Subdivision & Land Development Review Process:
The Planning Board is involved in activities and decisions concerning the physical growth and development of the Town. Certain projects require the Planning Board's approval; others may be reviewed and approved by the Administrative Officer. The Planning Board and/or Administrative Officer must review all subdivisions within the Town. It is also the Planning Board's responsibility to review and approve any road creation or extension, significant industrial and commercial developments, and proposed plans for development in environmentally sensitive areas.
The application process is quite straight forward, although there are different submission requirements depending on the type of subdivision or land development project you are interested in pursuing. A subdivision (changes to property lines) may be classified as one of three types:
1. Administrative Subdivision:
This type of subdivision results in no new lots or roads being created. An Administrative Subdivision is reviewed by the Administrative Officer, and if in accordance with the Town's Subdivision & Land Development Regulations, can be filed with the Town Clerk without a Planning Board hearing. Administrative Subdivisions that result in lots that do not conform to the Zoning Ordinance must be reviewed and approved by both the Planning Board and Zoning Board.
2. Minor Subdivision/Land Development:
This type of subdivision results in the creation of five new lots or less. A Minor Subdivision consists of an optional preapplication stage and two required review stages :
° preliminary
° final
A public hearing must be held if the proposed subdivision involves the extension or creation of a street.
3. Major Subdivision/Land Development:
This type of subdivision results in more than five new lots being created, and may, or may not, involve the creation of a new street or street extension. A Major Subdivison consists of four review stages:
° pre-application
° master plan
° preliminary
° final
In addition to a public hearing, an informational meeting for the public is held at the master plan stage.
We suggest that you schedule an appointment to speak informally with the Town Planner before you begin any subdivision or land development process. The Town Planner will advise you as to what approvals are required based on the type of application that will be submitted. You will be informed of the necessary stages for review and the timeframe allotted for each review.
Depending on the type of application, the timeframes for review and approval may range from 15 to 120 days from the date of submission. These timeframes allow for review of the application for completeness by the Administrative Officer and, depending on the submission, the Town Engineer's review, the Planning Board's review, and necessary meetings and/or public notification and hearings.
If your project is a Minor or Major Subdivision, you will be scheduled to appear before the Planning Board to explain your project to the Board. While we will try to conduct the review of plans and materials as quickly as possible, the review periods are there so that you can better anticipate the maximum time the process may require. A checklist is available to help you identify all the items your plan must contain, and any supporting materials that must accompany submissions.
Important Points to Remember
• The Planning Board meets the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. Planning Board Agendas are prepared two weeks prior to a meeting. Items for consideration by the Planning Board must be submitted by the first Friday of the previous month, and in accordance with the submission requirements of the Subdivision & Land Development Regulations.
• Any changes to lot lines, creation or deletion of lot lines, and creation or extensions of roads are all considered "subdivisions" and all need approval by at least the Planning Department.
• No deed which results in the creation of a lot or road may be filed with the Town Clerk without a plan approved and signed by the Planning Board.
• Many of Burrillville's Subdivision & Land Development Regulations are mandated by the State of Rhode Island's Land Development and Subdivision Review Enabling Act of 1992 (RIGL Title 45, Chapter 23).
• Burrillville's "Subdivision and Land Development Regulations" provide a complete description of the required submittals, reviews and approvals for each step of the subdivision review process. These Regulations are available on this website, under Planning Department.
• The Town's Zoning Ordinance is also available on this website, under the Building/Zoning Department.
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