Bristol is poised to be the eighth community in Rhode Island to conduct a public hearing on its Draft
Community Electricity Aggregation Plan. This public hearing is required by Rhode Island law and is the
next step in the process to implement a Community Electricity Aggregation plan. The Town is working
with consultant Good Energy, L.P. to design and manage its Community Electricity Aggregation.
To view Good Energy’s DRAFT Aggregation Plan, click here >
Bristol Comprehensive Plan (2016)
On January 25, 2017 the Bristol Town Council adopted the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update. This update reflects the comments made by the Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program.
On February 2, 2017 the State of Rhode Island approved the Town’s plan. See below for the State’s approval letter.
On March 9, 2017 the Town received a Certificate of Recognition from the State. It was an honor to celebrate this milestone with the members of the RI State Planning Council. Bristol now has a Locally adopted and State approved Comprehensive Plan which will be in effect until 2027.

Bristol Community Resilience Building (2020)
The need for municipalities to increase resilience and adapt to extreme weather events and a changing climate is strikingly evident amongst the communities of the State of Rhode Island.
In the Spring of 2020, the Town of Bristol embarked on certification within the newly established State of Rhode Island Municipal Resilience Program (MRP). In July 2020, the Town of Bristol organized a Community Resilience Building Workshop lead by Nature Conservancy (TNC) in partnership with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB).
The workshop’s central objectives were to:
- Define top local natural and climate-related hazards of concern;
- Identify existing and future strengths and vulnerabilities;
- Identify and prioritize actions for the Town of Bristol;
- Identify opportunities to collaboratively advance actions to increase resilience.
Bristol Harbor Management Plan (2019)
The Harbor Plan is a document for the use and management of the Town’s harbors and activities occurring within them consistent with the requirements and policies of the Coastal Resources Management Plan.
As required by the Coastal Resources Management Council Guidelines, this
Update addresses all the required elements including Public Access, Water
Quality, Mooring Management, and Storm Preparedness.
Bristol Hazard Mitigation Plan (2016)
The purpose of this report is to recommend actions and policies for the Town of
Bristol to minimize the social and economic loss or hardships resulting from
hazardous events.
Bristol Stormwater Management Plan (2008)
The Storm Water Phase II Final Rule is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) effort to preserve, protect, and improve the Nation’s water resources from polluted storm water runoff. Common storm water pollutants include pesticides, fertilizers, oils, salt, litter and other debris, and sediment. Another concern is the possible illicit connections of sanitary sewers.
Because Bristol is located within an urban boundary, the town is obligated to meet the Phase II Storm Water requirements. However, the town has previously dealt with many storm water regulations and issues as part of the Narragansett Bay Initiative to make the bay swimmable and fishable. Bristol’s Phase II efforts described herein are intended to meet the requirements of the regulations and supplement previous efforts regarding storm water.
Bristol Open Space Plan (2008)
The goals of this plan was to advise the Town Council on open space preservation and acquisition efforts, act as a resource for other agencies with open space concerns, and advise the Planning Board on open space elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
Quinta-Gamelin Army Re-Use Plan (2007)
As part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process, in 2006, the Quinta-Gamelin Army Reserve Center in Bristol, RI was identified for realignment. The Town of Bristol was made aware that the Quinta-Gamelin Reserve Center was listed as surplus property and was to be disposed of in accordance with appropriate federal regulations. The town was extremely interested in the outcome of the reuse.
After careful consideration of the available buildings in the area and the compatibility of the Town’s goals and needs with those of the applicants, the Town determined that the Department of Parks and Recreation would provide the best re-use for the site.
The full proposed re-use plan can be viewed below.
Metacom Avenue Corridor Management Plan (2007)
The Metacom Avenue Corridor Study represents an opportunity for the Town of Bristol to integrate land use and transportation planning along with one of its two major arterials, Route 136.
Through the implementation of study recommendations, the Town will help define the corridor as a livable, walkable neighborhood where future development and redevelopment reflects high design standards and traffic volumes are eased through development planning and roadway safety improvements.
The full proposed plan can be viewed below.
Contact Us
Town Hall Address: 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Phone: (401)-253-7000