|
|
|
Zoning Map (below):
The New Shoreham zoning map shows the concentration
of the "Village District" around the Old Harbor.
This district serves to restrict medium and high density
residential and commercial development. Much of the
island's water and sewage infrastructure is available
only in this district. Currently, this limited infrastructure
makes it difficult to build outside of the village district
because of ISDS requirements and the difficulty of gaining
access to drinking water. Additionally, all residential
development
|
 |
click to enlarge
(may take a few seconds to load) |
outside
of the village district is required to follow strict cluster
zoning requirements. On the other hand, the map also shows
the the island, in its entirety, is zoned for low-density
(Residential A) development. Thus, residential builiding
can only be stopped by coastal and wetland zone preservation
and the open space preservation efforts of various organizations
on the island.
Possible Limits
to Growth
(that
may be used by New Shoreham planners to justify reductions
in development)
Employment: Based on the serving
population needed for the tourist industry. Projections
indicate a "modest" increase of 40 winter
jobs per decade and 300 summer jobs per decade.
|
School Enrollment: projections
say school enrollment will grow by a classroom approximately
every six years. The island is currently debating major additions
to the Block Island School that will nearly double the size
of the present structure.
Sewage Collection: presently
peaking 370,000 gallons per day. The peak sewage output will
top at a half million gallons per day within two decades.
This will exceed present plant capacity but not encounter
any fundamental limitations.
Water Demand: Presently at
about 700,000 gallons per day maximum demand, will exceed
1,000,000 gallons per day during summer months within two
decades. Block Island's Water Company serves about 1/5 of
that demand. It is unclear at present whether Block Island's
hydrogeology and/or infrastructure will be able to meet future
water demand, especially after the year 2010. "In all
likelihood, land per se will not be the limiting consideration
in future growth. Limits of drinking water supply may halt
growth earlier . . ." (New
Shoreham Comprehensive Plan, 1994)
|
