Glocester council accepts first readings of comprehensive plan and zoning changes required by state law

The Glocester Town Council on Oct. 17 accepted first readings of a package of land‑use changes that planners said are required by recent actions of the Rhode Island General Assembly and scheduled public hearings to consider final adoption.

Town planner Karen Scott told the council the amendments update definitions, change notice procedures, move development‑plan review language from zoning into the subdivision regulations and create two types of growth centers (vehicle‑oriented commercial and mixed‑use pedestrian districts). "In all sections that are amended, we attempted to maximize public participation and public notice in compliance with the new legislation," Scott said.

Scott said one major change allows the zoning official to grant administrative modifications of up to roughly 15% of certain dimensional requirements after making required findings; affected property owners who touch the site would be notified and have 14 days to object. The package also removes two variance‑finding requirements from state law, alters unified development review so the planning board can act in place of the zoning board when both subdivision and variance issues are present, and adds an adaptive‑reuse provision that allows an existing structure to change use so long as at least 50% of the floor area is dedicated to residential use and minimum density rules (15 units per acre) apply.

On subdivision rules, Scott said the definition and thresholds for minor and major subdivisions were revised to reflect the state law. She told the council that certain minor subdivisions and smaller land‑development projects will now be decided administratively by the administrative officer (no planning‑board public hearing), while projects in the newly designated growth centers will remain subject to public review. Scott said the planning board and council had tried to preserve public input where possible by defining growth centers that bring commercial development back in front of the planning board.

Councilmember motion votes accepted the first reading of the comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinance amendments and set a public hearing before the council for Nov. 21, 2024; the planning board public hearing on the subdivision regulation amendments was set for Nov. 12, 2024. Scott said those hearings are part of a multi‑round process and encouraged residents to submit written comments through the town clerk.

The council accepted the readings by voice vote and will consider final adoption after public hearings and any subsequent revisions.