Zoning Board Of Appeals Meeting — October 1, 2026

The Swansea Zoning Board of Appeals met on October 1, 2026, to address multiple continued and new petitions involving variances and special permits. Early in the meeting, the board took up continued petition 3289 regarding Sunset Bluff LLC and Paul Cody's short-term rental operations. In response to complaints from neighbor Doug Michaels regarding noise, fires, and parking, the board noted that municipal counsel KP Law had not provided legal guidance and that the town's nuisance bylaw fell outside the board's enforcement powers. Consequently, the board voted unanimously to table petition 3289 indefinitely until a formal town bylaw addressing short-term rentals could be developed.

The board then approved a special permit for PetSmart to install illuminated signage, including 4-foot-high wall lettering, secondary service signs, and an additional side sign on Swansea Mall Road. Attorney Peter Salino presented petition 3295 for the Rainey Family Nominee Trust, seeking variances to divide a merged lot and establish building setbacks on Gifford Street. Citing recently amended Chapter 40A standards regarding practical difficulty and housing creation, the board approved the special permit and variances despite drainage and septic concerns raised by abutter Joshua Cheney. Petitioner James Wilson also received approval under petition 3296 for setback variances to install a prefabricated storage shed at 352 Mount Fair Circle.

The final major matter involved petitions 3297 and 3298 for Ronald Oliveira at 52 and 58 Rhinecliff Road, represented by attorney Nicholas Gomes. The applicant proposed adjusting boundary lines between two nonconforming lots to allow the construction of two raised-ranch single-family homes in place of existing dilapidated structures. Despite objections from abutters Michael Raposa and another neighbor concerning the statutory merger doctrine, historical drainage problems, and wetland issues, the board voted to abandon earlier petitions 3281 and 3287 and unanimously approved the requested variances and special permits for 3297 and 3298. The meeting concluded after the approval of previous meeting minutes and a vote to adjourn.

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