Smithfield board approves front-yard garage for James R. Shaw with plumbing restriction

The Smithfield Zoning Board of Review on Nov. 6 approved a variance allowing James R. Shaw to construct a three-car detached garage in the front yard at 2 Blue Feather Trail, subject to a condition that no plumbing be installed in the garage at this time.

Shaw told the board he intends to use the building for vehicle storage, saying, “I wanna put up a 3 car garage,” and listing an antique 1941 Chrysler, an ’86 F-150, motorcycles and a Sea-Doo as items he plans to store. The board and applicant agreed there are stairs to a second-floor storage area but no current plans for a separate living unit or plumbing.

The clerk read the application as Case 24-019; a board member reported visiting the property and using plan software to confirm the proposed garage falls within the property boundaries. The chair noted that because a paper road has been paved, the lot now has frontage and the proposed garage would be located in what is now a front yard. Board members asked for and received detailed plans and an engineering/technical report to be followed at the building-permit stage.

After opening and closing the public hearing with no members of the public speaking for or against the project, the board voted to take the application under advisement, returned to deliberations and approved the variance as submitted. The motion was amended during deliberations to specify that “there’ll be no plumbing in this garage at this time,” and that amendment was included in the approval.

The board did not specify a numerical roll-call tally in the record; the chair called the motion and respondents voiced their approval. The applicant was wished luck following the vote; the case record and submitted plans will govern inspections and any future permit review.