Woonsocket Radio News Room

House approves Chairman Craven’s bills to make developing housing easier

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

 

            STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed two bills sponsored by Rep. Robert E. Craven, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, that relate to zoning standards and subdivision and 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 zoning standards and subdivision and land development permits.  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.  These important bills will have a meaningful and significant impact on the lives of all Rhode Islanders and their need for proper and affordable housing,” said Chairman Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown).

            The first bill (2023-H 6059A) would amend zoning standards and make changes to dimensional variance standards. The legislation further emphasizes the current requirement 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 and it adds a provision that allows municipalities, if they choose, to consider requests for relief for uses established by variance or permit. The legislation would be effective January 1, 2024.

            The second bill (2023-H 6061Aaa) would amend subdivision and land development permits and processes to provide more predictability and to standardize processes throughout the state.  The legislation provides clarification on the review process and categories of record and allows certain approvals to be done administratively under certain limited circumstances.  Municipal approval of all projects would still be required under the legislation.  It would be effective January 1, 2024.

            Both bills now head to the Senate for consideration.

President Trump says the tariffs imposed on other countries are having the desired effect, and he's now open to negotiations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his initial tariff plan is over, and he's watching it settle in. He said every country has called, asking to cut a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.        Stocks are closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 as the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.        A multi-day severe weather event is unfolding for more than 55-million people. It comes after at least seven people were killed in the South Central U.S. after storms that included several tornadoes hit the region yesterday. Tonight, there is still a tornado threat for the same areas, but forecasters warn there could also be potentially catastrophic flooding in the Mid-South and Midwest.        The Federal Aviation Administration is offering more support to air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport. The Critical Incident Stress Management team will be meeting with airport personnel sometime early this month. The FAA is also reviewing the arrival rate at the airport and will conduct regular wellness checks.        The Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The television personality was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-45. Oz now assumes a role that provides health insurance to roughly 160 million Americans.        Steven Spielberg and George Lucas top the latest Forbes list of celebrity billionaires. The latest Forbes ranking of the world's wealthiest people includes 18 celebrities, with film director Steven Spielberg topping the list at five-point-three-billion dollars. Star Wars creator George Lucas is in second place with a net worth of five-point-one-billion dollars.       

Old News Archives