[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6584874,"mediaKeyId","5444668-9605e82fbe84f3e77689cec2c539ff99","parentId",5444668,"title","Votes at a glance: Middletown zoning board approves fireworks tent, decks, porches, shed roof and owner‑occupied short‑term rental","audioSeconds",2204,"startMs",5829000,"endMs",8033000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444668-9605e82fbe84f3e77689cec2c539ff99&start=5829&end=8033","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444668-9605e82fbe84f3e77689cec2c539ff99/thumbnail_5829000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6584874/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Middletown-zoning-board-approves-fireworks-tent-decks-porches-shed-roof-and-owneroccupied-shortterm-rental","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6584874-4a23f5ed97fa95530fc52e2760aeaa5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775897839&Signature=O5Dv88Zw58hhczBcjSopGff-d6hDFMXGGkIFLP0u0eIvmw71VIg1~blVLz~gO475jOYzj0dy0wb81Eptav0cSLPwxR3C2DbzJ9Q5jzU5TdC6iQ8Yd7fxSWJOOB~W1jDNl4B5Snq4BN-AD0Nvc6z3rGRD0w0s129PCOt2SRh4mc-P57FpVOlEuQlvMzjU0~xDdJaGFFUpl0-zWiKGYmWqsi4y9tdbasPepw1j~BQrdJ~j1M7BmQHRRgW1b2Tm~vkky6Y6Kljx0QckLr~Utpz~iGACk5mMWCZsYUGTlLM-OZ7uEYxQ1d1CHFUEN0HcJ7jLkmgxDK3nlrTY2hqTHtZ3qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, RI","date","2025-07-23T01:31:53.693Z","article","The Town of Middletown Zoning Board approved multiple petitions in a single meeting, taking final action on several variances and one special‑use request for an owner‑occupied short‑term rental. The board used summary procedures for several small‑setback requests and heard public comment where required.

Key outcomes (case by case):

- ZBR25‑1 (Elizabeth Portner / temporary retail tent, 750 Aquidneck Avenue): Approved 5‑0. The applicant, represented at the hearing, asked for a three‑year special use for a seasonal retail tent (fireworks tent). The board said they had not received neighborhood complaints and voted to grant the permit.

- ZBR25‑7 (Daniel Bellhumer / rear deck at 2 Boulevard East): Approved (vote recorded as 5‑0). The board treated this as a variance and concluded the deck addition would not change the character of the lot; public comment about drainage and erosion was heard and board members noted construction runoff controls would apply.

- ZBR25‑9 (James and Sandra Lee Schuster / covered porch at 107 Briarwood): Approved (summary case; 5‑0). There were no public objections and the board treated it as a summary variance.

- ZBR25‑6 (Catherine Snyder / porch enclosure at 29 Alston Avenue): Approved (summary case; 5‑0). No public objections were raised; the dimensional relief sought was less than 50% and was handled by summary vote.

- ZBR25‑8 (Gene Gardella / 10x16 roof structure attached to existing shed at 15 Donald Drive): Approved 5‑0. The petitioner said neighbors were contacted and raised no objections; the board approved the attached roof structure/carport.

- ZBR25‑10 (Maria Goncalves and Evo Da Silva / owner‑occupied short‑term rental at 28 Reardon Drive): Approved 5‑0. The owners said they will live on the premises and rent a portion of the house. Multiple nearby residents attended and spoke; the board and town staff emphasized that owner‑occupied short‑term rentals are permitted under the current ordinance and that enforcement of occupancy, parking and related conditions is handled by the building/zoning enforcement office.

Other procedural actions: The board also adopted the May 27 zoning board minutes and elected officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary) at the start of the meeting.

What to watch: Several approvals included references to permitting and construction‑phase runoff controls; a number of public speakers raised drainage, runoff and neighborhood parking concerns, and town departments (building, public works) were identified as the channels for follow‑up enforcement and technical review.

