Planning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, January 21st, 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, Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, and Information Technology: Lanny Fuller

 

C.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES -

1.      December 3rd, 2024- A motion was made by Mr. Delisio to approve the minutes from the December 3rd meeting. Mr. Gagnier suggested that “shall” under the ordinance be added to the second paragraph of page two under the section titled: Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Gagnier also suggested the minutes be revised to specify in that same section, the inspection completed by the Town Manager and the Board of Finance is for maintenance. Mr. Delisio withdrew his motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Gagnier then motioned to table the minutes until the next regular meeting. Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-1.

2.      December 17th, 2024- Mr. Armstrong suggested that the applicant’s revision to their sewer capacity letter, due to initial calculations using single occupant wastewater capacity amounts, be included in the minutes. Mr. Armstrong also suggested his concerns regarding the 99-year deed restrictions for LMI housing and the severability of the parking agreement be included in the minutes. Mr. Armstrong motioned to table the minutes to the next meeting, to which Mr. Gagnier seconded. The motion passed 5-1.

 

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 at 6:08 p.m.

 

Anthony Nenna and Attorney William Nardone were present to speak on behalf of the applicants. Mr. Nenna provided an overview of the revised site plan, which included the addition of a handicap space, a two-unit addition to the rear drainage system, updated usage flows to capture two people per unit, and a pavement detailed cross section. The board engaged in discussion and asked questions of the applicants. Solicitor Levesque added document: “Term Sheet for Parking Easement” to the record, and the board further discussed.

At 6:44 p.m., Mr. O’Neil opened the discussion to public comment. Maurice Devine, 10 Brown Drive, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed concerns regarding spacing and emergency vehicles, flow rates, parking for trench drains and open-air lots, and the parking agreement. Jean Gagnier, 6 Narragansett Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891, stated he believed the board should make decisions based on parking and Town Ordinances for the Town of Westerly, and not on business. The board responded to the public’s questions, and the applicant provided comments.

Upon no further comment from the public, Mr. O’Neil polled the board and discussed approval of this item. The board was all in favor of approval. Mr. Armstrong then motioned to close the public hearing, and Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The public hearing was closed.

Ms. Letendre read over the conditions of approval of this item, and shared revisions to the staff memo and recommendation for the board. The board was polled to discuss board or administrative final approval of this item. All members were in favor of board approval. Mr. Levesque added Administrative Officer’s Memo/Staff recommendation to the record, as Board’s Exhibit 1. Mr. Levesque added that there was a motion for approval with modified conditions included for the board’s reference. Mr. Delisio made the motion, and Mr. Lawlor seconded. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed 4-0.

 

Mr. Gagnier returned to the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

 

 

F.     NEW 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 introduced Theresa Mulford of Cherenzia and Associates, Project Architect Paul Azzinaro, and applicant Bruno Trombino. Mr. Nardone summarized the application, and Ms. Mulford provided an overview of the site plan, which included replacing and adding pavement, a new on-site rear stormwater system, plans for trash disposal, and public utilities. The board discussed. Mr. Azzinaro answered questions of the board and provided details on the building’s design. Design elements included increased slab area to greater handicap accessibility, new siding textures, and self-contained utilities. The board engaged in discussion with the applicants and asked questions. Further topics included: past property history of storms, water and sewer capacities, construction phasing, landscaping, and engineering reports.

At 7:53 p.m., Mr. O’Neil entertained a motion to open the public hearing. Mr. Gagnier moved a motion, and Mr. Armstrong seconded. The board was all in favor, and the public hearing was opened. Members of the public were present to provide comment. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, inquired about the condensing of the two lots, the count of units, and the impact on the sewer system.Maurice Devine, 10 Brown Drive, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed concerns regarding the erosion control and material tracking. Jen Brinton, 63 and 39 Canal Street, Westerly, RI 02891, spoke in favor of this project, stating that the current plan retains the property’s originality, and it is beneficial to have LMI units in a walkable community, as it embraces more people. Mr. O’Neil facilitated discussion with the applicants regarding public comments and concerns.

Mr. O’Neil polled the board at 8:04 p.m., to discuss. The board was satisfied with the material as presented. Ms. Letendre stated that she would draft an approval with conditions for the February 4th Special Meeting. The applicants stated that they will be in attendance. Mr. Gagnier moved a motion to continue this item at the February 4th Special Meeting, and for the Town Planner to draft an approval with conditions. Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. O’Neil called a recess at 8:06 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:14 p.m.

 

2.      2024-LMIH-07 – Comprehensive Permit – Pre-Application – Fusaro Service Street Multi-Family Residential Development (8 Service Street | Assessor’s Maps 37, Lot 12)

 

Attorney Nardone was present to speak on this matter. Mr. Nardone introduced applicant Peter Fusaro, and Rachel York of Cherenzia and Associates. Ms. York explained the site plan, which included the construction of two additional LMI units, Stormwater elements to meet DEM standards, and potential Zoning setbacks. The board asked questions and the applicants provided feedback. Additional discussion surrounded: landscape buffers, on-site parking, stormwater runoff, aqua protection zones, Jacob’s engineering response, and permitting.

Members of the public were present to provide comments. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed concerns regarding the patio being close to the property line. Chair O’Neil addressed her comment. No other members of the public were present to speak on this item.

 

3.      2024 LMIH-08 – Comprehensive Permit – Pre-Application – Bliven High Street Multi-Family Development (162 High Street | Assessor’s Map 47, Lot 68

 

Attorney Nardone was present on behalf of the applicants, and introduced Rachel York of Cherenzia and Associates, and project architect John Patrick Walsh.

Ms. York summarized the site plan, which included rear stormwater systems, two multi-family structures, traffic flows and parking, potential zoning relief, and public utilities. Ms. York answered the board’s questions. Suggestions from Town Planner Letendre and the Planning Board included: adjusting the height of the building, adding plans for trash pickup and mail delivery, and providing a landscaping plan, among other topics.

Members of the public were present to provide comments on this matter. Maurice Devine, 10 Brown Drive, Westerly, RI 02891, suggested the applicants consider runoff from previous projects. Lindsey Dano, Pleasant Street, Westerly, RI 02891, explained that she was the owner of the rear neighboring property to this application, and was concerned that this application would affect her potential building projects. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed concerns regarding the 10% LMI quota. The board addressed the public’s comments and provided feedback.

 

G.    ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

 

            Ms. Letendre informed the board of a new member to the Planning Department, Diego Martin. Town Planner provided an update of ongoing projects, such as the February 3rd presentation on the status of amendments, the affordable housing study, and ordinances. The board discussed further. Mr. Gagnier added that he would like to see more detailed feedback on the responsibilities of the Planning Board and their role in ordinances.

 

H.    ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT

 

Mr. O’Neil consulted Mr. Levesque on legal counsel regarding the limits of the Planning Board, and discussion ensued

 

I.       FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS

 

The board suggested future items to be discussed, which included: preliminary construction budgets, Jacob’s Engineering updates, Zoning Ordinances, reviews of site investigations and preliminary plans, and the Route 1 Corridor study, among other topics.

 

J.      CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM OR NEXT MEETINGS

1.      February 4th, 2025- Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m.- all board members will be present

2.      February 18th, 2025- Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.- all board members will be present

 

K.    ADJOURNMENT –

 

Mr. Armstrong motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:43 p.m., to which Mr. Lawlor seconded. All board members were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

 

 

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

 

 

 

SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 02/10/2025.

APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 02/18/2025.