§ 45-24-29 - Legislative findings and intent.
SECTION 45-24-29
§ 45-24-29 Legislative findings andintent. – (a) The general assembly recognizes and affirms in §§ 45-24-27through 45-24-72 that the findings and goals stated in § 45-22.2-3 presentfindings and goals with which zoning must be consistent.
(2) The general assembly further finds that:
(i) The zoning enabling statutes contained in §§45-24-1 through 45-24-26, repealed as of December 31, 1994, were largelyenacted in 1921;
(ii) The character of land development and related public andprivate services have changed substantially in the intervening years;
(iii) It is necessary to provide for innovative landdevelopment practices to enable cities and towns to adequately regulate the useof land and employ modern land development practices;
(iv) It is necessary to take full account of the requirementthat each city and town amend its zoning ordinance to conform to and beconsistent with its comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to chapter 22.2 of thistitle, and to all the elements contained therein; and
(v) A substantial updating and revision of the originalstatutory zoning enabling authority is required to meet these changedconditions.
(3) It is therefore found that the preparation andimplementation of zoning ordinances is necessary to address the findings andneeds identified in this section; to protect the public health, safety, andgeneral welfare; to allow the general assembly to carry out its duty to providefor the conservation of the natural resources of the state and to adopt allmeans necessary and proper by law for the preservation, regeneration, andrestoration of the natural environment of the state in accordance with R.I.Const., art. 1, §§ 16 and 17; to promote good planning practice; andto provide for sustainable economic growth in the state.
(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the general assembly:
(1) That the zoning enabling authority contained in thischapter provide all cities and towns with adequate opportunity to addresscurrent and future community and statewide needs;
(2) That the zoning enabling authority contained in thischapter require each city and town to conform its zoning ordinance and zoningmap to be consistent with its comprehensive plan developed pursuant to chapter22.2 of this title;
(3) That the zoning enabling authority contained in thischapter empower each city and town with the capability to establish and enforcestandards and procedures for the proper management and protection of land, air,and water as natural resources, and to employ contemporary concepts, methods,and criteria in regulating the type, intensity, and arrangement of land uses,and provides authority to employ new concepts as they may become available andfeasible;
(4) That the zoning enabling authority contained in thischapter permit each city and town to establish an economic impact commissionwhose duties would be to advise municipalities on the economic impact newzoning changes would have on cities and towns and private property owners, andto assist municipalities in determining financial impacts when new or changedzoning adversely affects business climate, land use, property value, naturaland historic resources, industrial use, or development of private property; andmay permit the use of land and buildings within the groundwater protectionzones for agricultural purposes and shall encourage the use of farmland in amanner which is consistent with the protection of groundwater resources; and
(5) That each city and town amend its zoning ordinance tocomply with the terms of this chapter.