Index to RI Zoning Review Articles (PDF)

Title and subject matter    (Search by case name or by constitutional or statutory citation).

    Accessory dwelling units [2003-2004, p. 4]
    Administrative appeals
        Constructive notice [2000-2001, p. 4]
        Low and Moderate Income Housing Act [1999-2000, p. 2]  [2002-2003, p. 5]
        Notice requirements [2000-2001, p. 6]
        "Ripeness" requirement [2000-2001, p. 3]
        Standing under Low and Moderate Income Housing Act [2002-2003, p. 5]
        Timelinesss [2000-2001, p. 4]
    Administrative finality [1999-2000, p. 5]
    "Adult" entertainment, regulation of [1998-1999, p. 3]  [2000-2001, p. 5]
    "Advice is Cheap – But Zoning Boards Cannot Dispense It" [1999-2000, p. 4]
    Affordable housing [2003-2004, p. 2]
    Airport zoning [1998-1999, p. 4]
    Animals, keeping horse on residential property [2002-2003, p. 1]
    "Attendance at Public Hearing Waives Any Defects in Notice" [2002-2003]
    "Better Digs for Grandma? Legislature Upgrades Accessory Dwelling Units" [2003-2004, p. 4]
    Boating facilities, regulation of [1999-2000, p. 1]  [2002-2003, p. 7]
    Buildable lot, nonconforming lot as [2003-2004, p. 4]
    Building permit, illegal issuance [1998-1999, p. 2]
    Campground expansion, illegality of [2003-2004, p. 6]
    Cell tower [1999-2000, p. 6]  [2000-2001, p. 7]
    Coastal Resources Management Council, jurisdiction of [1999- 2000, p. 1]  [2002-2003, p. 7]
    Collateral estoppel [1999-2000, p. 5]
    Combining dimensional variance with special-use permit [2001- 2002, p. 1]
    Comprehensive permits under Low and Moderate Income Housing Act [2001-2002, p. 8]
    Comprehensive plan, consistency of zoning ordinance with [2002- 2003, p. 4]
    Constitutional law
          Due process [1998-1999, p. 3]
          Form of government clause, RI Constitution [1998-1999, p. 2]
          First Amendment [1998-1999, p. 3]
          Takings clause [2000-2001, p. 3]
    "Court Says Publicity Can Trigger Running of Appeal Period" [2000-2001, p. 4]
    Courts
          Declaratory judgments [2002-2003, p. 4 ]
          Mandamus [2002-2003, p. 4]
    CRMC appeals, "ripeness" requirement [2000-2001, p. 3]
    Definitions, statutory vs. ordinance [2000-2001, p. 4]
    Dimensional variance
          Combined with special-use permit [ 2000-2001, p. 7]
          Permitted use, standard for [2002-2003, p. 3 ]
          Standard for granting [2000-2001, p. 1]   [2001-2002, p. 1]
    "Diminishing Assets" Doctrine [2001- 2002, p. 5]
    "Ditch Digging Down on the Farm: Selling Soil May Not Violate Earth Removal Restrictions" [2000-2001, p. 3]
    Docks, regulation of [1999-2000, p. 1]  [2002-2003, p. 7]
    "Drive-Through Windows Provisions Added to General Provisions of Zoning Enabling Act" [2000-2001, p. 8]
    Earth removal as incidental use not subject to zoning ordinance [ 2000-2001, p. 3]
    "Enabling Act Trumps Definitions in Local Zoning Ordinances" [ 2000-2001, p. 4]
    Estoppel as defense against town [1998-1999, p. 2]
    "Expansion of Earth Removal Use Allowed under 'Diminishing Assets' Doctrine" [2001-2002, p. 5]
    Extractive industries (sand, gravel and earth removal)
          Nonconforming use [2001-2002, p. 3]   [2001-2002, p. 5]
          Subject to zoning regulation [2001-2002, p. 5]
    "Failure to Appeal Zoning Board's Decision Precludes Campground Expansion" [2003-2004, p. 6]
    Family day care home [2003-2004, p. 1]
    "Federal Religious Land Use Act May Preempt Zoning Restrictions on Churches" [2001-2002, p. 7]
    "Final Word on Administrative Finality" [1999-2000, p. 5]
    "From the General Assembly" [1998-1999, p. 4]
