[Amended 6-14-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-9]
In accordance with R.I.G.L. § 45-24-27
et seq., as amended, also known as the “Rhode Island Zoning
Enabling Act of 1991,” the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Johnston
is hereby amended to read as follows.
This chapter has been developed and will be
maintained in accordance with the Johnston Comprehensive Community
Plan, prepared, adopted by the Town Council, and as may be amended
in accordance with Chapter 22.2 of Title 45 of the Rhode Island General
Laws, also known as the “Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning
and Land Use Regulation Act,” and is designed to address the
following purposes, each having equal priority and numbered for reference
purposes only:
A.
To promote the public health, safety, and general
welfare.
B.
To provide for a range of uses and intensities of
use appropriate to the character of the Town of Johnston, and reflecting
current and expected future needs.
C.
To provide for orderly growth and development which
recognizes:
(1)
The goals and patterns of land use contained in the
Johnston Comprehensive Community Plan adopted pursuant to the Rhode
Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act;
(2)
The natural characteristics of the land, including
its suitability for use based on soil characteristics, topography,
and susceptibility to surface or groundwater pollution;
(3)
The values and dynamic nature of coastal and freshwater
ponds, the shoreline and freshwater and coastal wetlands;
(4)
The values of unique or valuable natural resources
and features;
(5)
The availability and capacity of existing and planned
public and/or private services and facilities;
(6)
The need to shape and balance urban and rural development;
and
(7)
The use of innovative development regulations and
techniques.
D.
To provide for the control, protection, and/or abatement
of air, water, groundwater, and noise pollution, and soil erosion
and sedimentation.
E.
To provide for the protection of the natural, historic,
cultural, and scenic character of the Town of Johnston or areas therein.
F.
To provide for the preservation and promotion of agricultural
production, forest, silviculture, aquaculture, timber resources, and
open space.
G.
To provide for the protection of public investment
in transportation, water, stormwater management systems, sewage treatment
and disposal, solid waste treatment and disposal, schools, recreation,
public facilities, open space, and other public requirements.
H.
To promote a balance of housing choices, for all income
levels and groups, to assure the health, safety and welfare of all
citizens and their rights to affordable, accessible, safe, and sanitary
housing.
I.
To provide opportunities for the establishment of
low and moderate income housing.
J.
To promote safety from fire, flood, and other natural
or man-made disasters.
K.
To promote a high level of quality in design in the
development of private and public facilities.
L.
To promote implementation of the Johnston Comprehensive
Community Plan adopted pursuant to the Rhode Island Comprehensive
Planning and Land Use Regulation Act.
M.
To provide for coordination of land uses with contiguous
municipalities, other municipalities, the State of Rhode Island, and
other agencies, as appropriate, especially with regard to resources
and facilities that extend beyond Town of Johnston boundaries or have
a direct impact on the Town of Johnston.
N.
To provide for efficient review of development proposals,
to clarify and expedite the zoning approval process.
O.
To provide for procedures for the administration of
this chapter, including, but not limited to, variances, special use
permits, and, where adopted, procedures for modifications.
Except as may be specifically authorized hereunder,
no land shall be used and no building, structure or sign shall be
erected, modified, enlarged or used unless such action conforms to
all of the applicable provisions of this chapter. Every building,
structure or sign hereafter erected and every use hereafter initiated
shall be located on a lot as defined by this chapter, and in no event
shall there be more than one main or principal residential building,
together with its accessory buildings, on one lot. In the case of
dormitories erected for institutional use, planned developments approved
pursuant to this chapter, and multifamily dwellings approved pursuant
to this chapter, the requirements of one principal residential building
per lot is waived.
