Environmental Planning

"Environmental Planning" at DPD covers a wide range of issues, with Principal Planner David Everett serving as the Environmental Coordinator. Recent planning efforts have focused on sustainability in the context of escalating energy concerns, degradation of natural resources, climate change, and other related issues. In addition to a continuing emphasis on environment and sustainability in comprehensive and neighborhood planning, a number of projects and issues receive particular attention; they are listed below with brief descriptions.

Harbor Management Plan (HMP)

The Harbor Management Plan for the City of Providence is currently being drafted in accordance with State guidelines. The purpose of the HMP is to "1) Provide a comprehensive and continuous evaluation of municipal harbor management activities; "2) Provide for a detailed assessment of current and/or proposed municipal harbor management programs, ordinances or regulations to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and management requirements of the State of Rhode Island; and 3) Delegate the primary management authority and responsibilities of consistent local harbor management programs to the municipalities." [source: Guidelines for the Development of Municipal Harbor Management Plans, State of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, revised 2009]

In accordance with State law, a Harbormaster was appointed in 2011 and a Harbor Commission was recently appointed to oversee the HMP and the Harbormaster.

Green the Knowledge District (GKD)

GKD is a collaborative effort of OSCAR (Ocean State Consortium of Advanced Resources) and the City of Providence to catalyze green economic growth and development and raise the profile of Rhode Island through new jobs, technologies and businesses, along with recruitment and retention of businesses in the "Knowledge District." In January 2011, OSCAR launched the GKD pilot project to build and test a collaborative model and data strategy for benchmarking energy use in the District. It was the first initiative to leverage this place-based approach to assess conditions, recommend innovations, and pilot collaborations with the aim of furthering sustainability in Rhode Island. Building on collaborations with Brown University, URI and area businesses, interdisciplinary inquiry and research is addressing energy use, as well as natural systems and stormwater management.

Flood Zone Management

DPD is the designated flood plain management agency for the City and oversees the adoption and maintenance of flood zone regulations and the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) in collaboration with other departments according to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and FEMA regulations. Special Flood Hazard Areas regulations were amended in 2009 (Section 423 of the Zoning Ordinance) along with the adoption of new digitized FIRMs. The maps should be updated in the next 2-3 years to reflect new information developed in consultation with City staff. This process includes the HAZUS and Risk MAP projects and periodic meetings with planning, emergency management and other City staff. Concurrently, the Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a 4-municipality Woonasquatucket Flood Reconnaissance Study, a preliminary study of conditions which could set the stage for a feasibility study to address implementation strategies for flood control and mitigation, particularly in the Olneyville and Valley neighborhoods.

Stormwater Management

DPD staff participated in review of the 2009 RI Stormwater Design and Installation Standards Manual and related LID (Low Impact Development) Guidelines, emphasizing the urban perspective. Innovative approaches to managing a decaying and overburdened stormwater system are encouraged in Providence Tomorrow: the Interim Comprehensive Plan and grant funding sources for implementation continue to be sought.

Urban Agriculture

Through participation on the Urban Agriculture Task Force, by amending the comprehensive plan, zoning and other regulations, in community forums, and through efforts to identify appropriate land for community gardens and a variety of urban agriculture practices, DPD staff supports the continued growth of urban agriculture in Providence.

Electric Vehicle Readiness Support

DPD staff supports the efforts of Project Get Ready RI and Ocean State Clean Cities, the latter through participation in the Plug-in Readiness and Strategic Planning Grant stakeholders group.

Planning for Climate Change

DPD staff participates regularly in conferences and workshops on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise (SLR), continues to amend the comprehensive plan to improve public and private practices, and has given presentations on planning for climate change.

Hazard Mitigation/Emergency Planning

DPD staff received hazard mitigation training through FEMA, participated in preparation of the local Hazard Mitigation Plan and coordinates regularly with Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) staff. Staff also participates in quarterly meetings of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

Public Health

Health initiatives include participation on the Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI) Leadership Team and amendments to the comprehensive plan in support of healthy food and open space access for all.

Compost Initiative

Staff supports the efforts of the RI Compost Initiative and has amended the comprehensive plan to include several measures encouraging development of a citywide and/or regional composting program, as well as smaller efforts at the residential and institutional level.