The text
Footnotes:
--- (8) --- Charter reference— Planning board, §§ 10-1-2—10-1-4.
Cross reference— Zoning, app. A; planning board for zoning, app. A, § 26; subdivision and land development regulations, app. B.
State Law reference— Planning board, G.L. 1956, § 45-22-1 et seq.
Sec. 2-121. - Established.#
A planning board for the town is created pursuant to Charter, § 10-1-2.
(Code 1986, § 14-16)
Charter reference— Creation of planning board, § 10-1-2.
Sec. 2-122. - Membership; terms; vacancies.#
The membership and terms of the planning board shall be as provided in the Charter, §§ 10-1-2 and 10-1-3. No more than one term shall expire each year. Any planning board member may be removed by the town council for due cause following a public hearing.
(Code 1986, § 14-17)
Charter reference— Membership, § 10-1-2; terms, filling of vacancies, § 10-1-3.
Sec. 2-123. - Compensation.#
Members of the planning board shall serve without compensation. The board members may be reimbursed within the limitations of funds appropriated for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(Code 1986, § 14-18)
State Law reference— Compensation, G.L. 1956, § 45-22-4.
Sec. 2-124. - Organization; bylaws.#
The planning board shall organize annually in January by electing a chair, vice-chair and a secretary. The planning board may adopt bylaws for the performance of the duties prescribed in this division.
(Code 1986, § 14-19)
State Law reference— Officers and organizations, G.L. 1956, § 45-22-5.
Sec. 2-125. - Technical assistance; cooperative agreements.#
Within the limits of the funds appropriated for its use, the planning board may engage technical or clerical assistance to aid in the discharge of its duties. The planning board may, subject to confirmation of the town council and within the limits of the funds appropriated to it, enter into cooperative agreements with private, state, regional or federal agencies for technical assistance and studies deemed to be in the best interest of the community.
(Code 1986, § 14-20)
State Law reference— Technical assistance and cooperative agreements, G.L. 1956, § 45-22-5.
Sec. 2-126. - Authority.#
The planning board shall have the authority to call upon other departments, boards and committees of the town and upon regional, state and federal agencies for assistance in the performance of its designated functions and shall cooperate with such city or town, regional, state and federal agencies on matters of community, regional and state planning.
(Code 1986, § 14-21(e))
Sec. 2-127. - Powers and duties.#
(a)
Comprehensive plan.
(1)
The planning board shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for the future development of the town. Such plan shall, among other things, show the proposed arrangement of land uses, transportation facilities, public facilities, utility systems, deteriorating neighborhoods planned for rehabilitation, redevelopment or renewal and natural resources and historic sites to be preserved. The planning board may hold public hearings on the comprehensive plan or elements thereof.
(2)
The planning board shall adopt the comprehensive plan or elements of such plan as a guide to the planning board actions related to the features contained in the plan. The town council may, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its membership and following a public hearing, adopt a comprehensive plan or any portion of such plan previously adopted by a planning board and recommended to the town council by the planning board. Adoption of such a comprehensive plan or portion of the plan by the town council shall bind the council to this plan or portion of the plan in any future action related to features in the plan.
(3)
The comprehensive plan or portion of such plan may be modified or amended by the town council following a public hearing. At least 30 days prior to the date of public hearing such modification or amendment shall be referred to the planning board for an advisory opinion. Failure of the planning board to forward a recommendation to the town council within this 30-day period shall be deemed an approval of the modification or amendment by the planning board. The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the town council shall be necessary to enact any modification or amendment to the comprehensive plan or element thereof where the planning board has rendered an adverse decision.
(4)
The comprehensive plan shall be reviewed by the planning board every five years, and revisions and amendments shall be made where necessary.
(b)
Resources studies. The planning board shall make studies of the resources and needs of the town with reference to its physical, economic and social growth and development as affecting the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people. These studies, plans and reports may concern the following:
(1)
Land use and land use regulation;
(2)
Transportation facilities;
(3)
Public utilities;
(4)
Public facilities and site locations including recreation areas, schools, fire, police and other principal structures and developments;
(5)
Blighted areas including plans for redevelopment, renewal, rehabilitation or conservation;
(6)
Problems of housing and the development of housing problems;
(7)
Natural resource conservation;
(8)
Environmental protection;
(9)
Protection from disaster;
(10)
Economic and sociological characteristics of the population;
(11)
Preservation of historic sites and buildings;
(12)
Economic development.
(c)
Capital budget; capital improvements. The planning board shall prepare an annual capital budget and a comprehensive six-year capital improvements program.
(d)
Zoning matters. All petitions for change, variation or exception to the zoning ordinance shall be referred to the planning board for study and recommendation. The planning board shall submit an advisory opinion and recommendation on all zoning matters referred to it and any other matter referred to it by the town council.
(e)
Other duties. In addition to the powers and duties stated in this section, the planning board shall also have such powers and duties as are granted or assigned to it by the Charter, including those referred to in Charter section 10-1-4.
(Code 1986, § 14-21(a)—(d), (f))
Charter reference— Preparation and extension of comprehensive plan, § 10-1-4a; regulation and approval or disapproval of platting and subdivision of land, § 10-1-4b; duties may be assigned by ordinance, § 10-1-4.
State Law reference— Comprehensive plan, G.L. 1956, § 45-22-7.
Sec. 2-128. - Reports.#
(a)
The planning board shall submit an annual report to the appointing authority summarizing the work of the preceding year and recommending programs, plans and actions for future development.
(b)
A copy of the annual report shall be forwarded to the state department of community affairs. All studies, plans and reports of the planning board shall be submitted to the town council and to any other designated agency or official and thereafter, upon approval of the town council, may be published for general circulation.
(Code 1986, § 14-22)
State Law reference— Reports, G.L. 1956, § 45-22-8.