ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW
Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 6:00 P.M.
16, Old Town Road, Town Hall
Block Island, RI 02807
MINUTES
The Town of New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review convened for a meeting on July 26, 2023, at Town Hall, Block Island, RI.
Present were Chair Kate Atwater Butcher, Vice Chair Robert Lamoureux, Judith Cyronak, Susan Bush, Steven Filippi and Robert Closter, Jr. Absent: Mark Maguire. Also, present Town Solicitor Kerin Browning via Zoom.
Applications:
1. Masiello, Mark. Plat 15, Lot 132. Fire # 997 Old Dunn Road. One-year extension of the Zoning Decision dated July 28, 2022 for an Application for a Variance from Section 306(C) to demolish an existing single-family dwelling and two sheds. Construct a single-family dwelling, accessory residential structure, pool, accessory structure (gym), accessory structure (studio) and an accessory structure.
Attorney Joseph Priestley was present on behalf of the applicant.
Ms. Butcher reviewed the Application and moved to schedule a Public Hearing for August 23, 2023. Motion seconded by Ms. Bush and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Lamoureux, Cyronak, Bush, Filippi) Nays: 0
2. Maguire, Mark and Jackson, Linda. Plat 11, Lot 10-2. Fire # 778 Mitchell Lane. Application for a Variance from Section 306(C) for side setback relief and for a Special Use Permit under Article 3, Section 306(E); Article 4, Sections 401 and 406 to demolish an existing single-family dwelling and replace it with a larger single-family dwelling.
Attorney Joseph Priestley was present on behalf of the applicant.
Ms. Butcher reviewed the Application and the Submittal Requirements under Section 703(C). The Board found that these items would not be necessary for its understanding, or evaluation of the relief being requested.
Ms. Butcher moved to grant the waivers as requested in the checklist. Motion seconded by Mr. Lamoureux and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
Ms. Butcher made a motion to refer the Application to the Planning Board and Conservation Commission for advisories and to schedule a Public Hearing for September 27, 2023. Motion seconded by Mr. Lamoureux and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Lamoureux, Cyronak, Bush, Filippi) Nays: 0
Public Hearings:
1. Block Island Housing Board. Plat 18, Lot 2-3. West Side Road. Application for a Special Use Permit under Section 405, Affordable Housing for construction of eight (8) duplex structures, creating a total of sixteen (16) rental units, restricted to year-round residents.
At the applicant’s request, Ms. Butcher made a motion to continue the hearing to August 23, 2023. Ms. Bush seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Lamoureux, Cyronak, Bush, Filippi)
2. Corn Neck Road, LLC. Plat 2, Lot 2-3. Fire # 732 Corn Neck Road. Application by Celeste Helterline for a Special Use Permit under Section 513 (D)(2)(a) for construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit for year-round residents.
Ms. Butcher opened the public hearing.
Architect Karl Sauerbrey, testified on behalf of the applicant.
Wyatt Helterline testified on behalf of the applicant.
The following Exhibits were submitted:
Applicant’s Exhibit #A: Letter from Celeste Helterline
Applicant’s Exhibit #1: Color coded Site Plan
Applicant’s Exhibit #2: Site Plan
Applicant’s Exhibit #3: Architectural Plans by Karl Sauerbrey dated 5/8/23, 7 pages
Ms. Cyronak requested an explanation of the second-floor deck.
Ms. Butcher read into the record the advisory from the Planning Board.
Discussion regarding the language in the ordinance regarding 1500 square feet.
Applicant’s Exhibit #4: Planning Board Advisory
Ms. Butcher read a letter from abutter, Slamowitz and Hilman.
There were no comments from anyone in the audience.
Ms. Butcher made a motion to close the hearing and take it under advisement, Mr. Closter seconded the motion and all were in favor 5-0.
3. Gumkowski, Clifford and Sciarra, Judith. Plat 3, Lot 84. Off Corn Neck Road. Application for a Special Use Permit under Article 3, Section 306(E); Article 4, Sections 401 and 406 to construct a single-family dwelling with six (6) bedrooms, accessory residential structure and an outdoor kitchen.
At the applicant’s request, Ms. Butcher made a motion to continue the hearing to September 27, 2023. Ms. Bush seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Ayes: 5 (Lamoureux, Cyronak, Bush, Filippi, Closter) Recused:1 (Butcher)
4. Kenney, Robert. Plat 6, Lot 35. #454 Ocean Avenue. Application for a Variance from Section 113(C)(1) and 313(C) for construction of a second floor onto the existing building. Section 411 Commercial/Residential Mixed Use.
Ms. Butcher was recused
Vice Chair Lamoureux opened the public hearing.
Architect W. Douglas Gilpin testified on behalf of the applicant.
Robert Kenney testified as the applicant.
The following Exhibits were submitted:
Applicant’s Exhibit #1: Landscape Plan submitted at the meeting from Van Lent Landscape
Applicant’s Exhibit #2: Site Plan by Atlas Land Surveying
Applicant’s Exhibit #3: Architectural plans for 454 Ocean Ave by W. Douglas Gilpin
Applicant’s Exhibit #4: Proposed Conditions Plan by Atlas Land Surveying
Mr. Lamoureux made a motion to close the hearing and take it under advisement, Mr. Closter seconded the motion and all were in favor 5-0.
(Butcher, Lamoureux, Cyronak, Bush, Filippi)
5. Moskowitz, Clifford and Caroline. Plat 8, Lot 115. Fire # 279 Amy Dodge Lane. Application for a Variance from Sections 113 and 306(C) for an existing single-family dwelling to be demolished and a new single-family dwelling to be constructed.
Ms. Butcher opened the public hearing.
Attorney K. Erik Wallin was present on behalf of the applicant.
Architect W. Douglas Gilpin testified on behalf of the applicant.
Marc Tillson testified on behalf of the applicant.
The following Exhibits were submitted:
Applicant’s Exhibit #1: Site Plan Atlas Land Surveying
Applicant’s Exhibit #2: Plans dated Dec 2022
Applicant’s Exhibit #3: Photos of existing structures
Applicant’s Exhibit #4: Zoning Certificate dated July 26, 2023
Ms. Butcher made a motion to close the hearing and take it under advisement, Mr. Closter seconded the motion and all were in favor 5-0.
At the end of the public hearings the Board discussed applications taken under advisement for decisions. The Board reached a preliminary consensus on each and agreed that different members would draft motions for consideration by the Board at the next meeting for each application
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Butcher moved to approve the minutes from June 28, 2023. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and carried unanimously.
Ms. Butcher moved to adjourn at 7:40 P.M. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Brady
Zoning Official
Town of New Shoreham