Planning Board – Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 - 6:00 p.m.

Council Chambers, Westerly Town Hall

45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891

 

* Pursuant to Governor Gina M. Raimondo Executive Order 20-46, dated June 12, 2020, as extended, and Governor Daniel J. McKee’s Executive Order 20-46, dated May 7, 2021, as extended, this meeting was held via Zoom conference.

 

 

 

A. CALL TO ORDER –

Mr. Hopkins called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

 

B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE

 

Members present:           Chair Justin M. Hopkins, IV, Secretary Christopher K. Lawlor, and Members Joseph M. Montesano, Andrew Delisio, Kevin Lowther, and Auxiliary Member Tabitha Harkin

 

Members absent:            Vice Chair Richard W. Constantine

 

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

 

Town Council Liaison Phillip M. Overton was present at the meeting.

 

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

1. June 1, 2021 – Mr. Lawlor made a motion to approve the June 1, 2021 Planning Board meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Montesano seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

2. June 15, 2021 – Mr. Lawlor made a motion to approve the June 15, 2021 Planning Board meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Delisio seconded the motion. Mr. Montesano abstained from voting as he was absent from the June 15 meeting. The motion CARRIED.

 

E. OLD BUSINESS

 

1. Economic Strategy and Initiatives for Downtown and Route 1 Commercial Corridors Follow-up discussion on the Economic Development Commission’s presentation and discussion on the Downtown and Route 1 Corridor vision and economic strategy.

 

Ms. Letendre updated the Planning Board on the work being done by the EDC and the Planning Office on the economic strategy and initiatives for Westerly’s Downtown and Route 1 commercial corridor. She relayed a message from the EDC requesting collaboration and the delegation of project tasks among the two Boards. She said Planning staff is taking advantage of recent opportunities in the North End to engage with the community. She asked the Planning Board to contact staff if they are interested in helping with this. There was further discussion on how to move forward with both projects and the vision for Route 1 revitalization as a livable and walkable community.

 

F. NEW BUSINESS

 

1. SNEP Network Technical Assistance Application Review - Review, discussion, and approval by the Planning Board on the SNEP (Southeast New England Program) Network Round II Call for Participants (CFP) for technical assistance to support the Downtown Stormwater Project.

 

Ms. Letendre reminded the Board that the Planning Office is partnering with the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District (SRICD) to receive SNEP funds. She shared that the EDC supported SRICD’s endeavors through the donation of their remaining 2020 fiscal year budget of $2,500. It was explained that the staff memo to the Planning Board describes the project’s synergy with the 2020 Comprehensive Plan and Downtown strategies and staff is seeking a motion to endorse the application technical assistance. Mr. Montesano said he would be interested in receiving quarterly updates on the project. Ms. Letendre said DDS will create a team made up of Town staff, Board members, and community partners. She said they already have many contacts that would like to be involved.

Mr. Lawlor made a motion that the Town of Westerly Planning Board hereby finds that the proposed project for which SNEP Technical Assistance is being sought is consistent with the Town of Westerly 2020- 2040 Comprehensive Plan, as presented in the Office of Planning memorandum dated July 19, 2021 with the subject line ‘SNEP Network Technical Assistance Application Review. Planning Board supports this application for technical assistance. The Planning Board is dedicated to furthering the proposed project, in partnership with the EDC, Town Staff, SRICD, and private partners, and appreciates the opportunity that the SNEP Network is providing to the Town of Westerly. Mr. Delisio seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

2. North End Neighborhood Plan Update Review and discussion by the Planning Board on the North End Neighborhood Plan initiatives and updates.

 

Present for the discussion were Carla White, the executive director of The Greater North End Community Development, Inc., and David Iacomini, a member of the Board of Directors for the group. Ms. Letendre said she hopes to plan a meeting with them, Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Lowther, who both volunteered to participate in North End matters. Ms. White, a resident of Pierce Street, said she has been involved for 15 years with the group and is enthused about reviving efforts in the area. She affirmed she would like some things from the 2003 North End neighborhood plan to be implemented. Mr. Iacomini thanked the Planning Board for their time. He noted five of the nine North End key planning concepts as written in their 2003 neighborhood plan are also part of The Greater North End Community Development, Inc’s formal mission statement. He explained the group aims to promote the furtherance of a community neighborhood identity, commercial development, and it supports a gainful community as it helps to create a happier community.

