Planning commission takes public comment, continues Westwood Estates reconfiguration to Sept. 24
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Summary
The Coventry Planning Commission continued a master-plan hearing on a proposal by Hometown America Communities to reconfigure Westwood Estates, drawing extensive public comment on home moves, water and sewer capacity, flooding, and eviction concerns.
The Coventry Planning Commission on Aug. 27 continued a public hearing on a proposed reconfiguration of Westwood Estates, moving the matter to the commission's Sept. 24 meeting after residents raised concerns about home relocations, water and sewer capacity, and potential displacement.
The hearing drew more than a dozen residents who described worries about the safety and feasibility of physically moving older manufactured homes, reduced lot sizes, drainage and flooding, water-pressure and fire-suppression capacity, and past landlord practices. Doug McClain, the town planner, told attendees the applicant requested the continuance and that planning staff and technical reviewers had provided comments the applicant was addressing.
Residents described several specific concerns. Kathy Phillips, a Westwood Estates resident, said residents received a letter from the owner, Hometown America Communities, and that she had been told — and later corrected — that eviction was possible if a resident refused relocation. Phillips also said homeowners had invested life savings in their homes and pressed the commission to ensure protections against displacement. Robert Thomas and other residents said plan documents posted online show about 11 existing homes would be moved and up to 46 new sites would be created; residents said they were not given advance meetings and described physical risks to decades-old structures if moved by crane.
Other public comments included questions about whether the expansion would require sewer installation or larger water mains, who would pay hook-up or relocation costs, responsibility for damage to homes and additions during moves, impacts to mail and trash service capacity, and whether tree removal would eliminate green space residents regularly use. Francis Lanoue asked specifically about mail and trash capacity; Jonathan Longo and others raised flooding and drainage problems on Torch Lane and Sandra Circle. Several speakers said park infrastructure now has limited lighting and few fire hydrants. Multiple speakers said they had not received mailed notices and asked the company to provide signed, mailed information to every household.
Applicant representative Thomas Cronin, appearing for the owner, said the applicant had requested a date-certain continuance to allow time to respond to comments from planning staff and public-safety and public-works reviewers. McClain said the applicant's letter to residents would be posted to the planning department webpage and that additional materials would be uploaded “about five days or so” before the Sept. 24 meeting. He also encouraged written comments to be emailed to the planning department so decision makers have them in advance.
Commissioners voted to continue the hearing to Sept. 24, 2025; the motion carried. McClain reminded the audience the planning commission is one of two decision makers on the project and that the town council will separately consider any required zone change later, likely in October. The commission said all written submissions already provided would be placed on the record and added to the meeting materials.
The continuance and the large turnout mean the commission will take up the item again at the Sept. 24 meeting; staff said they may change meeting location if a larger room is needed and will post updates to the town website.
Residents were advised they can submit written comments once the applicant posts revised materials. Town planner Doug McClain said staff reads submitted comments and advised waiting until new materials are posted before submitting detailed technical comments so they address the latest proposal.
