Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 45-24.6-6. Adoption of special development district plan--Regulation of structures and uses--Notice

(a) A special economic development district commission shall adopt a plan of development. Any plan of development adopted by a special economic development district commission pursuant to this chapter may regulate and restrict, by means of regulations duly adopted by the commission, the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or use of buildings, structures, or land within the special economic development district in a uniform, consistent, and nondiscriminatory manner that is rationally related to the purposes of this chapter. The plan may include regulations relating to allowable land uses; the location and use of buildings; street systems; dimensional, height, and area coverage requirements; setbacks and build-to lines; frontage; parking requirements; landscaping; pedestrian travel; signs; design review; open spaces; and population density.

(b) Pursuant to the plan of development, the commission may divide the special economic development district into several parcels as indicated on a development map, and may regulate structures and uses differently in different parcels, so long as regulation of similar structures and uses is uniform within any one parcel.

(c) A plan of development may be adopted or amended only after a public hearing before the commission, at which all interested parties have an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the time, place, nature, and purpose of the public hearing shall be given to all owners of real property within the bounds of the special economic development district and within two hundred feet (200') of the perimeter thereof, by registered or certified mail at least seven (7) days before the date of the hearing, and by publication of notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipality at least once each week for three (3) successive weeks prior to the date of the hearing.

(d) The municipality shall not have concurrent jurisdiction over the special economic development district.