Click 
to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting.
Planning Board Special Meeting- Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 6th, 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 6:00 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: Jean Gagnier, James Nicholas, Perry Kellogg, and Alternate: Maurice Devine
Absent: None
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 – There were no minutes to approve
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - There were no changes to the agenda
E. OLD BUSINESS
1. 2021-MJLD-03 - Combined Preliminary Plan Amendment & Final Plan Review – Major Commercial / Mixed Use Land Development – Cozi LLC Commercial Development (92-100 Granite Street | Assessor’s Map 67, Lot 275)
It was stated for the record by Mr. O’Neil and Mr. Lawlor that while they were absent from discussion of this item at the April 15th meeting, they have reviewed all materials and are up to date.
Attorney William Nardone, Project Engineer Joe Duhamel of DiPrete Engineering, 2 Stafford Court, Cranston RI, 02920, Dion Luzzi, principal of Cozzi LLC, and Jeffrey Russo, Project Manager, were present on behalf of this application.
Mr. Nardone provided a summary of the project, and Mr. Duhamel highlighted changes to the revised site plan from the last meeting. Revisions included: the addition of greenery and tree varieties, parking space reductions, stormwater upgrades, widening curb cuts, the removal of construction phase 2, and fence line adjustments. The board engaged in discussion with the applicant and posed questions regarding construction vehicles on the property, signage, parking, drainage, maintenance, traffic flows, lighting, increase in impervious surface, tenants, and sediment control, in addition to other topics.
Upon no further questions, Mr. O’Neil opened comment to members of the public at 7:32 p.m. Gina Fuller, the District Manager for the Southern RI Conservation District, expressed concerns regarding the property’s stormwater management and its potential impact on the Route 1 Corridor project. Fred Sculco, 117 Avondale Road, Westerly, RI 02891, shared potential water supply and conservation effects of this project, in relation to the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Fuller added that there are grant funding and training opportunities available to increase education on questions and concerns raised by this project. Mr. Duhamel addressed the public comments. Jeffrey Russo, Project Manager, provided further insight into the revised stormwater runoff and curb cut placements, and informed the board that the stormwater flow on the site map was incorrect. Mr. O’Neil consulted Mr. Levesque for legal counsel on the Department of Transportation’s stormwater approval of the project. Mr. Gagnier emphasized that the current Town ordinance requires data for a 25-year storm flow, and that the current plans are incompliant.
Upon no further questions, Mr. O’Neil polled the board for approval of this item. Mr. Nardone asked the board to seek conditional approval. Ms. Letendre stated the conditions of approval, which included: no commercial vehicle parking overnight, amending plan sheets to correct stormwater drainage, providing 25-year storm amounts, update landscaping to reflect drainage reconfiguration, inclusion of a bike rack, adding additional plantings along Granite Street, and a 90 day limit upon completion of the stormwater for plantings to be placed. Mr. Devine, Mr. Lawlor, Ms. Kellogg, Mr. Gagnier, and Mr. O’Neil were against approval, and wanted to see the most current and completed plans. Mr. Nicholas and Mr. Delisio were in favor of approval with conditions.
Mr. Gagnier moved a motion to continue discussion and the public hearing to the next meeting. Mr. Devine seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously. This topic will continue to be continued to the May 20th regular meeting, and the public hearing will remain open.
Mr. O’Neil called a recess at 9:15 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:21 p.m.
2. Zoning Ordinance Provisions
Ms. Letendre led discussion of this item as the board reviewed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance provisions. The Town Planner informed the board that a portal for online planning submissions is currently in development and would allow applicants to submit materials directly online. Key topics of ordinance changes and questions posed included the specifics of zoning certificates, online planning application submissions, special use permits, non-conforming lots, zoning use, special conditions, unified development review, and Zoning Board decisions, among other topics. Mr. Gagnier suggested adding a future agenda item for discussion of line 890. The review of the Zoning Ordinance Provisions will continue to the May 20th meeting.
F. NEW BUSINESS – There was no discussion
G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
Ms. Letendre shared that the Town received a technical assistance grant to complete an Urban Canopy study, and that there will be an open house on May 28th, from 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. in the Wilcox Park library. The movement of the June 3rd Special meeting to June 10th was also discussed.
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT- There was no discussion
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BOARD QUESTIONS
Mr. O’Neil reminded members that the Town Council is continuing to review applications for the vacant seat on the Planning Board.
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS
1. May 20th, 2025, Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. – all board members will be present
2. June 10th, 2025, Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m.- Mr. Devine cannot be present, but all remaining board members can attend
K. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gagnier motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:08 p.m., and Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- May 20th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 5/30/2025.
APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 06/17/2025.