(PHOTO: Project Location Map. The Rye Nature Center is planning a new driveway that will avoid crossing the Blind Brook entirely. The driveway will start in the snowfield parking lot off the Boston Post Road across from Rye High School.)
(PHOTO: Project Location Map. The Rye Nature Center is planning a new driveway that will avoid crossing the Blind Brook entirely. The driveway will start in the snowfield parking lot off the Boston Post Road across from Rye High School.)

Disclosure: This story was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Feedback on our stories is welcome.

The Rye City Planning Commission is responsible for decisions on a variety of land use applications including site plans, subdivisions, wetland permits, coastal consistency determinations, special use permits and outdoor dining permits. The Commission also periodically provides advisory recommendations to the City Council regarding long-range planning concerns and zoning matters.

The next commission meeting is on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 7:00pm. Please note a venue change for this meeting: it will be held on the second floor of the Locust Avenue Firehouse at 15 Locust Avenue.

The meetings provide a look at upcoming developments in Rye, ensuring community members stay informed about significant property changes and planning decisions.

The commission’s seven members are Nicholas Everett (chair), Andrew Ball, Laura Brett, Dan Bsharat, Rick Schaupp, Steven Secon and Jamie Jensen (councilmember liaison). Read Meet the Planning Commission and its Chair Nick Everett.

Plans and application materials can be viewed here. Note: due to “security and privacy concerns” as of April 1, 2025, viewing plans online “plans will be available for approximately one week after posting of the meeting agenda on the City’s website. Those wishing to view plans will also be required to login”.

Properties Being Discussed:

  • 92 Mendota Avenue: Wetland Permit for the installation of a four-foot-high cedar fence.
  • 96 Mendota Avenue: Wetland Permit for the installation of a four-foot-high aluminum fence.
  • 506 Midland Avenue: Wetland Permit for the remediation and removal of unpermitted fill and stone debris from a regulated wetland.
  • 873 Boston Post Road (Rye Nature Center): Advisory referral from City Council regarding a proposed new vehicle access driveway on City-owned property.
  • 261 Kirby Lane: Wetland Permit to construct a 26-inch fieldstone wall adjacent to the north property line within the regulated wetland buffer.

I. Public Hearings

  1. 92 Mendota Avenue
    1. Required Approval(s): Wetland Permit (WP#581)
    2. Location: 92 Mendota Avenue (Sheet 139.19, Block 2, Lot 17)
    3. Applicant: Brian Jankovsky
    4. Project Description: Installation of a four-foot-high cedar fence in a regulated wetland area.
  1. 96 Mendota Avenue
    1. Required Approval(s): Wetland Permit (WP#583)
    2. Location: 96 Mendota Avenue (Sheet 139.19, Block 2, Lot 16)
    3. Applicant: Peter Sanders
    4. Project Description: Installation of a four-foot-high aluminum fence in a regulated wetland area.
  1. 506 Midland Avenue
    1. Required Approval(s): Wetland Permit (WP#483)
    2. Location: 506 Midland Avenue (Sheet 146.8, Block 1, Lot 48)
    3. Applicant: Rubenstein Estates LLC
    4. Project Description: Implementation of a remediation plan involving the removal of fill and stone debris previously placed within a regulated wetland without a required wetland permit.

II. Work Session

  1. 92 Mendota Avenue – See description above.
  2. 96 Mendota Avenue – See description under above.
  3. 506 Midland Avenue – See description under above.
  4. Nature Center Access Drive – Advisory Referral from City Council
    1. Required Approval(s): Wetland Permit, Tree Removal, LWRP Consistency – Advisory Review
    2. Location: 873 Boston Post Road (Sheet 146.10, Block 2, Lot 23)
    3. Applicant: Friends of Rye Nature Center
    4. Project Description: Advisory review for the construction of a new vehicle access driveway serving the Friends of Rye Nature Center on City-owned property. The realignment aims to improve access safety while undergoing review for stormwater management, wetland buffer impacts, and coastal consistency.
  5. 261 Kirby Lane
    1. Required Approval(s): Wetland Permit (WP#584)
    2. Location: 261 Kirby Lane (Sheet 147.09, Block 1, Lot 3)
    3. Applicant: Hugh & Mary Cullman
    4. Project Description: Installation of a 26-inch-high freestanding fieldstone wall adjacent to the north property line located inside the 100-foot coastal wetland buffer zone.

III. Minutes

Review and approval of prior Planning Commission meeting minutes.

Beatrice Larzul is a Staff Writer at MyRye.com. She is a Rye resident and a graduate of Williams College with a degree in English and geosciences.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *