2016 -- S 2591 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

========

LC004787/SUB A/2

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND

     

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Section 45-23-44 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-23 entitled

2

"Subdivision of Land" is hereby amended to read as follows:

3

     45-23-44. General provisions -- Physical design requirements. -- (a) All local

4

regulations shall specify, through reasonable, objective standards and criteria, all physical design

5

requirements for subdivisions and land development projects which are to be reviewed and

6

approved pursuant to the regulations. Regulations shall specify all requirements and policies for

7

subdivisions and land development projects which are not contained in the municipality's zoning

8

ordinance.

9

      (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict a municipality's right, within

10

state and local regulations, to establish its own minimum lot size per zoning district in its town or

11

city.

12

      (c) The slope of land shall not be excluded from the calculation of the buildable lot area

13

or the minimum lot size, or in the calculation of the number of buildable lots or units.

14

     (d) Wetland buffers, as defined in §2-1-20, shall be included in the calculation of a

15

minimum lot area and in the total number of square feet or acres of a tract or parcel of land before

16

calculating the maximum potential number of units or lots for development; provided, however,

17

that this shall not apply to lots directly abutting surface reservoirs with direct withdrawals used

18

for public drinking water. Nothing herein changes the definition and applicability of a "buildable

19

lot" as set forth under §45-23-60(a)(4); and nothing herein permits the disturbance of wetlands or

 

1

wetland buffers or otherwise alters the provisions of the fresh water wetlands act, §2-1-18, et seq.

2

      (d)(e) The requirements and policies may include, but are not limited to, requirements

3

and policies for rights-of-way, open space, landscaping, connections of proposed streets and

4

drainage systems with those of the surrounding neighborhood, public access through property to

5

adjacent public property, and the relationship of proposed developments to natural and man-made

6

features of the surrounding neighborhood.

7

      (e)(f) The regulations shall specify all necessary findings, formulas for calculations and

8

procedures for meeting the requirements and policies. These requirements and policies apply to

9

all subdivisions and land development projects reviewed and/or administered under the local

10

regulations.

11

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2017.

========

LC004787/SUB A/2

========

 

LC004787/SUB A/2 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND

***

1

     This act would provide that wetland buffers would be included in the calculation of

2

buildable lot areas, minimum lot sizes and in the calculation of buildable lots or units.

3

     This act would take effect January 1, 2017.

========

LC004787/SUB A/2

========

 

LC004787/SUB A/2 - Page 3 of 3