General descriptions of standard zoning districts

Following are the general descriptions of the standard zoning districts. These are intended to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Any modification of this chapter shall be consistent with the considerations set forth below and pertinent sections of the Comprehensive Plan.

• A. Residential districts.
  • (1) Rural Residential 60. Rural Residential 60 Zoning District is intended for residential areas characterized by very low density development and comprised mostly of land that is currently used for agriculture and contains wetlands, other severe soil constraints, or other sensitive environmental characteristics. The rural residential districts are designed to protect many of the Town's most valuable natural resources. (Note that within the watershed of the salt pond, a maximum density of one dwelling unit per two acres is required by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Special Area Management Plan.) Rural Residential 60 is designed for those areas which do not have access to municipal sewers or municipal water.
  • (2) Low-Density Residential 43. The Low-Density Residential 43 Zoning District is intended for residential areas, such as Watch Hill, which are comprised predominantly of large single-family homes on large lots and which are served by municipal water but not by municipal sewers systems. The minimum one-acre lot size is designed to preserve the existing character of such neighborhood.
  • (3) Low-Density Residential 40. The Low-Density Residential 40 Zoning District is intended to protect and preserve areas of prime agricultural soils for continued agricultural and agriculturally oriented uses. The standards and densities prescribed for this district are intended to preserve the open character of the area and thereby to protect the business of agriculture. Residential use in this district is restricted to a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet.
  • (4) Medium-Density Residential 30 and 20. The Medium-Density Residential 30 and 20 Zoning Districts are generally intended for single-family neighborhoods adjacent to high-density areas. These zoning districts are designed to conform to existing development patterns rather than encourage major expansions beyond defined neighborhoods. Most areas within this district are connected to municipal water but not to municipal sewers. Specific provision is provided for alternative residential development of certain property of substantial size in the R-30 Zoning District.
  • (5) High-Density Residential 15, 10 and 6. High-Density Residential 15, 10 and 6 Zoning Districts are intended primarily for areas of existing residential development. These zoning districts are designed for areas where existing densities are high, close to saturation, which include a variety of housing types. These areas are served by municipal water. Also except Misquamicut, they are served by municipal sewers.
• B. Commercial districts.
  • (1) Professional/Office. The Professional/Office Zoning District is intended to establish areas within which the Town encourages a concentration of professional office and related uses. Property in this district often provides a transitional area between more intense districts and residential districts.
  • (2) Downtown Center 1 and 2. Downtown Center Zoning Districts are intended for areas comprising the downtown business core and immediately surrounding areas characterized by mixed uses, high-density residential uses and retail shops. The Downtown Center Zones are intended to preserve the distinct character of the downtown, which has special needs related to its historic mill town origins, in particular the preservation of historic buildings and facades.
  • (3) General Commercial. The General Commercial Zoning District is intended for areas of historic commercial activity.
  • (4) Highway Commercial. The Highway Commercial Zoning District is intended for areas which are primarily vehicle-oriented because of their location along major roads. An objective of this commercial zoning category is to address existing traffic safety problems associated with excessive curb cuts and to prevent further traffic problems from occurring with future development.
  • (5) Neighborhood Business. The Neighborhood Business Zoning District is intended for areas characterized by small retail and personal service operations but surrounded by residential areas.
  • (6) Marine Commercial. The Marine Commercial Zoning District is intended to establish an area dedicated to marine (water-dependent) and marine-related uses. Uses proposed for the portion of the river designated as Class 3, High-Intensity Boating in the Rhode Island CRMC Program, are consistent with that program.
  • (7) Shore Commercial WH and G. Shore Commercial WH and G Zoning Districts are intended to promote the use of waterfront locations for servicing local and tourist seasonal businesses and water-related activities. The Shore Commercial Districts also provide for both direct and indirect access to the water by the general public. Shore Commercial G is located generally in Misquamicut and Shore Commercial WH is located in Watch Hill. Each zone is intended to allow uses in a manner which limits their impact on abutting residential areas.
• C. Industrial districts.
  • (1) General Industrial. The General Industrial Zoning District is intended for manufacturing uses. This zone is intended for industrial uses which must be segregated because of their incapability with other land uses; it is designed to provide for the infrastructure and operational requirements of industrial uses.
  • (2) Light Industrial. The Light Industrial Zoning District is designed for areas which have historically housed industrial development in proximity to business and residence, and which would be incompatible with more extensive industrial use
  • (3) Office, Research, Assembly and Technology. This district is designed to provide for office research assembly and technology uses that do not require extensive infrastructure, sewer, water, site development, or present a threat to sensitive environmental resource.
• D. Other standard zoning districts.
  • (1) Open Space and Recreation. The Open Space and Recreation Zoning District is intended for areas in use as open space and recreation. This district covers a variety of uses including the Town's well fields, major parks and recreation areas, portions of the barrier beaches and cemeteries.
  • (2) Commercial Recreational. The Commercial Recreational Zoning District is intended for areas that have historically housed commercial/recreational facilities although adjacent to residential areas in order to allow their continued existence subject to reasonable regulations and limitations on future expansion.