ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW

Wednesday March 25, 2026

6:00 P.M. at Town Hall

Block Island, RI 02807

 

 

MINUTES

 

The Town of New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review convened for a meeting on March 25, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. at Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island, RI.

 

Members Present:

Chair Kate Atwater Butcher

Susan Bush

Steven Filippi

Robert Closter, Jr.

First Alternate Mark Maguire

Second Alternate Cori Black

 

Member(s) Absent:

Vice-Chair Robert Lamoureux

 

Staff Present:

 

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

 

1.      Election of Officers

 

No action was taken

 

Applications:

1.      Franklin Swamp, LLC. Plat 15, Lot 39-4. Fire # 1452 West Side Road. Application by Jason and Mary Elizabeth Page for a Variance from Section 306(C) for setback relief for the installation of a 14’x 30’ inground pool.

 

Jason Page and Mary Page were present as applicants. 

 

Ms. Butcher reviewed the material and referred the application to the Conservation Commission for an advisory due to the proximity to wetlands.

 

Ms. Butcher made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for May 27, 2026. Motion seconded by Ms. Bush the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

 

Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Filippi, Bush, Closter, Maguire)               Nays: 0

 

2.      Prendergast, Heather and Shan. Plat 3, Lot 139. Fire # 697 Mansion Road. Bates, Peter and Conway, Kelly. Plat 3, Lot 138. Fire # 1784 Mansion Beach Road. Application for a Variance from Section 306 and 706 regarding an Administrative Subdivision. The proposed lot line change results in reduced lot area for Lot 138. Increase area for Lot 139. There is an existing structure on the property line between lots 138 and 139.

 

Attorney Matthew Landry was present on behalf of the applicant.

Mr. Landry presented the application and requested that the hearing be scheduled for May 27, 2026.

 

Ms. Butcher made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on May 27, 2026. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

 

Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Filippi, Closter, Bush, Maguire)               Nays: 0

 

3.      Taylor, Alexander and Karan. Plat 15, Lot 30-1. Fire# 867 West Side Road. Application for a Special Use Permit pursuant to Zoning Ordinance Sections 306 (E) and 403 to renovate an existing accessory residential structure and construct a swimming pool on a lot containing two (2) single family dwelling units and three (3) Accessory Residential Structures and subject to a Zoning Board decision dated September 19, 2018.

 

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 their understanding, or evaluation of the relief being requested.

 

Ms. Butcher moved to grant the waivers as requested in the checklist. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

 

Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Filippi, Bush, Closter, Maguire)               Nays: 0

 

Ms. Butcher made a motion to send the Application to the Planning Board and Conservation Commission for advisories and to schedule a Public Hearing for May 27, 2026. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

 

Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Filippi, Closter, Bush, Maguire)               Nays: 0

 

4.      Swienton, Jonmathew H., Plat 5, Lots 31 and 32. Beach Avenue. Application for a Variance from Sections 310(C) and 314(A) for construction of a single-family dwelling.  Lots will be merged upon approval via Administrative Subdivision.  

 

Attorney Joseph Priestley was present on behalf of the applicant.

 

Mr. Priestley presented the application and requested that the hearing be scheduled for April 22, 2026.

 

Ms. Butcher made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on April 22, 2026. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

 

Ayes: 5 (Butcher, Filippi, Closter, Bush, Maguire)               Nays: 0

 

Public Hearings:

1.      Masiello, Mark. Plat 15, Lot 132. Fire # 997 Old Dunn Road. Second request for a two-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, and three accessory structures.

 

Attorney Priestley was present and requested a continuation until May 27, 2026.

 

Ms. Butcher made a motion to continue the public hearing until May 27, 2026, Ms. Bush seconded, and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

 

Ayes: 5  (Butcher, Filippi, Bush, Closter, Maguire)              Nays: 0

 

2.      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. Bush made a motion to continue the public hearing until April 22, 2026, Mr. Filippi seconded, and the motion passed with a vote of 5-0.

 

Ayes: 5  (Filippi, Bush, Closter, Maguire, Black)                  Nays: 0                        Recused: 1 (Butcher)

 

Adjournment

 

Ms. Butcher moved to adjourn at 6:20 P.M.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Bush and passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jennifer Brady

Zoning Official

Town of New Shoreham