These regulations shall be known as the "Westerly Land Development
and Subdivision Regulations." The short title shall be the "Development
Regulations."
The following regulations governing land development and subdivision
have been adopted by the Westerly Planning Board in accordance with
Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL) 45-23-25 through 45-23-74, as amended,
known as the "Rhode Island Land Development and Subdivision Review
Enabling Act of 1992 (short title: "Development Review Act").
These rules and regulations shall be applicable in all of the
following instances:
A. In all cases of subdivision of land in the Town, including resubdivision,
all provisions of these regulations shall apply.
B. In all cases of land development projects, as described in RIGL 45-24-47 of the Zoning Enabling Act of 1991; and/or Chapter
260, Zoning.
These regulations have been enacted for the
purpose of protecting the safety, health, and general welfare of the
inhabitants of Westerly by regulating land developments and subdivisions.
The Planning Board, which shall have the authority to act on behalf
of the Town of Westerly in all matters of land development and subdivision
regulation, shall exercise that power with due regard for the following
purposes:
A. To provide for the orderly, thorough and expeditious
review and approval of land developments and subdivisions;
B. To promote high quality and appropriate design and
construction of land developments and subdivisions;
C. To promote the protection of the existing natural
and built environment and the mitigation of all significant negative
impacts of any proposed development on the existing environment;
D. To promote design of land developments and subdivisions
which are well-integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods with
regard to natural and built features, and which concentrate development
in areas which can best support intensive use by reasons of natural
characteristics and existing infrastructure;
E. To encourage local design and improvement standards
to reflect the intent of the community comprehensive plans, particularly
with regard to the physical character of the various neighborhoods
and districts of the Town;
F. To promote thorough technical review of all proposed
land developments and subdivisions by appropriate local officials;
G. To establish effective requirements and procedures
for dedications of public land, impact mitigation and payment-in-lieu
thereof, which are based upon clear documentation of needs and fair
administrative practices;
H. To secure adequate, efficient and economic provisions
for water, sewage, traffic circulation, stormwater management, recreation,
fire and police protection, in all new land developments and subdivisions;
I. To protect and enhance the natural resources and historic
features of the Town; and
J. To establish procedures for, and require consistent
application of, good recordkeeping practices on all matters of land
development and subdivision review, approval, recording and construction.