Zoning board approves special-use permit to convert part of 251 Spring Street into five-room inn for employee housing

The New Shoreham Zoning Board of Review on July 23 approved a special-use permit allowing 251 Spring Street LLC to convert a walkout basement at 251 Spring Street into a five‑room inn for employee housing.

The board voted 4–0 in favor, with one abstention and one member recused. The motion approved the application under section 408 of the New Shoreham zoning ordinance and incorporated findings of fact read into the record.

The board’s decision notes that the property (Plat 7, Lot 27) is located in the RCM (residential/commercial mixed-use) zone and the historic overlay district, consists of approximately 95,185 square feet, and that no change to the existing building footprint was proposed. The approved inn will contain five bedrooms with bathrooms and provide two additional employee parking spaces on the existing on-site parking area, meeting the requirement referenced as section 5026 in the decision.

The record shows written, favorable advisories from the Planning Board (dated 06/20/2025) and the Conservation Commission, and a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission (approximately 02/24/2025). The board’s written findings say the proposed use is compatible with adjacent buildings and site form, will not alter the building footprint, and will not disturb existing landscaping because all construction will occur within the structure.

The decision requires the project to proceed according to plans and exhibits presented at the zoning board hearing on June 25, 2025. The board’s findings state the project will connect to existing public sewer and water and that confirmations of sufficient allocations were granted by the sewer and water commissions. The board also reiterated a zoning provision that individual units in such inns may not contain kitchens or food‑preparation facilities.

Votes at a glance

Motion: Approve application of 251 Spring Street LLC for a special-use permit under section 408 to renovate the existing walkout basement into a 5‑room inn for employee housing at Fire Number 251 Spring Street, Plat 7, Lot 27. Mover: Speaker 5 (name not specified on record) Second: Speaker 4 (name not specified on record) Vote: Yes — Corey Black; Yes — Mark McGuire; Yes — Susan Bush; Yes — Robert Lamoreaux; Abstain — Robbie (surname not specified); Recused/absent — Steve (surname not specified) Outcome: approved

The written decision cites the New Shoreham comprehensive plan’s economic development objectives supporting seasonal workforce housing and states the proposal ‘‘will reduce the number of cars on island’’ by housing employees on site and providing bicycle racks, per the findings read into the record. The board’s approval is conditioned on compliance with the submitted plans and exhibits and the zoning requirements recited in the decision.

No further administrative deadlines or appeal actions were recorded on the transcript during the vote.