    "General Assembly Nullifies Major R.I. Supreme Court Zoning Decisions" [2001-2002, p. 1]
    "High Court Says Towns Can Regulate the "Upland," But Don't Go Near the Water" [1999-2000, p. 1]
    Home rule charter, conflict with land use statute [1998-1999, p. 2]
    Incompatible use, permitted use cannot be [2002-2003, p. 3]
    In-law apartments [2003-2004, p. 4]
    Landlocked lots [2002-2003, p. 3]  [2003-2004, p. 4]
    Legislative immunity [1999-2000, p. 3]
    "Legislature Acts to Correct Ambiguity in Zoning Enabling Act" [2003-2004, p. 5]
    "Legislature Negates LaGreca, Allows Corporate Appeals" [2000- 2001, p. 7]
    "Legislature Nibbles at Newton Rule, Helps 3 Towns" [2000- 2001, p. 7]
    "License Must Be Issued for Adult Entertainment Permitted by Right" [2000-2001, p. 5]
    Low and Moderate Income Housing Act [1999-2000, p. 2]   [2001-2002, p. 8]  [2002-2003, p. 5]
    "Low Income Housing Act Amended" [2001-2002, p. 8]
    "Majority Vote of SHAB Means Majority of Full Housing Board" [1999-2000, p. 2]
    "Miscellaneous Changes to Zoning Enabling Act" [2001-2002, p. 2]
    Municipal officials, liability for rezoning [1999-2000, p. 3]
    "New Notice Requirements for Certain Appeals" [2000-2001, p. 6]
    "No Appeal from City's Refusal to Amend Zoning Ordinance" [2002-2003, p. 4]
    "No Constitutional Bar to Ousting Adult Entertainment from Downtown Providence" [1998-1999, p. 3]
    Nonconforming use
          Abandonment of [2001-2002, p. 5]
          Burden of proof [2001-2002, p. 3]
          Determination of [2001-2002, p. 3]
          Earth removal use as [2001-2002, p. 3]  [2001-2002, p. 5]
          Expansion of [2003-2004, p. 6]
          Natural business growth exception to [2003-2004, p. 6]
          Planned or intended uses [2003-2004, p. 6]
    "Nonprofit Corporation Lacks Standing to Appeal Zoning Amendment" [1999-2000, p. 3]
    Notice
          Requirements [2000-2001, p. 6]  [2003-2004, p. 3]  [2003-2004, p. 5]
          Waiver [2002-2003, p. 7]
    "Notice Requirements for Superior Court Appeal Are Not Jurisdictional" [2003-2004, p. 3]
    Nudity, regulation of [1998-1999, p. 3]
    "Officials Entitled to Immunity in Drafting Zoning Ordinance" [1999-2000, p. 3]
    Open space land, ownership of [2001-2002, p. 3]
    Pets, keeping horse on residential property [2002-2003, p. 1]
    Planning boards
          Land development projects, approval [ 1998-1999, p. 1]
          Low or moderate income developments or subdivisions [2001-2002, p. 8]
    Pleading, amending complaint after remand [2003-2004, p. 8]
    Preemption of zoning ordinance by enabling act [2000-2001, p. 4]
    Principal dwelling unit, appearance with accessory dwelling unit [2003-2004, p. 4]
    "Proceed Under Challenged Building Permit at Your Peril!" [1998-1999, p. 2]
    "Proposed Communications Tower Knocked Down But Not Out" [1999-2000, p. 6]
    Public health, safety, morals, and general welfare, consideration in zoning [2000-2001, p. 5]
    Public policy, impact on zoning [2003-2004, p. 1]
    Public trust doctrine [1999-2000, p. 1]  [2002-2003, p. 7]
    Real property
          Animals, keeping horse on residential property [2002-2003, p. 1]
          Restrictive covenants [2002-2003, p. 1]  [2003-2004, p. 1]
    Religious liberty, impact of zoning on [2001-2002, p. 7]
    Res judicata (or res adjudicata)
          Applied to administrative decisions [2003-2004, p. 6]
          Distinguished from administrative finality [1999-2000, p. 5]
          Requirement of subject matter jurisdiction [2001-2002, p. 3]
          Requirements, generally [2003-2004, p. 6]
    "Restrictive Covenant Upheld; 'Little Angels' Booted From Neighborhood" [2003-2004, p. 1]
