§ 42-64.14-13. Planning, permitting, appeals and development.
(a) The commission shall exercise its powers in a manner consistent with development plans
approved for the I-195 redevelopment district by the commission. Such plans may be
prepared without limitation by the commission in order to achieve the purposes of
this chapter. Development in the district, whether by the commission or otherwise,
shall be subject to the plans prepared by the commission and the commission plans
shall be consistent with the city of Providence comprehensive plan adopted by the
city pursuant to § 45-22.2-1 et seq. and the city of Providence zoning ordinances pursuant to § 45-24-27 et seq. as previously enacted by the city of Providence, and as may be enacted and/or
amended from time to time through July 1, 2012, or enacted thereafter with the consent
of the commission. Approved plans for the I-195 redevelopment district may be considered,
in whole or part as appropriate, for adoption as an element of the state guide plan
by the state planning council, but shall not be subject to the state guide plan or
any other approval provisions related thereto.
(b) The commission shall serve as the sole permitting authority for all development within
the district, as defined in § 37-5-8, pursuant to the powers granted to the commission by §§ 42-64.14-7 and 42-64.14-8. The state fire marshal and the state building code commissioner shall issue any
necessary permits related to fire safety and building code compliance respectively.
The commission shall seek the cooperation of the state building code commissioner
and the state fire marshal to expedite all necessary permits and approvals for development
within the district.
(c) The commission shall have authority to approve and/or mandate an accelerated plan
review process, which may include the implementation of phased and/or fast-track development,
which is defined as the initiation of development prior to final issuance of all permits
and approvals and/or the completion of final project design and construction plans.
(d) The commission shall create for the redevelopment of its properties and parcels sold
by it design guidelines in consultation with the state historic preservation officer.
(e) All appeals timely filed pursuant to chapter 35 of this title entitled the Administrative
Procedures Act with the Rhode Island superior court relative to permits and approvals
shall be accelerated and given priority and advanced on the calendar of the Rhode
Island superior court.
(f) Under no circumstances shall the commission establish, authorize, zone, plan, or permit
in the district a so-called "casino� or any form of gambling, including but not limited
to those activities governed by title 41 of the Rhode Island general laws, so-called
"video-gambling� or any lotteries whatsoever except for the sale of lottery tickets
pursuant to chapter 61 of this title. Furthermore, upon conveyance, but in any event before approving any project, development,
or redevelopment, the commission shall ensure that a deed restriction, running to
the benefit of the city of Providence and the state, is recorded against the subject
property effectuating and memorializing such restriction. The aforementioned restriction
shall run with the land and be binding upon all successors and assigns. Any deed restriction
conveyed to the state pursuant to this subsection may be waived only by statute, resolution,
or other action by the general assembly that complies with the constitutional requirements
for the expansion of gambling.