For the purpose of this chapter, the Town of
Colonie, except the portion thereof that is within the limits of an
incorporated village, is hereby divided into the following classes
of zoning districts. These descriptions are intended to indicate the
general intent of each district and are not definitive. Specific use
and area standards for each district are provided in the use regulations
and dimensional requirements articles of this chapter.[1]
A.
SFR — Single Family Residential District. The
purpose of the Single Family Residential District (SFR) is to provide
areas primarily for single-family residential development in the form
of detached dwellings. The purpose is to create neighborhoods where
people live and conduct their domestic activities. The Single Family
Residential District is characterized by traditional suburban residential
development.
B.
MFR — Multifamily Residential District. The
purpose of the Multifamily Residential District (MFR) is to encourage
diversity in residential development, including single-family, two-family
and multifamily dwellings, and to protect the existing residential
character from encroachment by inappropriate nonresidential development.
C.
OR — Office Residential District. The Office
Residential District (OR) is a mixed-use district with a focus on
the integration of office and residential with no retail uses. This
district is intended to serve as a transition between districts of
higher intensity uses and residential districts. The scale of development
is intended to relate to the scale of the adjacent residential neighborhood.
D.
CO — Commercial Office District. The Commercial
Office District (CO) is characterized by primarily commercial and
office land uses with limited accessory retail services. Residential
land uses are not allowed in this district. These areas allow the
development community the flexibility to build creative and world
class office spaces.
E.
NCOR — Neighborhood Commercial Office Residential
District. The purpose of the Neighborhood Commercial Office Residential
District (NCOR) is to promote the development of mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly
development in neighborhood areas at a scale consistent with small
neighborhood uses. This district provides for the intermixing of neighborhood
commercial, office, and residential land uses. This neighborhood-scale
mixed-use district will help reduce the need for excessive parking
and lay the foundation for an increase in the use of public transit
and pedestrian access. Flexibility is the key to this district, allowing
a mix of uses based on the ability of the applicant to be creative.
The NCOR District will unify these varied uses through design. Elements
such as limited front yard setbacks; two- or three-story buildings
with active retail and service uses on the ground floors; on-street
parking, where appropriate, and off-street parking on the side or
rear of buildings will be encouraged in this district through the
use of design standards.
F.
COR — Commercial Office Residential District.
The purpose of the Commercial Office Residential District (COR) is
to promote the development of mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly areas.
This district provides for the intermixing of commercial, office and
residential land uses. The mixed-use district will help reduce the
need for excessive parking and lay the foundation for an increase
in the use of public transit. Flexibility is the key to this district,
allowing a mix of uses based on the ability of the applicant to be
creative. The COR District will unify these varied uses through superior
design. Elements such as limited front yard setbacks; multistory buildings
with retail, food service and other active uses on the ground floors;
on-street parking, where appropriate, and off-street parking on the
side or rear of buildings will be encouraged in this district through
the use of design standards.
G.
HCOR — Highway Commercial Office Residential
District. The purpose of the Highway Commercial Office Residential
District (HCOR) is to promote the development of mixed-use areas that
will also allow for larger format retail development. This district
provides for the intermixing of commercial, office and residential
uses. The mixing of uses in this district will help reduce the need
for excessive parking and lay the foundation for an increase in the
use of public transit. Flexibility is the key to this district, allowing
a mix of uses based on the ability of the applicant to be creative.
The HCOR District will unify these varied uses through superior design.
Elements such as limited front yard setbacks; multistory buildings
with retail, food service and other active uses on the ground floors;
on-street parking, where appropriate, and off-street parking on the
side or rear of the buildings will be encouraged in this district
through the use of design standards. The design standards will also
aim to create an environment that is as pedestrian-friendly as possible,
where appropriate. Additionally, the HCOR District will allow for
commercial automobile-services activities, including commercial and
retail support uses. The district will consolidate retail uses such
as shopping malls and large format retailers. Design guidelines will
be fostered to consider neighboring land uses.
H.
PDD — Planned Development District. The purpose
of a planned development district (PDD) is to allow for flexible land
use and design for parcels where the objectives of Colonie's zoning
and planning documents as well as the needs of the community can be
achieved by creative planning and design. The planned development
district should allow development that is matched to the unique characteristics
of its site and allow innovative development techniques that might
not otherwise be possible through strict application of standard use,
area, bulk and density specifications.
I.
IND — Industrial District. The purpose of the
Industrial District (IND) is to encourage the development of light
and heavy industrial uses that require highway access to move goods
and materials. These areas provide critical economic development opportunities
and allow the Town to grow its industrial base. These areas are prime
locations for revitalization and redevelopment.
J.
ABA — Airport Business Area District. The Airport
Business Area District (ABA) is characterized by a variety of uses,
including office and commercial. Many businesses in this district
are associated with the airport and transportation infrastructure,
such as warehousing and multi-modal distribution. Development within
this district must be compatible with the airport and associated uses.
K.
LC — Land Conservation District. The purpose
of the Land Conservation District (LC) is to maintain land areas that
contain important environmental and natural resources. Many of the
land conservation areas are already protected or preserved open space
areas.
L.
CEM — Cemetery District. The purpose of the
Cemetery District (CEM) is to allow for the operation and maintenance
of a cemetery and the buildings and structures incidental and necessary
to those operations. Associated uses such as crematories and funeral
homes will also be permitted in the Cemetery District.
A.
The boundaries of the land use and overlay districts
are hereby established on the map entitled "Town of Colonie Zoning
Map" adopted by the Town Board and certified by the Town Clerk, which
accompanies and is hereby declared to be a part of this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file and
available in Town offices for inspection during normal business hours.
B.
Regardless of other existing printed copies of the
Zoning Map, which will be reproduced or published from time to time,
the Official Zoning Map, which shall be on file with the Town Clerk,
shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of the
land and water areas, buildings, and other structures in the Town.
C.
Interpretation of zoning district boundaries. Where
uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of the zoning districts as
shown on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
(1)
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately
following the center line or right-of-way line of streets, alleys
or highways, such lines shall be construed to be district boundaries
and follow such center lines.
(2)
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately
following a stream, lake or other body of water, such stream center
line, lake or body of water shoreline shall be construed to be such
district boundaries (unless otherwise noted on the Zoning Map), in
the event of a change in the shoreline or stream, the district boundaries
shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline or stream.
(3)
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately
following platted lot lines, they shall be construed to follow such
lot lines.
(4)
Where district boundaries are not indicated as approximately
following the items listed above or are not designated on the Zoning
Map, the boundary line shall be determined by the use of the scale
designated on the Zoning Map, with reference to lot lines, street
boundaries or other such points of reference.
(5)
Where overlay district boundaries are based upon natural
features, such as slopes, topographic contour lines, watershed boundaries,
soil types or ecological communities, such boundaries may be more
precisely established through field investigation by a qualified professional.
(6)
In the event that none of the above rules are applicable,
or in the event that further clarification or definition is considered
necessary or appropriate, the location of a district boundary shall
be determined by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
(7)
Any portion of the Town not otherwise included within
a specified district shall be considered to be within a Land Conservation
District.
