Comprehensive Plan Re-Write

The economic development element speaks to residents’ primary concerns about the revitalization of commercial areas and the continued growth of Quonset as a major job center. The plan aims to encourage local business growth and jobs to support a robust local economy that enhances residents’ quality of life and supports town character. The plan addresses the need to advance regulatory change, infrastructure improvements, strategies for promoting businesses, and better connections between Quonset and local businesses and the town as a whole. This element is organized under the following key economic development goals:

• Position North Kingstown as a competitive economic hub and good place for business

• Leverage the success of Quonset as a jobs center for the benefit of the town as a whole

• Encourage the development and redevelopment of existing commercial and industrial areas

• Encourage place-specific, resource-based businesses, such as agriculture and marine-related industries, that enhance sense of place

The housing and neighborhoods element addresses the need for housing options that serve a diverse population. The plan’s recommendations include strategies to help residents stay in town and encourage residential development that supports town character, preserves affordability, and contributes to sustainability and resiliency. This element is organized under the following key housing goals:

• Provide a range of housing choices

• Encourage residential development away from environmentally constrained and sensitive areas, and that reflects town character and supports walkable neighborhoods

The circulation element aims to ensure that all residents have access to safe and convenient transportation options including walking, biking and public transit. The plan encourages safe roadway design that incorporates Complete Streets concepts and enhanced alternative transportation options to better connect destinations in town, particularly Wickford Junction, Quonset, Wickford Village, and Post Road. This element is organized under the following key circulation goals:

• Design safer and more attractive roadways for all users

• Promote alternative transportation options for better local and regional connections

• Upgrade and maintain transportation infrastructure

The open space and environment element aims to protect the town’s natural resources and open space, recognizing their economic, environmental, recreational and scenic value. The plan sets forth strategies to preserve open space, integrating recreation and resiliency where possible; create a connected open space network; conserve resources; and enhance the waterfront, the town’s key natural asset, through better access and active uses. This element is organized under the following key open space and environment goals:

• Protect, preserve, and restore natural resources

• Promote sustainable water and energy measures to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• Increase public awareness of conservation and sustainability

• Provide high quality recreation facilities and opportunities for all residents

• Enhance public access to active open space, recreation areas and the waterfront

The historic and cultural resources element aims to strengthen the unique assets that contribute to town character and sense of place, provide socioeconomic benefit and enhance residents’ quality of life. This element is organized under the following key historic and cultural resources goals: 

• Protect and promote the town’s historic assets

• Promote and foster local arts programs

The community services, facilities and communication element supports the provision of excellent services and encourages civic engagement. The plan includes strategies to support priority infrastructure improvements such as sewer installation; efficient and cost-effective services through resource sharing, consolidating town government, and long-range school planning; better communication through a range of tools including an updated town website; and strong civic engagement. This element is organized under the following key community services, facilities and communication goals:

• Ensure high quality services that provide for health, welfare, education, and public safety

• Maintain and upgrade town facilities to ensure access to and safe provision of services

• Share information effectively and expand civic engagement

The natural hazards and climate adaptation element addresses current and future hazards to ensure the town is prepared to meet these challenges. The plan promotes resilience and adaptation measures to protect existing property, resources, and infrastructure, and minimize the exposure of future development to natural hazards and climate change, in particular sea level rise. This element is organized under the following key natural hazards and climate adaptation goal:

• Promote resilience and adaptation to natural hazards and a changing climate to protect lives, infrastructure, resources, and property

The land use element espouses balanced growth that incorporates resilience and resource conservation to maintain our town character and enhance our quality of life. The plan encourages focused growth in sustainable patterns that contribute to connected neighborhoods and assets, protect natural resources, and support a strong economy. This element is organized under the following key land use goals:

• Preserve town character and focus growth in existing and designated growth areas that limit the need for new infrastructure; remove blight; preserve town character; preserve open space; provide access to jobs, housing, services and transportation

• Promote sustainable patterns of development that support walkable neighborhoods, thriving commercial areas, job growth, and access to natural assets