Land Use and Open Space Preservation

Approaching land use from the regional perspective, versus town-by-town, allows Washington County municipalities to more effectively manage development and preservation, by taking into account watershed boundaries, natural corridors, and the broader ecological and developed-land context.

To meet those goals the WCRPC collaborated with Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on the South County Greenspace Project. This project was designed to engage local, state, and federal participants in a comprehensive greenspace identification and preservation effort. The project assisted communities in inventorying and prioritizing natural, cultural and recreational resources on a town-by-town basis, which was then also compiled into a regional map and inventory. The final report assists in linking greenspace priorities throughout each town and region to create unfragmented corridors of open space. In March of 2003 the findings of the South County Greenspace Project and South County Sustainable Economy Report (see Economic Development Program) were presented to all town councils, to ensure support and use of the report’s resources and tools. A copy of the South County Greenspace Project is available at:
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/suswshed/pubs.htm.

Currently the WCRPC has several key objectives regarding the issue of land use:

• Promote and support implementation of South County Greenspace Project, based on recommendations for action cited in report.
• Explore opportunities for a regionally shared Geographic Information System center to provide state-of-the-art planning technology to all towns, and regional database and maps for coordination.
• Coordinate municipal planning efforts by encouraging the update of all Comprehensive Plans to reflect regional goals, and promote adoption of conservation development and infill development ordinances by all Washington County communities.

Economic Development

Like many municipalities, Washington County towns are faced with issues of funding education, supporting community services and encouraging economic growth without depleting natural and cultural resources or compromising community character.

Ensuring a sound economic future requires thoughtfully planned development. The Washington County Regional Planning Council strives to encourage sustainable economic growth that supports communities, schools and citizens while mitigating negative impacts associated with growth.

To that end, the South County Sustainable Economy Report, undertaken in partnership with Grow Smart Rhode Island and funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Rhode Island Office of Municipal Affairs, evaluated the region’s possibilities for economic growth while maintaining the local character and valuable natural and cultural resources. The Sustainable Economy report, presented to towns and state leaders in January 2003, provided a history of development and the economy in the region, projected future growth trends, and presented an array of opportunities and challenges impacting economic development in the county, including the extreme property tax burden, housing and tourism.The final report, including recommendations for towns and the Washington County Regional Planning Council, will be available to Washington County municipalities. A copy of the South County Sustainable Economy report is available at http://www.taintorassociates.com/documents/southcounty/.

In pursuit of sustainable economic development issues, the WCRPC will:

• Host informational sessions with local, regional and state experts in support of long-term efforts to reform education funding, and to find supplemental alternatives to the property tax.
• Seek out opportunities for coalition-building around alternatives to the property tax issue.
• Participate in completion of the South County Sustainable Economy Project, and work to assure maximum implementation.
• Support sustainable tourism research and projects, working with South County Tourism Council, University of Rhode Island (URI), URI Coastal Resources Center/ Rhode Island Sea Grant, and Johnson & Wales University.

Transportation and Traffic Circulation Planning

Due to the rapid and increased growth being experienced in Washington County, appropriate transportation planning must accompany the physical and economic development anticipated. By supporting strategies that provide for increased public transportation and essential infrastructure improvements, Washington County can ensure that transportation keeps up with all other growth in the county. Furthermore, the WCRPC encourages transit oriented development and improved circulation planning to minimize the negative impacts associated with increased traffic from summer beachgoers and the growing number of residents and commuters. To this end, the Washington County Regional Planning Council is working to:

• Identify regional priorities for infrastructure improvement and development of alternative modes of transportation, and submit regional Transportation Improvement Plan funding proposal.
• Encourage and facilitate nomination of Washington County roadways to scenic by-way status, and pursue scenic by-way enhancement grants on behalf of Washington County towns.
• Work with R.I. Public Transportation Authority, Department of Transportation and Statewide Planning to initiate a regional transportation plan, that incorporates a range of transportation modes and supports the county’s desired economic and land use goals, using the model of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission as a guide.
• Identify alternative routes for traffic to alleviate congestion on Routes 138, 102 and 1.
• Encourage Greenspace Project implementation strategies to preserve scenic rural vistas and create scenic corridors along primary and secondary roadways.

Water Resources

As development and population increases, so does the need to protect valuable water resources. The Washington County Regional Planning Council works to ensure that Washington County communities are prepared to deal with issues of water quality and quantity and use its resources wisely. Because land use and water quality are so tightly linked, the council sets priorities to encourage land use that also supports water protection. Currently the is WCRPC is working to:

• Encourage the prioritization of land for acquisition based on its value for protection of water quality and public access.
• Work with existing research agencies (US Geological Service, Water Resources Board, and Department of Environmental Management in particular) to determine a means for measuring and monitoring the impact of increased development on water resources.
• Support partners engaged in water management work, and participate with water planning agencies to ensure a proactive strategy to address water quantity and quality.
• Support efforts to more explicitly address water resources in local comprehensive plans, and work with municipalities to adopt ordinances that support responsible and sustainable management of especially shared water resources.
• Promote dialogue on the issue of water allocation by co-sponsoring information sessions with local watershed and water interest groups.

Affordable Housing

Like most areas in Rhode Island, the cost of housing in Washington County is steadily increasing. As property values and taxes soar, Washington County municipalities increasingly struggle with providing adequate quantities of affordable housing for their residents. In an effort to address this shortage, and a range of statewide affordable housing policy issues, the WCRPC is embarking on a region-wide affordable housing plan in the summer and fall of 2003. For more information about this plan, please write to info@wcrpc.org. Additionally, the Washington County Regional Planning Council will:

• Work with and support local, regional, state and national housing groups to find creative ways to provide low and moderate income housing, especially in existing buildings.
• Coordinate meetings between municipalities, state agencies, and South County Affordable Housing Challenge to explore further opportunities for coordination and collaboration.
• Work with municipalities to revise zoning to allow for a mix of commercial and residential uses in town and village centers.