Chapter 18.42 PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT-VILLAGE CENTER DISTRICT
18.42.010 Purpose.
18.42.020 Village Center development.
18.42.030 Objectives.
18.42.040 Standards and requirements for development.
18.42.050 Application procedure.
18.42.060 District design criteria.
18.42.070 Severability
18.42.010 Purpose. The purpose of the planned unit development-Village Center zoning district is to provide an area for economic development according to design criteria particular to the district. The district is intended to be a mixed use development which provides for a diversity of compatible land uses and development densities. The entire district shall be planned as an integrated, coordinated development project, the components of which may include residential uses at different densities, neighborhood businesses, professional offices, retail uses, industrial uses, governmental uses, and recreational facilities. Development in this district is to be designed to highlight residential and commercial/retail uses along Route 138, with industrial uses further back. In addition, development of the district is to include significant recreational or open space area, which should also be located along Route 138 with industrial development behind it. The district is intended to facilitate joint or common use of parking, common use and maintenance of open space and recreational facilities, conservation of land and provision of open space through the clustering of buildings and activities, and lower infrastructure costs through increased use densities. A master plan must be approved by the planning board before any development takes place.
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 7-21-26)
18.42.020 Village Center development. The district is intended to provide for a mix of residential, commercial, industrial, and other uses. The intent of this section is to limit the number of street access points from the district to Route 138, and minimize visual impact from the district through the location of vegetative buffer zones, recreational uses, and other non-structural features. Visual impact can also be affected by locating residential and commercial/retail mixed uses along Route 138 and siting industrial type uses behind the residential, commercial/retail uses and recreational/open space uses. The planning board may permit residential units to be located above commercial and retail establishments in the district.
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 6-5-12; Ord. dated 7-21-26)
18.42.030 Objectives. The objectives of the planned unit development-Village Center district are to:
A. Encourage the development of a mix of residential, commercial, industrial, and public uses that retains a sense of the rural landscape of the town and provides an environment consisting of a gathering place for town residents and visitors along with useable open space, greenways, recreational facilities and land (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
B. Provide a concentrated area of land use that promotes sustainable development patterns (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
C. Maximize opportunities for flexibility in the design and development of residential, commercial and industrial areas that would not be possible through conventional application of ordinance requirements (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
D. Encourage and promote variety in the development of land, which includes housing (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
E. Allow for efficient provision and effective use of physical improvements and municipal services relative to land use development;
F. Control access of new development on town and state roads so that traffic safety and circulation are not affected adversely (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
G. Provide an open space plan for the district and project that may incorporate pathways, walkways and bike trails throughout and may link to a larger open space greenway plan for the community and the county (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
H. Assure the clustering of uses and parking areas on the most appropriate developable land within the district and the project (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
I. Assure that the design of new structures, parking areas, and landscaping is compatible with the natural topography and features of the site and the existing character of the town for buildings fronting along the Route 138 corridor (Ord. dated 7-21-26); and
J. Provide for an efficient procedure to ensure appropriate, high quality design and site planning. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 7-21-26))
18.42.40 Standards and requirements for development.
A. Uses Allowed
1. Uses permitted by right or special use permit are listed in Table 18.16.010 and are allowed anywhere on the lot except as follows:
a. Use Code 626, Vehicle service stations, automotive repair, and vehicle body repair, shall:
i. Be accessory to primary use of the district or project;
ii. Be set back at least 700 feet from the edge of the Route 138 right of way;
iii. In vehicle service stations and in facilities offering automotive or vehicle body repair, all services except fuel sales shall take place inside an enclosed building;
iv. If adjacent to a residential zone or use, parts, supplies, and equipment stored outdoors, and vehicles parked outdoors overnight or longer, shall be screened by a dense evergreen buffer at least ten (10) feet deep;
v. Shall provide a detailed plan explaining how lubricants and fuel oils will be stored to prevent soil, ground water, and surface water contamination; and
vi. Section 18.36.090 shall not apply to this Use in the PUD-VC zone.
