[{"_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",6496824,"mediaKeyId","5550730-96b2e6f82178781d923cd3197cbf4363","parentId",5550730,"title","Coventry zoning board continues hearing after applicant narrows plan for 1340 Main Street","audioSeconds",5888,"startMs",749000,"endMs",6637000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550730-96b2e6f82178781d923cd3197cbf4363&start=749&end=6637","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550730-96b2e6f82178781d923cd3197cbf4363/thumbnail_749000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496824/Rhode-Island/Coventry-zoning-board-continues-hearing-after-applicant-narrows-plan-for-1340-Main-Street","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496824-bec6245ae5e40e45175ed19f6ea53a2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770631634&Signature=XDKUUm9kaspSr4KXpamDXVdm5HvLd~2B9CGS5VXW2T8hAkc3ElB0tFImydqWeQxmazPUgBmnYD3BLb1b~GK9tgo9sUmAJ7S2jdHUviFbM0Ow-Tl-4-CqIe870l5mi8PsZP8kLWQTZjqKKDepEU1Jz6JeluFhiNFh3N5FJu4~-r0DWQjp8OxhNCQeybNAOtA38Fbl1I92TKEq4ZErhxUkiemnERoCfnYM-vgo1YcmNIroMX04cqVAKg61~7z0VsD9deadtF~APjmkiN-eNlP7V9vSueLzvghSn~ugdPc0~G3iFai1s6o9xx-wq6LJnfUVQU1ahCPaFrRWyKzyR~xwUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Coventry Rhode Island","date","2025-08-07T13:15:21Z","article","The Coventry Zoning Board continued a public hearing on the application of Marjorie Bailey to Sept. 3 after counsel amended the proposal to withdraw dimensional‑setback relief and seek only a use variance to build a single‑story, five‑bedroom home at 1340 Main Street in the town's I‑1 (industrial) zone.

Why it matters: The amended plan eliminates the board's primary dimensional concern — side setbacks that were measured under industrial zoning — and leaves the board to weigh whether denying a use variance would deprive the property of all beneficial use, the legal standard the board must apply.

Thomas Cronin, attorney for the owner and applicant, told the board the original request sought two side‑setback variances (approximately 7 and 8 feet of relief) because the lot narrows toward the Patuxent River and was merged historically by the assessor's office. Cronin said the applicant has prepared an alternate design that narrows the house and places it so that no side‑setback relief would be required.

\"We're amending our application to the alternative plan that I've presented,\" Cronin said. He also said the applicant would demolish an existing barn on the lot and keep two existing residences, rather than adding new dimensional relief for the proposed new house.

Neighbors and condominium residents who spoke at the hearing urged the board to deny any relief that would place habitable structures closer to their fence lines or increase disturbances. Patricia Beauchimen, who identified herself as a Rivers Edge Drive resident, said the condominium association's older residents had endured past problems with tenants on the Bailey property and asked the board whether the applicant would work with a state agency if the house were used for shared living services.

\"There is oversight because there are agencies that work with the families,\" Beauchimen said, and asked whether the applicant had an agency partner. Cronin and board members repeatedly said inside‑house activities and state licensing for shared living are matters for state regulators and not the zoning board's jurisdiction.

At several points, board members expressed concern about the presence of three habitable structures on one lot. Member comments ranged from acknowledging visible improvement to the property since eviction of prior tenants to saying they would prefer to see the longer middle dwelling removed rather than approve a third habitable building.

Several neighbors who spoke opposed the original setback relief and asked for clarification about whether the proposed new house would be used as a standard single‑family dwelling or for shared living for adults with disabilities. The board repeatedly emphasized that the application before it is for a residential use in an industrial zone — a use variance — and that what occurs inside a house (for example, provision of licensed shared living services) is regulated by state agencies and not determinative of the local use‑variance analysis.

Solicitor and staff guidance at the hearing focused the board on the legal test for a use variance: whether denying the variance would leave the land without any beneficial use. Solicitor Douglas McLean asked members to state, if they vote, whether the record demonstrates that standard.

After discussion the board briefly moved to take a vote but, following a request by Cronin for time to confer with his clients about whether to remove the long middle dwelling or pursue the alternate plan, members voted to reconsider and continue the public hearing to Sept. 3 so the applicant can file the revised plans and the public can review them in advance.

Next steps: Cronin said the applicant would amend the application to the alternative plan (the narrower building envelope that eliminates the need for side‑setback relief) and asked that the revised submission be posted at least 10 days before the Sept. 3 hearing. The board granted a continuance; no final vote on the use variance was taken at the meeting.