    "Review Act Trumps Town's Home Rule Charter" [1998-1999, p. 2]
    Right to Farm Act [2000-2001, p. 3]
    "Rules for Holding Open Space Land Changed" [2001-2002, p. 3 ]
    "Scituate Zoning Board of Review Gains Right to Appoint Additional Alternate Member" [2002-2003, p. 4]
    Special-use permit
          Combined with dimensional variance [2000-2001, p. 7]
    Stare decisis [1999-2000, p. 5]
    State Housing Board of Appeal [1999-2000, p. 2]  [2002-2003, p. 5]
    Statutory construction
          Ambiguity in statute [2003-2004, p. 3]
          Deference to interpretation of local official [2001-2002, p. 5]
          General principles [2001-2002, p. 5]
    Superior Court appeals
          Failure to take appeal, effect of [2003-2004, p. 6]
          Notice requirements [2000-2001, p. 6]  [2003-2004, p. 3]  [2003-2004, p. 5]
          Standing [1999-2000, p. 3]  [2000-2001, p. 7]
          Time for defendant's answer in zoning appeals [2003-2004, p. 5]
          Zoning ordinances or amendments, enactment of [1999-2000, p. 3]  [2000-2001, p. 7]
    "Supreme Court Declares Viti Dead: Announces New Variance Standard" [2000-2001, p. 1]
    "Supreme Court Explains Appeals Under Low Income Housing Act" [2002-2003, p. 5]
    "Supreme Court Finally Terminates RICO Litigation" [2003-2004, p. 8]
    Supreme Court, remand order, interpretation of [2003-2004, p. 8]
    "Supreme Court Says CRMC, Not Zoning Ordinance, Regulates Commercial Ferry Operations" [2002-2003, p. 7]
    "Supreme Court Says No to Horses; Sonny Rides Off into the Sunset" [2002-2003, p. 1]
    Telecommunications tower [1999-2000, p. 6]  [2000-2001, p. 7]
    "Town Can Require Zoning Board Approval of Cluster Development" [1998-1999, p. 1]
    "U.S. Court of Appeals Rejects Cell Tower Based on Aesthetics" [2000-2001, p. 7]
    "U.S. Supreme Court Broadens Right to Challenge Local Land Use Decisions" [2000-2001, p. 3]
    "Viti" rule for dimensional variances [2001-2002, p. 1]
    Voting, State Housing Board of Appeal [1999-2000, p. 2]
    Waiver as defense against town [1998-1999, p. 2]
    Water supply, connection required in order to build [2003-2004, p. 4]
    "Water, Water, Everywhere, But Not a Drop to Drink ... Without a Town Hook-Up" [2003-2004, p. 4]
    Wharves, regulation of [1999-2000, p. 1]
    "Zoning Board Cannot Turn Down Frontage Variance for Landlocked Lot" [2002-2003, p. 3]
    Zoning boards
          Advisory opinions [1999-2000, p. 4]
          Alternate members [1998-1999, p. 4]  [2001-2002, p. 2]  [2002-2003, p. 4]
          Attendance at hearing as waiver of defective notice [2002-2003, p. 7]
          Determining existence of nonconforming use [2001-2002, p. 3]
          Findings, necessity for [2002-2003, p. 3]
          Land development projects, approval [ 1998-1999, p. 1]
    "Zoning Boards Do Not Have Jurisdiction to Determine Existence of Nonconforming Use" [2001-2002, p. 3]
    "Zoning Enabling Act Amended to Add Definition and Requirements for Affordable Housing" [2003-2004, p. 2]
    Zoning enforcement
        Prior failure to enforce requirement, effect of [1998-1999, p. 2]
        Similar violations by neighbors, effect of [2003-2004, p. 1]
    Zoning enforcement officer
          "Guidance or clarification," providing [1999- 2000, p. 4]
    Zoning ordinances or amendments
          Adding procedural steps to enabling act requirements [1998-1999, p. 1]
          Appeal, refusal to amend zoning ordinance [ 2002-2003, p. 4]
          Conflict with enabling act [1998-1999, p. 2]
          Liability for enacting [1999-2000, p. 3]
          Standing to appeal [1999-2000, p. 3]  [2000-2001, p. 7]