Ending: The board completed the docket and adjourned after the last petition was approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Zoning Meeting, July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Town of Middletown Zoning Board meeting, members approved a series of variances and special‑use requests including a temporary fireworks tent at 750 Aquidneck Ave, multiple small yard/porch/deck variances, a shed roof addition, and an owner‑occupied short‑term rental at 28 Reardon Drive; most items passed unanimously or by summary vote.","taxTitle","Town of Middletown, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",58176,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6584878,"Middletown zoning board approves special‑use permit and variances to convert former liquor store at 43 Aquidneck Ave into two‑family dwelling, 4‑1",2719,694000,3413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444668-9605e82fbe84f3e77689cec2c539ff99&start=694&end=3413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444668-9605e82fbe84f3e77689cec2c539ff99/thumbnail_694000.jpg","/articles/6584878/Rhode-Island/Middletown-zoning-board-approves-specialuse-permit-and-variances-to-convert-former-liquor-store-at-43-Aquidneck-Ave-into-twofamily-dwelling-41","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6584878-bd2d8868e85222595d9523ce49f8266a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775897839&Signature=OrIh1ThEaVZo9W78eDMucoUQT9SVPkUT2hZ0wrgxLUqO~LmIRQaIj4iGwaIAj1XVgqsmVLlkd17qKWcdYCjLqO7PgDkbfehk1M23ee~wdrfMAbr~jUOEZhK3LfazrJjmVXzLZfPBjZJe9BfWzIgfC-jVavbeh~jIq~7Swv2XDoHrpVfKJlxResVn3le49-~ksiSPcTfJ136~8GaaYiSk12KsxQJcEEp5BwcR8Pl3Y-dPZa3~4F-dTtRSv1logeQgM07KLm~1FC75Ts~1gCCmYNm2brOMkSQ67Qw6x6g9qs~V4Ja-63TBgnqSD881wU1jhMuNu8PijzmQ8u9NvZNuZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown Zoning Board voted 4‑1 to grant Meeting Place LLC a special‑use permit and several variances to convert the property at 43 Aquidneck Avenue (Tax Assessor's Plat 116 NW Lot 29) from commercial use to a two‑family dwelling.

Board members applied the zoning ordinance criteria discussed in a staff and consultant report and said the proposed conversion meets the standards for a special‑use permit and the requested dimensional relief. \"I believe you meet the test for the special use permit,\" Mr. Godfrey, a land‑use consultant who reviewed the application and the town comprehensive plan, told the board during the hearing.

The petitioner agreed to maintain six off‑street parking spaces shown in the plan. The board also placed a condition on the approval requiring the applicant to resolve a discrepancy in the survey and make adjustments if an encroachment is confirmed. The motion passed 4‑1; one member said she could not support the application because of a 0‑foot front setback on the proposed three‑story structure and concerns about pedestrian and vehicle sight lines.

Why it matters: The lot is undersized for the R‑10 district (the applicant noted the parcel is about 6,127 square feet where 15,000 is typically required), and the site sits at the edge of residential zoning next to a commercial block. Converting a former commercial parcel to residential changes traffic and pedestrian patterns at a busy corner of Briarwood and Aquidneck avenues, neighbors said.

Public comment: Neighbors questioned traffic and pedestrian safety and whether the new units would be used as long‑term workforce housing or seasonal/short‑term rentals. Karen Rourke, who lives on Renfrew Avenue, told the board, \"I don't believe a two‑family, three‑story building on this lot will be a benefit to anyone but the person who's purchased it and wants to get a return on their investment.\" The board said those concerns were considered but that enforcement of rental types and related rules is handled through separate town regulations and enforcement channels.

Board analysis and vote: The board's consultant reviewed the application against the five special‑use criteria in the zoning ordinance and the variance standards and concluded the project is consistent with neighboring multifamily densities and that required parking was met. Several members said the proposed residential use is less intense than the property's prior commercial use (a package/liquor store) and that bringing the use into conformance with the residential district is consistent with the comprehensive plan. One member dissented, citing the 0‑foot setback and safety concerns.

Outcome and conditions: The board approved the special‑use permit and the requested dimensional variances subject to resolving any confirmed encroachment found in a final survey. The tally was 4 yes, 1 no. The board noted enforcement of occupancy, parking, and short‑term rental rules is handled by separate town procedures.

What’s next: The applicant may submit building permits and final survey documentation to the town building department and public works as required to implement the change of use. The board's approval included a condition to revise plans if a confirmed property encroachment exists.

Ending: The vote concludes this petition; the board moved on to several other variance requests later in the same meeting.","The Town of Middletown Zoning Board approved a special‑use permit and dimensional variances for Meeting Place LLC to convert the former Beach Liquors site at 43 Aquidneck Avenue into a two‑family dwelling, with a 4‑1 vote and a condition to resolve an encroachment discrepancy noted in the survey.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Middletown zoning board approves fireworks tent, decks, porches, shed roof and owner‑occupied short‑term rental

Middletown zoning board approves special‑use permit and variances to convert former liquor store at 43 Aquidneck Ave into two‑family dwelling, 4‑1