This bill amends the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act and the Subdivision of Land Act. It adds language that specifies the responsibilities of the planning board or commission in preparing a comprehensive plan for a municipality and requires a minimum of one public hearing before adopting or amending a comprehensive plan. The bill also adds language that requires a public hearing for major land development projects or major subdivisions under the Subdivision of Land Act.

The bill also amends current law regarding public notice requirements for development approval applications and the adoption, repeal, or amendment of local regulations. It requires notice to be sent to any individual or entity holding a recorded conservation or preservation restriction on the property at least 14 days prior to the hearing. The bill also requires notice to be published in a newspaper of local circulation, posted in municipal buildings, and accessible on the municipality's website. Additionally, the bill requires notice to be sent by first-class mail to the city or town planning board of any municipality where there is a public or quasi-public water source located within 2,000 feet of the municipal boundaries. The bill also amends current law regarding zoning ordinances and public hearings, requiring all subdivision or land-development applications to have a public hearing and setting forth standards for granting a variance. The bill also adds a new section that requires notice and hearing requirements for the adoption, repeal, or amendment of a zoning ordinance.

The bill further amends notification procedures for comprehensive planning, land use, subdivision of land, and zoning ordinances. It requires each municipality to establish and maintain a public notice registry for electronic notice of any changes to the zoning ordinance and provides annual public notice of the registry's existence. The bill also clarifies that being on the public notice registry does not automatically qualify a person or entity as an "aggrieved party" and that a defect in the form of any notice does not invalidate an ordinance or amendment, unless the defect is intentional or misleading. The bill also allows town or city councils to limit zoning ordinance amendments to one permitted use and impose limitations, conditions, and restrictions as necessary.

Statutes affected:
1038  SUB A: 45-22.2-8
1038: 45-22.2-8