A.
Table A establishes certain lot dimensions, minimum lot sizes, setbacks
and maximum building heights. By establishing minimum lot sizes in
the three districts, the dimensional requirements provide for open
space and prevent the small-lot, suburban-type subdivision which is
out of character with the Town. The relatively smaller lot sizes (one
to two acres) are generally consistent with current development in
the Town and promote the creation of more affordable lots.
|
Table A
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dimensional Requirements
|
District
| |||
|
A-HM
|
S-HM
|
RR
| ||
|
Minimum lot area
|
1 acre
(43,560 square feet)
|
1 acre
(43,560 square feet)
|
2 acres
(87,120 square feet)
| |
|
Minimum front yard setback (feet)
|
30
|
15
|
30
| |
|
Minimum side yard setback (feet)
|
10
|
10
|
20
| |
|
Minimum rear yard setback (feet)
|
15
|
15
|
30
| |
|
Minimum lot frontage (feet)
|
50
|
50
|
75
| |
|
Minimum lot width
|
50
|
50
|
100
| |
|
Maximum building height (feet)
|
40
|
40
|
40
| |
B.
The sliding scale density concept created in Table B applies to the
RR District and allows for the subdivision of existing lots into smaller
lots and requires the density in subdivisions of larger lots to be
lower, thus preserving open space. The density requirements in Table
B apply solely to the RR District and are mandatory on all persons
seeking to subdivide four or more acres in the RR District.
|
Table B
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Size of Parent Parcel
(acres)
|
Maximum Number of Lots
| |
|
4 to equal to or less than 6
|
2
| |
|
Greater than 6 to equal to or less than 12
|
3
| |
|
Greater than 12 to equal to or less than 20
|
4
| |
|
Greater than 20 to equal to or less than 30
|
5
| |
|
Greater than 30 to equal to or less than 42
|
6
| |
|
Greater than 42 to equal to or less than 56
|
7
| |
|
Greater than 56 to equal to or less than 72
|
8
| |
|
Greater than 72 to equal to or less than 90
|
9
| |
|
Greater than 90
|
Must average a minimum of 10 acres/lot
| |
C.
Table C adds the option to the subdivider in the RR District of lots
more than 30 acres to obtain a greater density if the subdivider agrees
to maintain 50% or more of the parcel as open space. This option would
also create much smaller lots on the developed portion, thus promoting
the opportunity for more affordable lots.
|
Table C: Open Space Bonus Table
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Range of Size of Parent Parcel
(acres)
|
Additional Number of Bonus Developable Lots
| |
|
Greater than 30 to equal to or less than 42
|
1
| |
|
Greater than 42 to equal to or less than 56
|
2
| |
|
Greater than 56 to equal to or less than 72
|
3
| |
|
Greater than 72 to equal to or less than 90
|
4
| |
|
Greater than 90
|
5
| |
D.
Parcels of land subdivided after the effective date of this chapter
may not be further subdivided in a manner to create a greater number
of subdivided lots than would be permitted with the original subdivision
of the parent parcel under this chapter. In the event a subdivider
creates less than the maximum number of lots permitted under Table
B or C, the subdivider shall, at the time of subdivision, assign the
rights to further subdivide properties to the various originally subdivided
parcels. Nothing herein shall preclude the owners of the subdivided
rights from transferring the future subdivision rights to another
parcel from the original subdivision, provided that the parcel meets
the minimum size requirements of this chapter.
A.
General requirements.
(2)
In reviewing an application under this section, the Planning Board
shall not approve applications and grant bonuses that will result
in greater impacts to the health, safety or general welfare of persons
residing in the vicinity, or are injurious to property in close proximity
to the subdivided parcel, than compared to conventional subdivisions.
(3)
This section only applies to residential subdivisions.
(4)
A minimum of 50% of the total parcel size must be set aside in a contiguous parcel as open space to be used as provided in Subsection B.
(5)
Calculation of the 50% open space lot shall not include any parking
areas, driveways, roads or building footprints on the open space lot.
(6)
In order to allow for variation in lot sizes and promote cluster
development, the minimum lot size of developable lots is reduced from
two acres to one acre.
B.
Use of open space parcel.
(1)
If the open space parcel is to be owned by a private owner, the lot
shall be placed under a conservation easement held by a recognized
land conservancy or trust. If the subdivider is unable to place the
conservation easement with a land conservancy or trust, the subdivider
may offer the conservation easement to the Town, which the Town Board
must agree to accept before final plat approval of the subdivision.
All conservation easements under this subsection shall contain the
following conditions:
(a)
The open space lot may not have more than one primary single-family
house and one guesthouse whose size may not be more than 50% of the
primary house.
(b)
The open space lot may not have more than three accessory buildings,
such as sheds, detached garages and barns. The Planning Board may
waive this requirement for structures existing at the time of the
subdivision application.
(c)
Buildings and structures on the open space lot shall be located
on the edges of fields or woodlands to the extent practicable.
(d)
The open space lot can be used for the septic or wastewater
system of the developable lots and for renewable energy resources.
(2)
If the open space lot is to be owned in common by the owners of the
developable lots, the open space lot must be owned by a homeowners'
association. The terms of the homeowners' association must be submitted
as part of the subdivision application and be approved by the Planning
Board.
(3)
Nothing in this section shall mandate that the open space lot be
available for use by the general public.
A.
Except as otherwise provided by this section, accessory structures
shall be allowed in all districts, provided that they meet all of
the provisions and requirements of this chapter.
C.
New accessory structures for uses which require site plan approval
or a special use permit shall require site plan approval only. Any
conditions previously imposed upon the principle specially permitted
use shall also apply to the accessory structure unless specifically
modified by the Planning Board.
A.
Where two properties are separated by a district boundary, the larger
of the two required yard setbacks (regardless of which type of yard,
front, rear or side yard) applies to the adjoining yards of both properties.
B.
The following structures and building features may encroach up to
10 feet into front yard setbacks in all districts: eaves, cornices,
canopies, bay windows, steps, balconies and any other architectural
features.
A.
Ridgelines are found throughout the Town and considered an important
visual resource from public roads, parks, state forests and other
publicly accessible areas. The purpose of ridgeline protection is
to minimize the visual and environmental impacts of development along
the ridgelines and maintain vistas along those lines that are unbroken
by the placement of houses and other large structures that alter those
vistas. The intent of this section is to protect the dominant ridgelines
which provide the primary backdrop when viewed from public areas.
It is not the intent to regulate or limit development on small hills
and rises on a particular parcel.
B.
All structures shall be sited so that their roofs are located below
the ridgeline or hilltop. For all uses requiring site plan approval
or a special use permit, the Planning Board shall review the application
for compliance with this requirement. For all construction that only
requires a building permit, the Code Enforcement Officer shall not
approve any plans until the applicant has demonstrated compliance
with this requirement. If a person is aggrieved by a decision from
the Planning Board or Code Enforcement Officer that his or her property
constitutes a ridgeline, that person may appeal that determination
to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
C.
Shrubs, trees, and other indigenous vegetation shall be retained
on hillside terrain to help maintain natural drainage swales, reduce
erosion and preserve the character of the hillside. Existing vegetation
shall be protected from damage during construction, and land clearing
shall be kept to a minimum in the area of the ridgeline. Notching
out of trees and clear-cutting on a ridgeline is prohibited.
A.
The development of one- and two-family homes on large lots with long
driveways has the potential to cause a significant impact to the character
and environment of the Town. Due to the topography of the Town, long
driveways frequently result in significant road cuts that materially
alter the character of the community and can cause environmental damage,
including erosion. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter,
any application to the Code Enforcement Officer for a permit for a
one- or two-family home on a lot with a driveway in excess of 500
feet in length shall be referred to the Planning Board for site plan
approval.
B.
The Planning Board's review under this section shall seek to minimize
clearing, road cuts and steep grades and shall assure proper measures
are in place for erosion and sediment control during construction
and stormwater control after completion of construction.
