Bill would make EDC conform to state regs.

PROVIDENCE – The Senate has approved legislation that will direct the R.I. Economic Development Corporation and its subsidiary agencies to conform to certain state regulations, including the State Guide Plan.
The bill – S-2440 – 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 “nonbinding determination of conformity” with the community’s comprehensive plan, according to a statement.
Introduced by Sen. James C. Sheehan, D-Narragansett, the bill 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.
“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 Sheehan. &#8226