Decisions and records of Zoning Board of Review

1. Following a public hearing, the Zoning Board of Review shall render a decision within a reasonable period of time. The Zoning Board of Review shall include in its decision all findings of fact and conditions, showing the vote of each member participating thereon, and the absence of a member or his or her failure to vote. Decisions shall be recorded and filed in the office of the Zoning Board of Review within thirty (30) working days from the date when the decision was rendered, and shall be a public record.
2. The Zoning Board of Review shall keep written minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations, findings of fact, and other official actions, all of which shall be recorded and filed in the office of the Zoning Board of Review in an expeditious manner upon completion of the proceeding. For any proceeding in which the right of appeal lies to the Superior or Supreme Court, the Zoning Board of Review shall have the minutes taken either by a competent stenographer or recorded by a sound-recording device.
3. Any decision by the Zoning Board of Review, including any special conditions attached thereto, shall be mailed to the applicant, to the zoning enforcement officer of the Town, and to the Associate Director of the Division of Planning of the Rhode Island Department of Administration. Any decision evidencing the granting of a variance, modification, or special use shall also be recorded in the land evidence records of the Town.
4. All determinations of the Board shall be made in accordance with the comprehensive plan specified in Title 45 Chapter 24 of the General Law of 1956 as amended.
5. In authorizing special use permits, the Board shall be bound by the conditions for special uses which are set out in this Ordinance and in authorizing either special use permits or variances the Board may impose such further conditions as are deemed necessary for the protection of neighboring properties and the public interest, as further described in Article X. Special Conditions.