§ 45-24-77. Transit-oriented development pilot program.
(a) Findings and declarations. The general assembly finds and declares that in order to increase the availability
of residential housing near convenient public transportation, alleviate traffic congestion,
and further the goals of chapter 6.2 of title 42, the Act on Climate, enacted in 2021, there is a need to identify growth centers
for higher density housing, considering the capacity for water service, sewer service,
transit connections, and employment centers.
(b) Establishment. To fulfill the findings and declarations of this section, a transit-oriented development
pilot program is hereby established that shall allow developers or municipalities
to apply for funds for residential development.
(c) Applicability. Effective January 1, 2024, in addition to the criteria to be established by the department
of housing as set forth in subsection (d) of this section, to qualify for funding
through the pilot program, the development must include developable land or properties
that is within a one-quarter (¼) mile radius of an existing or planned regional mobility
hub or a one-eighth (â…›) mile radius of an existing or planned frequent transit stop
as such terms are defined in the 2020 Rhode Island transit master plan or its successor
document.
(d) Authority. The department of housing, in conjunction with input and data from the department
of transportation and division of statewide planning, is hereby authorized to promulgate
rules and regulations consistent with this section that establish:
(1) The criteria to qualify for consideration into the pilot program, including but not
limited to:
(i) For municipalities to apply to have zoning districts certified into the program, an
established zoning district or overlay, or other provisions that provide for high
density residential development, and the easing for dimensional restrictions and parking
requirements for such development; and
(ii) For developers to qualify for funding through the program, that the project includes
some portion of the residential units in the development to be affordable housing;
(2) The process for the application and submission requirements for municipalities to
apply to have zoning districts certified into the program and for developers or municipalities
to apply to receive funding;
(3) The process for acceptance into the pilot program;
(4) Reporting requirements for municipalities accepted into the pilot program; and
(5) Penalties for lack of compliance with the pilot program regulations.
(e) Reporting. Beginning on December 31, 2024, the department of housing shall publish an annual
report regarding development under this pilot program, funds distributed and/or committed,
and such report shall include categories of metrics and data agreed upon by the department
of housing and the department of transportation.