Planning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, March 18th, 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, James

Nicholas

 

Absent: Member: Perry Kellogg and Alternate: Maurice Divine

 

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

1. February 4th, 2025 - Mr. Gagnier motioned to approve the minutes from the February 4th meeting as presented, and Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed unanimously
2. February 18th, 2025 - Mr. Gagnier motioned to approve the minutes from the February 18th meeting as presented, and Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed unanimously
   
   

D.    CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - There were no changes to the agenda

E.     OLD BUSINESS

 

1.      Planning Board - Future Agenda Report Matrix

 

The board reviewed the Future Agenda Item and Monthly Report Matrix, prepared by Principal Planer Aidan Adams, which incorporated revisions discussed at the March 4th meeting. It was decided that the Monthly Report Matrix would be included in future agendas as part of the Administrative Officer’s Report, and the Future Agenda Items report would appear under the Future Agenda Items section. Ms. Letendre also noted that any ongoing changes to these documents can be directed to Mr. Adams, who will continually update them as needed.

           

2.      Route 1 Corridor Study- Implementation

 

Town Planner Letendre presented the proposed ordinance amendments in response to the Route 1 Corridor Study. Ms. Letendre summarized the discussion from the March 4th meeting, and clarified that topics such as wastewater management, broadband, electric infrastructure, and underground cabling would not be addressed at this time. A full discussion of the Zoning Ordinance amendments will take place at the April 8th meeting.

The board engaged in discussion of potential revisions to the Comprehensive Plan, and reviewed verbiage for ordinance changes as part of the Planning Board’s Town Council recommendation. Key amendments under consideration included provisions for: preserving characteristics of existing neighborhoods, bicycle lanes, improving transportation assistance and active recreation, encouraging neighborhood business development, managing stormwater, and addressing vacant or underutilized parcels. The board also reviewed the goals and actions implementation of the corridor study, based on: infrastructure in the corridor, travel, and regulations and zoning. Specific examples of implementation included: the use of potential business incentives, grant funding, adding signage, road safety audits, making roadway improvements, and developing a corridor overlay district, in addition to others.

Dylan LaPietra, of 26 Newton Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891, raised a question regarding the Transects of the Route 1 Corridor, and hoped the board would review the placement of the transects. Ms. Letendre addressed Mr. LaPietra’s concerns, and shared that the corridor model is organized by common characteristics of the area, such as design and infrastructure available.

Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, inquired about the number of residential units being constructed on the former Regal Cinema lot in Stonington. Ms. VanDover also raised a question regarding single-family dwellings in HC zones. Ms. Letendre and Mr. O’Neil provided feedback.

 

A recess was called at 8:24 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:30 p.m.

 

3.      Affordable Housing Study - Implementation

 

Town Planner Letendre provided a presentation of this item. The board reviewed the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments, referencing the Zoning Ordinance packet provided by the Principal Planner. The amendments discussed included modifications to: inclusionary zoning, changes to the approval process, alternatives to low and moderate income (LMI) housing, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s), and minimum density bonuses, among other changes. The board engaged in discussion, raising several questions regarding these topics.

Mr. Gagnier expressed concern regarding the increased minimum density bonuses, and was worried the proposed changes could have a negative impact on the community, prompting further discussion amongst the board. Mr. Gagnier consulted Mr. Levesque to provide legal counsel on this item, and its impact on existing zoning. Mr. Gagnier suggested the board revise existing zoning conditions to address the potential impacts on the affected areas, and asked to poll the board. Mr. Delisio, Mr. O’Neil, and Mr. Nicolas expressed opposition to the proposal, while Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Gagnier, and Mr. Lawlor indicated they were open to further consideration. Without a consensus, the motion failed.

Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, inquired about where the affordable housing ordinances could be found, and Mr. O’Neil addressed her comment.  

 

F.     NEW BUSINESS- There was no discussion

 

G.    ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT- 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 proposed an agenda item be created to include cross communication amongst the board members. Mr. O’Neil suggested this be added to the Administrative Officer’s Report.

Mr. O’Neil informed the board that this would be Mr. Armstrong’s last meeting as a member, and thanked him for his time serving on the board.

 

J.      CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS

1. April 8th, 2025- Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. - Mr. Nicholas will not be present, but all other members will be present
2. April 15th, 2025- Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. - Mr. O’Neil and Mr. Lawlor will not be present, but all other members will be present

           

 

K.    ADJOURNMENT- Mr. Delisio motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m., and Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

 

Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- April 15th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

 

SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 4/8/2025.

  APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 4/15/2025.