Policies and Procedures: Growth Management Plan 2007 - 2009

Preface:
This program summary outline lists, in bulleted format, the goals, implementation actions and measurable outcomes from the Town's Growth Management Program, for 2007-2009. The items in this summary are not listed in any particular priority order and it is specifically noted that some of the items listed herein may not be achieved during the 2007-2009 time frame and may be carried over to future versions of the Town Growth Management effort. Additionally, certain of the items may be deferred or delayed due to unforeseen demands on Town professional staff, Town Council, Board and Commission workload and community issues that may arise during this two- year planning horizon.

[For a more detailed discussion of any items in this Summary Addendum please refer to the attachment below: Appendix A: Program Addendum].

Proposed Biennial Process to Develop Program:
This version of the Town's Growth Management Program establishes a modified time frame for the effort (now a biennial or two-year focus). The rationale for this change is to allow more staff and board/commission effort to flow toward the program components rather than the process of developing the program. In the off-year of the proposed biennial program (summer of 2008) a brief assessment of the program's progress will be undertaken by the Planning Board and reported to the Town Council. This is seen as a more efficient approach to the issues of growth management within the community.

Revisions and Program Additions for 2007-2009 Planning Time Frame:
For the new version of the Growth Management Program it is proposed to maintain the overall goal structure used in prior versions of the program. Also it is planned to focus more effort on institutional growth issues relating to the University of Rhode Island, South County Hospital and the Town's two independent fire districts, Union Fire District and Kingston Fire District. Other issues to be addressed in the program include: gearing up for the next required five year update of the Town's Comprehensive Community Plan, addressing regulatory issues associated with residential and commercial/industrial applications of wind power and conducting a review of the existing cellular communications infrastructure within the community. These items are discussed in greater detail below under the appropriate heading for each.

Growth Management Goal 1:  Implement the Comprehensive Community Plan

• Develop procedural approach, process and schedule for completion of the required five-year plan update, due on or before June 19, 2010. This will include identification of major issues and areas of concern to address in the update and development of an RFP for consulting services to assist the Town in the review process.
• Utilize the Town's "Build-out" analysis model to assess future development patterns, model impacts of development proposals and evaluate potential regulatory amendments relating to density allowances, etc. Integrate use of 3-dimensional modeling software "Sketch-up" as an adjunct to the Build-out model.
• Initiate/implement affordable housing programs:
  1. Continue with implementation of major recommendations of the Affordable Housing Production Plan including establishment of a local Housing Trust and exaction fees to be used in lieu of affordable unit provision in inclusionary zoning developments.
  2. Continue budgetary and grant related support of local non-profit, affordable housing organizations (timeframe/budget development process).
  3. Program development, public education on affordable housing related issues.
• Monitor Effect of Growth Management Policies on Public School Enrollments. The Planning Department will take the lead in addressing this program aspect as a separate review outside the development of the Capital Improvement Program, this will include a review of Development Pacing and Phasing, Fair Share Development Fees and fee exemption requirements for affordable housing.

Growth Management Goal 2:  Preserve Open Space

• Identify Priority Lands for Preservation, (An ongoing effort, data base in place to conduct evaluation).
• Review "Hybrid" Open Space Acquisition Model, (assess program model that combines open space preservation with limited affordable housing production and/or commercial development, 2007 timeframe).
• Preserve Active Farms through regulatory and non-regulatory means, (maintain dialogue with active farmers and State regulatory entities, an ongoing effort).
• Promote continuing and new parcel participation in the Farm, Forest and Open Space Program

Growth Management Goal 3:  Avoid Sprawl

• Strengthen and preserve village identity in South Kingstown as a means to underscore the historic sense of place in the community.
• Evaluate and access the appropriate amount of non-residential land for the Town, process to identify existing underutilized commercial and industrial parcels and including a review of regulatory barriers that may inhibit full utilization of existing commercial/industrial land base.
• Continue review and assessment of advanced ISDS technology on marginally developable parcels and water quality/runoff impacts relating to development on such constrained parcels.
• Scenic Highway Designation for Route 1, (pending application before the State Scenic Roadway Board, the Town will prepare a Management Plan following decision on the application, (timeframe depends on timing of application decision).
• Research and assess the appropriate regulatory approach and policy framework for the Town to address the use of wind power technology for residential and commercial/industrial applications.
• Develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage consulting services to assess the existing cellular communications infrastructure in the Town. The study would "map" the existing system, identify and quantify areas of limited coverage, determine the potential for upgrade and expansion of existing antenna locations and inventory areas/locations with potential to accommodate new facilities to upgrade/improvement the system.

Growth Management Goal 4:  Economic Revitalization

• Continue to support the Wakefield and Peace Dale Revitalization Programs (ongoing, multi-faceted programs). For 2007-2009 focus to consider Town strategies to encourage and promote "investment in place' by existing businesses in the core village areas, including marketing assistance for space in historic mill complexes.
• Palisades Mill Adaptive Reuse (conclusion of process requires development of regulations to implement mixed use reuse scenario for the complex, prioritized for fall of 2007).
• CH Zoning Study (study completed, Planning Board and staff are working with a major property owner within CH district to develop a case study illustration of impact of proposed regulations, consideration of regulatory modifications to follow, prioritized for fall of 2007.
• Conduct a review and evaluation of the Town's Special Management Districts (Route 1 SMD and Kingstown Road SMD)

Growth Management Goal 5:  Maintain/improve Town/Institutional Relationships

• University of Rhode Island
  1. Conduct annual Town/Gown meeting to discuss common policy, land use, growth management and infrastructure related issues (traffic particularly)
  2. Continue with Town participation in Campus Master Plan Review Team.
  3. Continue to participate in the Campus Technology Park Study (feasibility study anticipated to be complete during the fall of 2007).
  4. The Town will request that the University develop and adopt a master plan for all land holdings northerly of Flagg Road. Such areas are not covered or detailed under URI's existing Campus Master Plan.
  5. The Town, in cooperation with URI and RIDOT, will review the adequacy of infrastructure connections on Town and State rights of way into the University.
  6. The Town will review the University of Rhode Island element of its Comprehensive Community Plan to ascertain if modifications or additions are necessary to address host community concerns in light of University development and expansion.
• South County Hospital
  1. Conduct annual policy summit meeting of Town Council/professional staff and hospital board/administration to maintain and improve continuity of communication and discuss issues of mutual interest/concern.
  2. Conduct formal review and public hearing process for planned, submittal of new institutional master plan for the hospital.
• Fire District Outreach - promote regular communications with the Union and Kingston Fire Districts to discuss community growth issues and the resulting capital improvement and facility requirements to service such growth. Provide technical assistance to districts to assist their capital planning and service provision requirements.