[Adopted 6-5-1972 (§§ 2-6 to 2-9 of the 1976 Code)]
In accordance with the provisions of Title 45, Chapter 22, of the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956, as amended, there shall be established a Planning Board for the Town.
[Amended 3-11-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-03-11]
The Planning Board shall consist of seven members, each a resident of the Town and a qualified elector, and each to hold office for the term of four years, provided that the original appointments shall be made for terms of one, two, three and four years, respectively, and provided that the appointments for the year next following the original appointments shall be for like terms of one, two, three and four years, respectively. All terms shall commence on May 1 of the year of appointment. The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Town Council in accordance with the provisions of this article.
Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled by the Town Council, and such appointment shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term. All members shall serve until their respective successors shall have been designated. After the annual appointments of the Town Council have been made, the Board shall organize by electing a Chairman, Vice Chairman and a Secretary. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at least once a month for 10 months of the year on such days as the Board may determine, and special meetings shall be held at the call of the Chairman or on the written request of three members. Four members shall constitute a quorum, but no action shall be taken by the Board without the concurring vote of four members. The Board may adopt rules for the transaction of business.
A. 
Studies. When requested by the Town Council, the Planning Board shall make careful studies and, when necessary, prepare plans for the resources and needs of the Town, with reference to its physical growth and development as affecting the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people, economy and efficiency of community life. Such studies and plans may include, among other things, the following:
(1) 
The utilization of land for residential, business, industrial, public, institutional or other purposes;
(2) 
The location and character of transportation routes, including waterways, railroads, highways, streets, sidewalks, bridges, terminals, piers or wharves, heliports or other facilities;
(3) 
The location and character of public buildings and facilities, including offices, fire or police stations, schools, parks, recreation areas, beaches and other public places and structures;
(4) 
The coordinated development of public service and utility systems such as water supply, drainage, sewerage, streetlighting, power or fuel transmission, fire control, school and recreation;
(5) 
Conditions of deteriorating or blighted areas, including plans for the redevelopment, rehabilitation and prevention of slum districts;
(6) 
The prevention and abatement of stream, bay or harbor pollution;
(7) 
The conservation and utilization of natural resources, including soil, groundwater or surface water, the shoreline, minerals, plant and animal life and topographical features;
(8) 
Historic sites or buildings;
(9) 
Survival from possible natural or man-made disasters; and
(10) 
The economic and sociological characteristics of the Town.
B. 
Master Plan. The Board, when requested by the Town Council, shall prepare and adopt a Master Plan for the development and improvement of the Town. Such plan shall, among other things, show the proposed location and arrangement of the uses of the land, transportation routes, public buildings and facilities, public and utility systems, deteriorating or blighted neighborhoods planned for redevelopment, rehabilitation or other improvement, natural resources and historic sites to be preserved, and disaster survival features. No portion of the Master Plan or amendment thereto shall be adopted by the Board without a public hearing.
C. 
Capital budget and improvement program. When directed by the Town Council, the Board shall collaborate with the Town Financial Officer in the annual preparation and recommendation to the Budget Committee of a capital budget for the following year and a comprehensive six-year capital improvement program.
D. 
Platting and subdivisions. When directed by the Town Council, the Board shall control the platting or other subdivision of land in accordance with the applicable statute.
E. 
Annual reports. The Board shall report annually to the Town Council not less than 30 days prior to the annual adoption of the Town's budget, summarizing the work of the preceding year and recommending plans for the future development of the Town. All plans and reports of the Board shall be first submitted to the Town Council, and thereafter the Board shall have authority to publish and distribute copies of plans and reports to promote public interest in and understanding of the work of the Board.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
F. 
Other duties assigned by Council. The Board shall undertake such other projects and work as may be assigned by the Town Council in connection with the physical growth and development of the Town.
A. 
Cooperation of other officials, agencies, etc. When authorized by the Town Council, the Planning Board shall have authority to call upon other departments, boards, committees or commissions of the Town and agencies of the state and federal governments for assistance in performance of its designated functions and shall cooperate with such other departments and with state and federal agencies on community, regional and state planning and development. All Town officials and agencies shall, upon request, furnish the Board such available information as it may require for its work.
B. 
Technical assistance. The Board may employ such technical assistance as it may deem necessary within the funds appropriated by the Town at the adoption of the Town's budget and may enter into agreements with state, federal or regional agencies; the Board may incur any expense necessary therefor, but it shall not for any purpose contract for or incur any expense greater than the amount appropriated or available therefor.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
C. 
The Board shall adopt, modify and amend regulations and rules governing land development and subdivision projects within the Town of Portsmouth.
[Added 1-3-1995 by Ord. No. 95-1-3B]
D. 
The Board shall control land development and subdivision projects pursuant to such regulations and rules.
[Added 1-3-1995 by Ord. No. 95-1-3B]
A. 
Any proposal for the construction of the public improvement or for the acquisition of land for public use which requires approval at the adoption of the Town's budget and any such proposal which may be effected by a department, board, committee or commission of the Town shall be first submitted to the Planning Board for its recommendation. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the proposal from reaching the floor at the adoption of the Town's budget or from being effected, if approval at the adoption of the Town's budget is not required, in the absence of a recommendation of the Board after 30 days from the date of submission or subsequent to a negative recommendation of the Board.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
All proposed ordinances and resolutions of the Town Council which concern the existing and proposed location and arrangement of the uses of the land, transportation routes, public buildings and facilities, public utility systems, deteriorating or blighted neighborhoods planned for redevelopment, rehabilitation or other improvement, natural resources and historic sites to be preserved, and disaster survival features shall be submitted to the Board for its recommendation. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or prevent the Town Council from acting on any ordinance or resolution contrary to or in the absence of a recommendation of the Board.