Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Chairman Craven introduces bills to make developing housing easier

Legislation is part of Speaker Shekarchi’s legislative package addressing the housing crisis in Rhode Island

 

            STATE HOUSE – Rep. Robert E. Craven, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has introduced two bills relating to zoning standards and subdivision land developments in order to spur more housing development in the state.

            Both bills are part of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) 14-bill package of legislation to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis.

            “These bills will make is easier for vital housing developments to become a reality through clarifying and simplifying the processes relating to subdivision and land development permits and zoning standards.  Our state cannot afford to wait any longer when it comes to building more housing and I commend Speaker Shekarchi for tackling the daunting problem of the state’s housing crisis this legislative session.  I am eager to work with him to help get these important bills passed that will have a meaningful and significant impact on the lives of all Rhode Islanders and their need for proper housing,” said Chairman Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown).

            The first bill (2023-H 6059) would amend zoning standards and make changes to dimensional variance standards. The legislation clarifies that each special use permit is required to have specific criteria for each allowed use, and clarifies and adjusts the process for the application and granting of administrative zoning approvals. This legislation does not change the process or permitting by municipalities; it retains the local ability to establish by ordinance the requirements for each type of special use permit. The legislation would be effective January 1, 2024.

            The second bill (2023-H 6061) would amend subdivision and land development permits and processes. It provides clarity on which projects are in each category of application across the state, as well as the permitting process for each. The legislation does not change the process or permitting by municipalities; it standardizes project review categories. It would be effective January 1, 2024.

            Both bills are being heard by the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow (Tuesday, March 28) at the RISE of the House (approximately 5 p.m.) in Room 101 of the State House.

 

The FBI is working with colleges to warn of antisemitic threats of violence. That comes as campus protests pop up across the country over the Israel-Hamas war. FBI Director Christopher Wray told NBC News the agency doesn't directly track university protests, but is giving schools information to deal with potential threats.       Former President Trump returns to court in New York City this morning for his criminal hush money trial. Trump faces felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair.       The Biden administration is making a preliminary agreement with semiconductor maker Micron, another investment through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. The President will announce the six-billion-dollar deal with the Idaho company today in Syracuse, New York. The money will go to support two chip manufacturing hubs in New York and Idaho.        Google has fired another 20 employees for their involvement in protests over its dealings with Israel. The tech giant has a cloud computing contract with the Israeli military, and pro-Palestinian workers have been staging sit-ins and other forms of protest. This brings the total number of employees fired over the matter to fifty.        A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President Harris has been hospitalized after showing what is being described as "distressing behavior" Monday morning. The incident took place at Joint Base Andrews, with Harris not present at the time. According to CBS News, the agent was speaking incoherently, eventually physically provoking another officer.        A Beatles guitar that's been missing for over 50 years has been discovered in the attic of a British house. Julien's Auctions says the 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar is the same one John Lennon played on classics like "Norwegian Wood," and he can be seen playing the guitar in the movie "Help!"        

Old News Archives