Development plan review body
A. Establishment. The Warren Planning Board is hereby established as the development plan review body for the waterfront overlay district, pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws, §45-24-49. An ex officio non-voting member shall also serve as a member of the board. The ex officio non-voting member shall be a member of the Town of Warren Voluntary Historic District Committee.
B. Duties and powers.
1. The planning board shall review all development and demolition in the waterfront overlay district pursuant to the procedures, requirements, and standards of this article.
2. With respect to applications involving only uses that are permitted by right under the zoning ordinance, the planning board shall approve or approve with condition the application based solely upon specific and objective requirements and standards of this article.
3. With respect to applications involving uses that require a special-use permit, a variance, a zoning ordinance amendment, and/or a zoning map change, the planning board shall first review the application and accompanying plans for compliance with this article and shall vote to either disapprove or conditionally approve the application. The planning board shall forward the application to the zoning board of review or the town council, as appropriate, accompanied by a written opinion recommending approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval.
4. The planning board shall hold a public hearing on each application for large-scale development or demolition within the waterfront overlay district. Notice of such hearing shall be made to the applicant, landowners, and to the general public in accordance with the requirements of section 32-20 of this ordinance. The cost of notification shall be borne by the applicant.
5. To assist in its review of applications for development or demolition within the waterfront overlay district, the planning board may request comments from other agencies and officials of the town.
6. The planning board may provide advice and assistance to property owners, and to the town, on design and planning issues within the waterfront overlay district.
7. The planning board shall have the right to retain the services of professional help reasonably required to carry out the purposes of this article. Any expense incurred in the retention of such professional assistance shall be borne by the applicant, provided that such services are rendered solely with respect to the applicant's proposed development.
C. Voting.
1. Separate votes shall be taken for each application. Disapproval of an application within the waterfront overlay district is appealable to the zoning board of review under Rhode Island General Laws, § 45-24-64.
2. The concurring vote of the majority of the review board shall be necessary to approve an application.