The purpose of this zoning district is to permit development of an Animal Sanctuary on former agricultural land deeded by the State of Connecticut to the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation by authorization of Connecticut Special Act 13-23, for animal sanctuary, wildlife preserve and other nature preservation purposes. Consistent with this authorization, the Animal Sanctuary Design District ("ASDD") is hereby formed to serve as a community oriented center for compassion and healing focusing on animal rescue, refuge and veterinarian center, nature-based educational programs/library, community gardens, farm to table cafe open to the community, conservation initiatives, including wildlife sanctuary, open tracts, river and aquifer preservation and public trail system for hiking and dog walking; the ASDD is located in the geographical center of Newtown which allows the community to be welcomed and come together for these purposes. The uses proposed are consistent with the POCD Plan Goals, including maintaining pastoral and rural areas, preserving mixed use-functions near Villages, conservation of natural resources with architecture planned to be inviting to the community and in keeping with the character of Newtown.
The ASDD consists of 34.44 ± acres; it is currently improved with a 1920s barn and consists of agricultural fields, meadows, forestland, a bridle trail, hiking trails, and the Deep River runs along its edge. The property is environmentally sensitive in part, being a portion of the Deep Brook Aquifer which has been studied as set forth in a report entitled "Town of Newtown Natural Resource Inventory," first developed by Malone & MacBroom in 2011 under the direction of the Newtown Conservation Commission and Land Use Department, as revised. This ASDD allows the use of the included property to be planned so that new structures complement the existing historic barn, and the environmental integrity of the site.
Less than 10% of the property will contain facilities for the sanctuary program, with the remainder available for agriculture, open areas, community garden, hiking trails and preservation. The architecture shall be sensitively designed to fit into the site and the community as a positive resource that complements rather than detracts from the natural attributes of the property.
To accomplish these purposes, the ASDD will allow for a multi-use integrated design that balances the infrastructure requirements for a community oriented Animal Sanctuary use with the complementary uses of the natural resources.
The first step involves the creation of a master site development plan ("Master Plan") for the entire ASDD and the submission of this Master Plan to the Commission for its consideration and action.
6.07.210 
The Master Plan shall provide the following information:
(a) 
An overall development scenario, a description of the project phasing, plans for preservation of historic factors and natural resources and the capacity of the infrastructure.
(b) 
A plan for vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns and parking areas. The plan shall be designed to demonstrate a harmonious integration of traffic and parking within the site. Shared parking areas are desirable and encouraged.
(c) 
A landscaping plan for areas developed with infrastructure.
6.07.211 
Following receipt of a Master Plan, or subsequent modifications, the Commission shall hold a public hearing meeting the time frames applicable to special permits.
6.07.212 
In reviewing the Master Plan application, the Commission may refer the Master Plan for review and comment, to any other appropriate agency as deemed necessary, including without limitation, the Design Review Committee. The Master Plan shall contain schematic plans sufficient in scope and character to determine that the purposes and intent and design guidelines of this ASDD are met. A specific site development plan for any phase may be submitted for review simultaneously with the Master Plan;
6.07.213 
The Master Plan, and any subsequent amendments to the Master Plan, shall be approved by the Commission upon its finding that the Master Plan is consistent with the purposes and other requirements of this ASDD and the uses permitted hereunder.
6.07.214 
Any Master Plan amendments and subsequent uses not set out in the Master Plan shall be subjected to the same procedures, standards, and criteria as applicable to the initial Master Plan.
6.07.215 
Interior renovations and adaptive reuse of existing buildings shall not be subject to Master Plan or site development plan approval.
6.07.216 
After approval of the Master Plan the applicant shall file a site development plan for review by the Commission in accordance with Article X. No building permits shall be issued until the Commission has approved the site development plan(s) for particular phase or phases. A site development plan for any phases may be submitted simultaneously with the Master Plan and may be approved upon approval of the Master Plan.
The ASDD uses allowed shall be flexible but consistent with the broad multi-purposes of this ASDD, and shall include, without limitation, the following principal and accessory uses and structures:
a.
Farm animal refuge and native wildlife rehabilitation, companion animal rescue and adoption, including: veterinarian hospital- veterinary intake facility, medical treatments for domestic/farm animals and native wildlife; on-site care for on-site animals, including farm animals (no grooming or routine dog or cat boarding); dog-training, including FBI dog and other specialty dog training.
b.
Multi-functional spaces to support partner rescue transport, farm animal, canine and feline housing; multipurpose facilities for foster and adoption meet and greet;
c.
Agricultural uses and preserve, community gardens, farm to table culinary programs and related uses, including, without limitation, garden tours and farmer's market;
d.
Hiking, biking and equestrian trails available to the community and the public, including preservation of existing trail systems, establishment of former trail systems and establishment of new nature trails in keeping with the purposes of the Sanctuary and in balance with the protection of any environmentally sensitive areas of the property.
e.
