Planning Board – Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 - 6:00 p.m.

(Pursuant to Governor Gina M. Raimondo Executive Order 20-105, updated December 11, 2020, this meeting was held via Zoom as all public meetings shall be held virtually, and no members of the public body should be convening in person.)

Council Chambers, Westerly Town Hall
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891

 

 

A. CALL TO ORDER –

Mr. Hall called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, 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

 

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. December 15, 2020 Meeting – Mr. Lawlor made a motion to approve the December 15, 2020 Planning Board meeting minutes as submitted. Mr. Constantine 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

There was no old business to discuss.

F. NEW BUSINESS

1. Administrative Subdivision Checklist Review, discussion, and possible action and/or continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on the DRAFT Administrative Subdivision checklist.

 

Ms. Letendre presented the proposed administrative subdivision checklist and provided some background on the administrative subdivision application and approval process.  She showed a few examples of recent administrative subdivisions approved by the Administrative Officer on the Zoom screen. 

Mr. Montesano made a motion to approve the administrative subdivision checklist. Mr. Constantine seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

2. 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 reviewed the memorandum linked to the agenda outlining the process for achieving State approval of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Hall mentioned that the Town Council held a public hearing the previous night about the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Letendre confirmed and added that there was a lot of public comment, primarily focused on the Commercial Recreation and Rights-of-Way to the Shore, and that the Public Hearing was continued to January 20th.  There was discussion about the process moving forward toward approving the Comprehensive Plan.  Ms. Letendre discussed the next steps in State approval after the Town Council adopts the Comprehensive Plan.  There was discussion about the significance of State approval.  Mr. Levesque noted that the Plan is effective locally even if not adopted Statewide.

Mr. Constantine mentioned that he listened to the Town Council Public Hearing and was concerned about comments made by Mr. Sculco regarding form-based code and would like the Planning Office to be prepared to answer questions about that topic and prepare educational materials. The public needs to know that nothing will happen in the community unless the community wants it to happen. Mr. Levesque noted that any implementation of form-based code would require a lengthy approval process with extensive discussion and public hearings.  There was discussion about the best way to educate the public. A decision was made to create a one-page pamphlet/illustration about form-based code in addition to being prepared to answer any questions brought up by the public or Town Councilors. The Planning Office will be taking on this task.

Mr. Levesque mentioned that Mr. Hall represented the Planning Board well at the Town Council Public Hearing.  Mr. Hall indicated that some “less than kind words” were spoken about the Planning Board at the Hearing and read aloud a State rule of disciplinary conduct for attorneys.  He then noted that the Planning Board has 2 vacancies and encouraged any residents particularly curious about how the Board operates to join the Planning Board.

 

3. Comprehensive Plan Implementation Review, discussion, and continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on implementing the Comprehensive Plan.

Ms. Letendre shared a PowerPoint presentation on the Zoom screen and began discussion of implementing the Comprehensive Plan. She discussed the fact that the plan contains a 20-year projection, but it is really a 10-year plan to be updated before expiration. She went over changes to the vision since 2010 and then led a discussion on how the Planning Board and Town of Westerly can promote the Vision. Mr. Constantine recommended that the vision be placed on the municipal website homepage, not just the Planning Office webpage. He also suggested a framed sign be placed in Town Hall.  The Board also expressed approval for including the vision statement in correspondence, on the Board’s agendas and provide reference to the vision in its decision-making. There was further discussion on public input and the possibility of an annual survey.

Ms. Letendre continued the presentation, going over a variety of maps from the Comprehensive Plan and discussed how to ensure consistency of development with the values outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, and Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.  She discussed the review process and how the Economic Development Commission and Architectural Review Board fit into the Planning Board’s review.

 

4. Future Land Use Amendment Review, discussion, and continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.

 

Ms. Letendre continued reviewing the PowerPoint presentation and discussed existing zoning and zoning overlays. Mr. Constantine indicated that the Bed and Breakfast Overlay is confusing. Ms. Letendre responded that the illustration of the B&B Overlay was dramatic because of the method used to define the district boundaries in the existing Zoning Ordinance.   She stated that DDS would be looking into revisions of this overlay, and that Airbnb and VRBO are bigger issues within this topic. Other overlays to be addressed in the near future would be the Aquifer Protection Overlay District (APOD) and the River Corridor Overlay District (RCOD).  Both are expected to be drafted and discussed at public workshops in 2021.

            Ms. Letendre announced that no Planning applications have been received for the January 19, 2021 meeting. Ms. Letendre went over possible topics to be discussed at the next regular meeting, including the APOD and shipping container regulations, and asked if the Planning Board had other topics they would like to discuss. Mr. Montesano noted that there are competing views on the RCOD and that there needs to be a balance between economic development and conservation. Mr. Hopkins noted that he had worked on a project 6-7 years ago for a river center on Canal Street but that the Town Council had concerns regarding who would finance and maintain the site. Mr. Hall mentioned he would like to meet with the EDC to discuss how public-private partnership might work for such a project. Ms. Letendre affirmed the plan is to get more people out on the water and that the EDC is discussing this topic in their plan for Downtown. The EDC is also working on a plan for the Route 1 corridor and will be engaging the ARB as well. Ms. Letendre indicated that the Planning Board’s Special Meeting on March 4^th may be a good time for the EDC to come and discuss these plans with the Planning Board.

 

G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

1. Administrative Actions Report on the following administrative decisions, extensions and/or other actions of the Administrative Officer taken from December 15, 2020 to January 5, 2021:

 

• Approval of Final Minor Subdivision – Dittrich Administrative Subdivision, 11 Wayland Street | AP 33, Lots 26 & 27

 

Ms. Letendre reviewed the listed item on the report and mentioned that this was discussed with the administrative subdivision checklist. She noted that early Master Plan applications for 60 Ledward Avenue and 165 East Avenue have been submitted but are incomplete at this time.  The applicant has been instructed to complete their application before January 20^th to be prepared for the February regular meeting. Both would be publicly advertised and have had a lot of public interest up to this point.

 

H. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS

1. January 19, 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.

Mr. Hopkins asked if he could start the Planning Board meeting, leave for a professional obligation and later rejoin the meeting. Mr. Constantine asked if Zoom meetings will likely be available after the pandemic is over.  He noted that it is easier to always have a quorum under such allowances.  Ms. Letendre responded that there is talk of possibly moving that direction, as well as allowing fully electronic application submissions.

 

I. ADJOURNMENT –

Mr. Constantine made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Alyse Oziolor

Principal Planner  

 

Dated and submitted by:

Stephanie J. LaSota, Minute Taker

 

 

Approved by vote of the Board on February 2, 2021