Purpose and objectives
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this article is to permit the review and establishment of land development projects. Land development projects are developments which have been determined to be appropriately implemented through review of the planning board in accordance with R.I.G.L. 1956, § 45-23-1 et seq., due to the impacts associated with the nature of the use; scale of the project; or other unusual conditions which require additional regulations to meet the objectives of this article, the land development and subdivision review regulations adopted by the city planning board and the city comprehensive plan. The types and intensities of uses requiring this procedure are set forth in section 19-362. The review process for land development projects is promulgated to further the following purposes:
(1) Provide for the orderly, thorough and expeditious review and approval of projects;
(2) Promote high quality and appropriate design and construction;
(3) Promote the protection of existing natural and built environment and the mitigation of all significant negative impacts of any proposed development on the existing environment;
(4) Promote design of land developments which are well integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods with regard to natural and built features and which concentrate development in areas which can best support intensive use by reason of natural characteristics and existing infrastructure;
(5) Encourage local design and improvement standards to reflect the intent of the city comprehensive plan with regard to the physical character of various neighborhoods and districts of the municipality;
(6) Promote thorough technical review of all proposed land developments by appropriate local officials;
(7) Encourage local requirements for dedications of public land, impact mitigation and payment-in-lieu thereof, to be based on clear documentation of needs and to be fairly applied and administered; and
(8) Encourage the establishment and consistent application of procedures for local recordkeeping on all matters of land development review, approval and construction.
(b) Subdivision. Where the land development project also constitutes a subdivision, as defined in the land development and subdivision regulations adopted by the city planning board, the two processes shall proceed concurrently in a unified manner. The procedures for review shall be in accordance with this chapter and the land development and subdivision review regulations, including requirements for applications and fees. All information must be submitted, but where there is a duplication of requested information, the application need only provide the information once and make reference to the plans/documents on the other application. At each stage, the subdivision review and action shall take place prior to the site plan review decision on the land development project.
(c) Objectives. Any decision to approve a land development project or any component thereof shall be consistent with the following objectives where applicable:
(1) To promote more economical and efficient use of the land while providing harmonious housing choices and opportunities;
(2) To promote greater flexibility in design and diversification in the location of structures;
(3) To promote greater flexibility and consequently more creative and imaginative design for the development of residential and mixed use areas than generally is possible under conventional zoning regulations;
(4) To provide suitable safeguard and consideration for land use and site and architectural design that is compatible with adjacent districts and uses;
(5) To permit development to an extent commensurate with the availability and capacity of public facilities and services and promote the safe circulation of traffic throughout the city;
(6) To preserve and protect natural resources and features and encourage consideration of environmental impacts and mitigative measures;
(7) To encourage the provision of open space and public access and give due consideration to the quality and design of landscaping;
(8) To encourage adequate consideration for the proper control of erosion, surface and subsurface drainage and pollution;
(9) To facilitate orderly and harmonious site development including safe and convenient provision and design of egress and ingress, off-street parking, truck loading, internal circulation, emergency access, refuse disposal, outdoor storage, signage and lighting;
(10) To give developers reasonable assurance of ultimate approval before incurring the cost of final design and engineering while providing assurances to the city and the general public that the approved project will meet with approved objectives and standards;
(11) To preserve natural, historical and cultural resources to the maximum extent feasible;
(12) To protect appropriate vistas and environmental qualities of the city; and
(13) To assure consideration of the various elements of the comprehensive plan of the city.
(d) Development standards. Any land development project application shall conform to the following standards set forth as well as the city's land development and subdivision review regulations.
(e) Zoning incentives. The permitting authority may grant zoning incentives following the required affirmative findings of G.L. § 45-23-60 consistent with the requirements of G.L. § 45-24-47 (b) and (d).
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 19-361; Ch. 453, § XIII, 7-15-08; Ch. 914, § I(Att.), 12-19-23; Ch. 944, § I(Att.), 9-2-25)