EXETER ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12, 2020
Approved: December 10, 2020
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, R.I. 02822
401-294-2592
Fax: 267-0128
A REGULAR MEETING of the Exeter Zoning Board of Review was held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 7:30 pm, via Video Conference on Zoom.
Members present: Richard Booth, Joe St. Lawrence, Tim Robertson, Tom McMillan, Richard
Quattromani, Susan Littlefield and Susan Franco-Towell
Members absent: None
Others present: Stephen Sypole, Solicitor and Dixie Foisy, Clerk
Meeting called to order at 7:33 pm by Chair Richard Booth. Public Comment: None
Joe St. Lawrence made motion to open the public hearing, seconded by Tim Robertson; voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.
Chair Richard Booth first wanted to thank Joe St. Lawrence for running last month’s meeting in his
absence.
I. NEW BUSINESS:
A. The petition of William A. Manchester Jr., applicant and owner for property located at East Shore Drive, Exeter, RI; Zoned RE-2, and further designated as Accessor’s Plat 19, Block 13, Lot 2; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.4, 2.4.2.6, and 2.4.2.7; for a proposed single-family dwelling.
Chair Richard Booth recused himself from this application as he lives on East Shore Drive. Accordingly, Joe St. Lawrence took over the responsibilities of Acting Chair for this application.
Acting Chair Joe St. Lawrence swore in the applicant, William A. Manchester, Jr. and asked him to review what he is proposing on this lot.
William Manchester came before the Board to request dimensional relief on three sides
of the property as he is proposing to build a single-family house that he will reside in. The drawing presented shows the dwelling as a 32’x48’ which was revised from a 30’x40’. Acting Chair St. Lawrence asked Mr. Manchester if he had a full set of plans at the time. Mr. Manchester stated he is taking one step at a time and did not present a full plan. He also stated there are wetlands on the property so he is limited as to the location of where the septic and dwelling can be placed.
Tom McMillan asked the applicant questions regarding his site plan and asked that he explain the flagged wetlands on the property.
Mr. Manchester explained that he had this done by a company called Natural Resources
that flagged the wetlands on this site plan.
Tom McMillan also questioned the dimensional relief that’s being requested.
Hal Morgan stated that he is requesting relief based on what was given to him on the
Zoning certificate.
Joe St. Lawrence stated he understands why the said relief is being requested as the location of the proposed dwelling in placed on the highest and driest part of the lot.
Mr. Manchester stated that the lot is currently vacant and mostly wooded.
Tom McMillan asked about the location of the well being so close to the septic field; Mr. Manchester stated that it is within the legal limits.
Tom McMillan again raised concern about granting variance unnecessarily.
Susan Littlefield asked Mr. Manchester when he purchased the lot and if the wetlands were present at the time.
Mr. Manchester stated he purchased the lot three years ago – in 2017, and stated that the wetlands were there at the time.
Tim Robertson stated that he understands Tom McMillan’s concern with the rear set back
request, then asked Mr. Manchester what style house he intends to build.
Mr. Manchester stated he is taking one step at a time and hasn’t decided yet; originally wanted to build a 2-story to see the lake, but is now thinking a ranch as he is getting older and feels it will be easier to navigate. He also stated that he plans to build a garage underneath the house, so it will be a walk out.
Susan Franco-Towell stated her only concern is that Mr. Manchester has no actual
plan/design/sketch/photograph that shows what will be built.
Mr. Manchester stated that he did not want to put “the cart before the horse” and plans to prepare (3) different designs and meet with the Building Official prior to applying for a building permit.
Hal Morgan also noted that this is a pre-existing legal lot of record and that RI Department of Environmental Management oversees wetlands.
Further discussion ensued about the relief that is necessary; the consensus of the Board was that the rear set back is not needed.
Public Comment: None
Tom McMillan made a motion to close the public hearing; Susan Littlefield seconded. Roll call was taken; vote was all in favor.
Tim Robertson made a motion to approve the petition of William A. Manchester Jr., applicant and owner for property located at East Shore Drive, Exeter, RI; Zoned RE-2, and further designated as AP 19, B 13, L 2; to approve a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.4 front setback for dimensional relief of 30 feet; Section 2.4.2.6 right side setback for dimensional relief of 15 feet; for a proposed single- family dwelling as designated in the application.
Richard Quattromani seconded. Roll call taken; voted 4 in favor and 1 opposed. Motion
passed.
Chair Richard Booth rejoined the meeting and took over the responsibilities from Joe St. Lawrence.
B. Discussion and/or Possible Action: 2021 Meeting Calendar and Dates
The Board discussed the calendar dates and one date of concern was Thursday, November 11, 2021 being Veteran’s Day. The consensus was to move the meeting to the following Thursday, November 18, 2021.
Administrative Issues:
Approval of Minutes: Tom McMillan made a motion to approve the October 8, 2020 minutes; seconded by Joe St. Lawrence. Voted all in favor. Motion passed.
Invoice Approval: Southern RI Newspapers $73.75; the Clerk noted that a second invoice was received on 11/10/2020 also for $73.75, bringing the new total owed to $147.50. Chair Richard Booth asked the Clerk to email both to him for approval.
Chair Richard Booth asked Solicitor Sypole about reducing the amount of advertisement information; it was agreed that the Clerk can limit the amount of information included in the ad by omitting the administrative details but other pertinent details must be included. Further discussion ensued.
Sol i cito r’s Rep or t: None
Zo n in g I nsp ect or ’s Rep or t : Hal Morgan reported being very busy and stated that during Covid-19 everyone has been doing a lot of home projects and residential solar installations. Discussion ensued regarding pre-existing legal lots of record.
Future Meeting: Our next meeting will be Thursday, December 10, 2020.
Adjournment: Motion made by Tim Robertson to adjourn the meeting at 8:53p.m.; seconded by Joe St. Lawrence. Voted all in favor. Motion passed.
Meeting Minutes prepared by: M. Dixie Foisy
Zoning Board Clerk