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Planning board forwards development plan review changes that expand administrative authority
Summary
Board recommended changes that define development plan review, add the administrative officer to permitting authority, and allow combining preliminary and final review in certain cases while noting waivers need clarification.
The North Smithfield Planning Board voted Sept. 12 to recommend amendments that redefine development plan review and expand the permitting‑authority definition to include the administrative officer.
Consultants said the updated development plan review will have both an administrative process and a formal review process (preliminary and final). The administrative officer can combine preliminary and final steps under certain conditions; consultants described a likely scenario — a simple interior renovation with no new parking or state permits — where combining could be used to shorten the process. They also said many projects will still come in at preliminary because stipulations attached at that stage commonly require further work before final approval.
Board members asked whether waivers or the authority to grant waivers were included; consultants said that reference to waivers for the administrative officer was not included in the draft and needs clarification. A motion to forward a positive recommendation to the Town Council passed on a roll‑call vote: Benoit — yes; Roberts — yes; Menard — yes; vice chair — yes. The recommendation will go to the Town Council for review.
