Town Of Narragansett: Planning Board Public Hearing November 27, 2023

Press release from the Town of Narragansett:

November 9, 2023

TOWN OF NARRAGANSETT

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NARRAGANSETT PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENTS TO SUBDIVISION AND LAND USE REGULATIONS

Public Notice is hereby given that the Planning Board of the Town of Narragansett will hold a Public Hearing on a series of text amendments required to remain compliant with RI General Laws Chapter 45-23 the Rhode Island “Subdivision of Land” enabling act.

The purpose of this hearing is to consider text amendments to Sections I, II, III, IV, V, VIII, XI, XII and XV addressing recent changes to the State enabling act adopted by the RI General Assembly in 2023.

Section I – Authority and Intent

C. Construction and Intent – Add reference to comprehensive permits,

unified development review and development plan review.

E. Vested Rights, Continuation of Prior Regulations – Update date of

adoption.

Section II – Addition or amendment of 25 definitions

Section III – General Requirements – Classification and Certificate of Completeness

A . Required Findings – Add allowance for utility lots.

C. Land Unsuitable for Development – Update of wetland and flood zone

standards.

Section IV – Special Requirements

1. Residential Cluster Developments – Revise standards for subdivision review making cluster preferred to conventional layout.

1. Comprehensive Permit Applications for Affordable Housing – Insert detailed standards for submittal, certification and processing of comprehensive permit applications.

1. Minor Subdivisions involving no Street Creation or Extension – Update text increasing all references to minor subdivisions from five (5) to nine (9) lots.

1. Minor Subdivisions involving Street Creation or Extension - Update

text increasing all references to minor subdivisions from five (5)

to nine (9) lots.

F. Development Plan Review – Insert detailed standards for classification,

submittal, certification and processing of applications that qualify for

development plan review.

1. Unified Development Review – Insert detailed standards for qualification , submittal, certification and processing of development plans, subdivisions or land development projects needing zoning relief where unified development review is allowed.

Section V – Procedure for approval of Plats and Plans

C3. Minor Land Development and Minor Subdivisions – Text

amendments to procedures for approval of minor subdivisions and

land developments including categories of allowed waivers,

modifications and changes to plats or plans.

C4. Major Land Development and Major Subdivisions - Text

amendments to procedures for approval of major subdivisions and

land developments including categories of allowed waivers,

modifications and changes to plats or plans.

D1. Precedence of approvals between the Planning Board and other

local permitting authorities / Applications that do not qualify for

Unified Development Review – Add text to clarify process.

D2. Precedence of approvals between the Planning Board and other

local permitting authorities / Applications that qualify for

Unified Development Review. Add text to clarify process.

Section VIII – Waivers and Modifications – Add text to set standards for waivers and/or

modifications of subdivisions, land developments or projects subject to development plan review.

Section XI – Administration of the Regulations and Amendments – Update definition of

administrative officer and increase administrative fees.

Section XII – Appeals – Add text directing appeals of decisions of the administrative

officer to the Superior Court.

Section XV – Checklists – Complete re-write of checklists for minor subdivision and

land development plans, major subdivision land development plans and addition of checklist for projects subject to development plan review.

The hearing date and time is as follows:

Monday, November 27, 2023

6:00 p.m.

Town Hall

Assembly Room

25 Fifth Avenue, Narragansett, RI

Materials will be available for public review at the Town Clerk’s office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November 10, 2023 through November 27, 2023. Thereafter the full file of this request will be available for review in the Community Development Department. This set of text amendments may be altered or amended prior to the close of the public hearing as a result of further study, or because of the views expressed at the public hearing without further advertising. Any alteration or amendment so made shall be presented for comment in the course of the public hearing.

Individuals requesting interpreter services for the hearing impaired must notify the Department of Community Development at (401) 789-0632 forty eight hours in advance of the hearing date.

Terence Fleming Michael J. DeLuca

Planning Board Chairman Community Development Director

This press release was produced by the Town of Narragansett. The views expressed here are the author’s own.