The purpose of this article is to regulate construction,
alteration, repair, removal or demolition of historic properties and
stone walls through an overlay zone so as to maintain the historic
character of the Town of East Greenwich. These regulations have been
designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives:
A. To preserve historic districts, outlying properties
and stone walls which define and reflect elements of the Town's cultural,
social, economic, political and architectural history.
B. To protect and improve property values within designated
historic districts of designated outlying properties and of scenic
roads.
C. To enhance the traditional qualities and characteristics
of the Town and create an attractive environment which is conducive
to residential, commercial and industrial uses and tourism.
D. To strengthen the local economy by promoting the use
of such districts and outlying properties for the pleasure, education
and welfare of the residents of East Greenwich.
This chapter is adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 45-24.1, Historic
Enabling Act, as may be amended.
Words and phrases used in this article shall have their plain and ordinary meaning unless otherwise specifically defined in this section or in Article
XII of this chapter. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this article.
ACCESSORIES
Features other than primary structures which contribute to
the exterior appearance of a property, including but not limited to
signage, doors, windows, materials, decorative features, fences and
trim detail, whether or not a building permit is required for the
alteration. Landscape features considered as accessories shall be
limited to stone walls.
ALTERATION
Any act that changes one or more of the architectural features
or its accessories, including but not limited to the erection, installation,
construction, reconstruction, relocation or removal of any structure/accessory.
APPROPRIATE
For the purpose of this article and the certificate of appropriateness,
the term "appropriate" shall mean not incompatible with those aspects
deemed by the Commission as historically, architecturally or archaeologically
significant for the structure, accessories, stone walls, neighborhood
or district in which the review is made.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A certificate issued by the East Greenwich Historic District
Commission as established under this article indicating approval of
an application for an alteration, construction, repair, removal or
demolition of a structure or accessories of a structure within a historic
district or an outlying property as identified under this article.
Also referred to as "certificate."
COMMISSION
The East Greenwich Historic District Commission as established under the provisions of the Charter, Part
4, Administration, and the Code of Ordinances of the Town of East Greenwich.
CONSTRUCTION
The act of adding to an existing structure, erecting a new
structure or adding accessories onto a structure, including but not
limited to buildings, extensions, outbuildings and fire escapes.
DEMOLITION
An act or process that destroys a structure and/or its accessories
in whole or in part.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Specific divisions of the Town of East Greenwich as designated
by this article which shall act as overlay zones. A historic district
may include one or more structures.
RELOCATION
The moving of an established structure from one site or area
to another.
REMOVAL
The act of elimination as a means of remedying damage or
deterioration of a structure and/or its accessories.
REPAIR
The act of altering as a means of remedying damage or deterioration
of a structure and/or its accessories.
REPLACEMENT-IN-KIND
Any repair work in which old materials are removed and exactly
the same materials are used in its place (i.e., asphalt shingle roofing
is removed and re-laid with new asphalt shingles).
STREET OBJECT
Any object erected or placed in a public way or sidewalk
on a temporary or permanent basis. Authorized public safety/public
welfare street objects include, but are not limited to, such structures
as street lights, traffic lights, U.S. Post Office mailboxes, fire
hydrants, utility poles, street trees and municipal trash receptacles.
STRUCTURE
That which is constructed or erected and requires a building
permit, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location
on or in the ground, to be limited to buildings, gazebos, pergolas,
outbuildings, porches, decks and fences.
Street objects, as defined below, shall not
be permitted on the public ways or sidewalks within the East Greenwich
Historic District, with the exception of objects erected or placed
by authorized public or quasi-public agencies for public safety and/or
public welfare purposes and with the exception of tables, chairs and
planters maintained on sidewalks in conjunction with a duly authorized
business establishment. "Street object" is defined as any object erected
or placed on a public way or sidewalk on a temporary or permanent
basis. Authorized public safety/public welfare street objects include,
but are not limited to, such objects as street lights, traffic lights,
United States Post Office mailboxes, fire hydrants, utility poles,
street trees and municipal trash receptacles.