675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
401-294-2592
Approved: August 12, 2021
A Regular Meeting of the Exeter Zoning Board of Review was held on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at
7:30 pm, via Video Conference on Zoom.
Members present: Richard Booth, Joe St. Lawrence, Tom McMillan, Richard Quattromani and Susan Littlefield (voting member, 1st alternate)
Members absent: Tim Robertson and Susan Franco-Towell
Others present: Peter Ruggiero, Solicitor and Dixie Foisy, Clerk
Meeting called to order at 7:41 pm by Chairman Richard Booth
Chairman Booth requested a motion to open the public hearing. Motion made by Tom
McMillan, seconded by Joe St. Lawrence; voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.
The petition of Steven & Kristen Hume; Applicants and Owners for property located at 339 Hog
House Hill Road, Exeter, RI.; Zoned RU-3, and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 64 Block 3
Lot 24; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.6 (side setback); for a proposed attached mudroom and garage.
Chair Richard Booth introduced this petition and asked who was present to speak on behalf of this application.
Kristen and Steven Hume were present and were sworn in by Chair Richard Booth. Kristen Hume stated they are proposing to add an attached mudroom and garage to their current dwelling.
Chair Richard Booth asked the applicants/owners about the size of the addition, and if this will be a single level or two stories.
Kristen Hume stated that the dimensions for the mudroom is 8’x 14’6” connecting to the garage, and the 2-car garage dimensions are 30’x 36’. Ms. Hume also testified that there will
be an unfinished second story above the garage for storage only. Mr. Hume stated there will be attic trusses and be about 14 feet wide.
Chair Richard Booth asked about the dimensions of the garage being larger than an average 2- car garage.
Steven Hume stated that they have a couple of old cars to store and need the extra room for those while still being able to park their own cars.
Chair Richard Booth asked the Hume’s if the type of construction will be similar to the other
houses in the neighborhood.
Steven Hume replied in the affirmative.
Chair Richard Booth asked the Clerk if we were in receipt of all the returned green cards and receipts. The Clerk replied in the affirmative.
Chair Richard Booth asked the Board if they had any questions for the applicants/owners. Joe St. Lawrence had no questions at the time.
Richard Quattromani asked if there was any other location on their property to place the
addition so they would not require any relief.
Steven Hume testified that this was the only location in order to attach to the house, and stated that their well is located in the front yard and the leach field is located in the back yard.
Richard Quattromani also inquired about any water concerns based on the contour of the land.
Steven Hume stated that any water runs down onto their property and will not have any affect on the neighboring lots.
Chair Richard Booth asked if they plan to remove the current garage on the other side of their property. Steven Hume stated they plan to keep this and convert it into a horse barn; it’s only
20’x22’ and not big enough to fit a car in.
Tom McMillan asked about what utilities they plan to install – electric and/or water. Steven Hume stated they will only install electric for lighting and compressor; no water. Tom McMillan questioned the size of their lot based on what MapGeo shows versus the drawing they submitted with their application.
Kristen Hume explained that they purchased a piece of land behind them (a portion of lot 40)
about a year ago and MapGeo has not updated that yet.
Tom McMillan also noted that their house is not centered on the lot which is why they need this dimensional relief.
Susan Littlefield had no questions at the time.
Joe St. Lawrence added that he has no issues with what they’re proposing and feels it’s nothing
out of the ordinary.
When the Board completed their questions of the applicants/owners, Chair Richard Booth asked if there was any public comment and recognized the following abutter:
Christine Seymour of 361 Hog House Hill Road, was recognized by the Chair and was sworn in. Ms. Seymour stated that she and her husband have lived in this location for 40 years and have concerns about this project as there are wetlands between their properties. Chair Richard Booth informed Ms. Seymour that wetlands do not fall under the Zoning Board of Review, but under RI Department of Environmental Managements jurisdiction and suggested she contact RI DEM about her concern. Ms. Seymour stated that she will contact RI DEM.
Richard Quattromani asked Ms. Seymour if RI DEM comes out and finds no problem with the
project that the Hume’s are proposing, will she be comfortable with the project. Further
discussion ensued.
Hal Morgan noted that the addition being proposed is on the east side of the Hume’s property, and what Ms. Seymour is discussing is on the west side of the property and not germane to this application.
Chair Richard Booth asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Susan Littlefield made a motion to close the public hearing; Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion. Roll call was taken; voted all in favor. The public hearing was closed.
Tom McMillan asked to voice his concerns about this “additional” driveway going in on the west side of the property down to the horse barn.
Chair Richard Booth stated that as the public hearing is closed, we can’t go back to ask the applicants/owners any further questions, but added that Mr. McMillan’s concerns will be noted for the record.
At this time, Richard Quattromani made a motion to grant the petition of Steven & Kristen Hume; Applicants and Owners for property located at 339 Hog House Hill Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-3, and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 64 Block 3 Lot 24; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.6, right-side setback, relief of 40-feet to build a proposed attached mudroom with dimensions of 8’x14’6” and garage with dimensions of 30’x36’.
Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion.
Tom McMillan then recited the criteria, referenced in Section 1.3.C in granting a variance, the
Zoning Board of Review shall require the following standards:
1.) The hardship from which the applicant seeks relief is due to the unique characteristics of the subject land or structure, and is not due to the general characteristics of the surrounding area; and is not due to a physical or economic disability of the applicant.
2.) Said hardship is not the result of any prior action of the applicant and does not result primarily from the desire of the applicant to realize greater financial gain.
3.) Granting of the requested variance will not alter the general character of the surrounding area or impair the intent or purpose of the Exeter zoning ordinance or the Exeter comprehensive plan because the proposed development is similar in size and style to the other homes in this neighborhood.
4.) The relief to be granted is the least relief necessary.
Roll call was taken; voted all in favor 5-0. Motion carries.
A. Approval of Minutes: Tom McMillan made a motion to approve the May 13, 2021 as submitted; seconded by Susan Littlefield. Voted all in favor. Motion passed. Tom McMillan made a motion to approve with revision to add Joe St. Lawrence to members present for June 10, 2021; Joe St. Lawrence seconded. Voted all in favor. Motion passed.
B. Approval of Invoices: Solicitor Peter Ruggiero $387.00 approved by Chair Richard Booth; and RI Central Newspapers invoice for $61.25 approved by Chair Richard Booth.
C. Solicitor’s Report: Peter Ruggiero stated he has no report other than to note we will be meeting in person going forward.
D. Zoning Inspector’s Report: None
E. Future Meeting: August 12, 2021 will be an in-person meeting. Chair Richard Booth announced that Joe St. Lawrence is moving on and taking a position on the Planning Board. The Chair thanked Joe for all his help along the way and wished him well in his new endeavor. The rest of the Board thanked Joe for his service and wished him well.
Motion made by Richard Quattromani to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 pm;
seconded by Susan Littlefield. Voted all in favor. MOTION PASSED.
Meeting Minutes prepared by: M. Dixie Foisy
Zoning Board Clerk