(Ord. dated 7-21-26)
b. Use Codes 532, Transportation terminal, 534, Airport, helipad, 536, Towing with vehicle storage, and 537 Office with indoor or outdoor vehicle storage not otherwise classified, shall be set back at least 700 feet from the edge of the Route 138 right of way. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
c. Use Code 642, Warehouse sales with indoor storage only, with greater than 50,000 square feet of floor area shall be set back at least 700 feet from the edge of the Route 138 right of way (Ord. dated 7-21-26);
d. Use Code 644, Warehouse sales with outdoor storage, with greater than 50,000 square feet of floor area shall be set back at least 700 feet from the edge of the Route 138 right of way (Ord. dated 7-21-26); and
e. All uses within Part 90, Manufacturing & Extractive, shall be set back at least 700 feet from the edge of the Route 138 right of way. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
f. The 700 foot setback from the edge of the Route 138 right of way for the above identified uses may be reduced by dimensional variance. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
B. Site design details, including but not limited to landscaping and open space networking, shall be approved by the planning board. Public improvements shall be constructed in conformance with the requirements of the land development and subdivision regulations and any other applicable municipal ordinance. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
C. No residential dwelling unit in the district shall have more than two (2) bedrooms. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
D. A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate of the business, commercial and industrial area in the district or project shall be devoted to open space or recreational uses. The applicant may include more than twenty percent (20%) open space or recreational area but the planning board may not require more. Streets, parking areas (except as needed for trail and recreational uses), required yards, utility easements, or above ground or open stormwater management structures shall not occupy the required open space and recreational area. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
E. Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, Article 4, Section 4.1, Conservation Developments, shall not apply to the PUD-VC Zone. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
F. The planning board may waive or modify lot dimensional standards including, building lot coverage, building height, floor area, building setbacks and lot areas, without the need for a dimensional variance, if it finds that such waiver or modification would result in a more functional use of the property. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
G. The planning board shall approve the shape, site, location and use of open space. An open space and conservation area shall be a component of the master plan. A pathway or walkway plan, if feasible, as determined by the Planning Board, may be a component of the master plan. Any conservation or preservation easements for open space shall be conveyed, as per R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-47(e), and subject to mutually agreed to terms including indemnification provisions, to:
a. The town of Richmond and accepted by it for park, open space, agricultural, or other specified use or uses; or
b. A nonprofit organization, the principal purpose of which is the conservation of open space or resource protection; or
c. A corporation or trust owned or to be owned by the owners of lots or units within the development, or owners of shared within a cooperative development. If such a corporation or trust is used, ownership shall pass with conveyances of the lots or units; or
d. Remain in private ownership subject to a restrictive use deed limiting the uses to agriculture, habitat, forestry, park, or open space. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
F. Approval and development of the district or project may take place in phases approved by the planning board. The planning board shall approve the physical limitations and time limitations applicable to each phase at the time of master plan approval. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 6-5-12; Ord. dated 7-21-26)
18.42.050 Application procedure.
A. A master plan for the entire project must be approved by the planning board prior to the subdivision and development of any portion of the project. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
B. Approval of a master plan shall be according to the procedure provided for approval of major subdivisions and land development projects under Article 5 of the Richmond land development and subdivision regulations. The planning board may require information in addition to that required by the land development and subdivision regulations, provided that the reason for requiring such information is accompanied by findings of fact and reduced to writing. At the master plan application stage, the applicant shall submit to the planning board evidence that the proposed design is consistent with the intent and requirements of this section, and how it relates to surrounding land uses.
C. At the preapplication stage of review, the applicant shall submit general, conceptual materials in advance of the meeting to include:
1. Location map showing the proposed project with existing streets;
2. Proposed land uses; and
3. Proposed circulation pattern, indicating all public and private streets;
4. Proposed parks, recreational facilities and open spaces;
5. Identification of the development’s construction phasing. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
D. The approved Preliminary Plan shall show general locations of all proposed buildings. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
E. The planning board may require a traffic impact analysis, an environmental assessment, or an environmental impact statement, in accordance with Section 3.5 of the land development and subdivision regulations.
