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Shelter Island Board approves wetlands permit to legalize demolition and rebuild at 13 Dickerson Drive
Summary
The Town Board approved a revised wetlands permit for 13 Dickerson Drive, legalizing demolition and permitting reconstruction and site changes (including a nitrogen‑reducing I/A OWTS) subject to nine conditions including a 30‑foot revegetation buffer and silt‑fence requirements.
The Shelter Island Town Board on April 21 approved a revised wetlands permit allowing Christopher D. Chmelar and Danielle K. Ferrara to legalize the demolition and reconstruct a previously existing single‑family dwelling at 13 Dickerson Drive. The resolution, recorded as Resolution 2026‑189 and adopted as amended, authorizes reconstruction to modern structural standards and specified additions; the completed dwelling is recorded to total 2,893 square feet with four bedrooms.
The board’s approval notes environmental safeguards and mitigation, including reduced impervious surface, enhanced stormwater controls, removal of the seaward deck and installation of a nitrogen‑reducing I/A onsite wastewater treatment system (Hydro‑Action OWTS). The minutes record the board’s findings under Town Code §129‑5 and that, under SEQRA, the project is a Type II action. The resolution requires nine conditions, among them a continuous trenched‑in wire‑backed silt screen with specified wire gauge and post depth; a revised revegetation plan per the Town Environmental Analyst (Theresa Masin) that produces a vegetative buffer extending at least 30 feet landward from the tidal wetland boundary; prohibition on fences seaward of the buffer; and export of soils not usable for OWTS elevation or septic backfill. A final inspection by the Town Environmental Analyst is required prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
The minutes say the Building Inspector issued a Stop Work Order after discovering the preexisting dwelling had been substantially demolished in a way that did not comport with the original permit; the applicants explained that original framing did not meet modern structural standards and submitted the current application on Nov. 17, 2025. The record also notes the project site lies partially within FEMA Flood Zone AE (Elevation 6) and that the applicants previously obtained a DEC Letter of No Jurisdiction dated Dec. 21, 2017. The board’s approval is expressly conditioned on implementing the listed mitigation and permitting requirements.
