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PLANNING
DEPARTMENT
Annual Report
Mission
Statement
Under the direction of the Town Manager, the Planning Department provides professional planning services for the Town in the following areas:
ADMINISTRATION OF LAND USE REGULATIONS
The Department prepares and administers the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, as well as other local regulations that may affect community development.
ADMINISTRATION OF ON-GOING PLANNING PROGRAMS
The Department is responsible for the initiation, administration and completion of such diverse planning programs as land acquisition, historic preservation, housing, and community development.
COORDINATION WITH FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES
The Department works closely with various Federal and State agencies in the completion of projects where either Federal and/or State funds are involved or regulatory permits are required. These include RI Coastal Resources Management Council (RICRMC), RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT), Army Corps of Engineers and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
COORDINATION WITH TOWN BOARDS, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
The Department provides direct staff support to seven permanent Town boards (Town Council, Planning Board, Technical Review Committee (TRC), Conservation Commission [Tree Board], Historic District Commission, Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee, and Transportation and Traffic Review Committee), in addition to serving several committees and special groups as required.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The Department reviews all development proposals that may affect the Town's natural resources and makes recommendations for appropriate environmental protection measures and initiatives.
GRANT APPLICATION AND ADMINISTRATION
The Department applies for and administers various Federal, State and foundation grants. These grants provide financial assistance in many different areas including affordable housing, transportation improvements, open space acquisition, neighborhood revitalization, and environmental protection programs.
LAND USE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY GROWTH
The Department is responsible for preparation, maintenance and updating of the Comprehensive Community Plan as a long-range guide for development within the Town.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
The Department researches issues related to community planning at the request of the Town Manager, Town Council and other boards and agencies for which staff services are assigned.
Accomplishments
2005 - 2006
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES
Implementation of Major Recommendations of The Affordable Housing Production Plan – Staff, in cooperation with the Planning Board and the Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee, developed the Town’s inclusionary zoning ordinance and Subdivision Regulations amendments to implement a major recommendation of the Affordable Housing Production Plan.
DOWNTOWN INTERMODAL PARK ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
The Town has received a $453,000 grant to undertake conversion of an existing commercial property in downtown Wakefield to an inter-modal park. The required site investigation has been completed along with the recommended site remediation. The subject property was purchased by the Town in December 2003. A consultant has been hired for the Comfort Station design. The Town is working with RIDOT to pave the lot before commencing with construction of the Comfort Station facility.
NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING
The final Multi-Hazard Mitigation Strategy Plan was reviewed and approved by the Town Council in January 2006. The Plan formally received federal (FEMA) approval in April 2006, including recommended FEMA revisions approved by the Town Council. The Plan represents the Town’s comprehensive development of strategies for reducing risks from natural hazards.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
In concert with the Planning Director, GIS division staff worked with the Town's consultant, Environmental Simulation Center, and completed development of a custom GIS-based Build-Out analysis model for the Town. Staff and the consultant presented the model to the Town Council and Planning Board at a joint meeting held March 28, 2006.
Using the Build-Out analysis, GIS staff completed an analysis of the impact of inclusionary zoning regulations to promote affordable units in subdivisions.
The Town’s vendor, Earthdata, completed a new orthophoto flyover of the town in April 2006. Final products will include new 6" pixel color orthophotos of the Town with a digital terrain model (DTM) capable of creating two-foot contours town-wide. Earthdata is currently processing the data and the products will be delivered by December 2006.
Continued refinement, with programming assistance by Camp, Dresser and McKee of Cambridge, Massachusetts, of interface for easy access to GIS for Town Staff using ArcIMS GIS software. GIS data and software reside on a dedicated server, with the GIS interface accessible to Town staff using Internet Explorer software located on individual desktops.
Using GPS coordinates from the South Kingstown Historical Cemetery book, all historical cemeteries missing from the Tax Assessor’s Tax Maps were plotted and new maps were printed.
Worked with the Communications Director to continue development of a town-wide communications system GIS geo-database.
Performed annual update of the Town's storm water system data that included identifying and locating all newly constructed structures using the Town's GPS receiver.
An interactive web document was created for the Public Services Department, including the Water Division, for easy access to new digital map files.
Continued maintenance of tax maps in the GIS.
