East Greenwich zoning board weighs two housing-related variance requests

The East Greenwich Zoning Board of Review heard two housing-related applications at its July 28, 2026, meeting, but neither matter reached a final approval or construction authorization. The board considered a use-variance request for 1540 Frenchtown Road and continued the 112 Mawney Street application to August 25 because of a noticing error.

Both matters concern requests to depart from specific zoning requirements. A variance is not the same as a building permit, a completed project or a final decision on whether construction may proceed.

Replacement home proposed on Frenchtown Road

Miles Daileader’s application concerns a two-acre property at 1540 Frenchtown Road in the town’s F-2 farming/residential zoning district. The July 28 agenda describes a proposal to demolish one of two existing dwellings on the lot and construct a new single-family dwelling at a different location, leaving two dwelling units where one is permitted.

The application package identifies an existing 2,100-square-foot single-family residence and proposes a 2,800-square-foot single-family replacement residence in the rear of the property. Because the proposal would retain two dwelling units under the cited zoning standard, the filing is identified as a use variance request. The available records do not establish that the board granted that relief.

Applicant’s stated hardship argument

In the application, Daileader says the existing structure is located within the required front setback along a major collector road. The filing describes that location as creating physical and mental hardship for the owners and says the condition was not caused by the current owners.

The application also argues that the proposal would be compatible with the surrounding area and the town’s comprehensive-plan density designation. Those are arguments submitted by the applicant, not findings by the Zoning Board. The records reviewed for this article do not show a final decision on the use-variance request.

Garage and ADU request at Mawney Street

The second case involves 112 Mawney Street, an R-10 residential property owned by Joshua Cuplo. Sean LaMotte is identified in the application as the architect and applicant. The proposal calls for a detached, two-story structure measuring 35 feet by 24 feet.

The first floor would include a two-car garage and fitness space. The second floor would contain an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. The application seeks a side setback of 7.5 feet where 15 feet is required, as well as permission for a 25-foot structure where the cited ADU standard permits a maximum height of 20 feet.

The application says the setback relief would allow the structure to fit without disrupting the existing driveway configuration and would maintain circulation between the rear yard and driveway. It says the height relief would help coordinate the roof lines of the existing and proposed structures and address framing requirements, while noting that the property is in the historic district. Those explanations remain applicant assertions and are not board findings.

Next public step is scheduled for Aug. 25

The Zoning Board agenda states that the Mawney Street application was continued to the Aug. 25, 2026, meeting because of a noticing error. That continuation is a scheduling and procedural action, not a substantive approval or denial.

The town’s Current Applications page lists the Frenchtown Road materials with the July 28 zoning-board meeting and the Mawney Street materials with the August 25 meeting. Residents can consult that page and later meeting records for any decision, conditions or revised documents.

As of Aug. 3, 2026, the records show two pending requests for zoning relief: one involving a proposed replacement dwelling while retaining two dwelling units on the Frenchtown Road property, and another involving a proposed ADU above a detached garage on Mawney Street.

Sources

• East Greenwich Zoning Board of Review agenda, July 28, 2026