I.            NEW BUSINESS:

A.     The application of Thomas V. Melillo and Lorraine S. Melillo, applicants and owners of property located at 165 East Shore Drive, Exeter, RI; Zoned RE-2 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 84, Block 9, Lot 41; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Appendix A, Section 2.4.2.6, side setback, for a 20’ x 22’ addition.

Chair Richard Booth introduced the petition and asked if someone was present to speak on behalf of the applicant.

Attorney John Kupa stepped forward and explained what Mr. & Mrs. Milillo were proposing to do at 165 East Shore Drive, Exeter.  Mr. Kupa stated that they recently applied for an “administrative subdivision” of their 2-lots (40 and 41).  The Town Planner completed this in-house and the decision and site plan have since been completed and recorded with the Town. Mr. Kupa then shared that they are proposing to build a 1-bedroom addition on the left side of the property, and are requesting a dimensional variance of 3.2 feet.

Mr. Thomas Milillo was also present and stepped forward to be sworn in.  Mr. Melillo explained that the current foot print of the house is a one-bedroom home and that they want to build a 1-bedroom addition for their autistic son that still lives with them and is currently sleeping in the main part of the house and would like him to have his own space. Mr. Milillo stated that the only available location is on the left-side of the property, based on the location of the septic and well. 

Chair Richard Booth just asked a couple of brief questions to confirm what was presented by Attorney Kupa and Mr. Melillo.  The Chair stated he has no issue with this application. 

Tom McMillan also asked to clarify the information presented in the application and that they are requesting relief on the left side of the house (when looking at the property from the street).  This information was confirmed by the applicant.  Mr. McMillan then asked to clarify that the administrative merger of the two lots had already been completed.  Mr. Melillo replied in the affirmative – the two lots have been merged and have been recorded with the Town.  Mr. McMillan then raised a concern with the numbering of the lots as refenced on the Zoning Certificate which reflects the lots as 41 and 42.  Some discussion ensued regarding the confusion and wanted to clarify for the record.  It was concluded that the actual lot numbers of the two lots that were merged should have been listed as lots 40 and 41; and now merged as lot 41 according to the Tax Assessor’s map. 

Chair Richard Booth then noted he agrees with Tom McMillan with an error on the application, page 2 under “zoning characteristics matrix.”  Mr. Booth wanted to clarify for the record that this information is reversed, regarding the left-side and right-side setbacks.

Richard Quattromani, Tim Robertson and Loren Andrews asked a couple of brief questions of the applicant; they all stated they have no concerns with this petition.

Attorney Kupa stated that Patrick Freeman from American Engineering was present to answer any questions that the Board may have.  There were no questions for Mr. Freeman from the Zoning Board.

Chair Richard Booth asked if there was anyone from the public that had any comments.  There were none.

Chair Richard Booth then asked for a motion to close the public hearing.  Loren Andrews made the motion; Tim Robertson seconded the motion.  A vote was taken and was all in favor.  The public hearing was closed. 

There was no further discussion from the Board; accordingly, the Chair asked for a motion.

Board member, Loren Andrews made a motion to approve the application of Thomas V. Melillo and Lorraine S. Melillo, applicants and owners of property located at 165 East Shore Drive, Exeter, RI; Zoned RE-2 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 84, Block 9, Lot 41; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Appendix A, Section 2.4.2.6, for a left-side setback of 3.2 feet, for a 20’ x 22’ addition; and then proceeded to read the following dimensional variance criteria.

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.)   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.)  That the 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.)    That the 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 upon which the ordinance is based; and

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

A motion was made by Loren Andrews; Tom McMillan seconded the motion.  A vote was taken and was all in favor, 5-0 (Booth, McMillan, Quattromani, Robertson, Andrews).  The motion passed.

II.            ADMINISTRATIVE: