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Planning board approves Block Isle Land Trust minor subdivision and grants dimensional variance
Summary
The New Shoreham Planning Board granted preliminary approval for a two-lot minor subdivision that conveys roughly 20.676 acres to the Block Isle Land Trust and approved a dimensional variance, conditioned on final plan details and a perpetual driveway easement for the residential lot.
The New Shoreham Planning Board voted to conditionally approve a preliminary plan for a minor subdivision that will convey conservation acreage to the Block Isle Land Trust and to grant a dimensional variance tied to the proposal.
The motion, made by the Planning Board chair, approved preliminary plan approval and a dimensional variance from Section 306(c) of the zoning ordinance, conditioned on the final plan including a computation of maximum lot coverage and on a perpetual driveway easement from Corn Neck Road to the Ball residence for Martha A. Ball and William O. Ball Jr. "I make a motion to conditionally approve the preliminary plan for the proposed minor subdivision and grant a dimensional variance as presented," the chair said during the hearing.
The board’s findings of fact, read into the record, described the proposal as a minor subdivision splitting an existing parcel into two lots: one residential lot of about 3.03 acres and a second lot subject to a conservation easement. The planning board said the Block Isle Land Trust would receive conservation rights to approximately 20.676 acres of land, including about 11.5 acres already conserved. The board concluded the subdivision and variance meet the town’s subdivision and zoning standards and are consistent with New Shoreham’s comprehensive plan and with Title 36, Chapter 39 of the Rhode Island General Laws regarding conservation easements.
Planning staff and the chair emphasized that no immediate development is proposed on the resulting conserved parcel and that the residential lot would be served by an easement over an existing driveway as a condition of approval. "The proposed lot would have no frontage where 200 feet is required," the chair noted while explaining why the variance was necessary. The board found that the hardship documented was more than a mere inconvenience and that granting the variance would promote environmental stewardship through conservation easements.
After discussion, a second was made and the board voted in favor. The chair called for voices in support; members said "Aye," and the chair declared the motion carried. The board indicated the approval is conditional on final plan details and the recorded driveway easement appearing on the final plan.
The board did not discuss any proposed development plans for the conserved parcel and specified that development is not proposed at this time. The board also stated the minor subdivision will not increase traffic, burden water supply, alter stone walls beyond necessary access, or disturb historic or archaeological sites per the conditions read into the record.
The planning board noted the approval included findings that the variance does not stem from the general character of the area nor from a desire for financial gain and that the variance will not impair the intent of the zoning ordinance.
No member of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing. The planning board chair closed the item after the vote and congratulated proponents on the decision.
