Planning Board Special Meeting - Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 - 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: Jean Gagnier,

Secretary: Derek Lombard, Members: Perry Kellogg, Maurice Devine, James Nicholas, and Alternate: VACANT

 

Absent: Member: Jeffrey Russo

 

Town Staff: Principal Planner: Aidan Adams, 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 –

 

Mr. Gagnier proposed that discussion of affordable housing and legislation be added to the meeting agenda. Mr. Gagnier moved a motion to add this item for discussion, and Mr. Nicholas seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed. This item will be discussed during the Administrative Officer’s Report

 

E.     OLD BUSINESS – There was no discussion

 

F.     NEW BUSINESS

 

1)      Resolution for Fair Housing Month - April 2026

 

Board members reviewed the Resolution Recognizing April 2026 as

National Fair Housing Month. Mr. Adams explained that the resolution is reviewed annually and action taken by the board shows support of fair housing initiatives. Board members discussed, covering topics such as discussion from the April 6^th Town Council meeting, comparison to other municipalities, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Mr. Levesque provided legal counsel on the application requirements of the CDBG program. Mr. Devine called a point of order, inquiring if action taken and discussion of the resolution should be completed by the Town Council. Mr. O’Neil addressed the inquiry, expressing that the resolution is brought to the Planning Board as it relates to the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Gagnier motioned not to bring the document forward. Members discussed further. Mr. Lombard shared a past housing event that occurred in 2020 and highlighted the resolution’s impact on the community. After thorough discussion, Mr. Gagnier withdrew his motion. Mr. Gagnier then motioned to approve the resolution as written, and Mr. Nicholas seconded. Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Gagnier, Mr. O’Neil, Mr. Lombard, and Ms. Kellogg were in favor. Mr. Devine abstained. The motion carried 5-0. The resolution passed

 

G.    ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT –

 

1)      Update on potential joint meeting with the affordable housing committee - Board members discussed potential dates for a joint session with the affordable housing committee. May 19^th at 6:00 p.m. was tentatively scheduled, to ensure all members and committee chair could be present. Mr. Adams would provide an update on this item at the next regularly scheduled Planning meeting

 

2)      Future Agenda & Monthly Report Matrix – There was no discussion

 

3)      Rhode Island Housing Affordable draft data - Mr. Adams distributed a document providing draft data of Affordable Housing units in Westerly. Members posed questions of monitoring agents and the actual number of units available, compared to the data provided. Mr. Adams shared that the affordable housing committee is meeting Wednesday, April 8^th, at 5:30 p.m., if any members could attend

 

4)      Rhode Island Legislation and Affordable Housing Documentation Review

 

Mr. Gagnier shared a variety of documents including: the “Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade | A Priority Memorandum” dated December 4^th, 2024, “Jacobs Westerly New Connections Model”, “Inventory of Housing Production 2025-2040”, “Effluent Flow Data for WWTF from January 2024-May 2024,” and State of Rhode Island Local and Town/City-wide General Assembly Acts relating to: taxation, construction projects, Low to Moderate Income Housing, and Parking Spaces. Board members reviewed and discussed the documents, commenting on existing law, deed restrictions, the 25% Low-to-Moderate-Income requirement, and potential solutions to affordable housing challenges, in addition to other topics. Mr. Levesque was consulted for legal counsel regarding water supply density impacts and potential changes to density requirements. Mr. Devine suggested the Planning Board meet more frequently with the affordable housing committee

 

H.    ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT –

 

Mr. Levesque gave a brief presentation on the current tools available for development. It was highlighted that while the Planning and Zoning scope has changed in response to new legislation, the administrative subdivision, minor subdivision, double plan review, and land development project applications are still utilized. Mr. Levesque emphasized that the Planning Board’s key role is developing a record, and members can request a peer review of an application, if deemed necessary. Mr. Nicholas inquired about application denials, and Mr. Levesque addressed the inquiry

 

I.       FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS –

 

In response to topics discussed during the Assistant Solicitor for Planning and Zoning’s Report, Mr. Gagnier suggested legislation, tools for development, and the Planning Board’s role, be revisited  

 

J.      CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS

 

2. April 21st, 2026, Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. – All members will be present

 

K.    ADJOURNMENT –

 

Mr. Nicholas motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Mr. Gagnier seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

 

Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 4/21/2026

Approved by board vote on 5/19/2026