Newport Zoning Board actions, Feb. 24, 2025: approvals, continuances and calendar items

The Newport Zoning Board of Review on Feb. 24 handled a mix of summary‑calendar, abbreviated and full hearings. The board approved a number of petitions with standard conditions, accepted one withdrawal without prejudice, set a special meeting date, and continued one major guest‑house application pending parking documentation.

Votes at a glance (each item below was taken from the meeting record and reflects the board’s stated motion and recorded outcome):

- Summary calendar (consent): - Glenn Herosian, 85 Dixon Street — special use permit and dimensional variance to construct a one‑story rear addition; motion to place matters on consent calendar and adopt staff findings carried unanimously. Outcome: approved (consent). - Eleanor Walters, 7 Malborn Road — special use permit and dimensional variance for second‑floor dormer; approved on summary calendar. Outcome: approved (consent).

- Communications / calendar housekeeping: - Special meeting set for 144–150 Thames Street on March 31, 2025. Outcome: set by motion (unanimous). - Withdrawal accepted without prejudice for petition at 406–410 Thames Street. Outcome: withdrawal granted without prejudice (unanimous).

- Abbreviated summary petitions (motions carried unanimously unless noted): - Keith and Patricia Blanchette, 29 Yonge Street — second‑story balcony; petition granted with standard 12‑month start/substantial completion condition and payment of outstanding public‑notice invoices. Outcome: approved. - Janet D. Healy, 108 K Boulevard — front porch; petition granted with standard conditions (applicant had prior approval but requested relief due to expiration). Outcome: approved. - Laura Glazier / 7 Hope Street (19 98 Family Trust) — special use permit for additional on‑site parking and use of non‑conforming 16‑foot driveway; petition granted with an added condition agreed to between counsel and an adjacent property owner removing a proposed parking space (Parking Space 9) adjacent to Patricia Heller’s property; the condition allows future review if ownership changes. Outcome: approved with negotiated condition. - Carl and Allison Witten, 98 Roseneath Avenue — additions and shed; petition granted with standard conditions. Outcome: approved.

- Full hearings: - 640 Thames Street LLC — petition to convert a five‑bedroom unit to a guest house and to waive required off‑street parking. The board continued the matter to March 24, 2025 and requested signed leases for all required off‑street parking spaces and a written on‑site manager agreement. Outcome: continued to 2025‑03‑24. - Vineyard 5 LLC (221–225 Spring Street, Unit 7) — conversion of a residential unit to a three‑bedroom guest house; the board granted a one‑space variance conditioned on delivery of an annually renewed lease for one designated parking space within a half‑mile to the zoning office on certification/renewal. Outcome: approved, 5–0, with condition. - Garren Whatmull and Rachel Demetian, 55 Gibbs Ave — demolition of existing garage and construction of two‑story three‑car garage with upper‑level gym and a small deck; board granted variance and special‑use approval with standard 12‑month start/substantial completion condition and payment of public‑notice invoices. Outcome: approved, 5–0.

- Adjournment: Board adjourned at the close of the agenda.

Standard conditions that the board used in approvals: projects must be started and substantially completed within 12 months of decision (or an extension requested prior to expiration), and all outstanding invoices for public notice must be paid before recording the decision. Several approvals included additional negotiated conditions recorded in the motions (for example, removal of a parking space adjacent to a neighbor’s property at 7 Hope Street and the Vineyard 5 annual leased parking requirement).