Continued working with the Town’s Emergency Management Coordinator on development of Emergency Evacuation Route Maps. These maps were made available to the public via the Town's website.
The GIS Division created flow charts for the Town Clerk to assist the Charter Review Commission in its work to review the budget process.
Ongoing maintenance and update of following GIS data layers:
- Roads and street names (October 2005)
- Zoning (May 2006)
- Protected Open Space (March 2006)
- Town Storm Water System (April 2006) and Wastewater System (January 2006)
- Town Voting Districts (November 2005)
- Town Sanding Routes (November 2005) and Snow Plow Routes (November 2005)
Development, update and production of town-wide maps for sale to public, totaling $1,654 in map sales. New or updated maps include:
- Individual tax maps (2’ x 3’), updated daily
- Protected Open Space (24,000 scale and 11" x 17"), updated March 2006
- Town Street Map, updated October 2005
- Zoning Map, updated May 2006
Produced a new map series of the Town's wastewater system. These booklets were assigned to each wastewater truck to assist staff during field tasks and emergencies.
Assisted Town Clerk’s office in solving discrepancies between the Town’s voting district and the new voting roll distributed by the RI Secretary of State’s office
Linked Assessor and building permit database with GIS parcel data layer on ongoing basis for GIS analyses and map production for Assessor, Town Manager and Planning Department.
Assisted the Finance Department by extracting infrastructure data across town in preparation for the GASB-34 Request for Proposals sent by the Town for consulting services to assist with compliance of the government program.
Assisted the Town engineer with preparation of the Town’s report to the EPA for Storm water Phase II compliance. Storm water data collected by the Town’s Highway Department using the ArcPad mobile GIS was analyzed for the report.
SAUGATUCKET RIVER GREENWAY
Construction of Phase I of the Saugatucket River Walkway project commenced in March 2004. It was completed in the Fall 2005. The Town has received a commitment of $500,000 under the RIDOT Enhancement Program for the design and construction of the second phase. An additional $370,000 was awarded under the 2006-2007 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to complete all elements of Phase II.
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The fourth year of the WWM Mandatory Inspection Program was completed in May 2006. A total of 959 properties were identified with 96.3% of the septic systems passing. To date the compliance rate for Year 4 of the program is 77.4%. A total of 4,412 systems have been inspected over the initial four years of the program with 96.9% of those systems passing inspection.
Report Of Activities/Work Programs 2004 - 2005 return to top
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COLLABORATIVE COMMITTEE
The seven-member Committee held 12 regular meetings during FY2005-2006, including a public educational forum on the “Work Force” housing issue in April 2006. Over the past year, the Collaborative has focused on assisting Town staff and the Planning Board in developing inclusionary zoning regulations, monitoring and advocating for legislation on the State level relative to funding of affordable housing programs and initiatives, public education and consensus building on housing issues within the community and establishing working relationships with local non-profit organizations that promote or provide housing and housing related services. In addition, in June 2006 the Town hired consultant Barbara Sokoloff Associates to study issues relating to exaction fees in lieu of developing affordable housing in inclusionary zoning projects, housing trust fund review and performing a reuse analysis of three parcels in Peace Dale. The consultant will work in cooperation with Town staff, Planning Board and the Collaborative. This study is underway and will conclude in the Fall 2006.
ENVIRONMENTAL / HISTORICAL REVIEW
The Planning Department works in cooperation with the Conservation Commission, Historic District Commission, Affordable Housing Collaborative and other Town, State and Federal agencies to review all applications for development and other activity which may impact the Town’s natural, historical and cultural resources. The following activities took place during FY2005-2006:
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission held eleven regular meetings and one work session in FY2005-2006. The Commission maintains its WWM educational outreach efforts in concert with URI and continued its role as Town Tree Board as well as ISDS Commission. In addition, the Commission reviewed and acted upon one subdivision plan review; one land development project review; eleven Section 504.1 Special Use Permits; one EIS review; and one Zone Change request.
Historic District Commission
Six regular meetings of the Historic District Commission were held in 2005-2006. The Commission reviewed and acted upon six Certificates of Appropriateness. The Commission continues to work with staff in transferring historical cemetery information to the Town tax maps.
