2017 -- H 5042

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - LOCAL PLANNING BOARD OR COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Donovan, Knight, Craven, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2017

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-22-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-22 entitled "Local

Planning Board or Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-22-7. Powers and duties of a planning board or commission.

     (a) A planning board or commission shall have the sole responsibility for performing all

those acts necessary to prepare a comprehensive plan for a municipality in accordance with the

provisions of chapter 22.2 of title 45.

      (b) Pursuant to § 45-23-51, a planning board or commission shall be empowered by the

city or town council, by ordinance, to adopt, modify, and amend regulations and rules governing

land-development and subdivision projects within that municipality and to control land-

development and subdivision projects pursuant to those regulations and rules. The planning board

or commission shall also provide for the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of land-

development and subdivision review regulations, pursuant to § 45-23-52.

      (c) When directed by the city or town zoning ordinance pursuant to § 45-24-46.4 and the

city or town land development and subdivision review regulations pursuant to § 45-23-50.1, a

planning board or commission shall have the power to review and approve, approve with

conditions, or deny requests for variances and special-use permits submitted as part of land-

development and subdivision applications.

      (d) A planning board or commission established under the provisions of this chapter

shall make studies and prepare plans and reports on the needs and resources of the community

with reference to its physical, economic, and social growth and development as affecting the

health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the people. The studies, plans, and reports shall

concern, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

      (1) Land use and land-use regulation;

      (2) Transportation facilities;

      (3) Public facilities, including recreation areas, utilities, schools, fire stations, police

stations, and others;

      (4) Blighted areas, including the designation of general areas for redevelopment,

renewal, rehabilitation, or conservation;

      (5) Problems of housing and the development of housing programs;

      (6) Environmental protection;

      (7) Natural resource conservation;

      (8) Protection from disaster;

      (9) Economic and social characteristics of the population;

      (10) Preservation of historic sites and buildings; and

      (11) Economic development.

      (e) When directed by the city or town council or by the appointing authority, a planning

board or commission shall prepare an annual capital budget and a comprehensive, long-range

capital-improvement program for submission to the council, the appointing authority, or other

designated official or agency.

      (f) A planning board or commission shall submit an advisory opinion and

recommendation on all zoning matters referred to it by the zoning board of review under the

provisions of the city or town zoning ordinance and report on any other matter referred to it, by

the city or town council, the chief executive, or the appointing authority.

      (g) A planning board or commission shall perform any other duties that may be assigned

to the board or commission, from time to time, by any act of the general assembly or by any

ordinance, code, regulation order, or resolution of the city or town council or by the appointing

authority.

      (h) A planning board or commission has authority to call upon other departments,

boards, and committees of the city or town and upon regional, state, and federal agencies for

information and assistance necessary to the performance of its duties, and shall cooperate with the

city or town, regional, state, and federal agencies on matters of community, regional, and state

planning and development.

      (i) Each planning board or commission must adopt a provision requiring any person who

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will be required to file a request for access pursuant to § 24-8-34 to file that request not later than

the day on which that person files any document in connection with the project in question with

the applicable town or city, and to provide a copy of the request to the town or city.

     (j) Each member of a planning board or commission shall participate in training and

education classes concerning the effects of development in a flood plain and the effects of sea

level rise once every two (2) years. Each member shall complete two (2) hours of training in

order to be certified for the two (2) years required by this subsection.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES - LOCAL PLANNING BOARD OR COMMISSION

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     This act would require that members of local planning boards and commissions receive

two (2) hours of training on issues related to development in flood plains and the effects of sea

level rise once every two (2) years.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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