Historic District Commission
Monday, April 3, 2023, at 4:30 P.M.
Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road
Block Island, Rhode Island
MINUTES
The Town of New Shoreham Historic District Commission convened for a meeting at 4:30 P.M. at Town Hall on April 3, 2023. Present: Arlene Tunney (Chair) Martha Ball (Vice Chair), Mark Vaillancourt, Elizabeth Moss. Absent: Kay McManus and Mike Ballard.
Call to Order was made at 4:30 by Chairperson Arlene Tunney
Signs:
1. Offshore Trading Co. Inc. Plat 6, Lot 97. Fire# 332. Sign application for The Farmer’s Florist, owner Mimi Arnold, shop located on the Seacrest Inn property.
Mimi Arnold was present as the applicant. Ms. Arnold described the sign design, colors, and placement on the building. The Farmer’s Florist sign is 1.5’ x 2.5’ and is white with black font, designed by Lesley Helterline owner of Island Vinyl. The sign will be hung with hooks on the open-door during business hours and on the side of the building when closed.
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
2. Sky Blue Pink LLC, Plat 5 Lot 69-5. West Side Road. Sign application for The Oar Restaurant.
Lesley Helterline, owner of Island Vinyl, presented the new signage for the New Harbor Boat Basin and the Oar Restaurant. The new freestanding sign will be in the same location, the entrance on West Side Road, but will be smaller than the old signage.
The sign is Azek with plywood backing painted Pantone with white vinyl lettering. The oars on the Oar sign are turquoise. The sign is supported with 4x4 wooden posts.
Mr. Vaillancourt made a motion to accept the application as presented. Mr. Koch seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
Preliminary:
1. Cronin, James, and Mary. Plat 8, Lot 255. Fire # 363 High Street. Application for renovations and new construction on an existing single-family dwelling.
At the applicant’s request, this matter was tabled until the May 22, 2023 meeting.
2. Block Island Utility District. Plat 17, Lot 35. Fire# 100 Ocean Ave. Application to install Level III charger for electric vehicles.
Jeffrey Wright was in person and Will Young via zoom to present application. Mr. Wright stated that although the Block Island Utility District is prohibited from owning it, the Level III Electric Car Charger will be located on BIPCO property. Multiple non-profits and private donors purchased the EV Charger. Any funds collected above the cost of the electricity used will go to non-profit agencies on the Island. The proposed location at 100 Ocean Ave however is temporary, with the plan to move station to 127 Ocean Ave in approximately 3 years. Mr. Koch suggested it might be nice to have a shed/ roof over the station when moved to the permanent location.
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
3. Block Island Utility District. Plat 17, Lot 36. Fire# 127 Ocean Ave. Application to remove the existing chain-link fence and erect a wooden split rail fence.
Mr. Wright presented the application to replace the old, broken chain link fence with a split rail fence to match the split rail at 100 Ocean Ave. Mr. Wright also stated the landscaping plans includes altering the slope of the hill, and planting trees.
Ms. Ball noted for the record that split rails are not historic for Block Island.
Mr. Koch moved to approve the application as presented. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
4. Block Island Maritime Institute. Plat 5, Lot 64-1. Fire # 216 Ocean Ave. Application to install awnings over marine aquariums.
Valerie Blansfield, the Executive Director for BIMI, presented the application. Ms. Blansfield described the proposed shade awnings to be placed over the aquarium tanks. There will be 5 primary colored, temporary awnings supported by permanent steel poles. The tallest, middle pole is 13 feet with the exterior poles ranging from 8 to 12 feet.
Mr. Vaillancourt moved to approve the application as presented. Mr. Koch seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
5. Sandy Point Co. LLC. Plat 6, Lot 3-1. Fire #34 Ocean Ave. Application to replace old wooden deck with pavers.
Chris Willi explained that when he started to demo the current wooden decking to replace it with the approved composite decking, it was revealed that the old decking was not framed but sitting on dirt, not attached to the building thus placing with pavers, to match the front patio, would be preferred. The pavers will be Westchester, a combination of grey, blue, and rust, and will be 3 sizes (9x9, 9x8 and 9x180).
Mr. Koch made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Tunney seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
6. Sandy Point Co. LLC. Plat 6, Lot 3-1. Fire #34 Ocean Ave. Application to replace an existing door at Captain Nick’s.
Mr. Willi presented a new wider front door to replace the current decrepit one. The new door is 48 x 80” and has a rustic Speakeasy design.
Ms. Moss and Ms. Tunney requested the trim around the door be wider than illustrated. The board agreed the trim should be at least 8 inches wide.
Mr. Koch made a motion to accept the application as presented with the caveat the trim around the front door be at least 8 inches wide. Ms. Moss seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
Finding of fact:
· The building is in the historic district
· The new front door and trim is historically appropriate
· The application is complete
7. Cat Rock Cove. Plat 7, Lot 19. Fire# 30 Water Street. Application to change a window to a door for access to side yard and picnic tables.
Pete Mott, the owner, presented the application to replace a window with a door to access the restaurant kitchen more efficiently. The new door on the north side of the building, facing Finn’s, will match the existing doors. The plan calls for a small 6’ x 10 ‘landing with three stairs and aluminum railings outside the new entrance. The rails will also match the existing rails.
Mr. Vaillancourt moved to approve the application as presented. Mr. Koch seconded, and the motion carried 5-0
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
8. Gobern, Shirlyne. Plat 6, Lot 130-1. Fire #443 Dodge Street. Application to replace old windows.
Shirlyne Gobern, the owner, presented her application to replace 19 old, broken windows with new energy efficient, 2/2 Pella wood-clad windows. The windows have simulated true divided light with spacers between panes of glass. Ms. Gobern also stated she will be getting rid of the vinyl storm windows
Ms. Ball said for the record that Ms. Gobern should be commended for the upkeep she has done on her historic house.
Mr. Koch made a motion to accept the application as presented. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded, and the motion carried 5-0
Ayes 5 (Tunney, Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 0
9. Brown, Dwayne, and Keisha. Plat 6, Lot 87. Fire #461 Chapel Street. Application for modifications to new construction of an Accessory Structure with two Accessory Apartments.
Keisha and Dwayne Brown, and Joseph Brennan presented the changes to the newly constructive Accessory Building owned by the applicant.
Following a lengthy discussion reviewing the original plans Ms. Moss suggested they quickly go through each newly proposed elevation and discuss any changes or recommendations. That is, restart discussion simply addressing the newest set of plans.
Mr. Koch led the following discussion.
Page A4.00 West elevation: the 2 Type A, center windows will be removed.
Page A4.01 South elevation: stays as proposed.
Page A4.02 North elevation: stays as proposed.
Page A4.03 East elevation: stays as proposed.
Ms. Brown stated this is correct.
Mr. Koch made a motion to replace previously approved plans with new plans dated 03/19/2023 as submitted except the 2 Type A, center windows on the West side will be removed. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded, and the motion carried 4-1
Ayes 4 (Ball, Koch, Vaillancourt, Moss) Nay 1 (Tunney)
Final:
Cat Rock Cove, Plat 7, Lot 19. Fire #30 Water Street. Application by Peter Mott to construct a maintenance building at the Post Office.
At the applicant’s request, this matter was tabled until the May 22, 2023 meeting.
New Business:
Approval of Minutes from February 27, 2023.
Discuss updating the Town of New Shoreham Historic District Guidelines.
Adjournment: Ms. Ball made a motion to adjourn, Mr. Vaillancourt seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Corrie Heinz
Land Use Assistant
Town of New Shoreham