[Approved 5-25-2017 by Ch. No. 3126]
There is hereby created the Pawtucket/Central Falls Joint Planning
Commission (hereafter known as the "Commission"), a joint planning
commission created in accordance with R.I.G.L. 45-22.1 by the Cities
of Central Falls and Pawtucket (hereafter known as the "Cities"),
that shall be responsible for:
A.
Planning for the creation of the Pawtucket Central Falls Intermodal
Station District (hereafter known as the "District") to insure that
the District will: realize its potential as a state-designated urban
growth area; open up opportunities to reuse the historic mill buildings
that are vacant or underutilized; stimulate the economic vitality
of the area by strengthening and highlighting access to the multi-modal
transportation options available, as well as to neighboring employment,
social services, cultural and recreational activities; and supporting
both public and private infrastructure investments and development
plans.
B.
Regulating development of the District in accordance with the powers
granted to the Commission by the ordinances and regulations of the
Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls.
The Commission shall consist of the members of the Pawtucket
Planning Commission and the Central Falls Planning Commission.
A.
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson whose term shall not exceed
one year and who is eligible for reelection. The Commission may create
and fill any other offices that it may determine.
B.
The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business
and keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and
determinations, which record is a public record.
A.
The Cities may appropriate funds for the purpose of contributing
to the operation of the Commission. The Commission may receive grants
from the federal or state governments, or from individuals or foundations,
and may contract with these entities. Purchasing shall be in accordance
with the requirements of the City of Pawtucket.
B.
The Cities shall assign staff to the Commission which shall assist
the Commission in its day-to-day activities.
C.
The Commission may contract with planners and other consultants for
the services it may require to the extent permitted by its financial
resources.
The Commission shall exercise the following powers in the District:
A.
Prepare and maintain a comprehensive plan for the District in accordance
with the provisions of the Cities' ordinances and R.I.G.L. 45-23 for
the guidance of the continuing development of the District. The Commission
may do planning work, including surveys, land use studies, urban renewal
plans, technical services, and other elements of comprehensive planning
and planning effectuation, and said planning may be concerned with
existing and proposed highways, public places, bridges and tunnels,
viaducts, parks, parkways, recreation areas, sites for public buildings
and structures, land use areas, building and zoning districts, waterways,
routes of railroads and buses, location of sewers, water supplies
and conduits, and other public utilities of the area. The plans shall
be submitted to the Cities for adoption as part of each city's comprehensive
plan.
B.
Adopt, modify and amend regulations and rules governing land development
and subdivision projects within the District and to control land development
and subdivision projects pursuant to these regulations and rules.
These regulations and amendments thereto, shall be adopted after a
public hearing in accordance with R.I.G.L. 45-23.
C.
Carry out development plan review as granted by the Cities' Zoning
Ordinances in accordance with R.I.G.L. § 45-24-49.
D.
Recommend to the Cities, for inclusion in the annual budget, a capital
program of proposed capital projects for the five fiscal years next
succeeding the budget year, the proposed projects to be arranged in
order of preference with recommendations as to which projects should
be constructed and in which year.
E.
Receive and review all applications for variance, special use permit
or change of zoning in the District and make recommendations prior
to the hearing on the application.
The Commission shall encourage the cooperation of the participating
cities in matters which concern the integrity of the comprehensive
plan or maps prepared by the Commission, and, as an aid toward coordination,
all municipalities and public officials shall, upon request, furnish
to the Commission within a reasonable time the available maps, plans,
reports, statistical, or other information the Commission may require
for its work.
The Joint Planning Commission shall work to propose the Transit
Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning District, for approval by the Cities.
The purpose of this District is to create a community that includes
a mixture of housing, office, retail and/or other amenities integrated
into a walkable neighborhood and located within a half mile of quality
public transportation. This District is intended to create better
access to jobs, housing and opportunity for people of all ages and
incomes; to provide people from all walks of life with convenient,
affordable and active lifestyles and create places where our children
can play and our parents can grow old comfortably.
