Planning Board – Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 - 6:00 p.m.

*Pursuant to Governor Gina M. Raimondo Executive Order 20-46, dated June 12, 2020, as extended, and Executive Order 20-100, dated November 30, 2020, as extended, this meeting was only conducted via Zoom.

 

A. CALL TO ORDER –

Mr. Hall called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

 

B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE

 

Members present:           Chair James A. Hall, IV, Vice Chair Richard W. Constantine, Secretary Christopher K. Lawlor, Alternate Secretary Justin M. Hopkins, and Members Joseph M. Montesano and Andrew Delisio

 

Members absent:             None.

 

Staff present:                   Assistant Solicitor for Planning & Zoning Atty. Scott Levesque, Town Planner Nancy Letendre, Principal Planner Alyse Oziolor, Information Technology Technician Lanny Fuller, and Minute Taker Stephanie J. LaSota

 

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

1. January 5, 2021 Special Meeting – Mr. Hopkins made a motion to approve the January 5, 2021 meeting minutes as submitted. Mr. Delisio seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA –

Review, discussion, and possible action by the Planning Board on changes to the agenda, including known continuances and the order in which items will be heard.

 

There were no changes to the agenda.

 

E. OLD BUSINESS

 

1. Next Steps Toward State Approval of Comprehensive Plan - Review, discussion, and continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on preparing for State approval of the Comprehensive Plan.

 

Ms. Letendre stated Town Council adopted the 2020 Comprehensive Plan at their January 20 public hearing with a few changes. She described the changes to the Planning Board, which included a compromise on language related to commercial recreation zoning and ensuring all right of ways listed in Section 2.5 reflect what is included in the Westerly Harbor Management Plan. She described concerns on using the term “form-based code” and revisions were made to satisfy Town Council. Ms. Letendre said her professional opinion is that removing the language did not affect the concept of neighborhood planning, but makes it clear that the Department of Development Services (DDS) must provide more education on the topic. She said the Comprehensive Plan is available on www.WesterlyRI.gov and was also submitted today to Statewide Planning for review and approval.  

 

F. NEW BUSINESS

 

1. Updating Land Development and Subdivision Application Checklists - Review, discussion, and possible action and/or continuation to a future by the Planning Board on DRAFT Land Development and Subdivision checklists:

 

• Major and Minor Subdivision Checklist

• Major Commercial Land Development Checklist

• Major and Minor Residential Land Development

 

Ms. Letendre described the documents and their contents to the Board. Mr. Montesano observed the documents are user friendly and appear to be helpful to applicants. Board members suggested some minor edits to the documents. Mr. Lawlor advised planning staff to include review by the Department of Utilities regarding potential effects of proposed development projects on Town resources as well as the capacity of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He mentioned some project proposals that concern him in regard to possible strain on the plant’s available capacity and machinery. Ms. Letendre replied staff has already begun to address capacity of utilities in Board reviews. She described some conversations with Town staff as well as area fire district personnel. Ms. Letendre asked Mr. Lawlor to share via email the specific language he referenced and that there will be work done to better integrate the Department of Utilities in the process.

Mr. Lawlor made a motion that the Westerly Planning Board adopt the revised Land Development and Subdivision Application checklists. Mr. Montesano seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

2. Planning Board 2020 Annual Report Draft - Review, discussion, and continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on preparing the Planning Board 2020 Annual Report.

 

Ms. Oziolor shared the document to the screen in the Zoom meeting. Ms. Letendre reminded the Board that no annual report was provided to Town Council in 2019.  The 2020 Annual Report includes 18 months of activity including the last six months of 2019. She described the contents of the document, including the highlights for 2020.  She added that virtual meetings will continue as long as the State allows it.

There was further discussion on the topic of “form-based code” and its meaning. Mr. Constantine suggested DDS refer to it as “community planning.” Ms. Letendre agreed and said neighborhood and community planning was always part of the plan. There was brief discussion on the interpretation of the language and that there is already a consensus of support from the Town Council on the intended actions conveyed through the language despite the changes.

Ms. Letendre continued to review the contents of the annual report, including discussion of Ms. Oziolor’s contribution to the research and work on local environmental resiliency with the Economic Development Commission (EDC.) There was discussion on the Planning Board’s time spent in meetings, Comprehensive Plan work, and review of current pending applications and things to be aware of for the future.  A few suggested changes to the content of the report were also discussed.

Mr. Lawlor asked for the rationale in listing in the annual report specific organizations involved in the Comprehensive Plan draft process. Staff explained the language was taken directly from the plan and the listed organizations were involved from the start of the planning process. It was also discussed that DDS is awaiting further direction regarding the process of the new Zoning Ordinance revisions and the Golf Course Ordinance. Mr. Hopkins asked for further information on applications that had expired with no action. Ms. Letendre referred the Board to a spreadsheet at the end of the report that lists projects in review and their status. She said there is an internal document that lists projects in discussion. After some conversation, it was decided that Planning staff would provide the Board with a monthly report on the status of projects and attach it to the regular meeting agenda.

Ms. Letendre said she will finalize the annual report this week and Planning Board may vote to approve at February 16 meeting after which it will be sent to the Town Council.

 

G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

 

Administrative Actions - Report on the following administrative decisions, extensions and/or other actions of the Administrative Officer taken from January 5, 2021 to February 2, 2021:

 

• Approval of Administrative Subdivision – Spence Administrative Subdivision, 69 & 71 Crandall Ave | AP 164, Lots 212 & 213

• Final Approval of Ground Solar Installation, 47 Quarry Road | AP 55, Lot 3

• Administrative approval of a minor modification to conditions for South Drive Condominium Development – Substituting Unit 15 for Unit 17 as a designated LMI unit in Phase 2.

 

Ms. Letendre provided a brief review of the administrative actions listed on the agenda.

 

H. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING

 

February 16, 2021 Regular Meeting - Members of the Planning Board are asked to notify the Administrative Officer if they will not be present at the next regular meeting.

 

The following applications are anticipated:

 

• Planning Case No. 2020-MJS-01 | 60 Ledward Avenue (Assessor’s Map 68, Lot 74) Master Plan submission for a proposed 11 lot subdivision with waivers

• Planning Case No. 2020-MJLD-08 – Avondale Heights (165 East Avenue | Assessor’s Map 107, Lot 57) Master Plan submission for proposed multi-family residential land development with waivers

 

March 2, 2021 Special Meeting - Members of the Planning Board are asked to notify the Administrative Officer if they will not be present at this next special meeting.

 

Atty Levesque stated he would not be available on March 2. There was discussion that Planning staff consider scheduling any administrative matters from the March special meeting to the March regular meeting.

 

I. ADJOURNMENT –

 Mr. Constantine made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Stephanie J. LaSota

Minute Taker

 

Approved by vote of the Board on February 16, 2021