Cases    (Search by title or subject matter or by constitutional or statutory citation).

    Bogan v. Scott-Harris (U.S. Supreme Ct. case) [1999-2000, p. 3 ]
    Cadillac Lounge, LLC v. City of Providence [2000-2001, p. 5]
    Carlson v. Town of Smithfield [1998-1999, p. 1]  [1998-1999, p. 2]
    Champlin's Realty Assoc. v. Tillson [2002-2003, p. 7]
    DiRaimo v. City of Providence [1998-1999, p. 3]  [2000-2001, p. 5]
    Franco v. Wheelock [1999-2000, p. 4]
    Gardner v. Cumberland Town Council [2002-2003, p. 7]
    Gornall v. Bray [2000-2001, p. 5]
    Graziano v. Rhode Island State Lottery Com. [2002-2003, p. 7]
    Gregory v. State Dept. of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals [2003-2004, p. 1]
    Hardy v. Zoning Board of Review of Coventry [2000-2001, p. 4]
    Jeff Anthony Properties v. Zoning Board of North Providence [2003-2004, p. 3]  [2003-2004, p. 5]
    Johnston Ambulatory Surgical Associates, Ltd. v. Nolan [1999-2000, p. 5]
    Lischio v. Zoning Board of North Kingstown [2002-2003, p. 3]
    Marks v. Zoning Board of Review [1999-2000, p. 5]
    Martellini v. Little Angels Day Care, Inc. [2003-2004, p. 1]
    Maynard v. Beck [1999-2000, p. 3]
    Mill Realty Associates v. Crowe [2003-2004, p. 4]
    Munroe v. Town of East Greenwich [1998-1999, p. 2]
    Murphy v. Zoning Com'n of Town of New Milford (Connecticut case) [2001-2002, p. 7]
    New England Expedition-Providence v. City of Providence [2000-2001, p. 4]
    Newton v. Zoning Board of Review [2000-2001, p. 7]   [2001-2002, p. 1]
    Palazzolo v. Rhode Island (U.S. Supreme Ct. case) [2000-2001, p. 3]
    P.J.C. Realty, Inc. v. Barry [2002-2003, p. 4]
    RICO Corp. v. Town of Exeter (RICO-I) [2001-2002, p. 3]  [2003-2004, p. 8]
    RICO Corp. v. Town of Exeter (RICO-II) [2003-2004, p. 8]
    Ridgewood Homeowners Assoc. v. Mignacca [2002-2003, p. 1]
    Ryan v. Zoning Bd. of Review of New Shoreham [2003-2004, p. 3]
    Sciacca v. Caruso [2000-2001, p. 1]  [2001-2002, p. 1]
    Smithfield Voters for Responsible Development, Inc. v. LaGreca [1999-2000, p. 3]  [2000-2001, p. 7]
    SNET Cellular, Inc. v. Angell [1999-2000, p. 6]  [2000-2001, p. 7]
    Sousa v. Town of Coventry [2000-2001, p. 4]
    Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Inc. v. Todd [2000-2001, p. 7]
    Town of Coventry Zoning Bd. of Review v. Omni Development Corp. [2002-2003, p. 5]
    Town of Johnston v. Pezza [1998-1999, p. 2]
    Town of North Kingston v. Albert [2000-2001, p. 3]
    Town of Richmond v. Wawaloam Reservation, Inc. [2003-2004, p. 6]
    Town of Warren v. Thornton-Whitehouse [1999-2000, p. 1]  [2002-2003, p. 7]
    Town of West Greenwich v. A. Cardi Realty Associates [2001-2002, p. 5]
    Union Village Development Associates v. North Smithfield Zoning Board of Review [1999-2000, p. 2]
    Viti v. Zoning Bd. of Review [2000-2001, p. 1]
    von Bernuth v. Zoning Bd. of Review [2000-2001, p. 1]   [2001-2002, p. 1]

Constitution/Statutes    (Search by title or subject matter or by case name).

