NEW: Senate Approves Bill Regulating EDC Projects
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
The Senate Wednesday approved legislation that will direct the RI Economic Development Corporation and its subsidiary agencies to conform to certain state regulations, specifically the State Guide Plan.
Introduced by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown), the bill,(2012-S2440) , also directs the EDC and its prime subsidiary, the Quonset Development Corporation, to present any plans for development that are to take place on federal land within North Kingstown to the North Kingstown director of planning for a non-binding determination of conformity with the North Kingstown comprehensive plan.
The bill Senator Sheehan has introduced this year (a 2010 version passed the Senate but not the House) stems from the work of a study commission established during the 2008 legislative session to review the project approval processes for the QDC. The study panel also looked into the role of the State Planning Council in such projects and ways to clarify the review and approval process.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“This bill, when enacted, will clarify the law to ensure that the EDC and its subsidiaries operate under the same rules as all other state agencies,” said Senator Sheehan.
“North Kingstown encompasses the developable area that is overseen by the QDC at Quonset Point and has long felt that projects there should be in keeping with the town’s comprehensive plan,” said Senator Sheehan. “But with no statutory conformity process existing specific to the EDC and its subsidiaries, those entities have at times not given high priority to the local community and its concerns. This legislation rightly ensures that the priorities of the community of North Kingstown are heard.”
