Prohibits applications for a comprehensive permit under the Rhode Island comprehensive planning and land use regulation act in any watershed overlay protection district located in the town of Tiverton.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would create a special exception for the town of Tiverton, Rhode Island, by blocking developers from using a particular type of permit — called a "comprehensive permit" — in areas of Tiverton that are designated as watershed overlay protection districts. Watershed overlay protection districts are zones established to protect the quality of local water supplies, such as drinking water reservoirs and the land surrounding them.

Normally, Rhode Island's comprehensive planning law allows housing developers, particularly those building affordable housing, to apply for a single streamlined "comprehensive permit" that can override certain local zoning rules. This process was designed to make it easier to build affordable housing across the state. This bill would carve out an exception, meaning that in Tiverton's watershed protection zones specifically, developers could no longer use this shortcut to bypass local land use regulations.

The bill would primarily affect real estate developers who might want to build housing in these environmentally sensitive areas of Tiverton, as well as Tiverton residents who rely on protected water sources in those zones. Supporters might argue it is needed to protect water quality, while critics might contend it could limit affordable housing development opportunities. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.