EXETER ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022

Meeting Minutes Approved: January 12, 2023

675 Ten Rod Road

Exeter, RI 02822

401-294-2592

A Regular Meeting of the Exeter Zoning Board of Review was held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the Town Hall Offices, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI.

Members present:     Richard Booth, Tom McMillan, Tim Robertson, Richard Quattromanni, Loren

Andrews and Susan Littlefield

Members absent:       Susan Franco-Towell

Others present:           Peter Ruggiero, Solicitor and Dixie Foisy, Clerk

Meeting called to order at 7:32 pm by Chair Richard Booth and a motion was made by Tom McMillan to open the public hearing; seconded by Loren Andrews.  Vote was all in favor. The public hearing was open.

I.      NEW BUSINESS:

A.  The application of Robert Hopkins, Applicant and Owner of property located at 64

Hopkins Hill Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 11,

Block 2, Lot 9; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section

2.4.2.6 (side setback) for a proposed attached accessory dwelling unit.

Chair Richard Booth introduced this petition and asked if anyone was present to speak. Robert J. Hopkins stepped forward and was sworn in.

Robert J. Hopkins was sworn in. He was asked to explain what he hoped to do on his property at 64 Hopkins Hill Road.  Mr. Hopkins expressed his desire to add an addition to his existing home for his daughter and her future husband. The proposed accessory dwelling unit is expected to be 28’x32’ (896 square feet). Mr. Hopkins noted that his neighbors had been contacted and that they had no objections to the addition on his

property.  Chairman Booth noted that the home is set way back and placed in the center

of the property and he doesn’t have any concerns about adding the proposed accessory dwelling unit to the existing home.

Richard Quattromanni reviewed the proposal and had no concerns with the addition. Tom McMillan asked Mr. Hopkins his reason for the addition. Mr. Hopkins noted the addition would be for his daughter and soon to be son-in-law.  Questions arose about the placement and did they consider other options. Mr. McMillan asked about ownership and Mr. Hopkins stated he is the owner of the property, as well as the addition. Tim Robertson briefly reviewed the plans and questioned whether this

addition would be considered an accessory dwelling or simply an addition to the existing home. Loren Andrews asked about the applicant speaking to his neighbors and Mr. Hopkins indicated that notifications had been made and there were no issues.

Roy Messier was sworn in. Mr. Messier, brother-in-law and architect, explained to the

Board how the addition would connect to the existing structure.

Chairman Booth asked if there were any members from the public who would like to address the Board, hearing none, he asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Loren Andrews made the motion and it was seconded by Tim Robertson. The vote was all in favor and the public hearing was closed.

Tim Robertson made a motion to approve the application of Robert Hopkins, Applicant and Owner of property located at 64 Hopkins Hill Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-4 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 11, Block 2, Lot 9; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2.6 (side setback 22.7’) for a proposed attached accessory dwelling unit as detailed in the plans. Seconded by Loren Andrews, Vote was all in favor. The motion passed.

In granting a variance, the Exeter zoning board of review shall require that evidence to the satisfaction of the following standards be entered into the record of the proceedings:

1.    That  the  hardship  from  which  the  applicant  seeks  relief  is  due  to  the  unique characteristics of the subject land or structure and not to the general characteristics of the surrounding area; and is not due to a physical or economic disability of the applicant;

2.   That 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.   The granting of the requested variance will not alter the general character of the surrounding area or impair the intent of purpose of the Exeter zoning ordinance or the Exeter comprehensive plan, upon which this ordinance is based; and

4.   That the relief to be granted is the least relief necessary.

Additionally read into the record 1.3.3.E.D.2: In granting a dimensional variance, that the hardship that will be suffered by the owner of the subject property if the dimensional variance is not granted shall amount to more than a mere inconvenience. the fact that a use may be more profitable or that a structure may be more valuable after the relief is granted shall not be grounds for relief.

II.      ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.  Approval of Invoices: Esquire Deposition Solutions, Southern RI Newspapers and Solicitor Peter Ruggiero. The Clerk stated that the invoices were approved prior to the meeting by Chairman Richard Booth.

B.  Review/Approval of 2023 Zoning Board Meeting Schedule:

Adjournment:

Motion made by Loren Andrews to adjourn; seconded by Tim Robertson.  Voted all in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

Meeting Minutes prepared by: Rebecca M. Lukowicz and

M. Dixie Foisy

Zoning Board Clerk