The bill amends various sections of the General Laws in Rhode Island to establish a land use calendar within the Superior Court, effective upon passage. This calendar is intended to expedite the processing of land use cases, including appeals related to local ordinances and regulations. The presiding judge will oversee the calendar and ensure that all memoranda from involved parties are filed within sixty days of the certified record's filing, with no continuances granted without good cause.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the responsibilities of municipalities in preparing, adopting, amending, and maintaining comprehensive plans, ensuring consistency with zoning ordinances and other relevant statutes. It specifies that municipalities cannot impose moratoriums on applications submitted as part of comprehensive permit projects or for units developed under inclusionary zoning.

The bill introduces significant amendments to the approval process for comprehensive permits related to low- and moderate-income housing. It allows municipalities to issue building permits for low- and moderate-income housing units and provides a framework for municipalities to qualify as "achieving communities" if they meet certain criteria regarding the percentage of low- and moderate-income housing. The bill streamlines the application process by allowing a single application for a comprehensive permit if at least 25% of the housing is designated as low- or moderate-income.

Key provisions include automatic approval of preliminary plans if local review boards fail to act within the designated timeframe, specific required findings for applications, and the establishment of an annual comprehensive permit report to enhance transparency. Overall, the bill aims to streamline land use and housing development processes while ensuring compliance with community standards and regulations.

Statutes affected:
8004  SUB A: 8-2-40