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:

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

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

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

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

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

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provisions of chapter 22.2 of title 45.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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development and subdivision applications.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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      (1) Land use and land-use regulation;

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      (2) Transportation facilities;

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

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stations, and others;

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

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renewal, rehabilitation, or conservation;

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

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      (6) Environmental protection;

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      (7) Natural resource conservation;

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      (8) Protection from disaster;

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      (9) Economic and social characteristics of the population;

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      (10) Preservation of historic sites and buildings; and

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      (11) Economic development.

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

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

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

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designated official or agency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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authority.

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

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

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

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

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planning and development.

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      (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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     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

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

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level rise once every two (2) years.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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