(A) Purpose.
(1) The Town of Middletown establishes the following vision for the Atlantic Beach District: to become a more pedestrian-oriented, attractive and vibrant mixed-use village to serve the influx of seasonal visitors, the surrounding residential neighborhoods, and the town in accordance with the 2007 Atlantic Beach District Master Plan and Comprehensive Plan.
(2) The Atlantic Beach District is located in the southern end of Middletown abutting the City of Newport, with its boundaries depicted on the official zoning map. The town is seeking to enhance the area both as a tourist destination and to better serve local residents. The 2007 Atlantic Beach District Master Plan serves as the primary document guiding the transformation of the area into a vibrant, walkable mixed-use area, capitalizing on its relatively dense development pattern and proximity to local beaches, historic Newport and other attractions. The following goals from that plan will be implemented, in part, through the adoption of the Atlantic Beach Overlay District:
(a) Develop and implement safety and aesthetic improvements to promote pedestrian activity that will support local small businesses, including streetscape improvements and pedestrian circulation throughout the district;
(b) Identify opportunities to capitalize on the proximity of the District to beaches, hotels and other attractions for the benefit of local residents and the town business tax base; and
(c) Identify options to promote private development that will be consistent with the vision for the District, including opportunities to promote an appropriate mix of uses and building and site design.
(3) The District will promote development that preserves and enhances scenic views, includes a mix of uses that serve the needs of the local community, and incorporates high quality building and landscape design consistent with a traditional New England seaside village. The District will promote serving the needs of a small mixed-use commercial area; to provide goods and services in a more compact environment; to encourage redevelopment; and, to create a vibrant, walkable, pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment. These regulations shall be construed in a manner to further implement the goals, policies and applicable elements of the Middletown Comprehensive Community Plan and the Atlantic Beach District Master Plan.
(B) Authority. This article is adopted in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Title 45, Chapter 24.
(C) Applicability. All subdivisions, land development projects, mixed-use development, and any other development within the Atlantic Beach Overlay District as delineated on the official Middletown zoning map shall be subject to the provisions of this article and all other applicable requirements of this chapter. Where provisions of this article conflict with requirements elsewhere in this chapter or with provisions of the Commercial Development Design Standards contained in § 521 of the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land, the requirements of this article shall prevail.
(Ord. 2021-13, passed 9-20-21)