Title 45
Towns and Cities

Chapter 24
Zoning Ordinances

§ 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 (⅛) 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.