GRANT ADMINISTRATION
The Planning Department undertook the preparation and administration of various grants for the Town. During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the following grants were awarded:
| Type of Grant |
Amount |
| Small Cities CDBG |
$200,580 |
| Homeland Security |
$167,943 |
| Recreation Development |
$169,725 |
LAND DEVELOPMENT
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS - REVIEW OF PROJECTS
The review and approval of land subdivision is the responsibility of the Planning Board, for which the Planning Department provides administrative support. During the past year, the Board met a total of 26 times, including fourteen regular meetings, eight regular work sessions and three joint work sessions with the Town Council. The Board held one site visit. The Board reviewed 26 residential subdivision proposals comprising a total of 59 proposed lots. Preliminary Approval was granted to 15 subdivisions, totaling 41 lots. Conceptual Master Plan Approval was granted to six projects for a total of 21 lots. Preliminary Approval was also granted to two Flexible Design Residential Projects comprised of 16 units. Preliminary Plan Approval was granted to three multi-family Flexible Design Residential Projects consisting of 178 units. The Planning Board granted approval to one Comprehensive Permit Application to construct a senior residential community consisting of 44 units. The Board reviewed and approved four Development Plan Review project applications. The Planning Board approved one amendment to a Conceptual Master Plan and Preliminary Plan Approval for the construction of a 100-unit hotel with an attached indoor swimming pool/spa. The Board also approved an amendment to South County Hospital's Institutional Master Plan to permit the construction of a three-story, sixty–bed inpatient bed tower to replace existing beds with private rooms. The Director of Planning approved 17 Administrative Subdivisions.
During the eight regular work sessions the following topics were discussed:
- Annual Action Agenda for Growth Management
- Draft of Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulation Amendments to Promote Affordable Housing
- Implementation Issues, Palisades Mill Reuse Feasibility Study .. Amendments to the Town's Construction Activities Ordinance, Chapter 11, Article III
- Tree Protection Practices in Subdivision and Land Development Projects
- Review of Regulations Governing Residential Compounds Relative to Administrative Subdivision (Subdivision Regulation, Article IV,B)
- Review of “Draft” Zoning Amendments to Comply with Revisions to RIGL Title 45, Chapter 53, “The Low and Moderate Income Housing Act”
- Recommendations Regarding Proposed Amendments to Accessory Apartment Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance Article 5, Section 503.1)
- Project Status Review of the Daylor Consulting Group’s Development of “Revisions to the South Kingstown Zoning Ordinance to Promote New Urbanism and Traditional Downtown Development and Redevelopment”
- Review of Narragansett Electric Company, Southern Rhode Island Transmission Projects
- Bonding/Performance Guarantee Requirements for Non-Public (Private) Improvements in Land Development Projects and Subdivisions (Subdivision Regulation, Article VII)
- Scheduling of Priority Items for Future Work Sessions
- Review of Commercial Highway (CH) Parcel Inventory and CH Signage Regulations, Components of Commercial Highway Zoning Study
- Potential Revisions to the Zoning Ordinance, Article 5, Section 504.5 Bed and Breakfast Facility Uses
- Progress of Final Report Commercial Highway Zoning Study, Daylor Consulting Group
- Zoning Ordinance Regulations Governing Use Code 55.3, Liquor Stores
- Residential Build-Out Analysis
- Potential Zoning/Comp Plan Amendment Application .. “Draft“ Lighting Ordinance
- Growth Management Program (Annual Action Agenda) for 2006-2007
In support of the Board, the Technical Review Committee met 12 times including one special TRC meeting. The Planning Board supported one Zoning Board of Review appeal.
MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT
The Town established a Mosquito Abatement District in 1996. The Town completed the 10th year tasks of its abatement program during FY2005-2006. Larvacide treatment of all municipal catch basins was performed monthly from June through October 2005. Staff also was directly involved in measures to address the potential presence of West Nile Virus within the community. Staff continued efforts to educate the public regarding mosquito abatement measures.
ROUTE 138/KINGSTON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
Planning staff has worked closely with RIDOT, URI, the project consultant, Beta Group, and the Project Area Committee in developing an improvement design for this road segment that will provide traffic flow improvements, pedestrian, bicycle and aesthetic enhancements in relation to the URI campus and historic villages of Kingston and West Kingston. This project has been included in the State TIP for construction to begin in 2007. Funding for this $15 million project was secured by the RI Senatorial delegation and included in the recently enacted federal highway-funding bill.