F. Aquifer protection overlay. If any portion of the project is within an aquifer protection overlay district, the land development application shall additionally include the materials that would be required if applying for review pursuant to Chapter 18.21. Application of the aquifer protection requirements in Chapter 18.21 shall only apply to that portion of the project within the Aquifer protection overlay. Review of the aquifer protection overlay district shall be concurrent with review of the land development project. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 2-16-10; Ord dated 6-5-12; Ord. dated 7-21-26)
18.42.060 District design criteria.
In the event of a conflict between these design criteria and the Design and Improvement Standards, Article 13, of the Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, these criteria shall govern. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
A. Architectural Standards. The following architectural standards shall only apply to structures within 700 feet of the edge of the Route 138 right of way. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
1. The architectural design of buildings, structures, and site lay out will be visually compatible with a historic New England village in scale and character, including building materials, massing, density, window arrangement, and roof lines.
2. A diversity of roof heights, gable orientations and volumes in new buildings shall be considered. Buildings shall be designed with traditional roof forms that are compatible with the character of the town, including but not limited to gambrel, gable and hipped roofs commonly found in the town and other small New England towns.
3. Architectural elements such as dormers shall be in proportion to the overall building and surrounding buildings. Exaggerated or excessively large architectural elements shall be avoided. Traditional and contemporary architectural detailing that creates variety, interest and texture on new buildings and additions and that is compatible with the character of the town is encouraged.
4. Traditional building materials such as shingles, wood clapboards, brick and stone shall be used for the exterior of new construction and additions on the side that have direct views from existing public streets. Cement board, cement products, and other products providing the appearance of traditional building materials is acceptable. Concrete block exteriors are not acceptable. For buildings visible from existing town streets, the architectural design shall be compatible with a traditional New England village character. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
5. Residential structures shall be clustered in village-like groupings to provide a distinctive neighborhood character. Buildings shall be oriented to the street, with front yards and entryways that provide convenient access to sidewalks and paths.
6. Large-scale development shall take the form of village-like groupings of small-scale buildings, rather than large individual structures or box-like buildings set back on a large expanse of paved parking.
7. Service areas and mechanical equipment shall be placed to the rear or side of buildings in visually unobtrusive locations. Service areas shall be screened through landscaping or structural elements at a minimum of five feet in height, to prevent direct views from adjacent properties or from public or private streets used by the general public.
8. Mechanical equipment shall be screened through walled units or integrated into architectural features of the buildings.
B. Open Space.
1. Design and layout of the district or project shall incorporate landscaping adjacent to Route 138. Such landscaping serves as a buffer between the residential/commercial/retail buildings and Route 138, and highlight the building design when viewed from outside the district or project site. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
2. Additional public greens and common areas may be located in residential areas to provide useable open space and park-like settings in a neighborhood context. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
3. To promote pedestrian connections and activity, a walkway or trail/path system shall be incorporated between the commercial/retail, recreational, and residential areas, where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board. The path system shall be an active and enjoyable outdoor space that provides linkages throughout the district or project. Where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board, the path system shall be designed to provide a safe connection for pedestrians and bicyclists, and also serve as a unifying element between the different accessible areas in the district and project. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
4. Design of the pathway system, where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board, shall also give consideration to creating linkages to adjacent neighborhoods, and to town and statewide trails, bikeways and pedestrian facilities. This pathway system shall be delineated in the open space greenway plan for the development. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
5. An open space buffer of at least seventy-five (75) feet between buildings is required in the planned unit development-Village Center district where an existing or proposed residential use abuts an industrial use. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
6. Tree and shrub planting in open space and recreation areas shall be selected as suitable for their use in the interest of creating an aesthetically pleasing environment, and shown on a landscaping plan by a licensed landscape architect. The plantings selected shall be native, or near native, plants and their cultivars, as documented in the current RI Native Plant Guide. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
C. Utilities.
1. On-site utilities shall be located underground unless the planning board waives or modifies this requirement pursuant to Article 8 of the land development and subdivision regulations.
