Historic District Commission
Monday, February 27, 2023
5:00 P.M. at Town Hall
16 Old Town Road
Block Island, Rhode Island
MINUTES
The Town of New Shoreham Historic District Commission convened for a meeting at 5:00 P.M. at Town Hall on February 27, 2023. Present: Martha Ball, Mark Vaillancourt, Mike Ballard, Elizabeth Moss. Absent: Arlene Tunney, Kay McManus, Bill Koch.
Call to Order was made at 5:00 PM by acting chair Martha Ball.
Signs:
1. Offshore Trading Co. Inc. Plat 6, Lot 97. Fire# 332. Sign application for The Farmer’s Florist shop located on the Seacrest Inn property. Applicant asked to be on March 27, 2023, agenda.
Moved to March meeting
Preliminary:
1. Cat Rock Cove. Plat 7, Lot 19. Fire# 30. Application by Peter Mott to construct a maintenance building at the Post Office building.
Owner Peter Mott and contractor Oliver Mott presented the application to construct a maintenance building on the east side of the current building referred to as the Post Office Building. The existing nonfunctional solar panels will be removed and replaced with either roof top solar panels and/ or a generator. The maintenance building is proposed for storage of tools and equipment to maintain the building and surrounding properties.
After the brief presentation, Ms. Moss expressed concern about the massing and siting of the building. She questioned how far the maintenance building juts out beyond the southern side of the Post Office, as well as the height and the effect on the viewshed from the Old Harbor Church property looking south.
Oliver Mott explained the building size is about as small as it can be in order to be functional, emphasizing the design is traditional outbuilding style. He stated the siding will be white cedar shingles, windows Anderson 400 series, Bosco doors.
Mr. Vaillancourt made a motion to accept the application with the stipulation that all doors are wooden, not metal as shown. Ms. Moss seconded, and the motion carried 4-0
Ayes: 4 (Vaillancourt, Ball, Ballard, Moss) Nays: 0
The Mott will be back March 27,2023 for the final review.
2. Town of New Shoreham. Plat 6, Lot 23. Fire# 0201. Application by Dylan Chase for resiliency upgrades to sewer pump station to conform to Federal and State standards for flood proofing. Alterations include raising pump station elevation, constructing a platform, and a structure for the pump.
Dylan Chase presented the application on behalf of the TONS Sewer Company. Per RIDEM guidelines for anticipated sea level rise, the controls (electrical components) must be elevated at least 3 feet above the ground to improve the pump stations’ resiliency. The pumps themselves will remain underground. The Sewer Commission is proposing two alternative designs at each site. Alternative no.1 station would involve the placement of a building (12ft x 12ft) on an elevated platform to contain electrical components etc. Alternative no. 2 would be a much smaller enclosure for same electrical equipment. The exterior materials would be consistent with HDC recommendations.
After a brief discussion, the board is requesting plans for the smaller enclosure.
Mr. Chase will discuss with engineer Mr. Geremia. Continued until March 27, 2023.
3. Island Enterprises Inc. Plat 8, Lot 84-6. Fire# 51. Spring Street. Application by the Spring House Hotel to extend existing roof and add dormers on service building to create code compliant egress stairs and useable space for hotel office.
Glen Fontecchio, the architect presented the application to renovate the south ell of the main hotel at the Spring House. The plan calls for extending the existing roof to add dormers, to create code compliant egress stairs, adding various windows on all 4 sides, thus creating a more useable space for a hotel office.
Ms. Moss stated she has no problem with the overall siting and massing but questioned the amount and location of the new windows.
Mr. Ballard moved to approve the application base on the following changes: reduce the number of windows on the west side of the building from 5 to 4, and on the south side to 2 windows Ms. Moss seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.
Ayes: 4 (Vaillancourt, Ball, Ballard, Moss) Nays: 0
4. Buhn, Geoff and Christine. Plat 5, Lot 51. Fire# 151. Corn Neck Road. Construct a single car garage.
Mr. Glen Fontecchio, architect, presented the application for the Buhn single car garage with a loft that the owners can use as a home office and a workout space. The garage is 14 x 30’, longer than a typical garage to incorporate a spiral staircase to access the loft. On the north side of the garage is a 8 x 12’ mudroom that houses the water heater and electrical. Mr. Fontecchio pointed out that the garage doors will be swing doors, not a rollup door. The plan is to only garage their island car during the off season. The dormer in front is recessed 7 ½ feet, with vertical siding to blend in with the proposed grey shingles. The plan is to use vertical grain cedar but due to limited supply they might go with Aztec.
Ms. Moss has concerns about the overall massing and questioned if it could be consolidated. She also stated that the vertical slating is unnecessarily fussy, and the wall of windows on the west side does not reflect historical guidelines.
Ms. Ball stated she has np problem with the overall design plan, calling it fun and quirky and further stated the area consists of multiple buildings that are not homogenous yet reflect historic island vernacular.
Mr. Ballard moved to approve as the final application as submitted. Mr. Vaillancourt seconded the motion, and the motion carried 3-1 with Ms. Moss voted nay. Ms. Moss is opposed to the number of windows on the western side of the garage.
Ayes: 3 (Vaillancourt, Ball, Ballard) Nays: 1 (Moss)
Findings of fact
· The new garage is in the Historic District.
· The property is in an area of dense building.
· The proposed garage fits the quirky vernacular of the area.
· The application is complete.
5. Great Salt Pond Realty, LLC. Plat 19, Lot 5. Fire# 79. Application by Champlin’s Marina to expand on existing outdoor bar at the restaurant.
Mr. presented the application to alter the outdoor bar located at Champlin’s Marina pool building. The change consists for
Ayes: 4 (Vaillancourt, Ball, Ballard, Moss) Nays: 0
Approval of Minutes: Tabled until next month
Adjournment: Ms. Ball made a motion to adjourn at 6:30 pm, Mr. Vaillancourt seconded, and the motion carried.
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Corrie Heinz
Land Use Assistant
Town of New Shoreham