AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE ACT

This bill establishes a new review process for state agencies seeking to repurpose vacant state-owned land (e.g., converting old buildings) when the project doesn’t align with local zoning or comprehensive plans. The state planning council must issue a determination within 60 days, verifying the project meets specific standards (per §45-24-37(h)), has obtained local government feedback, and includes expert reports on potential impacts to traffic, environment, and infrastructure. It directly affects state agencies planning such projects and local municipalities that provide input. The law applies solely to adaptive reuse projects on state-owned property not conforming to local plans, streamlining approvals while requiring compliance checks.