[Added 12-13-2000]
Multifamily dwellings are permitted only by obtaining a special use permit in an RFR-1, Neighborhood Business or Highway Business District. All such multifamily uses must meet the requirements as set forth in this article.
The minimum lot area for each multifamily dwelling shall be five acres and shall be increased in proportion to the total number of bedrooms per structure as follows:
A. 
Zero to 20 bedrooms: five acres.
B. 
Over 20 bedrooms: five acres plus 10,000 square feet of land for each additional bedroom over 20.
Example: 50 bedrooms.
Five acres plus: 30 (50 bedrooms less 20 bedrooms) times 10,000 = 300,000 square feet
300,000/43,560 = 6.89 acres
Five acres plus 6.89 acres equals a minimum lot size of 11.89 acres (exclusive of land unsuitable for development) needed
Each multifamily dwelling shall have 1) a service connection to a regional water supply system, and 2) either separate sewerage for sanitary and laundry facilities contained on the lot or a service connection to a public sewerage system. All such systems shall be in conformance with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management regulations currently in effect and all Town regulations and standards. Where Town, state and/or other standards are in conflict, the higher standards shall prevail.
The maximum number of bedrooms for a septic system shall be 20. More than one septic system may be located on the proposed site. An annually renewable performance bond shall be filed with the administrative officer prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any multifamily dwelling. The performance bond shall cover the design, installation and maintenance of the proposed septic system(s). All septic systems shall be maintained on a yearly basis; the maintenance contract shall be recorded with the Town Clerk prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Failure to perform annual maintenance of a septic system shall be cause for the administrative officer to notify the Town Council of forfeiture of the bond in order to proceed to complete or cause to be completed, by a qualified contractor, the maintenance as needed.
The multifamily dwelling must be consistent with the Housing Element of the West Greenwich Comprehensive Plan.
Before a special use permit for a multifamily dwelling or multifamily development shall be granted, the site plan, together with supporting documents, shall be reviewed by the West Greenwich Planning Board, after which review the Planning Board shall publish a report of its findings and recommendations pertaining to the conformity of the proposed development with the Comprehensive Plan and the requirements of this article. Copies of this report shall be sent to the Zoning Board of Review and to the office of the Town Clerk, which shall maintain copies for public inspection upon request. The Zoning Board of Review shall grant no special use permit for a multifamily dwelling or multifamily developments without first receiving the aforementioned opinion of the Town Planning Board. The Building Official shall grant no building permit or certificate of occupancy except for construction and occupancy in strict compliance with conditions set by the Zoning Board of Review. Such building permits must be requested within six months of the date of approval.
A. 
Not requiring subdivision of land. The applicant shall apply to the West Greenwich Zoning Board of Review for a special use permit. The Secretary of the Zoning Board of Review shall forward the applicant's plans to the West Greenwich Planning Board for review and opinion prior to the conclusion of the public hearing for the special use permit.
B. 
Requiring subdivision of land. A request for a special use permit requiring subdivision approval shall first be submitted to the West Greenwich Planning Board under the West Greenwich Subdivision Regulations.[1] Upon receipt of preliminary approval by the Planning Board for the subdivision, the applicant shall then apply to the Zoning Board of Review for a special use permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 450, Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.
A. 
Permitted uses. Only multifamily dwellings and their accessory uses will be permitted. Accessory uses may include indoor and outdoor parking facilities and most ordinary residential uses, but shall not include office uses, restaurant and entertainment uses, commercial uses, wholesale business and storage, industrial uses, home occupations, professional offices and neither storage nor overnight parking of commercial vehicles which have a capacity of over 1.5 tons.
B. 
Maximum lot coverage. The total ground area occupied by the buildings, together with all accessory buildings, shall not exceed 25% of the total area of the lot.
C. 
Dimensional regulations. No construction or parking shall be located within 75 feet of any property line. The seventy-five-foot front, rear and side yard setbacks shall supersede the front, side and rear yard setbacks of the controlling zoning district. In any multifamily dwelling, the minimum front, side and rear setbacks shall be increased by five feet for each full floor level in the structure over the first two floor levels.
D. 
Additional requirements.
(1) 
The specified lot area excludes all land defined as "unsuitable for development" by Chapter 450, Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, as amended.
(2) 
Lot frontage shall be as defined in Article II of this chapter.
(3) 
The total number of bedrooms per structure is related to the design daily sewage flow (two-person occupancy per bedroom) in accordance with RIDEM regulations currently in effect.
(4) 
A no-cut/non-development zone of 75 feet in width or depth along front and rear lot lines shall be maintained. This no-cut/non-development zone is intended to preserve the natural environment in its original state; exception: a reasonable area for access and egress use.
(5) 
Height. No principal building shall exceed 40 feet in height; or four stories; no accessory building or other permitted structure shall exceed 20 feet in height.
(6) 
Rubbish disposal. Each building shall be provided with an enclosed fireproof waste pen of sufficient size to accommodate all trash and waste stored on the premises. The waste pen and utility area shall be properly screened and buffered from all buildings and property lines. No trash shall be disposed of on the premises.
(7) 
Off-street parking facilities. Minimum off-street parking shall be provided and maintained as follows:
(a) 
Two car spaces per dwelling unit (300 square feet per space, including access, egress and general circulation).
(b) 
No parking shall be permitted within 75 feet of any boundary line or within the required minimum front yard.
(c) 
Off-street parking spaces and service drives shall be located within the boundaries of the lot being developed as a multifamily development, and provided in accordance with Article VIII of this chapter.
(8) 
The developer shall provide adequate access around all buildings for emergency vehicles. The appropriate Fire Chief shall review the proposed plans and make a recommendation to the Planning Board.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 350, Art. V, Fire and Public Safety Lanes.
(9) 
Exterior lighting shall minimize effects on surrounding properties while providing for the safety of persons and property.
(10) 
Adequate fire suppression techniques shall be required, including, but not limited to: fire hydrants, concrete cisterns or dry hydrants. The appropriate fire chief shall review the proposed plans and make recommendation to the Planning Board.
(11) 
All multifamily dwellings shall conform to the predominant character of the neighborhood in which they are situated.