Ending: The public hearing is continued to the board's next scheduled meeting on Sept. 3. The board told the applicant to provide revised drawings to the planning office so neighbors may review them before the continued hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Zoning Board of Review - 06 Aug 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Coventry Zoning Board continued a public hearing on the application of Marjorie Bailey to Sept. 3 after counsel amended the proposal to withdraw dimensional‑setback relief and seek only a use variance to build a single‑story, five‑bedroom home at 1340 Main Street in the town's I‑1 (industrial) zone.","taxTitle","Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",79575,"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},6496821,"Zoning board approves barn and two house rebuild variances; three hearings decided",2149,7385000,9534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550730-96b2e6f82178781d923cd3197cbf4363&start=7385&end=9534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550730-96b2e6f82178781d923cd3197cbf4363/thumbnail_7385000.jpg","/articles/6496821/Rhode-Island/Zoning-board-approves-barn-and-two-house-rebuild-variances-three-hearings-decided","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496821-322b9908f4e03eb360079459a53a7939/orig.mp4?Expires=1770631634&Signature=bYJpriQmND-0Xr4uA24b2cJvnhrPk3ylYzBJFkO6vYU~4LOeedljNj0R~~NfCBjLMSBDALj3c8wvyWq86Q2MP1z5--OLq3f3ZPrbGEPh8zV9b0g5kjWFbRW5CTwHWMSyzy6y6fz5Hjb8r8l5Inyc7hSJfUrrsPYKrNpzSPJKjDRkPxAepf0zzk-9uEBIJ01u8IqoQ~oSXqDfj4z80EIRNLOeqrtztumcah5QQhRT3z1jqcOt-mAkmJFpI8357W-0EpUoJ7XTFOH6wjEwgQsFzNURHOTugnOIqpmUaWcM9EbV7StSwaU2eE~RE~8hJH2oFgXzMrg64Le3w4EP6LW83A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a single meeting the Coventry Zoning Board approved three separate dimensional‑variance applications: a post‑and‑beam barn at 935 Fishhill Road, and replacement single‑family dwellings on two Hill Farm Camp condominium lots that required rear‑setback relief from reservoir buffers.

Dean and Sandra Capuano: barn variance approved
The board approved a dimensional variance that will allow owners Dean and Sandra Capuano to build a 42‑by‑58 two‑story post‑and‑beam barn at 935 Fishhill Road, totaling approximately 2,750 square feet where the town's accessory‑structure limit is 1,200 square feet. The applicant said the building will be used for vehicle and equipment storage and interior storage; no plumbing or heating is planned. The planning staff reported no concerns in the staff report and a nearby neighbor submitted a letter of support. The board voted to approve the application; the record does not show a roll‑call with individual member names.

Olson/Huron, Hill Farm Camp Road: rear‑setback relief approved
David Olson and Elizabeth Huron received approval to replace an existing dwelling at 38 Hill Farm Camp Road with a new house that will sit approximately 42 feet from the pond where a 90‑foot rear setback is required. The applicants said the new dwelling replaces an older structure dating from 1948 and will remove an existing cesspool; the homeowners provided evidence of coordination with the condominium association and said a new, permitted wastewater system would be placed on common land. The board noted wetland‑buffer jurisdiction and that the applicants had applied for or obtained required DEM permits; the board approved the variance.

Coyne, Hill Farm Camp Road: rear‑setback relief approved
George and Claudette Coyne received similar relief for 34 Hill Farm Camp Road, where the existing dwelling sits close to Flat River Reservoir. The Coynes proposed to tear down the current camp structure and place the new house roughly in the center of the lot, at about 35 feet from the reservoir where 90 feet is required. Planning staff reported no concerns and the application included approvals from DEM and the homeowners association; the board voted to approve the dimensional variance as presented.

Procedure and context
For all three items the board accepted the applicants' testimony and the staff report; motions to approve were made and seconded and the board recorded affirmative votes (\"ayes have it\"). The decisions included standard conditions of building and permitting review; the board did not require a separate ratification step for these relatively straightforward dimensional variances.

Ending
The applicants may proceed with required building permits and any state approvals noted in their files. The board asked applicants to make sure required plans and wetland permits are on file with the planning office before construction.","The Coventry Zoning Board voted on three distinct applications: a dimensional variance for a large post‑and‑beam barn at 935 Fishhill Road was approved; two condominium‑lot homeowners on Hill Farm Camp Road received rear‑setback relief to replace aging dwellings near reservoirs. All three applications were approved at the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Coventry zoning board continues hearing after applicant narrows plan for 1340 Main Street

Zoning board approves barn and two house rebuild variances; three hearings decided