Zoning board approves consent-calendar and abbreviated petitions, including deck and carport variances

The Newport Zoning Board cleared a series of consent and abbreviated-calendar petitions on Dec. 15, approving dimensional variances for several small residential projects and granting routine procedural requests.

On the consent calendar the board adopted staff findings and approved Joseph T. Donovan Jr.’s summary petition for a front-porch variance at 9 Mumford Ave with an increase in lot coverage; the measure passed by a 5-0 voice vote.

In abbreviated summaries the board also approved a second‑floor deck variance for Rick and Tricia Arseneault at 51 Marchant Street (applicants explained the need to move living area out of a flood plain), a third‑floor deck modification for Monica Barrett at 33 William Street (staff and HDC had reviewed the design; one written objection was deemed non‑germane), and a porte‑cochere/carport and lot coverage variance for Elizabeth Gultra at 41 Everett Street (HDC approved the design and the board found the proposal consistent with historic character). Each abbreviated petition was granted on standard conditions requiring the project to begin and substantially complete within 12 months and payment of public‑notice invoices prior to recording.

All consent and abbreviated items were approved without in-person public opposition and carried by unanimous voice votes.