    Rhode Island Constitution
    art. 13, § 4 [1998-1999, p. 2]

    Rhode Island General Laws
    §§ 1-3-2 – 1-3-8 [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 1-3-11 [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 1-3-14 [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 9-30-1 [2002-2003, p. 4]
    § 34-4-21 [2002-2003, p. 1]
    § 36-14-1 et seq. [1999-2000, p. 3]
    § 42-128-8.1(d)(1) [2003-2004, p. 2]
    § 45-22-1 [1998-1999, p. 2]
    § 45-24-30(16) [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 45-24-31(2) [2003-2004, p. 4]
    § 45-24-31(15) [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 45-24-31(61)(ii) [2000-2001, p. 1]
    § 45-24-33(a) [2000-2001, p. 8]
    § 45-24-33(a)(24) [2000-2001, p. 8]
    § 45-24-37 [2003-2004, p. 1]
    § 45-24-37(b) [2003-2004, p. 1]
    § 45-24-37(4) [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 45-24-39(c) [2001-2002, p. 5]
    § 45-24-40(a)(1) [2001-2002, p. 3]
    § 45-24-41(d)(2) [2000-2001, p. 1]  [2000-2001, p. 7]   [2001-2002, p. 1]  [2002-2003, p. 3]
    § 45-24-42 [2002-2003, p. 3]
    § 45-24-42(b) [2000-2001, p. 7]
    § 45-24-42(c) [2001-2002, p. 1]
    § 45-24-46.1 [2003-2004, p. 2]
    § 44-24-47(B) [1998-1999, p. 1]
    § 45-24-47(d) [2001-2002, p. 3]
    § 45-24-53 [2000-2001, p. 6]
    § 45-24-54 [1999-2000, p. 4]
    § 45-24-56(b) [2002-2003, p. 4]
    § 45-24-56(c) [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 45-24-56(f) [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 45-24-56(g) [2001-2002, p. 2]
    § 45-24-56(h) [2002-2003, p. 4]
    § 45-24-57 [1999-2000, p. 4]
    § 45-24-57(1)(i) [2001-2002, p. 3]
    § 45-24-61(a) [1998-1999, p. 4]
    § 45-24-61(b) [2001-2002, p. 2]
    § 45-24-64 [2000-2001, p. 4]
    § 45-24-66 [2000-2001, p. 6]
    § 45-24-68 [2001-2002, p. 3]
    § 45-24-69 [1999-2000, p. 3]  [2000-2001, p. 6]   [2000-2001, p. 7]  [2003-2004, p. 3]
    § 45-24-69(a) [1998-1999, p. 4]  [1999-2000, p. 6]
    § 45-24-69.1 [2000-2001, p. 6]  [2003-2004, p. 3]  [2003-2004, p. 5]
    § 45-24-69.1(b) [2003-2004, p. 3]  [2003-2004, p. 5]
    § 45-24-69.1(c)(6) [2003-2004, p. 5]
    § 45-24-71 [1999-2000, p. 3]  [2002-2003, p. 4]
    § 45-24-71(a) [2000-2001, p. 7]  [2002-2003, p. 4]
    § 45-53-1 et seq. [1999-2000, p. 2]  [2002-2003, p. 5]
    § 45-53-4 [2001-2002, p. 8]
    § 45-53-5 [1999-2000, p. 2]
    § 45-53-7(a) [1999-2000, p. 2]
    § 46-23-6(2) [1999-2000, p. 1]
    § 46-23-6(2)(ii)(A) [2002-2003, p. 7]

    United States Code
    42 U.S.C. § 1983 [1999-2000, p. 3]
    42 U.S.C. §§ 2000cc – 2000cc-5 [2001-2002, p. 7]
    47 U.S.C. § 332 [1999-2000, p. 6]

    Federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 [2001-2002, p. 7]
    Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 [1999-2000, p. 6]  [2000-2001, p. 7]