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Planning Board Special Meeting- Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 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, Jean Gagnier, Perry
Kellogg, James Nicholas, Alternate: Maurice Devine
Absent: None
Town Staff: Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Attorney Gregory Estabrooks,
Administrative Officer/Town Planner: Nancy Letendre, Principal Planner:
Aidan Adams, 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 were no changes to the agenda
E. OLD BUSINESS
1. Planning Board - Future Agenda Report Matrix
Principal Planner Aidan Adams presented the revised Planning Board - Future Agenda Report Matrix. Mr. Adams explained that these documents would be distributed monthly, to provide a comprehensive overview of applications and long-range planning projects throughout the year. Mr. Adams detailed the different formats the information could be presented, such as a list view or Gantt chart. The board provided feedback on which option they preferred, overall favoring a more simplified format.
Mr. Lawlor read into record previous correspondence regarding his list of questions for a future agenda items report from December 9th, 2024. Ms. Letendre and Mr. O’Neil addressed the points raised by Mr. Lawlor.
Mr. Armstrong consulted the Solicitor to inquire whether the phrase: “may continue or vote upon the matter,” as listed on an agenda item, would meet the requirements to clearly indicate if the board can take action. Mr. Estabrooks stated that it allows for discussion, continuation, and voting as written.
Mr. O’Neil summarized the revisions for Mr. Adams to incorporate into the Planning Matrix documents, based on the board’s discussion. Changes included: adding Mr. Lawlor’s December 9th items to the Long-Term Planning Matrix, changing colors to make text more visible, revising the title of “Town Projects Status Report” to “Town Project Status Report- Projects in Review”, and adjusting the landscape of the Planning Board schedule, in addition to other suggestions.
Before continuing to the next item, Ms. Letendre suggested a modification to the agenda, allowing discussion of items listed under her Administrative Officer’s Report. Chair O’Neil entertained the suggestion, and the board engaged in discussion.
F. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
1. Request to reschedule April 1st Special Meeting to April 8th- The board reviewed the potential change to the special meeting date. Mr. Lawlor moved a motion to reschedule the April Special Meeting, and Mr. Delisio seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. The special meeting will now be held on April 8th, 2025.
2. Request to establish a June 3rd Special meeting- Ms. Letendre asked to establish an agenda item to discuss Town Council agenda referrals and communication at the April 15th meeting. Mr. O’Neil stated that he would allow the item, but he will not be able to attend the April 15th meeting. The board discussed further the potential need for a June 3rd special meeting.
E. OLD BUSINESS
2. Route 1 Corridor Study- Implementation
Town Planner Letendre provided a presentation on this item. Ms. Letendre began discussion by detailing the transects that divide the Route 1 Corridor and emphasizing their role in understanding the specific corridor areas. Key Challenges discovered as a result of this study included: potential overdevelopment and navigation difficulty for unfamiliar travelers, among others. Ms. Letendre also made note that the Route 1 Corridor was the highest area of focus in the Traffic Study. Ms. Letendre outlined the study’s origins from the Comprehensive Plan, and provided details of each section, which was divided into 4 parts: Part I- Community Land Use | Vision, Strategies & Implementation, Part II- Inventory and Analysis, Part III- Mapped Figures, and Part IV- Glossary. Amendments to the Comprehensive plan will be examined more in-depth at the March 18th meeting. Additional topics discussed included: the Town Council work session, goals and action implementation of the study, and Economic Development in the corridor, among other topics.
The board asked questions and received feedback from Ms. Letendre on this item. Questions raised during discussion covered topics such as: broadband and Starlink, current underdevelopment, state Department of Transportation standards, wastewater management, the Economic Development Commission, Architectural Review Board assistance on the project, and rules in certain areas of the corridor.
Mr. O’Neil called a recess at 8:45 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:55 p.m.
3. Affordable Housing Study- Implementation
Town Planner Letendre led discussion of this item and shared a presentation with the board. Topics of discussion included: the current housing policy and qualifications of LMI housing, among other topics. Ms. Letendre explained changes to the current Zoning Ordinances, which will affect affordable housing, inclusionary zoning, and the comprehensive permit, in addition to other ordinances. The board asked questions and received feedback from Ms. Letendre. Questions posed during discussion included: the pre-application process, veteran supported housing, the Camoin Study, process changes, and Accessory Dwelling Units, among other topics. The board will discuss the specific Housing and Ordinance amendments in greater detail at the March 18th meeting.
Town Council President Christopher Duhamel was present to provide comment on this item. Mr. Duhamel shared that the Planning Board has made significant efforts to make housing more affordable, and expressed concern about the potential June 17th deadline to provide ordinance change recommendations to the Council. Mr. Duhamel suggested a deadline in September, to ensure more time to draft a proper recommendation. The board opened comment on this item to other members of the public, to which there were none.
G. NEW BUSINESS – There was no discussion
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT- There was no discussion
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BOARD QUESTIONS
The board discussed future agenda items and questions to be addressed at future meetings. Mr. Gagnier asked the Solicitor to provide a brief presentation on RI General Law and how it relates to the role of the Planning Board. Mr. O’Neil addressed Mr. Gagnier’s request.
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS
1. March 18th, 2025- Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.- Ms. Kellogg and Mr. Devine will not be present. The rest of the board members will be in attendance
2. April 8th, 2025- Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m.- Mr. Nicholas will not be present, and Mr. Devine’s attendance is tentative. The remaining board members will be in attendance
3. April 15th, 2025- Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.- Mr. O’Neil will not be present, but the remaining board members will be in attendance
K. ADJOURNMENT - Mr. Gagnier motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 p.m., and Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 10:17 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- March 18th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 3/25/2025.
APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 4/8/2025.