Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting — September 3, 2026

The Swansea Zoning Board of Appeals met on September 3, 2026, handling housekeeping payments and several continued and new petitions. During preliminary business, the board voted to approve administrative payments for posting notices and clerk fees. Turning to the docket, the board took up Petition 3276 regarding Mount Hope Pond, which concerned an appeal of the building inspector's determination on a battery storage system; after hearing public concern from resident Don Neneman and noting that the applicants were absent and far past their filing deadlines, the board voted unanimously to deny the petition without further continuances.

The board then addressed multiple residential and commercial variance requests. Hearings for Petitions 3281 and 3287 for Ronald Oliveira regarding lot line reconfigurations at 52 and 58 Reinkliff were continued to the October meeting after discussions on required engineering filings and input from neighbor Joe McCullough regarding lot merger rules. Petition 3288 for James and Patricia Keighley was approved for a front yard setback variance of 20.5 feet for a porch and roof extension. The board held an extensive hearing on Petition 3289 for Sunset Bluff 1720 LLC and Paul Cody, appealing a short-term rental violation notice issued by Building Commissioner Antunes. Attorney Arthur Frank argued the town zoning bylaws do not prohibit short-term rentals, while neighboring residents raised substantial noise, occupancy, and parking issues. The board voted to continue Petition 3289 to October 1 to seek counsel from the town solicitor and investigate state building code requirements.

In remaining business, the board reviewed Petition 3291 for Dennis Turgeon, represented by Bob Berry of Proline Engineering, seeking a variance and special permit to connect an existing dwelling and cottage and construct an oversized 28-by-30-foot garage on a non-conforming lot on Pleasant Street. The board approved the application with the stipulation that the garage be set back at least 6 feet from the property line. Petitions 3292 for Lisa White and 3293 for Caitlin Hansen and Rabbit Properties LLC were both granted withdrawal without prejudice. Finally, the board approved the minutes of the July meeting before adjourning.

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