§ 400-99
General criteria and standards
In addition to the requirements of Chapter 450, Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, the following criteria and standards shall be used by the Planning Board in reviewing applications for development plan approval. They are intended to provide a framework within which the designer of the site development is free to exercise creativity, invention and innovation. Participation by the Planning Board shall be restricted to reasonable, professional review and, except as otherwise provided in the following subsections, full responsibility for design shall be retained by the applicant.
- A. Ecological considerations. The development shall:
- (1) Result in minimal degradation of unique or irreplaceable land types; minimal adverse impact upon the critical areas such as streams, wetlands, areas of aquifer recharge and discharge, steep slopes, highly erodible soils; areas with a high water table, mature stands of vegetation and extraordinary wildlife nesting, feeding or breeding grounds.
- (2) Conform with existing geological and topographic features so that the most appropriate use of land is encouraged.
- B. Landscape. The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as environmentally desirable, by minimizing tree and soil removal. If development of the site necessitates the removal of established trees, special attention shall be given to the planting of replacements or to other landscape treatment. Any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas. A minimum of 15% of all sites shall be landscaped. Refer to Chapter 450, Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, for specific requirements.
- C. Relationship of proposed structures to environment.
- (1) Proposed structures shall be related harmoniously to each other, the terrain, existing buildings, and roads in the vicinity that have a visual relationship to the proposed structures.
- (2) Proposed structures shall be so sited as to minimize adverse impact upon the surrounding area, and particularly upon any nearby residences, by reason of:
- (a) Building location, height, bulk and shadows;
- (b) Location, intensity, direction and times of use of outdoor lighting;
- (c) Traffic generation, noise generation and pollution;
- (d) Likelihood of nuisances; and
- (e) Other similar considerations.
- (3) Appropriate natural or artificial screening may be required to minimize any such adverse impact.
- D. Scenic, historic, archaeological landmark sites. Scenic, historical, archaeological landmark sites and features that are located on or adjacent to the proposed development shall be preserved and protected. In proposed developments where such sites have been identified, advisory opinions shall be sought from appropriate state and local agencies.
- E. Surface water drainage. A proposed development shall be designed so as to provide for proper surface water management through a system of controlled drainage that:
- (1) Preserves existing natural drainage patterns and wetlands;
- (2) Enhances groundwater recharge areas; and
- (3) Protects other properties and existing natural and artificial drainage features from the adverse effects of flooding, erosion and the depositing of silt, gravel or stone.
- F. Driveway connection to public streets.
- (1) All entrance and exit driveways to public streets shall be located with due consideration for traffic flow and so as to afford maximum safety to traffic on the public streets. Roadway design shall conform to Town and State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation standards (Standards Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction), as appropriate. All such entrances and exits shall be located and designed to:
- (a) Conform with municipal sight distance requirements at corner lots and in accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation standards;
- (b) Achieve maximum practicable distance from street intersections, from existing and proposed access connections and from adjacent properties;
- (c) Minimize left-hand turns and other turning movements; and
- (d) Discourage the routing of vehicular traffic to and through local residential streets.
- (2) Each lot shall be limited to one driveway per street frontage, and any lots created from the original lot shall be served by the single driveway or curb opening. A second curb cut may be approved by the Planning Board as part of the plan approval, if the Board finds that the additional curb cut is necessary and would improve traffic flow on the main road, or is otherwise required by the Fire Chief for that district for emergency access.
- (3) It is encouraged, and the Planning Board may require, that internal driveway and/or pedestrian connections are made between abutting commercial sites.
- (4) To the extent feasible, access to businesses shall be provided via one of the following:
- (a) Access via a common driveway serving adjacent lots or premises;
- (b) Access via an existing side street where deemed appropriate;
- (c) Access via a cul-de-sac or loop road shared by adjacent premises.
- (1) All entrance and exit driveways to public streets shall be located with due consideration for traffic flow and so as to afford maximum safety to traffic on the public streets. Roadway design shall conform to Town and State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation standards (Standards Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction), as appropriate. All such entrances and exits shall be located and designed to:
- G. Traffic effects. The site development proposal generally shall minimize adverse traffic effects on the road networks serving the area in question. A traffic study may be required to document the existing conditions and the potential impact of the proposed development.
- H. Pedestrian safety. Pedestrian and bicycle circulation shall be separated from motor vehicle circulation; safe and convenient pedestrian circulation, including sidewalks, where appropriate, shall be provided on the site and its approaches. The pedestrian circulation plan shall be designed to minimize potential conflicts between vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
- I. On-site parking and circulation.
- (1) The location, width and layout of interior drives shall be appropriate for the proposed interior circulation. Location and layout of accessory off-street parking and loading spaces shall provide for efficient circulation and the safety of pedestrians and vehicles.
- (2) Landscaped areas within parking lots shall occupy a minimum of 10% of the total parking area, with 50% of the landscaping distributed throughout the parking area itself. Trees, shrubbery and other landscaping features shall be of a species and size necessary to provide for shade and for screening of unsightly or highly trafficked areas from public rights-of-way or adjacent uses. Additional perimeter screening and other buffer areas may be required.
- (3) The location of parking areas shall not detract from the design of proposed buildings and structures or from the appearance of the existing neighboring buildings, structures and landscape. Provision shall be made for access by police, fire and emergency vehicles.
- (4) Buffers and perimeter landscaping requirements are as specified in the physical design requirements and public improvement standards section of Chapter 450, Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 450, Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, Art. XIII.
- J. Utility services. Electric, telephone, other wire-served utility lines and service connections shall be underground insofar as feasible and subject to state public utilities regulations. Any utility installations remaining above ground shall be located so as to have a harmonious relationship to neighboring properties and to the site.