General and dedicated wildlife sanctuaries such as the existing Butterfly Sanctuary; Open tract area with preserved meadows, forest and river habitats, public trails and bridle path;
f.
Education and enrichment programs, field trips and workshops relating to any of the Animal Sanctuary uses and, including, without limitation, humane education and nature based workshops, pet and animal care veterinary education, master gardening. environmental education-being good stewards of property) curriculum-based enrichment programs for school field trips and related fine arts; day camps to focus on Animal Sanctuary purposes, including animal care and environmental stewardship
g.
Outdoor amphitheater, private and open to the public, to offer educational series, workshops and fine arts demonstrations with emphasis on nature-based topics, gardening, veterinarian care and science, culinary farm to table, enrichment programs to supplement the education programs and any to further any of the ASDD missions. These programs may be aimed at school children and adults alike.
h.
Library open to public supporting the educational programs and mission of the ASDD, including the offering workshops, lectures, tutoring, after school homework assistance.
i.
Open tracts of land with meadows, forest and river habitat which may be used for outdoor activities or conservation consistent with the ASDD mission
j.
Any other uses consistent with the ASDD mission.
Accessory uses incidental to the above may include without limitation:
1)
Offices for the management of the animal sanctuary and the related foundation;
2)
Special retail shop to offer items connected to the animal sanctuary with a footprint which is no more than 3% of the total footprint of all ASDD buildings;
3)
Cafe/restaurant, open to the public with "garden to table" dining offerings and supporting the community garden and other agricultural uses provided that such is clearly incidental to the permitted uses in the animal sanctuary; outside dining allowed (no drive-through permitted);
4)
Limited boarding for animal care providers and/or interns in a maximum of two apartments, each not more than 800 square feet of floor area for each apartment;
5)
Buildings designed with architectural merit to complement the natural character of the property and enhance the experience of the community use and purposes of the ASDD;
6)
Parking to serve the permitted uses, paved or unpaved, providing that such parking is clearly incidental to a principal permitted use; and
7)
Private, public and community meetings and activities that further the ASDD mission; community and public activities requiring parking in excess of the capacity shown on approved plans, shall require Zoning Enforcement Officer review and approval of an event specific plan setting out reasonably adequate provision for access, public health and safety and adequate on-site and/or off-site parking.
Article VII of these regulations and the following limitations shall apply:
6.07.410 
Minimum lot area. The minimum lot area shall be at least 34.4 acres of contiguous land.
6.07.420 
Minimum setbacks. Any structure shall be setback 100 feet from the street line or 125 feet from the centerline of the street, whichever is greater. All structures shall be setback 100 feet from the nearest property line, except the setback may be a minimum of 50 feet along the Western property line which abuts the Housatonic Railroad. The right of way for the roads or driveways within the ASDD shall not be considered property lines;
6.07.430 
Number of stories. All structures shall be limited to three stories;
6.07.440 
Building height. Building height shall comply with Article VII, Section 595-7.03.155, of these regulations.
6.07.450 
Maximum structural coverage. The maximum building coverage shall be 10% of the entire lot. The maximum building, storage loading, paved areas, parking, roadways, driveways and sidewalk coverage shall be 20% of the entire lot.
Sections 595-8.03.320, 595-8.03.430, 595-8.03.600 and 595-8.03.720 of these regulations concerning parking shall apply. The placement of parking areas and pedestrian walkways shall allow convenient passage for motor vehicles and pedestrians within the ASDD. Parking areas, whether structured parking areas or not, shall be landscaped to buffer the parking from the sight of neighboring properties. Parking areas shall be located so as to maintain the ASDD character; temporary or reserved parking areas may be allowed. Access may be provided through a shared easement.
6.07.605 
General. All applicable provisions of the sign regulations as set forth in Article VIII, Section 1, shall apply with the following exception: Sign setbacks within the interior campus street/driveway system are exempt.
6.07.610 
Permitted signs. The permitted signs as set forth in Article VIII, Section 1, may be externally illuminated signs. A uniform sign plan shall be utilized to address all permitted signs located upon the campus. Such plan shall provide for a consistent design theme for all the signs located upon the ASDD property and upon the buildings in terms of standardized location, lighting, generalized design features, etc. The signage plan shall be tasteful, complementary to the architecture of the buildings and shall have consistent details that tie the various elements of the ASDD campus together to complement the overall design of the campus. Only those signs listed in Article VIII, Section 1, shall be permitted.
Lighting within the ASDD shall meet or exceed the provisions for dark sky compliance. A lighting plan shall be provided with the pertinent site development plan defining foot-candles of light intensity along the finished grade; light poles shall be limited to 18 feet in height and the fixtures shall be compatible with the Master Plan.