Planning Board – Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - 6:00 p.m.

Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers

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:           Members Tabitha Harkin, James Hall IV, Matthew O’Neil, David A. Giorno, and Auxiliary Member Karen Lentz Madison

 

Members absent:             Chair Justin M. Hopkins, Vice Chair Richard W. Constantine, and Secretary Andrew Delisio

 

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

 

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

1. June 20, 2023 – There was no quorum present to approve the minutes as some members in attendance were absent from the June 20, 2023 meeting. Ms. Harkin made a motion to continue the June 20, 2023 Planning Board meeting minutes to the August meeting. Ms. Lentz-Madison 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, such as known continuances and the order in which items will be heard.

 

            There were no changes to the agenda.

 

E. OLD BUSINESS –

There was no business to discuss.

 

F. NEW BUSINESS

 

1. 2023-MNS-01: Maccione 2-Lot Minor Subdivision – Preliminary Plan Review (43 Bellevue Avenue | Assessor’s Map 57, Lot 343) Review, discussion, and possible action and/or continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on request for a Preliminary Plan Review of a proposed subdivision of a single-family residential lot into 2 single-family residential lots at 43 Bellevue Avenue.

 

            Ms. Letendre described the application. Staff recommended an approval with conditions, listed on page 8 of the staff memo to the Planning Board. Present on behalf of the application was Tony Nenna, professional engineer, and principal of On-Site Engineering, along with the applicant, Christina Maccione. The plan proposes a lot line down the middle of the property to subdivide the property for single-family homes. The existing dwelling had a portion of the building on the north side that has been removed to allow the subdivision and to comply with Zoning for HGR-6, Ms. Letendre explained. She said each of the two lots will have 60 feet of frontage. The first lot will be about 8,000 square feet and the second lot will be about 7,000 square feet. The proposed structures on the lots will likely be three-bedroom single family homes. The applicant has a curb cut approval from the Town.

Ms. Lentz-Madison made a motion to open the public hearing at 6:05 pm. Mr. O’Neil seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

There was no public comment.

Ms. Lentz-Madison made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:06 pm. Mr. O’Neil seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

            Ms. Harkin inquired about the possibility of tree removal. Mr. Nenna said the applicant plans to replace it and can plant a street tree. He said they have no issues with the proposed conditions for the project’s approval. Ms. Letendre noted the amendment to condition of approval 4 that the tree to be replaced be added to the final plan and that the final plan be approved administratively.

            Mr. O’Neil made a motion that the Town of Westerly Planning Board approves, with conditions, the Preliminary Plan for Planning Case No. 2023-MNS-01 – Maccione Subdivision (43 Bellevue Avenue | Assessor’s Map 57, Lot 343) in accordance with the application and supporting materials including; the Site Plans titled “Preliminary Plan Submission, 2-Lot Minor Subdivision, Prepared for F-1 Christine M. Maccione,43 Bellevue Avenue – Plat 57, Lot 343, Westerly, Rhode Island; dated July 3, 2023; prepared by On-Site Engineering, Inc. Ms. Lentz-Madison seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

2. 2023-DPR-04: Chase Bank – Development Plan Review (143 Franklin Street | Assessor’s Map 98, Lot 9) Review, discussion, and possible action and/or continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on request for a Development Plan Review of a proposed bank with drive-up ATM in an existing shopping center (Westerly Crossing) at 143 Franklin Street.

 

Ms. Letendre explained that the application entails a change of use for one of the buildings at Westerly Crossings and no Zoning relief is needed. Staff recommended what could be an extension of a landscape island that already exists. Josh Kline, of Stonefield Engineering & Design, was present on behalf of the application. He said the applicant agreed with the recommendations and conditions suggested by the Planning Office.

Ms. Lentz-Madison made a motion to open the public hearing at 6:14 p.m. Ms. Harkin seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.  

There was further discussion on the landscaped area by the drive-through lane. Ms. Letendre and Mr. Kline said they will work together on the final design. Ms. Harkin said she supports the curbed planter design.

Ms. Lentz-Madison made a motion that the Westerly Planning Board hereby approves, with conditions, Application 2023-DPR-04– Preliminary Plan – Chase Bank (143 Franklin Street | Assessor’s Map 98, Lot 9), in accordance with the application and supporting materials including the entire Set of Plans titled “Chase Site Improvement Plan, Lot 9, Map 98, 175 Franklin Street (US Route 1), Town of Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island,” including 6 sheets, dated May 2, 2023, prepared by Stonefield Engineering & Design and the noted four conditions of approval. Ms. Harkin seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

 

3. 2022-MNS-01: Airport Road Industrial Park – Minor Subdivision & Minor Land Development – Preliminary Plan Review (62 Airport Road | Assessor’s Plat 118, Lot 17) Review, discussion, and possible action and/or continuation to a future meeting by the Planning Board on request for a Preliminary Plan review for a Minor Subdivision and Minor Land Development to subdivide one industrial lot into 3 lots, construct a new industrial building and renovate an existing industrial building.

