§ 260-5
General purposes
This Zoning Ordinance is designed to implement the Comprehensive Plan and to serve the following purposes, which are intended to be given equal weight and are numbered for reference only:
- A. Promoting the public health, safety, and general welfare.
- B. Providing for a range of uses and intensities of uses appropriate to the character of Westerly and reflecting current and expected future needs.
- C. Providing for orderly growth and development which recognizes:
- (1) The goals and patterns of land use contained in the Comprehensive Plan;
- (2) The natural characteristics of the land, including its suitability for use based on soil characteristics, topography, and susceptibility to surface or groundwater pollution;
- (3) The values and dynamic nature of coastal and freshwater ponds, the shoreline, and freshwater and coastal wetlands;
- (4) The values of unique or valuable natural resources and features;
- (5) The availability and capacity of existing and planned public and/or private services and facilities;
- (6) The need to shape and balance urban and rural development; and
- (7) The use of innovative development regulations and techniques.
- D. Providing for the control, protection, and/or abatement of air, water, groundwater, and noise pollution, and soil erosion and sedimentation.
- E. Providing for the protection of the natural, historic, cultural, and scenic character of Westerly or specific areas therein.
- F. Providing for the preservation and promotion of agricultural production, forest, silviculture, aquaculture, timber resources, and open space.
- G. Providing for the protection of public investment in transportation, water, stormwater management systems, sewage treatment and disposal, solid waste treatment and disposal, schools, recreation, public facilities, open space, and other public requirements.
- H. Promoting a balance of housing choices, for all income levels and groups, to assure the health, safety and welfare of all citizens and their rights to affordable, accessible, safe, and sanitary housing; providing opportunities for the establishment of low- and moderate-income housing.
- I. Promoting safety from fire, flood, and other natural or man-made disasters.
- J. Promoting a high level of design quality in the development of private and public facilities.
- K. Promoting implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
- L. Providing for coordination of land uses with contiguous municipalities, other municipalities, the state, and other agencies, as appropriate, especially with regard to resources and facilities that extend beyond municipal boundaries or have a direct impact on other municipalities.
- M. Providing for efficient review of development proposals, to clarify and expedite the zoning approval process.
- N. Providing procedures for the administration of this Zoning Ordinance, including, but not limited to, modifications, variances, development plan review.
- O. Providing opportunities for reasonable accommodations in order to comply with the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act, RIGL 34-37; the United States Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHAA); the Rhode Island Civil Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, RIGL 42-87; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]