Author: bristolriadmin

Notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Bristol will hold a second reading and public hearing on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers at the Bristol Town Hall, 10 Court Street, on the amendment of the following town ordinance:

PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS – MISCELLANEOUS REVISIONS REFLECTING STATE LAW CHANGES

Sec. 28-1 (Definitions); Sec. 28-82 (Use regulations); Sec. 28-150 (Special use permit standards for various uses); Sec. 28-152 (Zoning modification permits); Article VI (Development Plan Review); Sec. 28-221 (Land nonconforming by area); Article IX, Division 6 (Low and Moderate Income Housing and Inclusionary Zoning); Sec. 28-408 (Zoning board of review); Sec. 28-409 (Variances and special use permits);
Proposed New Sec. 28-161 (Adaptive reuse); Proposed New Sec. 28-414 (Unified development review)

The proposed amendments are required due to changes in state law which will take effect on January 1, 2024, the proposed effective date of these amendments. The amendments include the following changes:

• Revised standards for granting a dimensional variance;
• Addition of new criteria for uses permitted by special use permit and changes to table of permitted uses;
• Allowance for modification of dimensional requirements up to 15 percent;
• Procedure whereby uses not specifically addressed in the use table may be presented to the Zoning Board for review;
• Reduced dimensional requirements for nonconforming lots, and prohibition against lot merger in certain cases;
• Process for review and approval comprehensive permit applications (residential developments containing a minimum of 25% deed-restricted affordable housing);
• Unified development review for developments requiring zoning relief as well as approval by the Planning Board/Technical Review Committee/Administrative Officer;
• Standards for adaptive reuse (conversion of existing non-residential buildings to residential or mixed-use developments);
• Changes reflecting 2022 state law changes to the quorum requirement for the Zoning Board and majority vote required to approve applications

Proposed amendments are available at the Town Hall in the Town Clerk’s Office and may be viewed or downloaded by using the links below:

DRAFT – Zoning Ordinance Amendments

DRAFT – Permitted Use Table

DRAFT – Special Use Permit Standards

The proposed ordinance may be altered or amended prior to the close of the public hearing without further advertising, as a result of further study or because of the views expressed at the public hearing. All such alterations or amendments will be presented for comment in the course of the public hearing. All persons interested are invited to be heard thereon.

Per Order of the Town Council,
Melissa Cordeiro
Council Clerk

NOTE: INDIVIDUALS REQUESTING INTERPRETIVE SERVICES FOR THE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING MUST NOTIFY THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE AT 253-7000, 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE HEARING DATE.

November 16, 22, & 30, 2023

The Honorable Town Council invites applications from Bristol residents to apply for a position on the newly established Bristol 250th Commission, an opportunity to commemorate Bristol’s rich history and vibrant spirit of our beloved town.

The Commission will be dedicated to commemorating the 250th anniversary of events throughout history that have shaped the ideals of freedom, equality, and independence in our country.

If you are passionate about celebrating our heritage and shaping our future and have ideas, creativity, and a drive to make a difference, we need your voice and vision to help make this monumental event a resounding success.

Whether you’re a seasoned event organizer, a history enthusiast, a creative mind, or simply someone eager to contribute, there’s a place for you in the Bristol 250th Commission Formation team.

Together, let’s honor our past, celebrate the present, and pave the way for an even brighter future.

Applications and resumes can be submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office.

You may also apply to volunteer to serve on one of our many boards, commissions, or committees in person, by mail at 10 Court Street, Bristol, or online.

Lear more about the Rhode Island 250th Commission!

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Bristol Town Hall will be closed for normal business.

The Board of Canvassers will remain in session from 7 am to 8 pm, only to conduct business pertaining to elections.

Trash, recycling, and curbside yard waste pick up will not be effected.

Offices will reopen Wednesday, November 8 for regular business.

Please note that the polling locations for the special elections scheduled for November 7, 2023, have been combined for this year’s election(s) only.

If your regular polling place is:
• Rockwell School
• Guiteras School
• Fire Department Headquarters
Then you will vote at: Fire Department Headquarters, 4  Annawamscutt Drive.

If your regular polling place is:
• St. Elizabeth Auditorium
• Franklin Court
• Roger Williams University
Then you will vote at: St. Elizabeth’s Auditorium, 577 Wood Street

If your regular polling place is:
• Mt. Hope High School
• Quinta-Gamelin Center
Then you will vote at: Quinta-Gamelin Center, 101 Asylum Road.

The Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) and Roger Williams University (RWU) invite you to a Stormwater Public Information meeting to discuss the importance of stormwater mitigation strategies such as:

• Stormwater retrofits
• Runoff collection
• Rain gardens
• and other strategies

Bristol residents who live in the Fox Hill and Annawamscutt neighborhoods are encouraged to attend to learn if your home qualifies for stormwater relief.

No registration is necessary.

WHEN: Monday, November 6, 2023

TIME: 6:30 pm

WHERE: Rogers Free Library, Herreshoff Community Room

For more information contact:

Ryan Brancato
Email: [email protected]
P: 401-934-0842

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, residents of Bristol and Warren will have the opportunity to vote, as part of the General Election ballot, on whether or not to approve Bristol-Warren Regional School District School Construction/Improvements Bonds.

LOCAL BALLOT QUESTION
BRISTOL WARREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION/IMPROVEMENTS BONDS
NO MORE THAN $200,000,000
(Local Act No. 047/H 6455 and Local Act. No. 048/S 1073 – Local Acts 2023)

Shall an act passed at the 2023 session of the General Assembly entitled ‘An act authorizing the Bristol Warren Regional School District to issue not to exceed two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) general obligation bonds and notes to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, furnishing, and equipping of a new high school, athletic facility, and school facilities in the district, furnishings and equipment thereof, and all expenses incident thereto, including, but not limited to, costs of design, demolition, athletic fields, landscaping and parking and all attendant expenses, including engineering, architectural, surveying and other project-related consulting costs’ be approved?

For the full content of the ballot question, financial implications and House and Senate bills, please click the links below.

Complete ballot question information and funding breakdown can be viewed here.

Read House Bill H-6455 here.

Read Senate Bill S-1073 here.

 

The Draft 2023 Town of Bristol Hazard Mitigation Plan is presented for public comments.

The 2023 Town of Bristol Hazard Mitigation Plan, updating the 2016 Plan, will serve as guidance to help the Town reduce losses and vulnerabilities relating to natural hazards events such as hurricanes, Nor’easters, flooding, an high wind.

As a result of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, communities must have a FEMA-approved natural hazard mitigation plan in place prior to receiving post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.

The draft plan is available for public review and comments and will be submitted to the Town Council for adoption and then it will be submitted to FEMA for approval.

Comments are welcome on the draft plan until October 6, 2023.

For more information and to submit comments, please contact Diane M. Williamson, Director of Community Development by email at [email protected] or by phone at 401-253-7000 ext. 126.

View the 2023 Bristol Hazard Mitigation Plan Update >

Come learn about an in depth study funded by a grant from DEM to better understand Bristol’s tree canopy.

You’ll hear about proposed goals and strategies for managing our wonderful urban forest and have an opportunity to provide feedback.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 3, 2023

TIME: 6 – 7:30 pm

WHERE: Rogers Free Library, Herreshoff Community Room

For more information, contact Ed Tanner, Principal Planner, 401-253-7000 ext. 128

Rhode Island Commerce announced additional grant funding for businesses through the Take it Outside program for those continuing to recovery from the negative economic impacts of COVID.

Rhode Island based businesses that are interested in participating in the Take It Outside program must meet a number of requirements including:

• Have less than $1 million in annual gross revenues
• Demonstrate a negative economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic

At least twenty percent of all funds awarded to small businesses will be reserved for awards to assist minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises.

The project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRFP0136 (State Fiscal Recovery Funds) awarded to the State of Rhode Island by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Interested businesses can apply for the grant through several intermediaries.

For more information on eligibility and to review the list of intermediaries, please visit the Rhode Island Commerce website.

The Bristol Police Department in collaboration with Bristol Parks and Recreation will host a Women’s Self-Defense Seminar on September 29, 2023.

Participants will learn repeatable self-defense skills and tactics in a safe and supportive environment.

This seminar is designed to expose participants to the basic skills, awareness, and confidence necessary to respond to an attacker or to deal with a threatening situation.

The seminar is physically demanding but each student will be able to participate at their level of ability.

Join members of the Bristol Police Department and build self-confidence, self-awareness, and the ability to respond if you should ever need to.

For questions or information please email Sgt Brett Estrella at [email protected].

Participants must be 16yrs of age or older.

Program is limited to 50 participants.

When: Friday, September 29, 2023

Time: 6 pm

Where: Quinta Gamelin Recreation Center
            101 Asylum Road

For questions or information please email Sgt Brett Estrella at [email protected].

Visit the Bristol Police Department ‘Services’ page for additional information and registration.