Coventry board approves Reeder rear-setback variance with HOA and DEM/OWTS conditions

The Coventry Zoning Board approved a rear-setback variance for Nicholas Reeder, who plans to build a three-car garage with living space above at 35 Hill Farm Camp Road. During the hearing, Reeder said the upstairs would include two or three bedrooms and a bathroom; the board and staff discussed septic capacity and permitting constraints.

Reeder told the board: “I just wanna do a 3 car garage with the living room above it.” He said the only feasible footprint is toward the road and that previous, smaller plans had HOA approval, though he acknowledged the enlarged plan had not yet been signed off by the HOA.

Planning staff and board members focused on on-site sewage (OWTS) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) permitting, noting that septic capacity determines the number of bedrooms a property can lawfully support. A staff member recommended two standard conditions: (1) written acknowledgement from the homeowners association before construction and (2) that any new construction be compliant with DEM/OWTS permitting so that bedroom counts match permitted septic capacity.

A board member moved to approve the rear-setback variance as presented, to be conditioned on receipt of an HOA acknowledgement before construction and on compliance with DEM/OWTS permits for any future bedrooms. The motion was seconded and the board approved the variance by roll call.

The board recorded that the approval is limited to the setback relief. Any addition of bedrooms or relocation of septic infrastructure will require the applicant to obtain the necessary DEM/OWTS approvals and building permits before work affecting septic capacity can proceed.