A Residential Growth Control Plan for North Kingstown (1978-1993)

Author

Marc A. Levye, University of Rhode Island
Marc R. Rousseau, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

1978

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Community Planning (MCP)

Department

Community Planning and Area Development

First Advisor

Howard H. Foster, Jr.

Abstract

Our growth control scheme is a starting point in the development of a “comprehensive” framework for the discussion of land use policy and growth in the Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The plan is dynamic, one flexible to accommodate the people’s needs.

The study area was limited to residential development in the town. It could have been expanded to include industrial and commercial uses but a different focus and additional research would have been necessary.

It is important to state that we have decided to leave Quonset/Davisville out of our study. The reasons are many. To begin with, time was a factor. In addition, various levels of government are involved with this large tract of land as well as numerous interest groups, such as the oil research and development support industries. Future re-use of the area is unpredictable. The impact of its re-use would be of great benefit to the town in terms of tax revenues and mixed land and recreational uses. Some potential costs may be involved. Nevertheless, Quonset/Davisville is of local, state, regional, national, and international significance.

The project consists of five chapters. They are as follows:

• Chapter 1. Introduction – This chapter will focus in on the land use problem in the United States and suggests the “timing” of development as a technique for managing growth. Issues and problems faced at the local level by those wishing to manage growth will also be highlighted.
• Chapter 2. Justification for a Growth Control Strategy in North Kingstown – This chapter will make a strong case for a more “comprehensive” permit scheme which equates land use development with sound financial planning.
• Chapter 3. Growth Control Methodology – This chapter, the most lengthy, presents a general discussion of our particular growth control program, its specific components including our proposed “Capital Improvement Program,” and a general discussion concerning the issue of “remedies” and “just compensation.”
• Chapter 4. Application of Methodology – This chapter simply illustrates how our methodology works. We accomplish this through two hypothetical examples.
• Chapter 5, Conclusions – This chapter will offer a brief summary of our proposal. In addition, suggestions will be made on how the Town could begin to put our plan into effect. It will also make clear the point that rapid development will occur in North Kingstown regardless of the redevelopment of Quonset/Davisville. Understandably, its re-use would make a growth control plan all the more necessary. Finally, a short look past the effects of our plan (1993) will be included.

In addition, the report contains four appendices, two of which present rather extensive and important information:

• Appendix A – This appendix presents our “Model Growth Control Amendment” to Zoning Ordinance, North Kingstown.

• Appendix B – This appendix contains vital legal consideration.

The overall goal of our project is to develop a growth control plan tailored specifically to the Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

The objectives of our study are to:

1. establish a system which ensures a reasonable growth rate in relation to the provision of capital facilities and services;
2. provide for more energy-efficient development; and,
3. to make provision for necessary low and moderate income housing in the community.

The basic methodology of our growth control plan consists of a point system for residential development. Points are awarded upon the availability of public facilities, consideration of energy elements, and the provision of low and moderate income housing. We propose that the growth control plan be incorporated into the town’s zoning ordinance.

As in Ramapo, New York, and “Capital Improvement Program” will be sequences with development. In other words, the ability of a developer to secure the standard number of points will be contingent, in part, on the Town’s or developer’s ability to provide public facilities. We have proposed three, five-year capital improvement plans.

The legality of our scheme is dependent on proposed state enabling legislation. One looks optimistically towards the future.

Recommended Citation

Levye, Marc A. and Rousseau, Marc R., "A Residential Growth Control Plan for North Kingstown (1978-1993)" (1978). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 613.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/613