NEW: Lawmaker Re-Introduces Legislation to Require EDC Projects to Conform to State Regulations
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) is again working to enact law clearly directing the RI Economic Development Corporation and its subsidiaries to conform to certain state regulations, specifically the State Guide Plan.
The bill 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 town’s director of planning for a non-binding determination of conformity with the North Kingstown comprehensive plan.
Sponsored by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown), the legislation, (2012-S2440), is an outgrowth of some disagreements between the QDC and the Town of North Kingstown which began several years ago with the then-proposed Gateway Project at Quonset Point.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe bill Senator Sheehan has introduced again 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 role of the State Planning Council in such projects and to determine any changes or amendments necessary to clarify the review and approval process.
“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.
