LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
1904 LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
A. Purpose The purpose of the land development project, as established by state statute, is to review proposed developments to determine compliance with the standards and intent of this Ordinance and the development review regulations adopted by the City Plan Commission pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §45-23.
B. Authority Consistent with the development review regulations, the City Plan Commission or administrative officer may approve a land development project. The City Plan Commission may also approve modifications to select dimensional standards as described in item E. The City Plan Commission may also approve variances and special use permits through unified development review. No demolition, foundation, or building permits will be issued, and no site work will be allowed for any development requiring approval of a land development project until the City Plan Commission has approved the final plan.
C. Applicability
1. Any development that meets one or more of the following criteria is considered a land development project: a. New construction of 10,000 square feet or more in gross floor area.
b. Additions or enlargements to structures where the new gross floor area of the addition or enlargement is 10,000 square feet or more.
c. Construction of new gross floor area that creates 10 or more dwelling or rooming units.
d. Development of 50 or more new parking spaces.
2. The following types of development that may meet the above thresholds are not considered land development projects: a. Any development in an institutional district that is part of an institutional master plan.
b. Any development subject to review by the Downtown Design Review Committee or the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission.
c. Primary and secondary educational facilities in residential zones.
D. Procedure All land development projects, including requests for unified development review, shall be reviewed by the applicable permitting authority according to the development review regulations. For all land development projects, the Director of the Department of Planning and Development, or his designee shall conduct a design review session to evaluate compliance with applicable design standards of the Ordinance and suggest improvements that could be made. The Director or designee conducting the review shall file a report with the City Plan Commission.
E. Adjustments of Dimensional Regulations
1. The City Plan Commission has the authority to make adjustments to certain dimensional and design standards through land development project review when one or more of the following occur: a. Where open space is permanently set aside for public use.
b. Where the physical characteristics, location, or size of the site require an adjustment.
c. Where the location, size, and type of use require an adjustment.
d. Where the required build-to percentage requires an adjustment.
e. Where design standards require an adjustment.
f. Where housing for low- and moderate-income families is provided.
g. Where other amenities not required are provided, as stipulated in this Ordinance.
h. Where structured parking is provided.
i. Where vertical mixed-use development is provided, of which at least 50% is devoted to residential use.
j. Where there is no fossil fuel combustion on the property.
2. The City Plan Commission adjustments are limited to the following thresholds: ADJUSTMENT- ADJUSTMENTREGULATION RESIDENTIAL ZONES NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONES Required Setback ±10’ ±10’ Building Height +12’, not to exceed 1 extra story +24’, not to exceed 2 extra stories Dwelling Unit Density +50% +50% Lot Building Coverage +25% Not Applicable Required Parking -50% -50% 3. The City Plan Commission may modify design regulations of the C-2, C-3, M-MU, and W-2 Districts, and the TOD Overlay District.