Ross Hl Rd Charlestown, RI 02813

Residence: R-3A. This zoning district is intended primarily for areas of low density residential development. It is intended to protect areas of Town with sensitive environmental characteristics. The groundwater recharge areas for several groundwater aquifers and the salt ponds are included within this category. This district is intended to be consistent with the RI CRMC SAM Plan land use classification for water quality protection categories of "Lands of Critical Concern" and those "Self-sustaining Lands" north of Route One. It is further intended to implement the "low density residential" future land use category of the Town of Charlestown Comprehensive Plan 1991. The minimum lot size is 3 acres. (2) Commercial Districts: These are districts whose primary uses are nonresidential and are uses which must be segregated from residential uses because of fire hazards, traffic generation, noise, odors, frequent deliveries, and lighting. Residential uses are prohibited except where allowed by special use permit based upon health and safety reasons necessary to protect the overall health, safety, and general welfare of the Town. These are districts which are intended to provide uses that are to scale and character abutting roadways and adjacent land uses. The commercial districts described herein are intended to promote tourist and visitor facilities and necessary services for town residents while providing a sensitive transition between those uses and neighboring residential uses. (a) Commercial 1: C-1. This district is within or abuts village areas and neighboring areas that are predominately residential in character. It is intended to accommodate small convenience type groceries, shopping, offices, and frequently used local services with minimal impact on neighboring residential areas. It is further intended to implement the "Commercial 1" proposed future land use category of the Town of Charlestown Comprehensive Plan 1991. New development shall match the scale, density, and form of the existing area or neighborhood. Large commercial enterprises that supply high volume sales or drive-through businesses are not compatible with this district due to local vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The minimum lot size is 20,000 square feet. (b) Commercial 2: C-2. This district is intended to concentrate larger retail and service businesses serving the needs of regions of the Town. It is intended to prevent an unsafe mixture of commercial uses and eliminate potential impacts on residential uses.