Public Hearing Notice

Posted Wednesday, November 1, 2023 12:00 am

City of Cranston
Public Hearing Notice
Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments

A Public Hearing will be held before the Ordinance Committee of the Cranston City Council on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:30 p.m., pursuant to Section 3.12 of the City Charter, on proposed Ordinance 10-23-01 amending Title 17 of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled 'Zoning'.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE 10-23-01 IN AMENDMENT OF TITLE 17 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CRANSTON, 2005, ENTITLED ‘Zoning’

The City is proposing adoption of the following amendments to Title 17 - Zoning. The amendments are mandated in order for the City of Cranston to remain consistent with the State’s 2023 legislative session relative to land use and zoning.

To amend Section 17.04.030 “Definitions” by adding “Adaptive reuse;” and adding a state stature reference and modifying the definition of “dimensional variance;”
To amend the Table of Principal Use of Section 17.20.030 “Schedule of uses” by changing most uses by-special permit to either prohibited uses or permitted uses; and adding a procedural provision for the zoning official to determine a proposed use is not specifically listed.
To amend Section 17.20.040 “Conformance to district regulations required” by adding a procedural provision on which substandard lots of record may be developed.
To amend Section 17.20.130 “Modifications” by adding a provision by which the building official may administratively approve dimensional modifications under a certain threshold without abutters notice; and reducing abutter notice timeframes for modifications above a certain threshold.
To amend Title 17 “Zoning” by adding a new chapter “Unified Development Review” which authorized the City Plan Commission to review and approve variances and/or special-use permits for properties undergoing review as subdivisions or land-development projects.
To amend Section 17.88.010 “Substandard lots of record and lot mergers” by eliminating the automatic lot merger provision if substandard lots of record meet certain thresholds as confirmed by the zoning official; and adding that merged substandard lots of record may be regulated in in accordance with Section 17.20.040.
To amend Section 17.92.010 “Variances” by eliminating the “least relief necessary” and “greater financial gain” findings required for granting variances; adding “relief sought is minimal to the reasonable enjoyment of the permitted use;” and adds that the City Plan Commission acting under unified development review is authorized to grant dimensional variances where a use is permitted by a special-use permit.
To amend Section 17.108.070 “Public hearings” to reduce notice of public hearing mailing deadlines from twenty (20) to fourteen (14) days; adding a requirement to post the notice of public hearing on the municipal website homepage, municipal clerk’s office, and one (1) additional public place; and clarifies who receives Board decisions.
To amend Section 17.108.100 “Quorum” by clarifying the number of members who constitute a quorum and the required number of votes needed on decisions.

The public hearing will also be broadcast remotely on Zoom. The link to the meeting is below. Those without access to video observation platforms may call in to listen to the public hearing by using the call-in phone number below.

When: December 7, 2023 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Public Works Committee and Ordinance Committee Meetings

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/94881297063?pwd=UDAzTlJxRjd1NkR0dGlyRWpCZE9LQT09
Passcode: 028334
Or One tap mobile: +16465588656,,94881297063# US
Or Telephone: +1 646 558 8656 US

Webinar ID: 948 8129 7063

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/abD120w8jM

Prior to the public hearing before the Ordinance Committee, the ordinance will be heard by the City Plan Commission on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.;

When: Dec 5, 2023 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: City Plan Commission Meeting

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96377320312?pwd=dzd0dFZKNFIzbk5kb1RqeEM2OHhmZz09
Passcode: 852782
Or One tap mobile : +13092053325,,96377320312# US
Or Telephone: +1 646 558 8656 US

Webinar ID: 963 7732 0312

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aOuYfFp6l

The ordinance will also be heard by the full City Council at their regular meeting on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

When: Dec 18, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Topic: City Council Meeting

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/95140828470?pwd=QlpJQnBJNnRwcTIxTGthWXNkQy9JUT09
Passcode: 287633
Or One tap mobile: +16465588656,,97260635595# US
Or Telephone: +1 646 558 8656 US

Webinar ID: 951 4082 8470

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aS1edMxz8

Interested parties will be given an opportunity to speak on the proposed amendments at the public hearings noticed herein. Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 45-24-53(a)(5), the proposed amendments may be altered or amended at the public hearing as a result of further study or because of the views expressed at the public hearing, provided that any such alteration or amendment must be presented for comment in the course of the public hearing.

A complete copy of the proposed ordinance amendments are available for public review at Cranston City Hall, City Clerk's Office (Room 207) or may be viewed by clicking the link(s) below:

[Ordinance 10-23-01]

PER ORDER OF THE CRANSTON CITY COUNCIL

Tracy A. Nelson, CMC
City Clerk

Any person with sensory impairments who will require auxiliary aid during the public hearing must notify the Assistant City Clerk at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing by calling (401) 780-3194.