1.

Definition and purpose. For the purpose of providing an expedited review process for projects subject to section 4 of this ordinance judged to have a minor effect on the natural resources of the Town of Narragansett, or minor amendments to site plans approved by the zoning board of review pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of this ordinance, there is hereby established a procedure whereby the staff may review and approve and issue permits for the specific activities listed below without a public hearing before the zoning board of review as required by section 11.3.

2.

Eligibility. Projects eligible for staff review are limited to the following activities:

(a)

Construction projects or site alterations within the coastal and freshwater overlay districts (section 4.3) and coastal resource overlay district (section 4.4) that are located 50 feet or more from the edge of the wetland or inland edge of the coastal feature.

(b)

Construction within 50 feet of the wetland edge or inland edge of coastal feature as defined in section 4.3 or 4.4 when the construction is no closer to the coastal/wetland feature than existing construction on the lot.

(c)

Amendments to site plans of a previously approved application for a variance or special use permit where the amended site plan is in substantial conformance with the originally approved site plan, no additional relief from the provisions of this ordinance are required, and the record shows no objectors were present at the public hearing. Only one staff review amendment may be approved before a new public hearing is required.

(d)

Cutting and maintaining paths (six feet maximum width) and selective thinning with prior approval by Coastal Resources Management Council or department of environmental management, as applicable.

(e)

Construction of sheds of 144 square feet or less in floor area within 50 feet of a coastal feature wetland edge when placed on existing lawn area or when placed on a legal non-conforming lot whereon dimensional relief is not requested.

(f)

Reserved.

(g)

Construction of in-ground swimming pools in the areas subject to section 4.5 in high water table limitation overlay district A or B, and for construction of in-ground basements in high water table limitation overlay district B. The application for both activities must be accompanied by a statement by a professional engineer or other appropriate professional certifying that the project is designed to successfully accommodate the high water table conditions.

3.

Procedure. Applicants for projects that meet the above eligibility criteria may submit an application, including the letter of denial from the building inspector, site plans and building plans, and other information required by this ordinance and the building code to the planning staff of the department of community development. The applicant shall be assessed a review fee of $75.00 dollars. The planning staff shall review said application, conduct a site inspection, and consult with staff of the building inspector, engineering and public works department and other officials as necessary, and shall either approve, modify or deny said application according to the standards and requirements set forth below. For single- or two-family residential projects the planning staff shall refer an approved application to the building inspector for the issuance of a building permit. For commercial, industrial or multifamily projects, the application, if approved, shall be referred to the planning board and zoning board for review. The review of the planning and zoning board shall be done without a public hearing as required by section 11.3 of the zoning ordinance. If approved by the boards the application shall be referred to the building inspector for issuance of a building permit. With all staff reviews the application shall be accompanied by a statement stamped by a registered professional engineer or other appropriate professional certifying that all applicable development standards have been met by the proposed development plan. Prior to approval the planning staff must find there is no potential for significant environmental impact from the proposed development, which findings shall be based on an analysis of field conditions and on written environmental assessment.

All decisions approving a staff review shall be in writing and recorded in the land evidence records of the Town of Narragansett.

4.

Review criteria and requirements. If [in] the opinion of the reviewing agency or boards indicated above the project fails (a) to adequately meet the goals and criteria set forth in section 4 of this ordinance, or (b) in the case of a minor site plan change fails to comply with the intent of the original decision of the zoning board of review, the staff or board as applicable shall deny the application and inform the applicant that a hearing is required per section 11.3 of this ordinance. There shall be no right to appeal a determination of the planning staff denial of request for approval as a staff review.

5.

Exemptions. Notwithstanding the above there shall be certain minor activities that may be exempted from these provisions and section 4 of the ordinance upon a finding of no significant impact by the planning staff. These include placement of minor structures, such as sheds up to 144 square feet, flag poles, dog houses, fixed garden furniture, fences, mailboxes when placed on existing lawn areas on the lot in question, and changes in windows or roof line of houses when no expansion of the building footprint, number of bedrooms, or requirement for expansion of sewage system is involved.

(Ch. 811(1), § 1(16.1), 3-4-2002; Ch. 894, §§ 6, 9, 11-5-2007; Ch. 1016, § 7, 5-2-2016)