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Zoning board schedules Hohfeldt–O’Leary variance hearing, refers application to conservation
Summary
The New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review scheduled a public hearing for Gregory Hohfeldt and Aaron O'Leary’s variance application for Nov. 20 and referred the application to the town conservation commission; the board’s solicitor said a recent Supreme Court decision may affect the matter and asked applicant counsel to consult with staff.
The New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review on a motion scheduled the variance application by Gregory Hohfeldt and Aaron O'Leary for the board's Nov. 20 meeting and sent the application to the town conservation commission for review.
The application seeks a variance under section 113(c) and 306(c) to build an addition to a single‑family dwelling on Plat 19, Lot 16 (Fire No. 925 Off Coast Guard Road). The board did not decide the merits at the October meeting because members agreed the matter should be heard at a full public hearing.
Why it matters: The applicant is seeking dimensional relief that the conservation commission may need to review for coastal or environmental impacts before the zoning board issues a decision. Solicitor Karen Browning said a recent Supreme Court case could be “instructive” for this application and recommended that counsel and staff consult before the hearing.
Board discussion and next steps: Chair Kate Atwater Butcher made the motion to schedule the hearing for Nov. 20; the motion passed on an aye vote. Browning told the applicant representative to consult with staff about the Supreme Court matter: "There has been a recent Supreme Court case that I think might be instructive on this application. I think if you and I put our heads together, we can kinda make sense of that," she said.
No final action on the variance was taken; the board will hear the application at the Nov. 20 meeting after conservation review. The board also confirmed that conservation will be included in the public‑hearing circulation for the item.
Ending note: The board handled the scheduling by motion; substantive review and any vote on the variance will occur at the Nov. 20 hearing after conservation input.
