River Corridor Overlay District

The River Corridor Overlay District is hereby established to regulate the development and use of land, buildings, structures, improvements and facilities in proximity to the Blackstone River, with regard to assessing the impacts of development on the river environment with regard to issues of health and safety,

environmental protection, public access, visual and architectural quality and long-term planning strategies. All land, buildings, structures, improvements and facilities within the River Corridor Overlay District shall be regulated by both the requirements of the district in which they are located and the requirements of this overlay district.

12.3-1 River Corridor Review Commission. The river corridor review commission is hereby established as the agency authorized with the administration of the River Corridor Overlay District. The members of the river corridor review commission shall be the members of the planning board. For those areas under the authority of the redevelopment agency, which are also within the River Corridor Overlay District, the members of the redevelopment agency shall also serve as members of the river corridor review commission.

12.3-1.1 Delegation of Authority. The river corridor review commission may delegate limited review authority to the city planner. As so authorized by the river corridor review commission, the city planner may review and approve applications (with or without special conditions) for proposed projects which are deemed by the city planner to have little or no impact on the surrounding area. Determinations made by the city planner may be appealed to the river corridor review commission in writing.

12.3-2 Design Guidelines. Design Review Guidelines have been adopted by the Woonsocket Planning Board effective June 2, 2015.

12.3-3 Submission of Plans and Proposals. A proposal for development within this overlay district may be made by any applicant by filing with the city planner an application describing the proposal and

supporting materials. Applications and supporting materials shall be submitted for review under this subsection prior to the submittal of plans for a building permit. Supporting materials shall include seven (7) sets of each of the following:

12.3-3.1 Site Plan. A site plan is required which shall be prepared by a registered land surveyor or by a registered professional engineer, as appropriate under the requirements established by the State of Rhode Island for each class, and which shall include without limitation the following:

(1) Location of all existing and proposed buildings and structures, including signs;

(2) Location of all existing and proposed site improvements, including utilities;

(3) Location of all existing and proposed points of vehicular and pedestrian access;

(4) Location of all existing and proposed interior access corridors and parking spaces; and

(5) Existing and proposed contour data for the site, at two-foot intervals.

12.3-3.2 Architectural Submittals. Architectural submittals are required which shall include without limitation the following:

(1) Elevations for all sides of any proposed building or structure, including signs; and

(2) Exterior lighting plans.

12.3-4 Pre-Development Conference. Developers shall be encouraged, but are not required, to discuss proposals at the outset with the city planner and the division engineer for suggestions and general guidance.

12.3-5 Evaluation of Proposals. Proposals for development within this overlay district shall be reviewed with respect to the following:

(1) Availability of public access to river;

(2) Impacts on available utilities and the planning of future improvements;

(3) Off-site traffic impacts;

(4) On-site traffic circulation;

(5) On- and off-site environmental impacts:

(6) Overall visual quality;

(7) Site layout.

12.3-6 Penalties. All plans and designs approved by the river corridor review commission shall be executed as such. Failure to comply with approved plans shall be deemed a violation of this ordinance and of the building permit issued for such development, and shall cause the building official to issue a stop-work order until such time that the violation has been satisfactorily remedied.