Bigger Slice of the Pie: Planning Commission Agenda for Tuesday, January 14, 2025

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, January 14, 2025 at 7:00pm and is typically held in the City Council room and/or Mayor’s conference room at Rye City Hall Hall. The meetings provide a look at upcoming developments in Rye, ensuring community members stay informed about significant property changes and planning decisions.

Its 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.

The Rye City Council is considering a moratorium on large scale development.

Properties being discussed:

88 Purchase Street

945 Forest Avenue

21 Ellsworth Street

16 Harbor Terrace Drive

154 Stuyvesant Avenue

83 Orchard Avenue

The Agenda

There are three hearings and multiple items pending action. Here’s a closer look at the agenda:

Hearings

• 88 Purchase Street
  • Approval Required: Site Plan (SP#409)
  • Applicant: Laura Policicchio
  • Proposal: Expansion of the existing Sunrise Pizza & Restaurant into an adjacent vacant ground-floor space.
  • Details: The proposed expansion aims to utilize the vacant space to enhance the restaurant’s offerings and customer experience.
  • Plans: View project plans online [note: we have requested the correct file link from Rye City Hall].
• 945 Forest Avenue
  • Approval Required: Wetland Permit (WP#554)
  • Applicant: Olga & Raphael Vasconcellos
  • Proposal: The plan involves removing an existing sunroom to construct a one-story addition, expanding the patio with a new pergola, installing a swimming pool, and adding a walking path and retaining wall.
  • Plans: View project plans online.
• 21 Ellsworth Street
  • Approval Required: Wetland Permit (WP#537)
  • Applicant: Allison Oquendo & Andres Lopez
  • Proposal: Addition of a first-floor mudroom to a property partially located within a 100-foot wetland buffer zone.
  • Plans: View project plans online.

Items Pending Action

• All three items listed above +
• 16 Harbor Terrace Drive
  • Approval Required: Wetland Permit (WP#555)
  • Applicant: Kristen and Kevin Wilson
  • Proposal: Replacement and relocation of a wooden deck, sono tube footings, and construction of a retaining wall for a partially raised driveway.
  • Plans: View project plans online.
• 154 Stuyvesant Avenue
  • Approval Required: Wetland Permit (WP#557)
  • Applicant: Martin & Caroline O’Mahoney
  • Proposal: Construction of a new residence featuring a deck, terraced patio, dock, inground pool, and pergola.
  • Plans: View project plans online.
• 83 Orchard Avenue
  • Approval Required: Tree Removal Permit (TR#007)
  • Applicant: Cathal Maguire
  • Proposal: Removal of nine trees with diameters ranging from 6 to 36 inches.
  • Plans: View project plans online.

The commission will also review and approve minutes from prior meetings. Residents can attend and voice their opinions on these projects that may impact the community.

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