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Sec. 19-1. - Adoption of rules and regulations by planning board.#
For the purpose of promoting the general health, safety, morals or general welfare of the town and in accordance with the provisions of sections 45-23-1 to 45-23-23 of the General Laws, the planning board of the town, as appointed by the town council, shall have power to adopt, modify and amend rules and regulations governing and restricting the platting or other subdivision of land within the town, and to control the subdivision of land pursuant to such rules and regulations.
(Code 1967, § 29-1)
Cross reference— Planning board, § 15-26 et seq.
Sec. 19-2. - Purposes of rules and regulations.#
The rules and regulations referred to in section 19-1 shall be designed to: (1)
Make adequate provisions for traffic.
(2)
Lessen traffic accidents.
(3)
Promote safety from fire and other dangers.
(4)
Provide adequate light and air.
(5)
Prevent overcrowding of land.
(6)
Prevent the development of unsanitary areas for housing purposes.
(7)
Secure a well-articulated street and highway system.
(8)
Promote a coordinated development of unbuilt areas.
(9)
Secure and appropriate allotment of land area in new developments for all the requirements of community life.
(10)
Conserve natural beauty and other natural resources.
(11)
Conform to any master plan which may have been adopted.
(12)
Furnish guidance for the wise and efficient expenditure of funds for public works; and to facilitate the adequate, efficient and economic provision of transportation, water supply, sewerage, recreation and other public utilities and requisites.
(Code 1967, § 29-2)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 45-23-3.
Sec. 19-3. - Notice and hearing required prior to adoption of rules and regulations.#
The planning board shall not adopt, modify or amend the subdivision rules and regulations until after a public hearing of which it shall give notice, specifying the time and place of such hearing by publication of such notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the town at least twice a week for three (3) successive weeks prior to the date of such hearing, at which hearing opportunity shall be given all persons interested to be heard upon the matter of the proposed rules and regulations, or of such modification or amendment. When adopted, copies of such rules and regulations shall be available for public inspection at the office of the planning board and shall be filed with the town clerk.
(Code 1967, § 29-3)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 45-23-4.
Sec. 19-4. - Plat regulations.#
The rules and regulations referred to in section 19-1 shall provide for the formal requisites of all plats, preliminary or final, submitted to the planning board, including the form, scale, size mounting, quality of paper and ink, number of copies and extent of information required to be designated thereon. Such regulations shall permit the filing of preliminary plats for informal discussion, but the acceptance of a preliminary plat shall not be binding, and shall not entitle such plat to be recorded.
(Code 1967, § 29-4)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 45-25-5.
Sec. 19-5. - Physical requirements; completion bonds.#
(a)
The rules and regulations referred to in section 19-1 may further provide among other things for:
(1)
The harmonious development of the town.
(2)
Coordination of streets within subdivisions with other existing or planned streets and with any master plan of the town which may have been adopted.
(3)
The width of streets, limitation of street grades, and of street intersection angles.
(4)
The relation of streets to topography and the prevention of the duplication of street names.
(5)
The minimum width, depth and area of lots.
(6)
Adequate open spaces for traffic, recreation, light and air.
(7)
A distribution of population and traffic which will tend to create conditions favorable to health, safety, convenience and prosperity.
(b)
Such regulations may include requirements as to the extent to which and the manner in which streets shall be graded and improved and water, sewer and other utility mains, piping, connections or other facilities shall be installed, where reasonable and possible, as a condition precedent to the approval of the plat. Such regulations may provide that, in lieu of the completion of such work and installation previous to the final approval of a plat, the planning board may accept a bond in an amount and with surety and conditions satisfactory to it, providing for and securing to the town the actual construction and installation of such improvements and utilities within a period specified by the planning board and expressed in the bond; and the town is hereby granted the power to enforce such bond by all appropriate legal and equitable remedies.
(c)
In the adoption of such rules and regulations and in the consideration of plats submitted thereunder, the planning board shall take into consideration the prospective character of the development, whether residence, business or industrial, and in the case of residence developments, whether the same are for seasonal use or for year-round occupation.
(Code 1967, § 29-5)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 45-23-6.
Sec. 19-6. - Certain state law adopted.#
Sections 45-23-1, 45-23-7 to 45-23-13 and 45-23-20 to 45-23-23 of the General Laws, and any amendments thereof or additions thereto, are hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter.
(Code 1967, § 29-6)