Local Initiatives 



Shorefront Districts 



***Revise zoning ordinances to state specifically that, in shoreline areas, 

 preferred consideration will be strictly given to those forms of commercial 

 activity which clearly are water dependent and which are primarily oriented to the 

 coastal region. State clearly the fomis of commercial activity preferred, including port 

 terminals and wharves, commercial fishing, fish processing and distribution, protection of 

 scenic vistas and access for the public, oceanographic research, marinas and boatyards, etc. 

 Specifically stated preferences for water-dependent uses would not only provide improved 

 predictability to applicants and discourage submittal of inappropriate applications, but 

 would give support to municipalities in developing harbor management plans and 

 establishing marine or waterfront zoning districts. 



The set-asides required should be based on such factors as degree of water-dependence, 

 loss of unrestricted public physical access, loss of visual access, percentage of area covered 

 by impervious material, scenic considerations, impact on traffic and congestion, and other 

 factors. Establish height and lot area coverage limits to promote visual access to the 

 shoreline. 



SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS 



Findings and Concerns 



Under the authority of the Rhode Island Subdivision Control Law, planning boards are 

 required to adopt ordinances pertaining to land on which new roads are being built to obtain 

 access to one or more lots lacking adequate frontage. Generally such ordinances and 

 regulations provide standards for the construction of roadways, utilities, curbs, sidewalks, 

 and other aspects of road, street, and building layout, including drainage and construction 

 specifications. In other states, subdivision ordinances also frequentiy have jurisdiction 

 over commercial developments and industrial developments as well as residential areas. 



By establishing drainage stipulations, subdivision regulations govern 

 local quantities and patterns of surface and sub-surface flow, and can 

 require flood control and hazard mitigation measures. Thus, water quality 

 impacts of runoff and erosion can be significanUy affected by the emphasis of these 

 regulatory instruments. Unfortunately, subdivision regulations frequentiy exacerbate 

 runoff problems by requiring features such as wide streets, curbs, piped drainage, double 

 sidewalks, and paved driveways, all of which retard groundwater infiltration. In addition, 

 most regulations require that runoff be collected in storm drains and directed to the nearest 

 surface water channel, a practice which limits recharge, exacerbates downstream flooding 

 potential, contributes to watershed hydrological modification, and speeds the transport of 

 mnoff-bome pollutants to receiving waters. 



To address non-point pollution concerns, subdivision regulations controlling drainage 

 design may require installation of detention basins, grease and oil traps, gravel driveways 

 and road shoulders, roof drainage dissipators, etc. Regulations may also require terracing 

 of slopes, retention of natural vegetation, reduction of road dimensions, and other means of 

 retarding mnoff. A recent amendment to the enabling act governing local subdivision 

 ordinances specifically includes securing "adequate drainage and provision of erosion 



219 



