.

Petrarca said the concept is to split the space into a banquet hall and restaurant. The banquet hall is one reason the men needed to apply for an entertainment license, as people who rent the hall may want to use a DJ.

“The previous business model kind of operated with a nightclub on the left and a tavern on the right,” Rutkovsky said. “We’re going to basically delete the nightclub, turn that into function space that we can use. We turn down 200 parties a year at Camp Nowhere. We can immediately just move those to this facility. That’s kind of the plan.”

The council unanimously approved a slew of licenses for Duff’s, including a class BV full liquor license, the aforementioned entertainment license and a restaurant license. A patio license was also given full support, though all of the approvals are pending favorable zoning recommendations.

“We would just like to have the ability to do construction and maybe put a patio where the little bump-out is,” Rutkovsky said. “The atrium, if we can do some kind of garage doors, it wouldn’t be till the end of the winter, till next summer, but we just want the ability to build something with your approval when the time comes.”

Rutkovsky and Williams said they have no intention of opening an outdoor bar, but noted there would be seating outside. Council President Robert V. Russo asked the two men if they would consider a rooftop bar, and Rutkovsky said he would consider it if the council granted approval down the line.

Rutkovsky said pricing would be different than at Camp Nowhere in an effort to avoid their establishments competing against one another. He described himself and Williams as “the best neighbors ever,” willing to work with surrounding residents who may express concerns.

LICENSES

The council unanimously approved a business operating license for A & J’s Releaf Center, located at 1500 Atwood Ave., Suite 4.

The council unanimously approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for Heaven Lees Rescue, located at 27 Zanfagna St.

The council unanimously approved a rubbish removal license transfer for Waste Connections of Rhode Island, doing business as Patriot Disposal, located at 2208 Plainfield Pike.

The council unanimously approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for New Life Landscape at 1188 Plainfield St.

The council unanimously approved a class F special license for beer and wine for Sept. 14 for the Friends of the Johnston Senior Center, located at 1291 Hartford Ave.

NEW BUSINESS

The council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph Polisena to enter into a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, agreement between Pine Hill Solar Partners LLC and the town of Johnston for the development of a solar farm on assessor’s plat 45, lot 508 and assessor’s plat 43, lot 581. A story on this matter will appear in next week’s Sun Rise.

The council unanimously approved a petition submitted by Bruce and Donna Villa to purchase a small parcel of land known as assessor’s plat 19, lot 311, for referral to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion.

On a unanimous vote, Providence Water’s request that the road known as Michelle Way be conveyed to Providence Water was referred to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion. The road’s conveyance is needed in order for Providence Water to comply with National Grid’s requirements for a solar project.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount necessary to refund all of or a portion of the town’s $4.43 million general obligation bonds, 2009 series.

The council unanimously approved creating a new section in an ordinance pertaining to the restoration and maintenance of streets and sidewalks.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance formerly known as a petition for the abandonment of the portion of Garner Avenue, located behind assessor’s play 37, lot 24, submitted by Richard Zamborano Jr.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance formerly known as a petition for a zone map change submitted by K. Joseph Shekarchi, Esq., on behalf of David P. DiSanto to change the zone of the property located at 279 Scituate Ave., assessor’s play 44, assessor’s lot 363, from a B-2 zone to an industrial zone.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance formerly known as a petition submitted by Michael Chan for the abandonment of a portion of Oakland Avenue located on assessor’s plat 14, on the condition there is a maximum of one single-family home on the property.

SHOW CAUSE

HEARINGS

The council unanimously approved continuing show cause hearings for Town Hall Lanes, located at 1463 Atwood Ave., and Underground Billiards, 928 Plainfield St., until the Nov. 12 meeting. Underground Billiards has a purchase and sales agreement with a buyer and hopes to satisfy a tax bill with the state by Nov. 1. Town Hall Lanes has a temporary permit and $9,000 per month payment schedule with the state. Both will provide updates to the Council on Nov. 12. Solicitor Dylan Conley noted that, if the matter isn’t resolved by Dec. 1, the businesses will have to reapply for their town licenses.