Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 650 - Coastal Resources Management Council
Chapter 20 - Coastal Management Program
Subchapter 00 - N/A
Part 7 - Aquidneck Island SAMP Coastal Development Regulations
Section 650-RICR-20-00-7.7 - Redevelopment Zone (formerly section 170)

Universal Citation: 650 RI Code of Rules 20 00 7.7

Current through September 18, 2024

A. The Aquidneck Island redevelopment zone is defined in § 7.2(A)(4) of this Part. Specific redevelopment zones include the following large parcels:

1. Portsmouth
a. Arnold Point: The area generally known as Arnold Point is bounded by Musselbed Shoals on the north and the Carnegie Abbey Golf Course property on the south. Target uses include residential-resort, featuring golf, marina, equestrian, linked coastal walkways and related amenities. Developments should orient uses toward commanding vistas of Narragansett Bay, the Mount Hope Bridge and the former Weyerhaeuser Fire Pond.

b. Melville/Weaver Cove redevelopment area: The Melville/Weaver Cove redevelopment area is envisioned as a destination area for marina development and tourism. Sub-districts within this area include:
(1) the Weaver Cove Village which includes land on both sides of Shoreline Drive south of the most southerly parcel boundary with frontage on Maritime Drive and Regatta Road;

(2) the Melville Marine Center which includes the land north of Weaver Cove Village and the area identified as Tank Farm #1 in the West Side Master Plan;

(3) Tank Farm #2 which includes the area identified in the West Side Master Plan as being occupied by the Navy Tank Farm on a hill east of Weaver Cove; and

(4) Tank Farm #3 is located near Defense highway and the Weaver Cove region.

2. Middletown
a. No growth centers are currently envisioned along the Middletown shoreline

3. Newport
a. Newport Naval Hospital redevelopment area: The former U.S. Naval Hospital facility parcel (plat 9, Lot 219) just north of the Newport Bridge has waterfront access and sweeping views across the East Passage to Jamestown.

B. Policy

1. It is the policy of the CRMC to establish and link public access along the entire west side shoreline within the Aquidneck Island SAMP boundary, including through the areas designated as Redevelopment Zones that will satisfy the overall goals of the Aquidneck Island SAMP, as well as the applicable Redevelopment standards described herein.

C. Standards: All development proposals within the Redevelopment Zone that completely meet the requirements under either options below (Options 1 or 2) will be processed as Category A applications in accordance with the CRMP, provided there are no substantive objections during the public notice period. Applicants have the option of having projects subject to the setback and buffer requirements set forth in §§1.1.9 and 1.1.11 of this Subchapter or the alternative options detailed below.

1. Option 1: Standard CRMP buffer width
a. Applicants choosing this option must adhere to the standard buffer width and setbacks as determined in §1.1.11 of this Subchapter (See Table 1 in § 7.7(C)(1) of this Part (below) for buffer width requirements). All structures must be set back 25 feet from the inland edge of the required buffer.

b. The buffer must remain in a natural and undisturbed state; however, some limited maintenance activity is permissible in accordance with the CRMC "Buffer Zone and Invasive Plant Management Guidance" located on the CRMC website at: http://www.crmc.ri.gov/applicationforms/BZGuidance_Invasives_Checklist.pdf. All new plantings within a buffer zone must be comprised of a mix of native plant species and adhere to the CRMC/URI Coastal Plant list also located at the preceding website URL.

c. Variances to the buffer width are not permissible under this option.

d. Table 1: CRMC buffer width requirements

Lot Size (square feet)

Required buffer width (feet)

Required Construction Setback (feet)

CRMC Water Type 3, 4, 5, and 6

CRMC Water Type 1 and 2

<10,000

15

25

25

10,000 - 20,000

25

50

25

20,001 - 40,000

50

75

25

40,001 - 60,000

75

100

25

60,001 - 80,000

100

125

25

80,001 - 200,000

125

150

25

Greater than 200,000

150

200

25

2. Option 2: Coastal Greenway - 50-foot width
a. Applicants may choose a Coastal Greenway of 50-feet in width that includes a public access path. All structures must be setback from the inland edge of the Coastal Greenway in accordance with § 7.5(A)(2)(d) of this Part.

b. All of the standards specified within § 7.5 of this Part shall apply.

c. The project should provide public access in accordance with § 7.5(E) of this Part.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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