York

PROVIDENCE — John Kelly, the chairman of the Zoning Board of Review, is stepping down to run for mayor in 2010 and Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline has appointed three-time Democratic gubernatorial candidate Myrth York to replace him on the board.

Kelly, who in November became the first candidate to file papers to run for mayor, is the CEO of Meeting Street School. He was appointed to the zoning board by Cicilline in 2006 for a term to expire in 2011.

“I want to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Unfortunately, these races become more and more expensive. Any time you start raising money, it raises those issues,” Kelly said.

“I’ve been talking to the mayor about it and I really felt like it’s a good time to get off. We’ve done a lot over there.”

York was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1994, 1998, and 2002. York, 61, of Lloyd Avenue, is a former state senator who has been largely out of the public eye since losing the 2002 race.

Cicilline said she has experience with housing issues, but more important, she is a team builder and a leader.

“She has worked on issues of housing and neighborhood development, and in the state Senate became very familiar with those issues. She is an excellent listener and I’ve seen her work very effectively with people and build consensus,” Cicilline said.

“I knew that she was interested in public service and she immediately came to mind here. I knew from my prior conversations with her that she would be interested in serving the city in any way I felt was appropriate,” he said.

York did not return calls for comment yesterday.

Kelly, 46, of Parkside Drive, intended to step down Jan. 31, but Cicilline asked him to wait until York’s nomination is confirmed. Her nomination will come before the City Council’s Finance Committee tomorrow.

Kelly has held two fundraisers since declaring his candidacy. He said his goal was to raise $25,000 between them and said he exceeded that comfortably.

Kelly said he would not run against Cicilline if the current mayor runs for re-election rather than validating the persistent rumors that he is seeking higher office.

“I have no intention of running against him,” Kelly said.

Cicilline praised the job Kelly did on the zoning board, particularly in running a professional, efficient operation and working to maintain the tricky balance for a city trying to preserve its physical heritage and build anew at the same time.

“John did it with great skill and built real consensus on the board,” Cicilline said.

In September, Cicilline also appointed York to be one of his representatives on the Library Partnership Advisory Committee, a body that oversees library finances.

Zoning Board member Andrea Underwood is also up for re-appointment and her nomination will be heard tomorrow night.

dbarbari@projo.com