The text
Sec. 1.1. - Title.#
These regulations shall be known as the Exeter Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.
Sec. 1.2. - Authority.#
The following regulations governing land development and subdivision have been adopted by the Exeter planning board in accordance with Title 45, Chapter 23 of the General Laws, as amended.
(Ord. of 11-14-2023(1))
Sec. 1.3. - Applicability.#
These rules and regulations shall be applicable to: A.
Applications for subdivision of land, including resubdivision and administrative subdivision.
B.
Applications for approval of land development projects, as provided for in R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-23-27.
(Ord. of 11-14-2023 (1))
Sec. 1.4. - Prior regulations superseded.#
A.
Prior regulations superseded. These regulations shall supercede all other regulations in effect at the time of their adoption. Any land development project or subdivision submitted after the date of adoption of these regulations shall conform to the provisions of these regulations.
B.
Recorded plans and plats unimpaired. Nothing contained herein and no local ordinance, rule or regulation adopted under these regulations shall impair the validity of any plat legally recorded prior to the effective date of these regulations.
(Ord. of 11-14-2023 (1))
Sec. 1.5. - General purposes of land development and subdivision regulations.#
These regulations have been enacted for the purpose of protecting the safety, health, convenience and general welfare of the inhabitants of Exeter by regulating land developments and subdivisions. The planning board, which shall have the authority to act on behalf of the town 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 development projects and subdivisions;
B.
To promote high quality and appropriate design and construction of land development projects 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 development projects 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 development projects and subdivisions by appropriate local officials;
G.
To establish effective requirements and procedures for dedications of public land and impact mitigation, 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, storm water management, recreation, fire and police protection, in all new land development projects 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 record keeping practices on all matters of land development and subdivision review, approval, recording and construction.
Sec. 1.6. - Consistency with comprehensive plan.#
These regulations have been found by the Exeter planning board to be consistent with the adopted Exeter comprehensive plan, the zoning ordinance of the town and are intended to be consistent with all other duly adopted local development regulations as well as with the general purposes stated in G.L. 1956, § 45-23-30, of the Land Development and Subdivision Review Enabling Act of 1992.
In case of uncertainty in the construction or application of any section of these local regulations, these regulations shall be construed in a manner that will further the implementation of, and not be contrary to, the goals and policies and applicable elements of the Exeter comprehensive plan. Furthermore, these regulations shall be construed in a manner consistent with the legislative findings, intents, and purposes of the state enabling act, G.L. 1956, §§ 45-23-25—45-23-74.