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Planning Board Regular Meeting - Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
A. CALL TO ORDER –
Chairman O’Neil called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE –
Mr. O’Neil recognized all board members and staff present
Present: Chairman: Matthew O’Neil, Vice Chairman: Christopher Lawlor, Secretary: Andrew Delisio, Members: John Armstrong, Richard W. Constantine, and Jean Gagnier
Absent: Member Justin Hopkins
Town Staff Present: Assistant Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott Levesque, Administrative Officer/Town Planner: Nancy Letendre, Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, and Information Technology: Lanny Fuller
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -
1. November 12th, 2024- Mr. Gagnier moved a motion to approve the minutes, and Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. Mr. Lawlor then proposed the following change of the minutes, to the second paragraph of page two: “...Mr. Lawlor inquired further about the application’s FAA letter” to “Mr. Gagnier inquired further about the applicant’s FAA letter”. Mr. Gagnier amended the motion to approve the minutes, with the proposed corrections. Mr. Armstrong seconded the amended motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously
2. November 19th, 2024- Mr. Armstrong moved a motion to pass the minutes from the November 19th meeting, and Mr. Lawlor seconded. The board was all in favor and the minutes passed unanimously 6-0
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - There was no discussion
E. OLD BUSINESS
1. 2024 LMIH-06-Comprehensive Permit- Preliminary Plan Review - 116 High Street Residential Conversion (116 High Street | Assessor’s Maps 57, Lot 63)
Mr. Gagnier recused himself from this item, due to his proximity of the project
Paul Azzinaro, of Azzinaro Architects and Associates, Tony Nenna, of On-Site Engineering, Inc, and Joseph Luzzi, of J & C Luzzi Homes, were all present to speak on this item. Mr. Nenna provided an overview of the changes made to the site and floor plans. The revisions included a new parking agreement with Ocean State Properties, which would increase the number of parking spaces available to residents. The applicants would be responsible for trash removal of both properties under this agreement, since the dumpster would be placed on the Ocean State property. Mr. Nenna also shared that two chambers will be added to the original stormwater plan, to allow for more runoff.
The board engaged in discussion with the applicants about parking and handicap accommodations, among other topics. Town Planner Letendre suggested the applicants add another handicap parking space, to increase accessibility. Ms. Letendre also suggested a mutual easement to indicate a change of traffic in the area. The applicants agreed to provide an easement agreement and a more detailed stormwater damage plan at the January 21st meeting. Mr. Armstrong expressed concern that the parking arrangement did not track with the required 99 year deed restriction required by the Comprehensive Permit process and was worried it could be severed at any time. Mr. O’Neil suggested a condition of approval be added, requiring the property owner to maintain the appropriate parking under the existing agreement, or provide alternatives if the agreement is terminated. Mr. Armstrong also noted that minimum rather than maximum occupancy was used to estimate sanitary flow. Architecture of units, and the washer and dryer accommodations were also discussed.
The board recognized permitting and waiver requests submitted by the applicants. The RIDOT and DPW Alteration permits would be deferred until final approval. The board did not have any objections to granting waiver requests for the traffic analysis and landscape plan. Mr. O’Neil then polled the board for comment on plan approval. Mr. Constantine believed enough was presented to approve. Mr. Lawlor stated it would be beneficial for the plan to come back to the board, in case of questions on revised items. Mr. Delisio was satisfied, and believed the plan was ready to be approved with the conditions as presented. Mr. Armstrong was not in favor of approval and wanted to revisit the items discussed, at the January 21st meeting. Mr. O’Neil expressed that while he wanted to accommodate, the board majority was not in favor of approval at the present meeting. Chairman O’Neil asked the applicants for consent to extend to the January 21st meeting, as the board’s time to render a decision runs through January 9th. Solicitor Levesque suggested extending until January 31st, to avoid potential timing conflicts. Mr. Luzzi asked about administrative approval, as he was unsure of his attendance at the January 21st meeting. Ms. Letendre informed the applicants that the board must approve the preliminary plan. The applicants granted the extension until January 31st. Ms. Letendre stated that she would draft a written decision of approval with conditions, including relief the applicants are requesting, for the board to act upon at the January 21st meeting. After no further discussion, Mr. O’Neil opened comment to the public, to which there was none.
Mr. Armstrong motioned to continue at the January 21st meeting. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. All board members were in favor, and the motion passed.
Mr. Gagnier returned to the meeting after discussion of this item
F. NEW BUSINESS- There was no discussion
G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
1. Development Projects Status Report - There was no discussion
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT
There was no discussion
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS
Mr. Gagnier suggested the board prepare recommendations for ordinance changes, based on the Jacob's letter sent to the Council. Ms. Letendre suggested the board wait until February to discuss the ordinance changes, as DPW and Legal counsel need time to prepare the ordinances before board review. Mr. Gagnier inquired about the Town sewerage standards, and the board engaged in discussion on this topic. Board members Justin Hopkins and Richard Constantine were recognized for their time on the Planning Board, since it was their last meeting as board members.
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS
1. January 21st, 2025- Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.- all board members will be present
K. ADJOURNMENT –
Mr. Armstrong motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m., to which Mr. Gagnier seconded. All board members were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- January 21st, at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 01/03/2025.
APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 02/18/2025.