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Architects, engineer testify on proposed replacement house; board closes hearing, conditions tied to sewer review
Summary
Architect and civil engineer testified that a proposed replacement house will meet zoning performance standards and control stormwater; the board closed the public hearing and noted any decision may be made contingent on sewer department sign‑off.
The New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review heard testimony from an architect and a civil engineer on a proposal to demolish a dilapidated residence and replace it with a new house that the project team says will meet current zoning performance standards. The board closed the public hearing at the end of testimony but indicated a final decision could be made contingent on water and sewer allocations.
The applicants identified architect Sarah Haitz of South County Post & Beam and civil engineer Seth Lemoine of Principe Engineering as witnesses. Sarah Haitz described a two‑story, three‑bedroom design (three bedrooms, three‑and‑a‑half baths) with an attached garage, a full walkout basement and a footprint positioned farther back on the lot to meet setback requirements. “The proposal is to replace the existing single family home with a new single family home and bring it into, conformance with the zoning ordinance,” Haitz said.
Engineer Seth Lemoine testified that the existing site is served by a private well and septic; the proposed plan would retain the well for irrigation only and connect the house to municipal water and sewer. Lemoine said stormwater would be managed with an underground infiltration system designed to yield no net increase in runoff and to protect downstream wetlands. “There will be 0 increase in runoffs, runoff from that, from the proposed site, and, no adverse effects to the wetlands,” Lemoine testified.
The board asked about lot coverage and performance standards. Lemoine identified a house lot coverage of about 2.1% and a total lot coverage for the proposal of 5.1% (including existing paved areas). The witnesses said the design satisfies the performance standards in section 514 and other cited zoning provisions.
On utility allocations, the applicant reported a water allocation has been granted; sewer allocation remained under review and the board discussed making any approval contingent on final sewer department sign‑off. “We would accept a decision contingent upon sewer and water connections,” the applicant’s representative said during questioning.
After questioning by the board and confirmation that planning and conservation advisories were on file and favorable, a board member moved to close the public hearing; the motion carried. No final vote on the application record or permit was taken during the meeting.
Next steps recorded by board staff include resolving outstanding sewer department comments and finalizing any conditions tied to municipal water and sewer allocations before the board issues a decision or permits.
