The purpose of this article is to regulate the establishment of single-family detached cluster subdivisions while maintaining the rural, natural and scenic character of the Town of East Greenwich. These regulations have been designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives so as to contribute to the safety, health and welfare of the residents of East Greenwich:
A. 
To promote the efficient and economical use of land in harmony with its natural features and surrounding areas.
B. 
To encourage the preservation of valuable open space and protection of the water supply, water bodies, wetlands, floodplains, agricultural lands, wildlife and other natural resources.
C. 
To promote diverse and efficient housing through creative and environmentally responsible site design.
D. 
To preserve the rural, natural and scenic character of the Town through the protection of site amenities, natural and cultural features and historic resources.
A. 
This article may be applicable to any single-family housing development located in any residential zone throughout the Town.
B. 
Compliance with the requirements as described herein shall not be construed to relieve the applicant of any obligations to obtain additional local, state or federal permits.
The following are permitted uses within a cluster development:
A. 
Any use permitted in the underlying zone.
B. 
Single-family detached dwelling structures.
C. 
Accessory uses to residential dwellings as permitted in the underlying zone.
D. 
Maintenance, storage and utility buildings accessory to single-family dwellings or to noncommercial recreational uses approved as part of the cluster subdivision.
E. 
Parking areas designed specifically to accommodate residents of the cluster subdivision.
F. 
Noncommercial recreational uses subject to the provisions set forth in Chapter A263, Development and Subdivision Review Regulations.
G. 
Agriculture, horticulture and silviculture, and any accessory uses or structures appurtenant thereto.
A. 
The cluster development shall have a minimum of 30% common open space, exclusive of utility easements, roads, parcels in individual ownership and wetlands.
B. 
Open space shall comply with the criteria for common open space under § 260-43D of this article.
A. 
Density requirements.
(1) 
The total number of residential dwelling units to be permitted on any site proposed for a cluster development shall be computed by using the following formula:
D = (GA – NA)/UZ
D
=
Density: permissible number of residential lots. This number shall be rounded to the nearest whole number to establish the total number of allowed lots in the cluster development.
GA
=
Gross acreage: gross area of the proposed subdivision in acres and tenths of acres.
NA
=
Not Allowed: The area, in acres and tenths of acres, of all wetlands or other natural area protected under this chapter. All wetland areas shall be defined by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) with respect to freshwater wetlands. Also, the NA total shall include the total land area allowed for streets.
UZ
=
Underlying Zone: gross development density in units per acre permitted in the underlying zoning district.
(2) 
The total number of lots in a cluster shall not exceed the total otherwise attainable in a conventional development
B. 
Dimensional requirements.
(1) 
The following table sets forth the minimum lot requirements under the cluster development regulations:
Dimensional Regulations for Cluster Subdivisions1
Underlying Zone
Minimum Lot Area
(square feet)
Minimum Frontage2
(feet)
Front Yard
(feet)
Side Yard
(feet)
Rear Yard
(feet)
F-2
43,560
150
50
30
45
F-1
30,000
150
40
30
40
F
30,000
150
40
30
40
R-30
20,000
125
35
25
35
R-20
10,000
100
30
15
30
R-10
6,000
60
10
10
20
R-6
4,000
65
10
10
20
NOTES:
1
Allowable lot coverage and maximum structure heights are the same as noted in the underlying zoning designation under Table 2 at the end of this chapter.
2
Lots fronting on a cul-de-sac shall have a minimum frontage of 60 feet.
C. 
Design guidelines and requirements.
(1) 
Preserve and maintain existing fields, pastures and other land for agricultural use wherever possible.
(2) 
Maintain or create a vegetated buffer between the cluster subdivision and any abutting use.
(3) 
Preserve unblocked or uninterrupted scenic views and vistas, particularly as seen from public roads or scenic roads.
(4) 
Protect habitat areas of endangered or threatened species.
(5) 
Preserve historic and/or archaeological sites and their environs insofar as needed in order to protect the historic character of the site.
(6) 
Maintain the visual integrity of hilltops and ridgelines by siting development so that building silhouettes will be below the hilltop or ridgeline; if the area is heavily wooded, the buildings' silhouettes shall be lower than the average canopy height of trees on the ridge or hill.
(7) 
Retain and preserve field stone walls wherever possible and minimize cuts into the walls. If removal is necessary, a matching length of dry stone wall or hidden mortar wall shall be rebuilt on the site.
(8) 
Retain or replace old growth trees per Chapter A263, Development and Subdivision Review Regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
D. 
Common open space criteria.
(1) 
Up to 20% of the common open space may be devoted to paved areas or structures used to provide recreational or cultural facilities for the residents of the cluster development consistent with the intended use of the common open space.
(2) 
Wetland areas as delineated by the State of Rhode Island shall not be counted toward the 30% required open space for cluster developments. Wetland buffers may be included to meet this requirement.
(3) 
The location, size and shape of common open space shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Board. Strips of common open space are not permitted unless they provide access to a large portion of common open space, serve as natural drainage areas, or serve as buffers.
(4) 
Access to common open space shall be provided to every owner of the common open space. Access points shall be marked by stone bounds to distinguish between the edge of the access and private property.
(5) 
Land which has suffered environmental damage, either on the surface or below the surface, prior to the final approval of the cluster development by the Board shall not be counted toward common open space requirements. Should the land be restored to a condition acceptable to the Planning Board, this condition may be waived upon approval by the Zoning Board of Review.
(6) 
As per the requirements of Chapter A263, Development and Subdivision Review Regulations, a conveyance of land or fee may be accepted by the Town to meet anticipated recreational needs generated by the cluster development proposal. In the event that land is conveyed, such area shall not be counted toward meeting the requirements for common open space under this article.
(7) 
The developer shall, by appropriate legal instrument, provide for the permanent preservation and maintenance of the common open space within the development per the requirements of the Subdivision Regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A263, Development and Subdivision Review Regulations.
E. 
Streets.
(1) 
All streets within a cluster subdivision shall be improved in accordance with the requirements and specifications set forth in Chapter A263, Development and Subdivision Review Regulations.
(2) 
All streets within cluster developments shall be dedicated to the Town of East Greenwich as public roads.
All applications for cluster developments made under the provisions of this chapter shall be filed and reviewed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter A263, Development and Subdivision Review Regulations.