Panel sends Orient Ave. house proposal to zoning board
By Sam Bari

After intense debate, a divided Planning Commission approved plans at the March 7 meeting for a house at 86 Orient Ave.

The plans will now go before the Zoning Board of Review.

The planning board's 4-3 vote required a variety of concessions on the part of Beth Smith, the applicant, to convince the commissioners that the plans met their standards for new construction.

The commission heard the application for the first time on Feb. 7 when it asked the applicant to address several issues that included a proposed pool, back deck and an accessory apartment.

The commissioners said they would like to see a much smaller design that provided less impact to the site. They also said that the setbacks should be in compliance with zoning regulations.

Architect Chris Tucker who represented the applicant said that he removed the pool from the plans, reduced the size of the house to fit within the 30-foot setbacks, and addressed the issues concerning fill. Town Engineer Michael Gray and environmental scientist Justin Jobin wrote in their report that the current revised plan reduced the amount of proposed fill and addressed the issues that troubled the commissioners in the initial presentation.

Town Planner Lisa Bryer pointed out that under current ordinances the revised design of the house was within the allowed percentage of impervious coverage. Commissioner Jean Brown agreed, adding that the two-story garage that was in question did not affect the impervious area. Commissioner Barry Holland also agreed with Bryer, saying that the design was "not an unreasonable plan."

Commissioner Victor Calabretta felt that the plan was "stretching" the use of the property. Chairman Gary Girard recommended a three-bedroom deed restriction on the property if it was approved. That restriction was included in the approved plan.

Girard, Calabretta and Commissioner Betty Hubbard cast the dissenting votes.

In new business, Warwick surveyor Marcus Channell represented applicant Mike Evans in his request for a minor two-lot subdivision without street creation on Southwest Avenue.

The application proposed to subdivide one additional lot from one existing lot to create two lots.

The property has street frontage on two public streets, Clarke Street, a town road, and Southwest Avenue, a state road. Both lots will be serviced by public water and sewer and the applicant will provide a letter from the public works director verifying those claims. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the application.

Jamestown Attorney Quentin Anthony represented the Bay Voyage Hotel and Restaurant and presented their application for a special use permit and variance with the assistance of architect Jack Evans of Newport Collaborative Architects, and A. J. Schindler, the maintenance engineer for the chain of Eastern Resorts.

The Bay Voyage at 150 Conanicus Ave. is in an R-20 residential district and currently operates as a non-conforming use under an existing special use permit.

The applicant requested an amendment to the special use permit to construct a 521-square-foot deck at the southeast corner of the existing building. Additionally they requested a variance to replace the existing sign at the Conanicus Avenue entrance with a slightly larger one. However, during the presentation, Schindler said that the sign would measure 32-inches by 52-inches to be in compliance with zoning regulations.

In her report, Bryer said that "I met with Quentin Anthony, the attorney for the applicant and discussed the project with the building official." She continued to say that it seemed prudent for the Planning Commission to review the project because of its commercial nature and prominent location. She also said that the Planning Department is recommending that the Planning Commission review the proposed amendments and provide a recommendation to the zoning board.

Hubbard asked if the deck was going to provide extra seating for the restaurant. She also was concerned that the deck might be used for entertainment and live music.

Schindler assured her that the deck was designed to provide alternative seating for restaurant patrons, and would not increase the seating capacity. He also said that the deck would never be used for live entertainment, and mentioned that the hotel had never had a complaint about excessive noise.

The commissioners voted unanimously for approval.