 

            Ms. Letendre reviewed the details of the plan. She said the existing business is in lot A, lot B is planned for redevelopment, and lot C will be vacant. Town Engineer Kyle Zalaski and Principal Planner Alyse Oziolor met with the project engineer Friday morning on site to review further stormwater considerations. The Town Engineer had concerns. Ms. Letendre said there are more considerations to discuss and asked that the application be continued to the August 15 Planning Board meeting.

Present on behalf of the application was Attorney William Nardone, with offices at 42 Granite Street. Also present at the hearing was Jeffrey Nigeri, project engineer, Patricia Walker, civil engineer, Patrick Sweeney, landscape architect, and Paul Azzinaro, landscape architect. Atty. Nardone said about a year ago they were present to receive approval for roof top solar installation and at that time they also received a special use permit from the Zoning Board. He said the continuation to August will give the applicant’s engineers time to discuss the plans with the Mr. Zalaski. Atty. Nardone said State permits from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) are pending. The applicant retained an environmental engineering firm to investigate some things.

Ms. Walker further described the stormwater on the site. She investigated the effects of runoff during heavy rain last Sunday. Ms. Walker described some existing infrastructure and stormwater management concerns on the site and the activity there during the heavy rains. She said some impervious surface will be removed because of the plans. The building planned for lot B will be about 12,000 square feet and have 12 units for rent for trade work.

Ms. Lentz-Madison made a motion to open the public hearing. Ms. Harkin seconded the motion. The motional CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

Mr. O’Neil asked about traffic flow on lot B. It was said there will be parking is in front of the bays for the trade units. Ms. Walker said roof water will be diverted through roof water basins.

Atty. Nardone suggested they meet with the Town Engineer prior to August 15 to resolve any issues. Ms. Letendre said they will ensure staff meets with the applicant. Atty. Levesque said any Planning Board members not present tonight will need to watch the recording of this public hearing to vote at the August meeting. There was no public comment.

Ms. Harkin made a motion to continue the public hearing 2022-MNS-01: Airport Road Industrial Park to the August 15 Planning Board meeting. Ms. Lentz-Madison seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

4. American Planning Association (APA) Membership the Planning Board’s annual group membership to the American Planning Association (APA) is due for renewal.  As several new members have been added to the Board since last year’s enrollment, new Planning Board members are asked to identify whether they would like to enroll in membership and begin receiving association benefits.

 

Ms. Letendre said last year the APA offered membership to the whole Planning Board. All present members were interested in membership. Ms. Harkin already has membership.

 

G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

 

1. Development Project Status Report (updated 7/5/2023)

 

2. Westerly Marina Update – Mr. Hall said the Town’s Marina Subcommittee will meet again on July 24. The group is researching recommended uses of the property. Ms. Letendre said the Town has requested a remediation plan from GSA Engineering. She said that there are brown field grants that will soon be available, and the Planning Office is gathering information to complete a funding application this year. It was said that more stormwater research is needed for the Westerly Marina.

 

3. Route 1 Corridor Update – Town Council authorized the Planning Board to move forward with it. The Economic Development Commission (EDC) is rethinking its goals and objectives based on the recent RKG report study and will be amending chapter 5 of the Comprehensive Plan.

 

4. Affordable Housing Update – Ms. Letendre said that State American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are available to provide technical assistance of housing analysis and market studies. The Board received a report. She said an RFP went out on July 7 for 11 pre-approved consultants to assist in writing a housing plan for Westerly. Ms. Letendre hopes for a return on this by the end of the month. She said some communities are using the process for facilitating changes in Zoning code, but Westerly is attempting a strategic plan for housing.

 

5. Administrative Actions - There was no discussion.

 

H. ASSISTANT SOLICTOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT

 

1. Statewide Planning Report on Legislation 2023 – Atty. Levesque said there are significant changes that will impact the Board. One change will be addressing Zoning relief when a project requires both. He suggested the Planning Board watch a Zoning video and review their template motion process. The requirements to obtain dimensional relief are also changing, he said.

 

I. CONFIRMATION OF QUOROM FOR NEXT REGULAR MEETING

 

1. August 15, 2023 Regular Meeting at 6:00pm 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 anticipated to be discussed (pending completeness review):

 

·          Champlin Woods Condominium Phase 2 Amendment – Newbury Drive

 

            Mr. O’Neil said he would be absent from the August 15 meeting.

 

J. ADJOURNMENT –

Ms. Lentz-Madison made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Harkin 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 October 17, 2023