Newport
Sunapee Street LLC, of Naples, Fla., which bought the former Ruger Mill property last year for $1.1 million, needs a variance to construct about 70 market rate apartments in the three-story, 70,000-square-foot brick building, according to the Zoning Board meeting notice.
The 28-acre property at 169 Sunapee St. sits in three different zones: single family, general residential and industrial.
Last month, the mill was named to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The designation does not impose any restrictions or limitations on the building, but will allow the owners to apply for tax credits and grants from programs such as the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, or LCHIP, and the state Conservation and Heritage License Plate Program, according to the federal Department of Interior.
The Dexter Richards and Sons Woolen Mill was built in 1905 and was last used for storage of vintage automobiles by building owner William Ruger Jr. The building currently is vacant. It is assessed at $1.25 million.
If the ZBA approves the variance, site plan approval will be needed from the Planning Board.
In a separate application before the Zoning Board, the mill owners want a variance for self-storage use at 21 Cross St., which is in the light industrial and commercial zoning districts and a short distance from the mill.
Also seeking a variance for apartments in an industrial zone are the owners of the building at 20 South Main St.
Zahari Realty wants to construct 12 apartments on the second floor. The building’s only tenant is Dunkin’ Donuts, at the northwest corner of the building. Formerly home to Arlington Sample Book, it was renovated a few years ago but, save for Dunkin’ Donuts, there are no new tenants in the commercial space.
The Zoning Board meets at 6:30 p.m. in the selectmen’s room of the town offices.