Goals 2006 - 2007 return to top
AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES
The Comprehensive Community Plan calls for the development of strategies to provide affordable housing opportunities to a vital mix of people with an emphasis on the provision of dwelling units for low and moderate- income families and individuals. With the recent State approval of the Affordable Housing Production Plan, Planning staff in cooperation with the Affordable Housing Collaborative and Planning Board will continue implementation efforts toward the major recommendations contained therein.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM – ANNUAL ACTION AGENDA (AAA)
Planning staff and the Planning Board, in cooperation with the Town Council, will continue to develop and work toward implementation of action elements identified in the Growth Management Program. Goals include updating and implementing the Comprehensive Plan, preserving open space, avoiding sprawl and revitalizing the downtown village areas of Wakefield and Peace Dale.
DOWNTOWN INTER-MODAL PARK ENHANCEMENT
The Main Street site, the former “Teeny’s Glass” shop, adjacent to the Wakefield Branch was purchased by the Town in December 2003. The preliminary parking lot design and comfort station design have been completed. It is anticipated that the project design phase, including the comfort station architectural phase, will be completed during the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
- Update Build-Out analysis based on new parcel and assessor data.
- Receive final products of new orthophoto flyover of town from EarthData; generate 2 foot contours from Digital Terrain Model.
- Train all Town staff in use of ArcIMS interface to GIS. Continue to update interface based on specific Town staff comments.
- Complete migration of Town’s ArcIMS to Internet for 24-hour access by public.
- Fully migrate Town's GIS database and map production capabilities to new version of GIS software, ArcGIS 9.1 and geodatabase format.
- Further integrate access to, and use of, SKGIS in every day activities of Town departments.
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION
At present, approximately 18.27% of the total land area in South Kingstown is vacant and can support development and 30.1% is protected open space. The Planning Department will continue to work closely with the Town Council, municipal boards, State and Federal agencies, and private land preservation groups (i.e. "The Community partnership", which is comprised of the SK Land Trust, Narrow River Land Trust, US Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nature Conservancy, RIDEM, and Champlin Foundations) to target specific properties and develop effective strategies for acquisition.
PALISADES MILL REUSE FEASIBILITY STUDY
The Town Council accepted the Palisades Mill Reuse Feasibility Study in the Fall 2004. In accepting the report the Town Council identified a series of implementation themes/planning goals to focus the implementation efforts of the Planning Board and Planning Department. Based on direction provided by the Planning Board, draft ordinance language to implement the study’s findings and recommendations is being finalized by planning staff and is expected to be presented for public review in the Fall 2006.
PEACE DALE PARKING LOT
The parking lot design was completed by the Department of Public Services in FY2004-2005. An alteration permit was procured from the State to expand the parking area and provide for a total of 37 parking spaces. Site preparation will be completed by late 2005 and the parking lot pavement, striping and lighting were completed in the Spring 2006. Landscape improvements to close the project will be completed in the Fall 2006.
PUBLIC INFORMATION ACCESS
The Planning Department will continue to work closely with the Town Council and Town Clerk’s Office to encourage active citizen participation through all stages of the decision-making and project review process.
REVISIONS TO THE SOUTH KINGSTOWN ZONING ORDINANCE TO PROMOTE NEW URBANISM AND TRADITIONAL DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT
The Town has engaged a consulting firm to conduct this study of the Commercial Downtown and Commercial Highway zoned properties within the community. The Planning Board has shifted the consultant’s project focus to those areas within the Commercial Highway zoning district. It is anticipated that this project will be finished in the Fall 2006.
SOUTH COUNTY BIKE PATH - PHASE III
The third phase of the bike path includes the final segment within South Kingstown from Kingstown Road to the Narragansett corporate line. It is anticipated that the State will finalize the design within the 2006-2007 fiscal year with construction to follow. In addition, the Town will work with RIDOT to complete the design of the bike path spur to connect Phase II of the path with the Saugatucket River Walkway project.
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Public Services Department’s Wastewater Management Specialist provides oversight of the Town’s Wastewater Management Ordinance, in effect since 2001. Additional staff support is provided by the Planning Department. A comprehensive education element has been developed in concert with URI/CE personnel. During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the Planning Department will continue management of the USEPA National Decentralized On-Site Wastewater Demonstration Project ($3 million grant received April 2000).
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