Mr. Lawlor added he never walked in that area of Westerly but will soon plan a visit to do so to see what Ms. White and Mr. Iacomini are talking about. There was discussion that frequent Town staff changes, and lack of funding may have been obstacles for implementing components of the North End’2003 neighborhood plan. Ms. White reported one North End gateway was established at High and Pierce Street, but the entrance to the area via Canal Street needs to be addressed as there is a difficult intersection there. She mentioned the vacant National Grid lot becoming public parking is a welcomed project for the group, whose goal is to see the North End be more pleasant and safe to walk. Ms. White noted more community green space is needed as many kids play in the streets here because most homes have tiny yards or no yards at all. She advised that nearby parks, Craig Field and Gingerella Sports Complex, need to be more safely accessible for area youth. Ms. Letendre replied that the Town would like to see this done as part of the Downtown corridor study. There was further discussion that Zone changes may be needed, particularly dimensional changes, improvements to public infrastructure, and a stronger marketing for the integration of small businesses into a livable walkable area. Ms. Letendre mentioned that the North End is the densest area of the community and the least expensive area to live. Westerly is quickly losing areas that are affordable for the local workforce. Mr. Overton agreed that stability in Town staff positions, such as the Town Manager and Town Planner, are key for a community to move forward in a productive way. He added that he is a big advocate of green space and asked where it could possibly go in the North End. Mr. Iacomini responded they have some ideas and propose an ongoing discussion. Ms. Letendre suggested a scheduled tour of the North End would be ideal. Mr. Montesano suggested using the North End as a spearhead project to show other neighborhood groups what the Town means by neighborhood planning. The Board unanimously agreed to endorse the continued implementation of the North End neighborhood plan. Ms. Letendre agreed to meet with Ms. White before their groups August 24 meeting to preview a meeting with the Planning Board.

 

3. Zoning Ordinance Amendment Application Form Review, discussion, and possible action and/or continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on the DRAFT Zoning Ordinance Amendment Application Form.

 

Ms. Oziolor described the template for the new application form. The Board unanimously agreed to adopt the changes made to the form.

Mr. Lawlor made the motion that the Town of Westerly Planning Board hereby recommends the new Zoning Ordinance Amendment Application Form and transmits the same to the Town Council for their review and approval. Ms. Harkin seconded motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

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 June 9, 2021 to July 13, 2021:

 

• Development Project Status Report (updated 7/9/2021)

• 2021-ADM-04: 14 Tristam Trace & 2 Ice Pond Road Administrative Subdivision (AP 137, Lot 27 & AP 151, Lot 27FF)

• 2021-DPR-03: McQuade’s Marketplace Parking Lot Retrofit DPR Exception (AP 66, Lots 37 & 38)

• 2019-MJLD-02: South County Cultivators Amended Final Plan (AP 55, Lot 1)

 

Ms. Letendre and Ms. Oziolor described these items to the Planning Board. There was no discussion on these items. The last item was discussed but no action was taken.

 

2. Announcements

 

1. The New Director of Development Services, Jeffrey Monteleone, is scheduled to arrive on

Monday, July 26

 

2. White Rock Road Kayak Launch Improvements funded by RIDEM Recreation Trails

Grant $99,000 – launch area across from Gingerella

 

3. Report on Town Resiliency Projects – attached report on projects to update board

 

Ms. Letendre and Ms. Oziolor reported on these items. There was no discussion on the listed announcements.

 

H. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

 

1. August 17, 2021 Regular Meeting – Mr. Lawlor and Mr. Lowther said they would not be present. Mr. Montesano said he may not be available either. Staff asked that applicants attend in person at Council Chambers.

 

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 topics are likely to be discussed:

 

• 58 Boombridge Road Minor Subdivision Pre-Application

 

• 103 Oak Street Minor Subdivision (no street creation) Preliminary

 

• Flynn Residence Addition & Renovation DPR Preliminary

 

• 20 Frontage Road Solar DPR Preliminary

 

• Aquifer Protection Overlay District Amendments

 

I. ADJOURNMENT –

Mr. Lawlor made a motion to adjourn the Planning Board meeting at 7:20 p.m. Mr. Montesano 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 August 31, 2021