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Planning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
A. CALL TO ORDER - Mr. O’Neil called the meeting to order at 6:01 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: Perry Kellogg, James Nicholas, Jean Gagnier, and Alternate: Derek Lombard
Absent: Member Maurice Devine
Town Staff: 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 – May 20th, 2025
The board reviewed the minutes from the May 20th meeting. Mr. Gagnier motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Mr. Lawlor seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed unanimously
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA -
Mr. O’Neil suggested moving NEW BUSINESS Items F.1 and F.2 ahead of OLD BUSINESS Item E.1. The board discussed. Mr. Gagnier motioned to move items F-1 and F-2 under NEW BUSINESS, prior to OLD BUSINESS Item E-1. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously
F. NEW BUSINESS –
Attorney William Nardone was present to speak on this application and requested a continuance to the September meeting. Mr. Nardone explained that additional time would allow the applicants to revise their plans, based on feedback received from the Architectural Review Board.
Mr. Delisio inquired about public comment of this item, and the board discussed. Mr. Gagnier moved a motion to open the public hearing at 6:08 p.m., and Mr. Nicholas seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously. The public hearing was open. Members of the public were present to provide comments. Susan Denise, 24 Pearl Street, Westerly, RI 02891, raised questions about the potential traffic flow and access impacts on the surrounding area, as a result of this project. Neighboring property owners of the subject property, Rob Guiliano, of 21 Turano Ave, Westerly, RI 02891, and Jim Molar, of 23 Turano Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed concerns regarding the setbacks and property lines, in relation to their homes. Upon no further comment, Mr. Gagnier motioned to continue this matter to the September meeting, and Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously
Attorney Thomas Liguori introduced this item, providing a summary of the site’s purchasing history, the facility’s proposed uses, dimensions, and various funding sources, in addition to other details. It was explained by Mr. Liguori that this plan was approved by the Architectural Review Board, with the conditions of adding greenspace and improving the aesthetics of the utility doorways on the building’s front. Mr. Liguori raised a question about administrative approval of this item. Representatives of the project were then introduced: Kyle Drummer, Project Architect, of Vision 3 Architects, 225 Chapman Street, Providence, RI 02905, and Theresa Mulford, Project Engineer, of Cherenzia and Associates, 99 Mechanic Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379.
Mr. Drummer provided insight into the architectural aspects of the proposed structure and reviewed the design plans, detailing the construction materials, dimensions, and uses of each interior facility space. During Mr. Drummer’s review, the board posed questions regarding the landscape plantings, footprint of the building, and future expansion. Ms. Mulford then reviewed the site plans of the project, which included features such as: parking, access for loading daycare and after school programs, trash and snow storage areas, stormwater designed under DEM reuse regulations, removing over 60% of impervious surface, landscaping, traffic patterns, utilities, and a new transformer system to accommodate electrical needs. Ms. Mulford provided an update on permitting, stating that the Department of Transportation approval for closure of Tower Street access, and the Department of Environmental Management permits are still pending. In response to Ms. Mulford’s presentation, the board inquired further about: sublots, funding issues, potential expansion, the 65-year building lease, and future paths of recreation.
Mr. Liguori distributed a copy of the Department of Transportation’s letter for the board’s review, made part of the record as Applicant’s 1. Ms. Letendre noted that the DEM permit, DOT approval, and landscaping were outstanding items, and would be made as Final Plan conditions of approval.
Upon no further discussion from the board, public comment was opened at 6:42 p.m. Dylan LaPietra, 51 Clark Street, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed concerns regarding the facility’s School and Behavioral Health uses, and Zoning. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, agreed with Mr. LaPietra’s concerns, and inquired further about property placement, and the impact on recreational offerings with decreased funding and building size. In response to public comments, the board members asked for clarification of the building’s security cameras, emergency vehicle accommodations, and variance requests. Paul Azzinaro, chair of the Architectural Review Board, addressed the ARB recommendations of the project, adding that a single door and additional landscaping could resolve both concerns.
