Johnston City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 340-1 Preamble.
[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.
§ 340-2 Purpose and consistency.
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.
§ 340-3 General regulations.
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.