PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley applied his signature to the city's new comprehensive plan on Friday afternoon. City leaders craft the document every 10 years to set up goals for the coming decade in areas such as zoning, economic development, transportation and more. The plan was approved by the Providence City Council in a second and final vote on Thursday. A new zoning ordinance will enact various parts of the plan, according to the City Council. Here is a breakdown of the main additions in the newly-approved plan. Ban on new gas stations An amendment was introduced by Councilman John Goncalves that bans building new gas stations on land where housing can be constructed. READ MORE: Providence on track to ban construction of new gas stations There is an exception: if housing can't be built on that land, then the gas station could be developed. In October, Smiley was not on board with the proposal's original language, which did not include the exception. Removing RIPTA's bus hub relocation Language backing the decision by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) to move its transit hub out of Kennedy Plaza was removed. This change was proposed by Councilman Justin Roias. ALSO READ: Providence City Council removes RIPTA bus hub relocation from Comprehensive Plan Ultimately the decision for this move is up to RIPTA's board, but it's the latest message by the City Council showing they oppose a relocation. Protecting rights for homeless Councilman Miguel Sanchez put forward an amendment that mandates any policies focused on homelessness and encampments to go by guidelines from the U.S. Interagency on Homelessness. This could include implementing city laws that would improve outreach to encampments and creating more permanent housing among other solutions. Committee focused on design standards A new committee will also be created to come up with design standards for neighborhoods in the city. In the proposal's language, it emphasizes these standards won't increase development costs or add unnecessary time to the building process. This idea was introduced by Councilwoman Helen Anthony and the committee would be composed of designers, developers and community stakeholders. Carbon neutral by 2040 Another addition in this plan sets goals for the city to achieve the initiative of being carbon neutral by 2040. This was introduced by Councilwoman Sue AnderBois. The ideas implemented to achieve the goal is for all city buildings to be carbon neutral by that year, promoting more tree planting in "low-canopy neighborhoods" and increase more options for biking and walking in Providence. BACKGROUND: Providence pledges to achieve carbon neutrality in city-owned buildings Addressing parking minimums Language was proposed by Council President Rachel Miller to decrease or ban parking minimums. Those in favor of this idea say parking minimums slow down opportunities to build more affordable housing. Zoning changes Inclusionary zoning and anti-displacement goals were also included in this document. Miller put forward the proposal, which has language encouraging developers to create housing anyone can afford regardless of income level. Renters who are on the verge of displacement will also have more protections in this plan. The section also includes working with Community Development Corporations to find which neighborhoods need affordable housing the most. Providence Port environmental regulations This section of the plan adds new regulations to the Port of Providence to protect the health and safety of people who live in the area, as well as the environment. The goal is to expand sustainable infrastructure while also prohibiting industrial facilities from polluting the air with high levels of fossil fuel combustion and manufacturing or storing harmful chemicals. Those prohibitions will be included in the upcoming zoning ordinance. NEXT: Providence to pay $15M in school funding fight settlement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW