CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
DECEMBER 4, 2023
7:00 PM
EAST PROVIDENCE CITY HALL
145 TAUNTON AVE., ROOM 306
A public hearing will be held by the East Providence Planning Board on December 4, 2023, 7:00 pm at
East Providence City Hall, 145 Taunton Ave., Room 306 to amend the Land Development and Subdivision
Review Regulations that are related to the role of the Planning Board and Administrative Officer,
and the definitions and process for land development projects. These changes are being made in
order to conform to new State laws 2023 H-6061A and 2023 H- 6086A which require municipalities to
amend certain aspects of their regulations by January 1, 2024. Below is a summary of the major
changes to the Land Development and Subdivision Review Regulations:
• Eliminates the Zoning Board as the Planning Board of Appeal with respect to all development
approvals as per 2023 H-6061A. Appeals from Planning Board decisions will proceed directly to
Superior Court.
• Broadens the authority of the Administrative Officer to review and approve qualified
applications as per 2023 H-6061A.
• Provides a standardized and specific definition for a land development project (LDP) as per
2023 H-6061A.
1. A land development project is defined as follows: “A project in which one or more lots,
tracts, or parcels of land or a portion thereof are developed or redeveloped as a coordinated site
for one or more uses, units, or structures, including but not limited to, planned development or
cluster development for residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, open space, or mixed
uses.
2. A minor land development project is defined as a land development project involving any of the
following:
a) 2,500 – 49,999 gross square feet of floor area of new commercial, manufacturing or industrial
development.
b) An expansion of up to 50% of existing floor area or up to 49,999 square feet for commercial,
manufacturing, or industrial structures
c) An adaptive reuse project of up to 49,999 square feet of gross floor area located in a
commercial zone where no extensive exterior construction of improvements is sought
d) An adaptive reuse project located in a residential zone which results in 4-19 residential
units
e) Multi-family residential or residential condominium development of 4-19 units
f) Mixed-use development consisting of up to 19 dwelling units and up to 9,999 gross square feet of commercial space
3. A major land development project is a land development project that exceeds the thresholds for a minor land development project.
* Changes the definition of a subdivision and the definition of a major and minor subdivision as per 2023 H-6061A.
1. A minor subdivision is now considered any subdivision creating nine or fewer buildable lots.
2. A major subdivision is now defined as a subdivision creating 10 or more buildable lots.
* Changes the review and approval process for all application types (DPR, subdivisions, and land development projects) as per 2023 H-6061A
1. Minor subdivisions and land development project changes are as follows:
a) Final plan review is required to be conducted administratively by the administrative officer.
b) For applications requiring zoning relief, the process depends on the degree of zoning relief required.
c) If a variance or special-use permit is required, the planning board shall be the reviewing authority and the application shall be reviewed under unified development review.
d) For applications requiring a street creation or extension the planning board shall be the reviewing authority and is required to hold a public hearing.
e) For applications not involving zoning relief, the administrative officer is authorized to review and grant limited waivers of design standards.
f) The deadline for recertification of completeness is reduced from 14 days to 10 (consistent with major applications) and a 25-day period is added for final plan review.
g) The vesting period for final plan is changes from 90 days to one year.
2. Major subdivision and land development project changes are as follows:
a) The requirement for a public informational meeting at the master plan stage has been removed and replaced with a public hearing requirement. The preliminary plan stage no longer requires a public hearing, but does require public notice prior to the first hearing is required for abutters.
b) The administrative officer is empowered to combine review phases.
c) The deadline for certification of completeness for final plan applications is reduced from 25 days to 15 days, with an extension to 25 days if needed, and the deadline for recertification of completeness is reduced from 14 days to 10 days.
* Adoption of unified development review which empowers the Planning Board to grant zoning relief as part of an application for land development as per 2023 H-6061A.
* Amends public hearing notification requirements as per 2023 H-6086A.
The amendments in their entirety can be requested by contacting the East Providence Planning Department at planning@eastprovidenceri.gov or (401) 654-4288 or at City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914 room 309. The proposed amendments to the Land Development and Subdivision Review Regulations may be altered or amended prior to the close of the public hearing without further advertising as a result of further study or because of the views expressed at the public hearing. Individuals requesting interpreter services for the hearing impaired or needing other special services must call (401) 435-7500 forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting date.
Michael P. Robinson, Chairman
