Standards for merger of substandard lots on a district-by-district basis

The Town of Barrington is primarily a residential community with approximately 85% of the land area either already developed, or unable to be developed due to physical or legal constraints. The residential dwelling and traffic patterns, which were originally created for a less dense population, are already excessive in many areas of the Town, and the need for preserving the open space that is yet available is evident. In keeping the land use goals contained in the Comprehensive Plan, including that to preserve the essential character of the community, and to ensure that future development is compatible with adjoining land uses, the natural environment, community services and existing historic and cultural features, the merger provisions of § 185-26 hereof shall apply to all areas within the Town of Barrington. On a district-by-district basis, the following standards shall also apply:

• A. Hampden Meadows. The Hampden Meadows district is that portion of the Town of Barrington to the east of the Barrington River and Hundred Acre Cove. This is a heavily developed residential district where development has resulted in costly expansions to both elementary schools, Hampden Meadows and Sowams, and an increase in traffic on the road systems, making them inadequate to service the dense populations therein. Likewise, this district is in need of preserving what little unprotected open space is left. It is also environmentally sensitive in the portions adjacent to the Barrington River, Hundred Acre Cove and the Palmer River. For the purposes of this chapter, this merger district is a combined zoning district whose developed areas consist primarily of R-25 and R-10 Districts.
• B. Primrose Hill. The Primrose Hill district is that portion of the Town to the west of the Barrington River and east of Washington Road, bounded by Lincoln Avenue on the south end and the East Providence border on the north. This area is residential, with the exception of some primary, secondary and higher educational institutions which generate significant additional traffic, and some environmentally sensitive land bordering on Barrington River and Hundred Acre Cove. There is very little capacity for further development in this area. Likewise, there are numerous substandard original lots which, without the merger requirement, would result in a degradation of the character of the neighborhood and an overloading of the public infrastructure thereof. This merger district is a combined zoning district whose developed areas consist primarily of R-25 and R-10 Districts.
• C. Bay Spring. The Bay Spring district of Town is bounded on the north by the East Providence boundary, on the east by Washington Road, on the south by Allins Cove, and on the west by the Providence River. This is a heavily developed area with many small substandard lots of record. To prevent the degradation of the neighborhood and the overburdening of the public infrastructure, particularly the road system, lot merger is particularly appropriate and important here. This merger district is a combined zoning district whose developed areas consist primarily of R-10, Neighborhood Business, Business and Limited Manufacturing Districts.
• D. Nayatt Point/Rhode Island Country Club. This district is bounded on the north by Allins Cove and Lincoln Avenue, on the east by a line extending from Lincoln Avenue along Middle Highway to Narragansett Bay, on the south by Narragansett Bay, and on the west by the Providence River. This is a residential area defined by many large lots and homes. Much of this area is waterfront, and to preserve the character of the area it is necessary to apply the merger provisions. This merger district is a combined zoning district whose developed areas consist primarily of R-40, R-25 and R-10 Districts.
• E. Central/Business. This district is bounded on the north by Lincoln Avenue, on the east by the Barrington River, on the south by County Road and a line extending westerly from County Road through Brickyard Pond to Middle Highway, and on the west by Middle Highway. This area of Town includes the County Road central business district, the mixed-use Maple Avenue area and a portion of Brickyard Pond and Veterans Memorial Park. It also includes most of the developed portion of the state-designated wellhead protection area for the Nayatt Wellfield, as well as a large portion of the aquifer recharge area which is the source of groundwater for the wells. Much of the district, particularly the Maple Avenue area, is already heavily developed and has many substandard lots which should be merged. Given the existing burden on the public infrastructure in this area, particularly apparent due to existing traffic problems, and the need to provide protection for the Town's water supply, merger is appropriate for this district. This merger district consists primarily of R-25, R-10 and Business Districts.
• F. Rumstick/Adams Point. This district is bounded on the north by a line extending westerly from County Road through Brickyard Pond to Middle Highway, on the east by the Barrington River, on the south by Narragansett Bay, and on the west by Middle Highway and a line extending directly to the Bay from the southerly terminus of Middle Highway. It includes the remaining portions of Brickyard Pond and Veterans Memorial Park, including wetlands around Brickyard Pond, as well as the Nayatt Wellfield, the remaining portion of the state-designated wellhead protection area, the entire aquifer and the largest portion of the aquifer recharge area. The residential areas of this district include the Rumstick and Adams Point areas, which are substantially developed with large homes. Failure to have lot merger in this district would provide a threat to the public water supply system, and would substantially depreciate the value of the residential property. This merger district consists primarily of R-40, R-25 and R-10 Districts.