Council restores 1,200-square-foot cap on elevated decks in large‑house rules

The New Shoreham Town Council on Monday, June 2 approved an amendment to the town's large-house zoning rules to restore a 1,200-square-foot limit on balconies, decks and similar unroofed features that are more than 5 feet above ground.

Councilor Nancy Dodge moved to add the phrase "may not exceed a total of 1,200 square feet" back into the subsection covering elevated decks; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The council also noted and asked staff to correct a typographical reference in the draft (a subsection labeled "g" should be "f"). The council's vote followed an extended review of the subsection's wording and intent.

The change applies only to decks located at a deck-floor height greater than 5 feet above ground; first-floor decks were discussed as not being subject to that 1,200-square-foot cap. During the meeting, a member of the planning board said historically applicants had not approached the 1,200-square-foot limit, though council members said large decks of that size would be significant.

Town staff and planning-board members discussed two drafting options: make the subsection read as an introductory title or reinstate the explicit prohibition language. After noting the number originally appeared in the earlier large-house ordinance, the council elected to put the cap back in the text and rely on future amendments if needed.

The council also confirmed that the advertised language for other editorial changes in the draft (for example, wording described as "finished porch") appeared in the meeting materials, so no separate motion was required for those advertised edits.

The ordinance amendment was approved by a voice vote; the council recorded no opposing votes.