Statutory authority and purpose
The purpose of the waterfront overlay district is to establish and maintain a zoning district of mixed uses characterized by architectural and design standards consistent with traditional New England maritime centers, with sidewalks; pedestrian-friendly access; storefront windows allowing window shopping; walkways, bicycle paths; off-street parking dispersed into small, landscaped lots; trees; and access and visual right-of-ways to waterfront.
The overlay district is designed to ensure development of the waterfront in a manner that ensures the following:
A. Development in a manner consistent with the goals and policies of the Warren Comprehensive Plan.
B. Orderly and harmonious development along the waterfront, including site and architectural design which is compatible with traditional New England maritime centers, and the surrounding area, safe and convenient provisions of automobile and pedestrian access and circulation, landscaping and appropriate signage and light.
C. The preservation of important cultural and historical resources and the consideration of development impacts on valuable natural resources, including the Warren River.
The waterfront overlay district is an overlay zoning district as defined in the Rhode Island General Laws, § 45-24-31(50).
The waterfront overlay district shall be defined as the waterfront district (W) and those parcels located in the special district (SD) specifically referred to in section 32-42K.1 of this ordinance.
The boundaries of the waterfront overlay district and development parcel, are shown on the town official zoning map.