After thorough discussion, Mr. Nicholas motioned to approve the project with conditions, referencing the draft motion and conditions from the Administrative Officer’s Memo, dated July 10, 2025, for meeting on July 15, 2025. Mr. Gagnier seconded the motion for discussion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously
E. OLD BUSINESS
Anthony Nenna, Project Engineer, of On-Site Engineering, Inc. 3 Crestview Drive, Westerly, RI 02891, Applicant Tony Degiacomo, and Paul Azzinaro, Project Architect, of Azzinaro Architects and Associates, Inc. 108 Airport Road, Westerly, RI 02891, were present to speak on this application.
Mr. Nenna gave an overview of the revised site plans, based on feedback from the board’s review at the June 17th Planning Board meeting, which included the removal of more impervious surface, to allow for additional plantings. Mr. Nenna distributed paper copies of the landscape plans of 182 and 190 Main Street, for the board to review. Ms. Letendre further explained that due to hazardous materials, the landscaping of 181 Main Street is limited. Mr. Azzinaro added to discussion that there are no variance requests, and the existing building heights are being matched. Questions raised by board members and topics of discussion included: LMI units, a regulatory agreement, and reconstruction costs, among other topics. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, asked the applicants to clarify the number of units proposed, and Mr. Degiacomo addressed the inquiry. Upon no further questions, Mr. Lawlor motioned to close the public hearing at 7:08 p.m., and Mr. Delisio seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the public hearing was closed. The board was then polled for discussion of approval of the project.
Mr. Gagnier motioned to approve the application with conditions, referencing the draft motion and conditions as stated in the Administrative Officer’s Memo, dated July 10th, 2025. Mr. Delisio seconded the motion. The board members were all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously
G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
1. Future Agenda & Monthly Report Matrix
Ms. Letendre informed the board that the report is provided for review, and that members can reach out with any questions. Ms. Kellogg inquired further about the Marina project, and the Town Planner addressed her inquiry
2. Route One Corridor Working Group
Mr. Levesque provided legal counsel on the attached memorandum, and referenced the Town Charter, informing the board that they do not have the authority to create a committee. Mr. Gagnier suggested the creation of a special meeting, to address the Route One Corridor project. Town Planner Letendre provided the following meeting dates for potential working sessions: July 29th, August 12th, September 2nd, and September 30th. Ms. Letendre added that the revised Zoning Ordinance amendments will be provided at the July 29th meeting
3. Planning Board Annual Report
Ms. Letendre reviewed the draft copy of the Planning Board Annual Report and provided a summary. An update was provided on overall progress towards comprehensive plan amendments, affordable housing, infrastructure assessments, and sewer capacity. Ms. Letendre asked Planning Board members to share their opinions on priority items, which included: Zoning Ordinance revisions, the facilities assessment, and comprehensive plan amendments. Mr. Gagnier suggested adding a report to provide progress on water supply, and Town sewer utility capacity and utilization. Ms. Letendre stated this item would be on the agenda for next month’s meeting, for further approval and discussion
4. CIP Progress
Mr. Gagnier shared that he has communicated with Town Manager to coordinate site visits, and Mr. Nicholas added that he could be available to participate
5. Agenda Referral on EV Storage
Mr. Gagnier presented the draft letter intended for Town Council, expressing the Planning Board’s concerns regarding the current Town school bus storage and repair facility, and its potential effects on public safety and water supply. Mr. Levesque made suggestions of legal verbiage to include. It was noted that this item will be added to the August meeting agenda
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT
Mr. Levesque stated that he will give a brief presentation in response to new legislation at the August meeting
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BOARD QUESTIONS –
Mr. Gagnier suggested a future agenda item to discuss the Marina project, in response to an inquiry made by Ms. Kellog’s during the present meeting. Town Councilor Dylan LaPietra addressed the Marina item, informing the board that the project was put on hold due to funding, and he hopes to see the board discuss the item further. Town Councilor Rose VanDover expressed concerns about electric vehicles, and the impact on the surrounding neighborhood and businesses. Ms. VanDover also informed the board of pending legislation, expressing to board members that potential changes to Zoning at the local level are occurring
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS
1. July 29th, 2025- Ms. Kellogg will not be present, all other members will be present
2. August 19th, 2025, Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. – All members will be present
K. ADJOURNMENT- Mr. Lawlor motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m., and Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- August 19th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 8/08/2025.
APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 8/19/2025.