§ 15.2

Request for Findings and Recommendations

Immediately upon receipt of an application for a variance, the zoning board of review may forward said application to the planning board for review and recommendation. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of said application from the zoning board of review, the planning board and/or staff shall report its findings and recommendations, including a statement of the general consistency of the application with the goals and purposes of the comprehensive plan, in writing to the zoning board of review.

15.3 Filing fees for applications/petitions before the zoning board of review shall be as follows:

a. Filing fee tor Residential Uses: (this charge is based on the use o[the subject property the application is addressing)

1. Single-family residence or in-law apartment, one hundred seventy-five dollars ($175.00);

2. Duplex residence, two hundred dollars ($200.00);

3. Multi-family structures up to nine (9) units, two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225.00) for the first unit, plus seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each additional unit thereafter;

4. Multi-family structures ten (10) units or more, two hundred seventy-five dollars ($275.00) for the first unit, plus one hundred ($100.00) for each additional unit thereafter;

b. Application fee for all residential applications: one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00)

c. Filing fee for Commercial/Industrial Uses/Office: (this calculation is based on the square footage of the building/structure that the use proposed in the application will occupy and not necessarily the total footprint of the building/structure)

1. Use containing up to five thousand (5,000) square feet of gross floor space, three hundred dollars ($300.00)

2. Use containing more than five thousand (5,000), but less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor space, three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00)

3. Use containing more than ten thousand (10,000), but less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of gross floor space, four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425.00)

4. Use containing more than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of gross floor space, five hundred-fifty dollars ($550.00) plus twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor space over twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of gross floor space;

d. Application fee for all non-residential variances or special use permits, including signs, three hundred dollars ($300.00)

e. Appeals of zoning officer or administrative officer's decision, three hundred seventy-five dollars ($375.00) flat fee plus notification and recording costs.

f. Extension of Variance or Special Use Permit, three hundred dollars ($300.00) flat fee plus notification and recording costs.

g. A notification charge will be added to all applications:

1. Three dollars ($3.00) per abutter within two hundred (200) feet of the perimeter of the property. This fee covers the cost of preparing and mailing the legal notice to the abutters of the subject property and all other parties requiring notice by state law.

2. The actual cost of advertising the application in the Woonsocket Call. This charge will depend on the actual cost incurred for advertising the application. This cost will be determined at the time the application fee is totaled.

h. Recording charge, this charge will depend on the actual cost incurred for recording the decision of the Zoning Board in the land evidence records of the subject property(s). This cost will be determined at the time the application fee is totaled.

i. The zoning board reserves the right to assess additional fees up to and including the cost of additional filing, application, and notification and advertising fees if an application requires more than one hearing. The board may assess these fees based on the applicant's request to continue the hearing to produce additional evidence or testimony.

j. Stenographer Services Fee. Each Applicant shall pay a One Hundred Twenty-five Dollar ($125.00) administrative fee at the time of application. Said fee is solely for the purpose of dfraying the cost to the City of engaging a stenographer to be present at the meeting. Said fee shall not entitle the applicant to a transcript.

(Ch. No. 8131, Sec. 1, 10/07/2019; Ch. No. 8555, Sec. 1, 2/3/2025)

15.3-1 Increased Fees:

Where any action requiring the granting of a variance or special use permit by the zoning board of review has commenced prior to the granting of said variance or special use permit, the filing fees for such applications before the zoning board of review shall be increased to twice the amount established above, unless an exemption from the requirements of this subsection is granted by the zoning board of review upon request of the petitioner and recommendation of the zoning officer.

15.3-2 Waiver of Fees

Where an application for a variance or special use permit is submitted by a charitable organization and a determination is made by the zoning officer that payment of the required filing fee would impose an undue financial burden on that organization, the zoning officer may grant a waiver of said filing fee, in part or in whole. [Chapter 6482, 5/15/98]

15.3-3 Cost for Special Meeting:

Any petitioner seeking a special or unscheduled meeting of the zoning board of review will be responsible for all costs incurred including the appropriate fee, cost of notification, advertisement, and stenographic services and members' stipends. Should more than one petitioner seek a special meeting, costs will be divided proportionately