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Planning Board Regular Meeting - Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.
Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
A. CALL TO ORDER - Mr. Gagnier called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 
B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE – Mr. Gagnier recognized all board members and staff present
Members Present: Vice Chairman (acting as chair): Jean Gagnier,
Secretary: Derek Lombard, Members: Perry Kellogg, Maurice Devine, and Alternate: Patrick Ahern Lemp
Town Staff Present: Administrative Officer/Town Planner: Douglas Loveland, Principal Planner: Christopher Levesque, Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, Information Technology: Lanny Fuller, and Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: James Murphy
Absent: Chairman: Matthew O’Neil, Members: James Nicholas, Jeffrey Russo, and Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott Levesque
Town Planner Loveland introduced Christopher Levesque as the new Principal Planner for the Town of Westerly
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 18th, 2026 – The board reviewed the minutes from the August 18th meeting. No amendments were proposed. Ms. Kellogg motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Mr. Devine seconded the motion. Mr. Lemp abstained, as he was not present at the August 18th meeting. Mr. Gagnier, Mr. Lombard, Ms. Kellogg, and Mr. Devine were in favor. The minutes passed
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA – There were no changes
E. OLD BUSINESS – There was no discussion
F. NEW BUSINESS –
1) Election of Officers - Mr. Devine motioned to move this item to the next meeting, as multiple members and Chairman were not present to vote or make nominations. Ms. Kellogg seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. This item will be tabled to the October 20th meeting
G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT –
1) Presentation of Plan Review Thresholds
Town Planner Loveland and Solicitor Murphy gave a presentation, titled: “RI State Law - Plan Review Thresholds. Mr. Loveland reviewed the various types of plan reviews, outlined their specifications, and detailed the approval processes, whether through the Planning Board, or administratively. Solicitor Murphy then reviewed the Unified Development review of projects, detailing the variance standards that must be met to grant or deny, explaining record requirements, and the procedures for addressing multiple variance requests. Board members provided feedback on information presented. Inquiries posed covered topics such as private versus public streets and impacts on approval, legislation, competing expert testimony, peer review, and timing of meeting materials. Mr. Loveland and Mr. Murphy addressed the inquiries. Mr. Murphy shared that he would provide further information of public versus private streets and approval impacts at a future meeting
2) Information regarding 328 Atlantic Avenue
Mr. Loveland led discussion as members examined the Town owned site at 328 Atlantic Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891. Mr. Loveland provided an overview of the property, describing its current physical conditions, site assessments, environmental restrictions, and proposed uses. The Town Planner displayed photographs of the property, taken by Mr. Gagnier, for the board’s review. Questions posed and additional topics of discussion included: recreation and educational opportunities, environmental impacts, funding, estimated costs, maintenance, liability, and parking. Mr. Loveland highlighted that the discussion is only an introduction, and that this item will be discussed at future meetings
Chairman of the Harbor Management Commission, Ben Webber, was present to provide comment on this matter. Mr. Webber expressed current site concerns shared by the Harbor Management Commission, which included the restrictiveness of the conservation easement and soil contamination. Mr. Webber discussed potential opportunities for the site, and shared images of its former uses in the early 1900s.
Mr. Gagnier suggested a “subcommittee” of board members be created to gather more information on the property and share findings with the Planning Board. Members agreed that a list of concerns from the Harbor Management Commission, full site documentation of the easement and restrictions, site visits, and the site Request for Proposal (RFP), would also be useful in providing additional information. Town Councilor Rose VanDover commented on this item, sharing insight into the site assessments and realtor examinations, parking, and commercial uses. Ms. VanDover requested that a document be provided to outline the full conservation area, and shared that she would be following up with the Town Manager
3) Future Agenda & Monthly Report Matrix - The revised document was reviewed, and members discussed upcoming and ongoing projects
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING/ZONING’S REPORT – No discussion
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS –
Mr. Devine suggested that the board review the: “Saving Rural Rhode Island” document, included with the meeting agenda, at a future meeting. Mr. Gagnier polled the board to discuss whether members would be ready to discuss this item. Mr. Lemp, Mr. Devine, and Mr. Lombard voted to table this item to the next meeting. Ms. Kellogg informed members that she would be ready to discuss at the present meeting. Based on board consensus, this item will be reviewed at the next meeting
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS –
1) October 20th, 2026, Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. - Mr. Lemp, Mr. Gagnier, Mr. Lombard, Ms. Kellogg, and Mr. Devine will be present
K. ADJOURNMENT – Mr. Devine motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – October 20th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 9/24/2026
Approved by Board Vote on 10/20/2026