Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 45-23 - Subdivision of Land
Section 45-23-70. - Appeals — Standards of review.

§ 45-23-70. Appeals — Standards of review.
(a) As established by this chapter, in instances of a board of appeal’s review of a planning board or administrative officer’s decision on matters subject to this chapter, the board of appeal shall not substitute its own judgment for that of the planning board or the administrative officer but must consider the issue upon the findings and record of the planning board or administrative officer. The board of appeal shall not reverse a decision of the planning board or administrative officer except on a finding of prejudicial procedural error, clear error, or lack of support by the weight of the evidence in the record.
(b) The concurring vote of three (3) of the five (5) members of the board of appeal sitting at a hearing, is necessary to reverse any decision of the planning board or administrative officer.
(c) In the instance where the board of appeal overturns a decision of the planning board or administrative officer, the proposed project application is remanded to the planning board or administrative officer, at the stage of processing from which the appeal was taken, for further proceedings before the planning board or administrative officer and/or for the final disposition, which shall be consistent with the board of appeal’s decision.
(d) The board of appeal shall keep complete records of all proceedings including a record of all votes taken, and shall put all decisions on appeals in writing. The board of appeal shall include in the written record the reasons for each decision.
History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 385, § 1.

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