Purpose
In accordance with state statutes, the following purposes have guided the adoption of this chapter. These purposes are recognized to have equal priority and are numbered for reference only:
(1) Promote the public health, safety, and general welfare.
(2) Provide for a range of uses and intensities of use appropriate to the character of the city and reflecting current and expected future needs.
(3) Provide for orderly growth and development which recognizes:
a. The goals and patterns of land use contained in the comprehensive plan of the city adopted and amended thereafter pursuant to G.L. 1956, § 45-22.1-1 et seq.;
b. The natural characteristics of the land including its suitability for use based on soils characteristics, topography, and susceptibility to surface water or groundwater pollution;
c. The values and dynamic nature of coastal and freshwater ponds, the shoreline, and freshwater and coastal wetlands;
d. The values of unique or valuable natural resources and features;
e. The availability and capacity of existing and planned public and/or private services and facilities;
f. The need to shape and balance urban and rural development; and
g. The use of innovative development regulations and techniques.
(4) Provide for the control, protection, and/or abatement of air, water, groundwater, and noise pollution, and soil erosion and sedimentation.
(5) Provide for the protection of the natural, historic, cultural, and scenic character of the city or town or areas therein.
(6) Provide for the preservation and promotion of agricultural production, forest, silviculture, aquaculture, timber resources and open space.
(7) Provide for the protection of public investment in transportation, water, stormwater management systems, sewage treatment and disposal, solid waste treatment and disposal, schools, recreation, public facilities, open space, and other public requirements.
(8) Promote a balance of housing choices, for all income levels and groups, to assure the health, safety and welfare of all citizens and their rights to affordable, accessible, safe and sanitary housing. Provide opportunities for the establishment of low and moderate income housing.
(9) Provide opportunities for the establishment of low and moderate income housing.
(10) Promote safety from fire, flood, and other natural or manmade disasters.
(11) Promote a high level of quality in design in the development of private and public facilities.
(12) Promote implementation of the city comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to R.I.G.L. 1956, § 45-22.2-1 et seq.
(13) Provide for coordination of land uses with contiguous municipalities, other municipalities, the state and other agencies, as appropriate, especially with regard to resources and facilities that extend beyond municipal boundaries or have a direct impact on that municipality.
(14) Provide for efficient review of development proposals, to clarify and expedite the zoning approval process.
(15) Provide for procedures for the administration of the zoning ordinance, including, but not limited to, variances, special use permits and development plan review.
(16) Provide for the creation of land development projects with a review procedure outlined in the land development and subdivision review regulations.
(17) Providing opportunities for reasonable accommodations in order to comply with the state Fair Housing Practices Act (chapter 37 of title 34), the US Fair Housing Amendments of 1988 (FHAA), the state Civil Rights of Individuals with Handicaps Act (chapter 87 of title 42), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (42 U.S.C. section 12101 et seq.).
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 19-2; Ch. 198, § I, 2-19-02; Ch. 914, § I(Att.), 12-19-23)