In accordance with Title 45, Chapter 24 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956, as amended, the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Warren is hereby amended to read as follows.

The regulations and standards set forth in this zoning ordinance are made in accordance with the Comprehensive Community Plan of the Town of Warren, adopted or amended pursuant to Title 45, Chapter 22.2 of the General Laws of Rhode Island. Where uncertainty in the construction or application of any section of this ordinance exists, it shall be construed in a manner that will further the implementation of, and not be contrary to, the goals, policies and applicable elements of the comprehensive plan.

The regulations set forth in this ordinance are designed to address the following purposes:

A.

Promoting the public health, safety and general welfare.

B.

Providing for a range of uses and intensities of use appropriate to the character of the Town of Warren, and reflecting current and expected future needs of its residents.

C.

Providing for orderly growth and development which recognizes:

1.

The goals and patterns of land use contained in the comprehensive plan of the Town of Warren;

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.

Providing for the control, protection and/or abatement of air, water, groundwater and noise pollution, and soil erosion and sedimentation.

E.

Providing for the protection of the natural, historic, cultural and scenic character of the Town of Warren.

F.

Providing for the preservation and promotion of agricultural production, forest, silviculture, aquaculture, timber resources and open space.

G.

Providing 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.

Promoting 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.

Providing opportunities for the establishment of low and moderate income housing.

J.

Promoting safety from fire, flood and other natural or man-made disasters.

K.

Promoting a high level of quality in design in the development of private and public facilities.

L.

Promoting implementation of the comprehensive plan of the Town of Warren.

M.

Providing for coordination of land uses with contiguous municipalities, other municipalities, the state, and other agencies, as appropriate, especially with regard to resources and facilities that extend beyond the municipal boundaries of, or have a direct impact on, the Town of Warren.

N.

Providing for efficient review of development proposals, to clarify and expedite the zoning approval process.

O.

Providing for procedures for the administration of the zoning ordinance, including but not limited to, variances, special use permits and where adopted, procedures for modifications.

P.

Providing opportunities for reasonable accommodations in order to comply with the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act (chapter 37 of title 34), the United States Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHAA), the Rhode Island Civil Rights of Individuals with Handicaps Act (chapter 87 of title 42), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (42 U.S.C. section 12101 et seq.).

Such regulations and restrictions are made with reasonable consideration, among other things, to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town of Warren.

A.

Except as may be specifically provided hereinafter, no land shall be used and no building, structure or sign shall be erected, modified, enlarged or used unless such action conforms to the applicable provisions of this ordinance. Every building, structure or sign hereafter erected and every use hereafter initiated shall be located on a lot as defined by this ordinance and there shall be no more than one main or principal building, together with its accessory buildings, on one lot; except as provided in section 32-79 of this ordinance, and except however, an additional principal building on a lot legally used for commercial or manufacturing purposes may be allowed by the zoning board of review as a special use permit under the provisions of article V of this ordinance.

B.

The Town of Warren itself, both as to land owned by the town, and to government activity and use, shall be exempt from the provisions of this ordinance.