GLOCESTER – A father and son team is set operate a seasonal haunted trail on a currently vacant lot on Route 44, following recent approval of a use variance by the Glocester Zoning Board.
Paul DiMascio of Cranston plans to purchase the 8.82-acre property from current owner Polly Barnes with hopes to open the seasonal attraction. The wooded lot is situated by Chestnut Oak Road in an area with little activity, and only a self storage business nearby.
According to a decision recorded by zoners after presentation in January, DiMascio’s son, Dean DiMascio, has previous experience running such an attraction at Universal Studios Orlando’s Halloween Nights.
It was the pair’s second attempt to win approval for the concept. When the DiMascios applied for a similar project on a different lot on Putnam Pike last year, residents turned out against the proposal.
“The first location was met with significant resistance from neighboring property owners,” the decision notes.
At the more recent meeting with zoners on Thursday, Jan. 23, Attorney Timothy Kane represented the applicant in the bid for a use variance to operate recreational activity in the agricultural residential zone. Kane noted that the new location for the project is on a large lot with “significant” ledge next to a commercial district. Carla Zimmerman, the listing agent for the lot, told zoners that the parcel, listed for $175,000, has been on the market since last June and initially attracted interest, but had not been sold due to the amount of ledge. The older DiMascio had signed an agreement to purchase the land, contingent on approval of the use by zoners.
Dean DiMascio told zoners that the new haunted trail will be open just 24 days annually, with nothing operating on the lot for the remainder of the year. The attraction will be situated near the middle of property to allow for maximum buffer, and parking for 155 vehicles. It will be open from mid September through the end of October, operating from 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
The applicants said the project will require no septic, wells or permanent lighting, and that signage will alert drivers of the location on Route 44. Tickets will be sold online, with adult supervision required for guests under age 16 and security detail – in the form of current or former police officers – will be posted by the entrance. They noted there will be no food at the attraction or food trucks on site.
The project had received a positive recommendation from the Planning Board and this time, no one spoke at the public hearing.
Zoners unanimously approved the use variance contingent on the business receiving annual fire and building permits, posting two signs on Route 44 and returning before the board for any proposed expansions.
