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Planning Board Regular Meeting - Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 4th, 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: Jean Gagnier,
Secretary: Derek Lombard, Members: Christopher Lawlor, Perry Kellogg, and James Nicholas
Absent: Member Maurice Devine
Town Staff: Administrative Officer/Town Planner: Nancy Letendre, Planner Specialist: Diego Martin, Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, Information Technology: Lanny Fuller, and Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott Levesque
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –
There were no minutes to approve
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA –
There were no changes
E. OLD BUSINESS –
There was no discussion
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Public Hearing: Comprehensive Plan Amendments incorporating land use policy for future development of Route One Corridor
Mr. O’Neil entertained a motion to open the public hearing of this item at 6:01 p.m. Mr. Gagnier motioned to open the public hearing, and Mr. Lawlor seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried 6-0
Mr. O’Neil then entered into the record the following: Exhibit 1- “Proposed 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendments”, Exhibit 2- “Comprehensive Plan’s Additional Goals, Policies, Actions (GPA) - Table 4.5”, Exhibit 3- “Proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments”, and Exhibit 4- “Route One Corridor Plan Design Standards” presentation slides from the November 4th, 2025, meeting. Mr. Gagnier motioned to enter the first three exhibits into the record, and Mr. Lawlor seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. Before continuing discussion, Mr. O’Neil informed the public that while a quorum of both the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Architectural Review Board (ARB) was not reached, members were in attendance to provide additional comment during the public hearing. Chairman Douglas Brockway and Secretary Ken Julian of the EDC were present, as well as Chairman Paul Azzinaro and Vice Chair Nancy Richmond of the ARB.
Planner Specialist Diego Martin and Town Planner Nancy Letendre continued discussion of the Route One Corridor Plan Design Standards, based on Comprehensive Plan amendment changes and board member feedback from the various working sessions. Ms. Letendre and Mr. Martin discussed proposed changes to each transect, such as the removal of the Bed and Breakfast overlay, changes to the Granite Street overlay, and zoning use changes within sub-corridors one and two. Mr. Martin then presented an updated set of graphics of potential Route One Corridor Design Standards, which included changes to signage and the incorporation of New England Coastal Architecture. Right-of-way improvements, building development, wayfinding signage, and infrastructure of sub-corridors three, four, and five, were reviewed. Questions posed and additional topics of discussion during the public hearing included: tax implications, Bed and Breakfast establishments, impacts on the surrounding areas and current property owners, potential businesses, special use permitting, parking, underutilized properties, housing trends, community residences, site conformity, and the Route One Corridor Use Table. Mr. Levesque provided legal counsel on items discussed.
Members of the public were present to provide comment. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, inquired about HDR-6 and P-15 zoning uses, and potential traffic increases with the proposed changes. Dylan LaPietra, 50 Clark Street, Westerly, RI 02891, highlighted the existing traffic in sub-corridor three, and expressed that the proposed changes could impact the area. There were no other members of the public present to comment on this item
A recess was called at 8:21 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:27 p.m.
The board reviewed and discussed the proposed 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendments, the Comprehensive Plan’s adjusted Goals, Policies, Actions (GPA) Table, and Zoning Code Amendments. Ms. Letendre stated that she would provide any further comment received from members of the public or the State at the next meeting
The following motions were made during public hearing discussion of Item F-1:
1. Mr. Nicholas motioned to support the proposed zoning amendment regarding removal of the Bed and Breakfast overlay, and to recommend the change to the Town Council. Mr. Lawlor seconded the proposed motion. Board members were all in favor, and the motion carried 6-0
2. Mr. Gagnier motioned to recommend changing sub-corridor one from Highway-Commercial zoning to P-15, with benefits of single or multi-family residential and professional services. Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously
3. Mr. Nicholas motioned to change the two highlighted properties currently zoned in sub-corridor two as General-Commercial to Highway-Commercial. Ms. Kellogg seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, the motion carried unanimously
4. Mr. Nicholas motioned to approve the proposed recommendations to the Town Council of sub-corridors three and four, including but not limited to: signage, use, set design and setbacks, and building design. Mr. Gagnier seconded. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed 6-0
5. Mr. Nicholas motioned to approve recommendation to the Town Council regarding proposed sub-corridor five, and the removal of Line 342: “The Haversham Inn is the only notable business on this stretch of the roadway” from the proposed 2025 Zoning Code Amendments. Mr. Gagnier seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried 6-0
6. Mr. Nicholas moved a motion to continue the public hearing to the November 18th meeting, and Mr. Lawlor seconded. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously
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 & BOARD QUESTIONS –
Mr. Gagnier suggested the creation of a separate use table for the overlays, and members discussed
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS
1. November 18th, 2025, Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. – All members will be present
K. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gagnier motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m. and Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- November 18th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 11/20/2025
Approved by vote of the board on 12/16/2025