2. Visible utility and drainage areas shall be landscaped and incorporated into the natural features of the land and open space network to the extent practical. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
D. Circulation Standards.
1. Where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board, access and parking lot entryways shall be aligned to create direct intersections, providing efficiency and safety for vehicles entering and exiting the site. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
2. Roadways and internal vehicle circulation corridors shall be designed to accommodate the type and volume of vehicles that are expected to enter during the peak period.
3. Shared access driveways and parking areas shall be required for nearby uses that have different hours, days, or seasons of peak parking demand. The planning board may waive or modify parking requirements where the applicant can demonstrate that adequate parking is available on a shared basis. The planning board may require written easements or other legal assurances to enforce shared parking arrangements.
4. Design of internal parking and roadways shall be looped rather than dead-ended to allow for efficient circulation. The planning board may waive or modify this requirement. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
5. Parking in residential and commercial areas shall be designed with internal landscaped islands and exterior landscaped buffer areas to soften the visual impacts of parking areas. A landscape plan conforming to Section 13.8.2 of the land development and subdivision regulations shall be submitted for parking areas. The planning board may waive or modify parking construction requirements where the applicant can demonstrate that use of pervious surfaces for overflow parking is feasible. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
6. Parking areas and garages are not permitted in required buffer areas, open space areas or required landscape areas unless for use with a recreational use or otherwise approved by the planning board. Parking areas shall be located in order to protect views from adjacent properties and Route 138. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
7. On-street parking is permitted and on-street parking located adjacent to the frontage of a building may be used to satisfy minimum off-street parking requirements. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
8. A maximum of one off-street parking space shall be required for each residential unit; the applicant may provide additional parking spaces. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
9. A maximum of one-off street parking space shall be required for each 500 square feet of retail and/or commercial floor area; the applicant may provide additional parking spaces. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
10. A maximum of one-off street parking space shall be required for each 2,500 square feet industrial floor area; the applicant may provide additional parking spaces. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
11. Any pedestrian and bicycle circulation networks constructed, shall provide safe access, especially between buildings and parking areas. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
12. Street-trees shall be provided along all pedestrian and bicycle corridors, along with the planting of ground cover. The street tree canopy shall appear tight, formal and planted in clusters at entry areas and plazas. Ground surface materials shall be natural and soft, and remain low, well below sight lines of pedestrians. The planning board shall be allowed to waive this requirement to accommodate construction constraints or for other good cause. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
13. Pedestrian lighting shall be incorporated into the design of parking areas and along pedestrian and bicycle ways. Additional lighting may be used to reinforce architectural edges as well as highlight special elements. Nighttime illumination shall provide for safety and security of residents and visitors. All lighting in residential and commercial areas shall be compatible in appearance with the design and architecture of the district. Where other lighting is deemed necessary, Dark Sky compliant light shall be used. All lights shall be capped and directed away from adjacent properties and roadways. All exterior lights shall comply with Section 13.8.2 of the land development and subdivision regulations. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
14. Parking areas shall include bicycle parking racks in locations that are safely segregated from automobile traffic. Bicycle parking racks shall only be required within 700 feet of Route 138 or with open space and recreational uses. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
15. The planning board may request construction of facilities or improvements outside the project site if the board finds that the proposed development will directly and negatively affect the general health, safety or welfare of the town and off-site improvements will mitigate that specific impact. The board shall identify the need for such improvements based upon the information the applicant has submitted, studies done of the area, knowledge of the impacted area, reports from technical experts, and the comprehensive plan. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 8-19-08; Ord. dated 2-16-10; Ord. dated 6-5-12; Ord. dated 7-21-26)
18.42.070 Severability. If any provision of this section or of any rule, regulation or determination made thereunder, or the application thereof of any person, agency or circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the section, rule, regulation or determination and the application of the provisions to other persons, agencies or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any part or parts of this section shall not affect the validity of the remainder.
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 6-5-12; Ord. dated 7-21-26)
REFERENCES
R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 45-24-47; 45-53-1 et seq.
Effective date: This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage in accordance with the provisions of the Home Rule Charter.
Amended by the Richmond Town Council on July 21, 2026.