Special Reports and Documents

Mapping Assests Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise

The Planning Department has been working with Rhode Island Sea Grant and the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center on a sea level rise pilot project.  The project is intended to demonstrate the use of community assessment tools for local planning and action to address sea level rise and increased inundation expected in the future.  The town was provided with a series of maps depicting sea level rise and the potential impacts to real property and infrastructure within North Kingstown. These will enable the town to identify sea level vulnerabilities as well as community threats and plan for the appropriate mitigation efforts to address them.  The following link will provide you with more detailed information, data and mapping for this pilot project: Rhode Island Sea Grant. In addition, representatives from URI and RI Sea Grant will be making a presentation to the North Kingstown Conservation Commission on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.  The following hand-outs will be distributed on the sea-level rise project:  SLAMM Examples, TNC NOAA CSC Marshes on the Move, and a four page document by the Land Trust Alliance.  In addition, a short newsletter was prepared to provide a brief overview of the project and provide a link to a survey prepared for RI Sea Grant related to sea level rise.   

North Kingstown Comprehensive Plan 2008

The five year update to the North Kingstown Comprehensive Plan was completed in 2008.  This plan is valid until the year 2013.  To view this plan, click here.  A re-write to this document is planned for 2013. 

TDR and Village Study

The Horsley Witten Group, Inc. (HW) was retained by the Town of North Kingstown to develop a study to assess the capacity of selected areas in North Kingstown to participate in the recently established Transfer of Development Right (TDR) Program as “receiving areas”.  The report entitled "Transfer of Development Rights and Identification of Village Centers Phase 1 Assessment" was completed in March 2011.  It can be viewed by clicking here.  The Appendix to this study includes the Opportunities and Constraints Mapping for Each Study Area and can be viewed by clicking this link.  A memo to the Planning Commission that summarizes this report can be viewed here.  The Planning Department and HW made a presentation on this project to the North Kingstown Town Council on Monday, November 7, 2011.  This presentation is available by clicking here.  The Planning Department also provided the Town Council with a memorandum related to the project that can be reviewed here.  In addition, a fact sheet on the TDR program is available as well.  

In January 2012, Phase II of the Transfer of Development Rights and Identification of Village Centers - Interim Report to the Town Council was completed.  This report can be accessed by clicking here. 

Related to the TDR and village study, the Planning Department in conjunction with the Planning Commission and Town Council have drafted  revisions to the compact village design ordinance.  The November 2011 draft of this ordinance is available here.  In preparation for the Town Council meeting to discuss this draft, the Planning Department prepared two memorandums for the Town Council.  They can be viewed by clicking on the following titles: Comprehensive Plan References for the CVD and Memorandum to the Town Council Related to the CVD.  The Planning Department also provided the Town Council with a map of the Urban Services Boundary (USB) as well as a portion of the Statewide Planning Program land use plan related to the USB.  Click on each to view.

In January 2012, the first set of revisions to the draft of the CVD were completed.  A copy of this draft can be viewed by clicking here.   Additional revisions were completed since then.  The most recent draft dated January 30, 2012 can be viewed here.  A memorandum highlighting the proposed changes to the most recent draft of the CVD can be seen here.  Additional revisions have been made to the CVD ordinance for the February 7, 2012 Planning Commission meeting.  The February 7, 2012 draft can be viewed here.  Based on the input received from the Planning Commission on February 7, 2012, new revisions have been made to the draft CVD.  The draft dated February 13, 2012 can be viewed here.  In addition, a memorandum has been prepared for the Town Council related to the revisions made to the draft.  That memorandum is available here.        

Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Town adopted a Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2004.  The purpose of this report is to recommend actions and policies for the Town of North Kingstown to minimize the social and economic loss and disruption associated with natural hazard events. Hazard Mitigation is an ongoing process that will require continued implementation, evaluation, and revision. This report, coupled with an ongoing commitment to hazard mitigation from the Town and committee, is intended to preserve and enhance the safety, quality of life, and natural resources of North Kingstown.  This report can be viewed here. 

Sawmill Pond Watershed Assessment

In partnership with the Town of North Kingstown, the Horsley Witten Group, Inc. (HW) and a team of sub-consultants
developed the Sawmill Pond Watershed Assessment plan to provide the Town with a management approach to improve surface and ground water quality in the watershed.  Significant input on recommendations and implementation were provided by both the Town and the watershed residents through public information and outreach efforts.  This report can viewed by clicking here. 

Allen Harbor Calf Pasture Point Master Plan

The Town of North Kingstown has a vision to provide more recreational opportunities, improve boating, and increase access to Narragansett Bay. The Allen Harbor / Calf Pasture Point Complex can help to make Allen Harbor and the surrounding land a unique recreational resource for the community. The Allen Harbor / Calf Pasture Point Master Plan provides the Town with a vision of what the Complex can be over the next ten year.  This Plan reflects the desires and needs of the community and users of the Complex. The recommendations within this Plan are the result of extensive community participation through public meetings, a workshop, a questionnaire, and of interviews, discussions, and meetings with key stakeholders.  The plan can be viewed here. 

Post Road Corridor Plan

The Town of North Kingstown adopted a plan for the Post Road Corridor in 2005.  This plan provides information and recommendations for the enhancement of the northern segments of Post Road as it passes through North Kingstown. The study focused on the roadway and land flanking Post Road from the State Police facility (just north of the Route 1/Route 1A intersection and historic Wickford Village) to the Town’s border with East Greenwich. The planning effort focused on land use, design and transportation improvements along a corridor that has been subject to inconsistent development patterns and significant circulation issues. The economic vitality, value and quality of life within the Town can be improved substantially through concerted actions along the Post Road Corridor, and the Town has meaningful choices to shape the future.  The Post Road Corridor Plan can be viewed here. 

Wastewater Facilities Plan

The Town adopted a Wastewater Facilities Plan in 2008.  The purpose of the plan was been to develop a comprehensive Wastewater Facilities Plan for the Post Road Corridor in the Town of North Kingstown. The Wastewater Facilities Plan provides a twenty-year Comprehensive Plan addressing the wastewater needs of the Corridor and adjacent residential area.  The study has analyzed the demographic, topographic, hydrologic and other characteristics of the planning area. The plan documents the need for sewers and provides a preliminary plan establishing the most cost-effective sewer routing. The study has also outlined the financial, legal and institutional requirements necessary to ensure the installation of sewers. The most up to date plan can be viewed by clicking here. 

In 2011, the town's consultant updated the plan and prepared an executive summary that can be viewed here.  The consultant also presented this wastewater facilities plan to the North Kingstown Town Council in October 2011.  A copy of the presentation can be viewed here as well.     

A map of the proposed corridor included in the facilities plan can be viewed here. 

If you should have any questions about any of these reports or documents, please feel free to contact Rebecca P. Lamond, Principal Planner at blamond@northkingstown.org or 268-1573.