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Planning Board accepts waivers, sets June 11 hearing for Block Island Land Trust subdivision
Summary
The New Shoreham Planning Board approved waiver requests and scheduled a June 11 public hearing for a two‑lot minor subdivision application by the Block Island Land Trust on Kornack Road that would create a house lot and a conserved parcel.
The New Shoreham Planning Board on May 14 approved a set of waivers and scheduled a June 11 public hearing for the Block Island Land Trust’s application to subdivide a Kornack Road parcel into two lots — a residential house lot and an approximately three‑acre parcel subject to a conservation easement.
The application, filed by the Block Island Land Trust and presented by Martha Ball, requested relief from frontage requirements and from road‑construction standards in the town’s subdivision regulations. The board accepted multiple waiver requests for items including base flood elevation data, retaining wall details, drainage calculations, landscaping and proposed utilities plans, verification from the public works director on public water and sewer availability, and confirmation from Coastal Resources Management Council and the Historic District Commission where applicable.
Applicant and presentation: Martha Ball of the Block Island Land Trust described the proposal as a two‑part minor subdivision that preserves nearly 20 acres in conservation while allowing the current house and outbuildings to remain on a smaller house lot. Ball said existing structures meet setbacks and that the plan moves the lot line back so the existing driveway will provide access to the house lot; the Land Trust’s purchase agreement is contingent on subdivision approval.
Waivers and limits: Board members asked for a clarification that the waivers for construction‑related plans (stormwater, utilities, retaining walls and similar) apply only to the conserved parcel and that any future development on the conserved property would require separate approvals. Ball and the board confirmed that the Land Trust seeks frontage relief now and that any future development on the conserved parcel would trigger full plan review and applicable permits.
Board action: Planning Board Chair Margie moved to approve the waivers and set a hearing date of June 11; a board member seconded the motion and the chair called the vote. The motion carried, and the board noted it will accept a final application packet and publish the public hearing notice for June 11.
Why it matters: The subdivision preserves a large contiguous conservation parcel while allowing the existing house and accessory structures to remain in private ownership. The board’s grant of waivers at the preliminary stage clears the way for a public hearing where neighbors and regulatory bodies can comment.
What’s next: The planning office will prepare the hearing notice and staff report for the June 11 public hearing. If the board or regulatory agencies require further studies (for example for utilities or coastal jurisdiction issues) those will be requested before final approval.
