Planning Board Special Meeting- Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, 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 and Jean Gagnier

 

Absent: None

 

Town Staff Present: Assistant Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott

Levesque, Administrative Officer/Town Planner: Nancy Letendre, Principal Planner: Aidan Adams, Planning Specialist: Diego Martin,

Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, and Information Technology: Lanny Fuller

 

C.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES –

There were no minutes to approve

 

D.    CHANGES TO THE AGENDA –

There was no discussion

 

E.     OLD BUSINESS

 

1. 2024-LMIH-04 – Comprehensive Permit – Preliminary Plan Review – Trombino Multi-Family Residential Development (79 & 83 Pleasant Street | Assessor’s Map 46, Lots 40 & 41)

 

Attorney William Nardone and Bruno Trombino were present to speak on this item. No new information was presented, and no members of the public spoke on this topic. Mr. Gagnier motioned to close the public hearing at 6:03 p.m., and Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Gagnier motioned to approve the comprehensive permit for the Trombino Multi-Family Residence on 79 & 83 Pleasant Street. Mr. Levesque marked the Administrative Officer’s Memo as Board’s Exhibit 1, in supplement to Mr. Gagnier’s motion. Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. The board discussed further the conditions of approval and findings of fact. The board was all in favor and the motion carried unanimously.

 

2. Main Street Stormwater Implementation Project

 

Beth Kirmmse, Project Manager at Fuss& O’Neil, Katherine McCombs, Project Engineer, and Gina Fuller, District Manager for Southern RI Conservation District and Project Manager, presented this item.

Ms. Kirmmse provided an overview of the project, further detailing the goals and site plan. Details of the site plan included: adding greenery to provide corridors for pedestrians, integrating green stormwater infrastructure, and narrowing roadways. Ms. McCombs then provided further insight into topics introduced by Ms. Kirmmse, and detailed how potential changes to Main Street meet the project goals. Examples of proposed changes included: using bioretention planters, increasing landscaping, narrowing lanes through the “road diet”, and consolidating curb cuts.

The board asked questions and received feedback from the presenters. Proposed questions covered topics such as: pedestrian lighting, landscape and infrastructure maintenance, property owner involvement in the project, street narrowing, and similar projects statewide, in addition to other topics. 

 

F.     NEW BUSINESS

 

1.      2025-DPRAd-01- Former Bradford School Recreational Complex

 

            Dan King, board member of the Bradford Community Development Association, Randy Collins, landscape architect of the Beta Group and Dave McKinley, landscape architect of the Beta Group, were present to speak on this item. Mr. McKinley informed the board of the status and provided an overview of the project. Additions to the existing site include the construction of a playground, pump track, pickleball court, and learning garden, among other structures. The board asked questions about the proposed plan and received feedback. Topics of discussion covered: wetland buffers, parking, construction phasing, permitting, and handicap accessibility.

 

2.      Route 1 Corridor Study- Implementation

 

Town Planner Letendre gave a brief presentation on this item. Ms. Letendre provided an overview of this project, detailing its history and progression. Ms. Letendre informed the board of how the study would be implemented, through housing, aesthetics, travel, infrastructure, and economic development. The board asked questions and received feedback from Ms. Letendre. The timeline of the project, Town Council involvement, zoning amendments, and stormwater infrastructure, among other topics, were discussed.

A member of the public, Maurice Devine, 10 Brown Drive, Westerly, RI 02891, spoke on this agenda item. Mr. Devine stated that he believed the material presented was not consistent with the latest Town Council meeting. Mr. O’Neil addressed Mr. Devine’s concerns.

 

3.      Affordable Housing Study- Implementation

 

Ms. Letendre provided a summary of this project. Town Planner Letendre introduced Planning Specialist, Diego Martin, who provided an overview of his experience and expertise. The board discussed the timeline of discussion and action of this item. The board asked questions and Ms. Letendre provided feedback. Topics of discussion included: zoning amendments, yield plans, state legislation, and ad hoc housing reports, among other topics. Ms. Letendre will prepare materials to be fully presented at the April special meeting. The board discussed further the agenda items to be discussed at the next special meetings.  

Maurice Devine, 10 Brown Drive, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed concern regarding the law and best practice, and informed the board that the ad hoc housing committee is gone.

 

 

G.    ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

 

Ms. Letendre provided an update of ongoing projects and informed the board of the status of the Westerly Marina and Potter Hill Mill Site redevelopments. Town Councilor, Rose VanDover, spoke on this item. Ms. VanDover suggested the Marina project discussion be put on hold, due to the lack of funding. Ms. VanDover also suggested breaking down the Route 1 Corridor Study even further and reminded the board that many of the ad hoc committees are disbanded.

            Principal Planner Aidan Adams reviewed the Planning Responsibilities Matrix with the board, to clarify where responsibilities fall within the Town and development applications. The Responsibilities Matrix and Future Agenda Activity Report will be discussed further at the next meeting.  

 

H.    ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT

 

Mr. O’Neil consulted Mr. Levesque on legal counsel regarding the responsibilities of the Planning Board, and discussion ensued. Topics of discussion included: long-term planning, Zoning Amendments, Council recommendations, and Jacob’s letter, among other topics.

 

I.       FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS

 

The board suggested the creation of a future schedule of discussion topics for upcoming meetings. Making clearer when action is to be taken on an agenda item was also discussed.

 

J.      CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS

 

1.      February 18, 2025, Regular Meeting at 6:00pm – Seaport Studios (122 Bay St) DPR, 82- 92 Airport Rd MJLD Public Hearing – all board members will be present

2.      March 4, 2025, Special Meeting at 6:00pm – Continuation of February 4 matters - all board members will be present

 

K.    ADJOURNMENT –

Mr. Gagnier motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:29 p.m., and Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 p.m.

 

 

Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- February 18^th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 2/25/2025.

APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 3/18/2025.