ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

6:00 P.M. at Town Hall

Block Island, RI 02807

AGENDA

The Town of New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review will be in session for a meeting on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. at the Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island, RI.

Members present:

Chair Kate Atwater Butcher

Susan Bush

Steven Filippi

Robert Closter, Jr.

Second Alternate Cori Black.

Members absent:

Vice-Chair Robert Lamoureux

First Alternate Mark Maguire

Staff:

Town Solicitor Kerin Browning via Zoom

Stenographer Sally Brassard

Zoning Official Jennifer Brady

Chair Kate Butcher called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Public Hearings:

State of Rhode Island and Block Island Water District. Plat 9, Lot 87. Payne Road. Application by the Block Island Water District for a Special Use Permit under Section 306(E) and Section 417 to construct a structure to house the well pump, control valves and water supplies.

Ms. Butcher opened the public hearing.

Attorney David Petraca was present on behalf of the Block Island Water District.

Block Island Water Superintendent John Breuing was present.

Mr. Breunig was sworn in and testified on behalf of Block Island Water District.

The following exhibits were presented:

Applicants’ Exhibit 1: Plan set by James Geremia, P.E.

Applicants’ Exhibit 2: Conservation Commission Advisory

Applicants’ Exhibit 3: Planning Board Advisory

Applicants’ Exhibit 4: Zoning Board Application

Ms. Butcher made a motion to close the hearing and take it under advisement, Ms. Bush seconded the motion, and all were in favor 5-0.

5 Ayes (Butcher, Bush, Filippi, Closter, Black) 2 Absent (Lamoureux, Maguire)

The Board discussed the application that was taken under advisement for decision. The Board reached a preliminary consensus and agreed to present a draft motion for consideration by the Board at the next meeting.

Muddy Paws, LLC, Plat 6, Lot 72-2. Fire #149 Old Town Road. Application for a Variance from Section 308 (C) and a Special Use Permit by Debra Frost & Christopher DeCaro for the reconfiguration of a first floor and to add a second floor to a dwelling. Expansion of a previously approved Special Use Permit under a detached multi-family development.

Ms. Butcher was recused.

Ms. Bush opened the public hearing.

Debra Frost was present as the owner of the property.

Ms. Frost was sworn in and testified.

The following exhibits were presented:

Applicants’ Exhibit 1: Architectural plans by W. Douglas Gilpin.

Applicants’ Exhibit 2: Planning Board Advisory

Applicants’ Exhibit 3: Conservation Commission Advisory

Applicants’ Exhibit 4: Historic District Commission COA

Ms. Bush made a motion to close the hearing and take it under advisement, Ms. Bush seconded the motion, and all were in favor 4-0.

4 Ayes (Bush, Filippi, Closter, Black) 1 Recused (Butcher) 2 Absent (Lamoureux, Maguire)

3. Seider, Mitchell and Beck, Lisa. Plat 11, Lot 37. Fire #787 Snake Hole Road. Application for a Special Use Permit under Article 3, Section 306(E) and Article 4, Section 406 for expansion of a single-family dwelling and an accessory residential structure.

At the applicant’s request, Ms. Butcher made a motion to continue the hearing until October 22, 2025. Ms. Bush seconded, and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

4. Demos, The Family Trust, Gregory and Desiree Demos, Trustees. Plat 3, Lot 108. Application for a Variance under Section 306(C) for an addition to a single-family dwelling.

At the applicant’s request, Ms. Butcher made a motion to continue the hearing until October 22, 2025. Ms. Bush seconded, and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

Other Business:

1. Approval of Minutes

Ms. Butcher moved to approve the minutes from August 27, 2025. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and carried unanimously.

Ms. Butcher moved to adjourn at 6:30 P.M. The motion was seconded by Mr. Closter and passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Brady

Zoning Official

Town of New Shoreham