The purpose of the South Main Village Design District (SMVDD)
is to establish an overlay zone that identifies the district and provides
regulations and design guidelines that will serve to protect the distinctive
character, landscape and historic structures within the South Main
Street corridor.
The intent of the SMVDD is to help guide development along South
Main Street in ways that will:
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Protect the distinctive character, landscape and historic structures
within the district;
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Be appropriate to the location and scale of any particular site;
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Maintain and enhance the unique character of South Main Street,
including the residential and natural characteristics;
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Encourage the conservation and preservation of architecturally
significant or historic buildings in a manner that maintains the distinctive
character of the district;
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Provide for compatible economic development;
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Manage the amount of traffic that will be generated;
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Control traffic access by limiting the number, size and location
of driveways onto South Main Street; and
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Promote the sharing of parking and other amenities.
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To help accomplish the above purpose and intent, the SMVDD is
hereby:
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Designated as a Village District as authorized by C.G.S. § 8-2j.
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Recognized as a designated design district adopted by the Newtown
Planning and Zoning Commission so that development within the district
will be reviewed by the Design Advisory Board as provided pursuant
to Newtown Town Ordinances.
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2.02.210
All principal and accessory
uses allowed in the underlying zones are permitted provided that a
site development plan or special exception approval has been granted,
if required. Uses that are not listed shall not be permitted by variance.
2.02.310
Except for a single-family
dwelling and uses and structures accessory thereto, new construction,
reconstruction or rehabilitation of buildings or signs located within
the SMVDD that are in view from public roadways shall obtain a report
and recommendation from the Design Advisory Board.
2.02.320
Applicants are strongly encouraged
to work with the Design Advisory Board prior to submitting a formal
application to the Staff or Commission as applicable.
2.02.330
In accordance with C.G.S.
§ 8-2j(d):
(a)
The Design Advisory Board shall be the designated
Village District consultant,
(b)
The Design Advisory Board shall review an application
and report to the Staff or Commission, as applicable within 35 days
of receipt of an application by the Board,
(c)
And failure of the Design Advisory Board to report
within the 35 days' period shall not alter or delay any other
time limit imposed by the Regulations.
2.02.340
The Commission may seek the
recommendations of any town or regional agency or outside specialist
with which it wishes to consult.
2.02.341
Any reports or recommendations from such agencies
or organizations shall be entered into the public hearing record and
considered by the Commission in making its decision.
2.02.410
To help accomplish the purposes
of this section, the exterior of structures shall, to the extent reasonable
and practicable, be designed to be consistent with the intent to maintain
and enhance a "New England" character in the corridor for areas visible
from public roadways.
2.02.420
To help accomplish the purposes
of this section, the following criteria shall be met:
(a)
Proposed buildings or modifications to existing
buildings shall be harmoniously related to their surroundings, and
the terrain in the district and to the use, scale and architecture
of existing buildings in the district that have a functional or visual
relationship to a proposed building or modification,
(b)
Proposed buildings and site improvements shall
reinforce existing buildings and streetscape patterns and the placement
of buildings and included site improvements shall ensure there is
no adverse visual impact on the district;
(c)
The scale, proportions, massing and detailing of
any proposed building shall be in proportion to the scale, proportion,
massing and detailing in the district.
(d)
All spaces, structures and related site improvements
visible from public roadways shall be designed to be compatible with
the elements of the area of the Village District in and around the
proposed building or modification,
(e)
The color, size, height, location, proportion of
openings, roof treatments, building materials and landscaping of commercial
or residential property shall support the "New England" character
of the corridor and be compatible with their surroundings;
(f)
The removal or disruption of historic tradition
or significant structures or architectural elements shall be minimized.
2.02.430
All development in the district
shall be designed to achieve the following compatibility objectives:
(a)
The building and layout of buildings and included
site improvements shall reinforce existing buildings and streetscape
patterns and the placement of buildings and included site improvements
shall ensure there is no adverse impact on the district;
(b)
Proposed streets shall be connected to the existing
district road network, wherever possible;
(c)
Open spaces within the proposed development shall
reinforce open space patterns of the district, in form and siting;
(d)
Locally significant features of the site such as
distinctive buildings, historic buildings, historic factors or sight
lines of vistas from within the district, shall be integrated into
the site design;
(e)
The landscape design shall complement the district's
landscape patterns;
(f)
The exterior signs, site lighting and accessory
structures shall support a uniform architectural theme if such a theme
exists and be compatible with their surroundings; and
(g)
The scale, proportions, massing and detailing of
any proposed building shall be in proportion to the scale, proportion,
massing and detailing in the district.
The existing residential and related outbuildings, especially
those of historical and/or architectural significance, with their
landscaped front lawn areas and large trees lining the roadway contribute
to the unique landscape and overall character of South Main Street.
Most of the existing residential dwellings and outbuildings are modest
in scale, are typical of past residential development patterns in
Newtown and combine well with the intermittent commercial and industrial
properties, open fields and forested areas found along the roadway.
The adaptive reuse of existing residential structures is intended
to help the preservation, restoration and maintenance of said structures
provided the nature and conduct of such adaptive use shall:
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(a)
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Enhance and preserve the exterior integrity of the structures;
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(b)
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Enhance and preserve the aesthetic appearance of the remainder
of the property; and
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(c)
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Maintain the general character of the neighborhood.
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2.02.510
In addition to the uses already permitted by special exception in the underlying residential zones, the following principal uses are permitted within the Residential and Farming Zones located within the SMVDD Overlay Zone subject to obtaining a special exception approval from the Commission in accordance with the standards, criteria, conditions and procedures set forth in Article XI hereof and the additional requirements set forth herein:
2.02.511
Any principal use permitted in the Business
and Professional Office (BPO) Zone provided the following parameters
can or will be met. Adaptive reuse of existing residential buildings
shall be permitted if they will:
2.02.512
In conjunction with business or professional
uses, residential apartments may be allowed on upper floors within
the principal building subject to the capacity of the infrastructure
to support residential density of one dwelling unit per one-half acre
(21,780 square feet) of site area.
2.02.513
Any new construction upon a site shall respect
the height, bulk, scale and style of architecture that exists and
materials used shall be of a similar color, scale, texture and style
as that which exists.
2.02.514
Site elements of noteworthy or historical
value such as stone walls, outstanding vegetation and other similar
site features shall be protected from damage, removal or significant
alteration.
2.02.515
Site improvements shall be so designed in
space allocation, orientation, texture, materials, landscaping and
other features to produce an environment of stable and desirable character,
complementing the design and values of the surrounding neighborhood,
Plantings and other site elements (such as lighting, paving, site
furnishings, signage and parking) shall be located and designed to
enhance the "New England" character of the existing structure(s) and
surrounding property.
The purpose of this section is to provide provisions that will
permit flexibility in land use development within the SMVDD where
significant parcels are to be developed or redeveloped as a planned
development containing integrated and harmonious elements, and where
the overall design of such elements is so outstanding as to warrant
modification of the standards contained elsewhere in these regulations.
The intent of this section is to provide a unique opportunity for and guidance in design of development parcels which are likely to have a significant impact upon the South Main Street corridor. To apply for an SDD, please see Article VI, Section 6.
