[Added 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-07]
This article shall be applicable to any new commercial and industrial buildings and additions to commercial and industrial buildings in which a site plan is required in accordance with § 525-79. This article shall also be applicable to any commercial or industrial exterior remodeling when a building permit is required and more than 50% of the total surface area of the building exterior will be altered or the gross floor area of the building is increased by more than 10%. No part of this article shall be applicable to any property located within the General Agriculture District.
Article Applicability
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Dumpster/
Dumpster Enclosures
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Landscaping
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Outdoor Lighting
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Building Material/
Architectural Requirements
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New commercial and industrial buildings (any size)
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X
(rules differ for existing and new)
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X
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Only for new or replaced fixtures
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X
|
Additions to commercial and industrial buildings (when site
plan req.)
|
X
(rules differ for existing and new)
|
X
|
Only for new or replaced fixtures
|
X
|
Commercial and industrial exterior remodeling (when building
permit required and more than 50% of building total exterior surface
area altered or gross floor area increased by more than 10%)
|
X
(rules differ for existing and new)
|
X
|
Only for new or replaced fixtures
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X
|
Commercial or industrial zoned property which increases parking
spaces by more than 10%
|
X
|
No part of the ordinance is applicable to any property located
within General Agriculture Zoning District.
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[Amended 11-10-2016 by Res. No. 2016-05]
All plans as required by this article shall be submitted to
the Administrator. Plans shall be submitted the same time as a site
plan, if required, or at the time of a building permit. When a site
plan is required, the Administrator shall transmit plans along with
all pertinent comments to the Plan Commission for its consideration.
The Plan Commission shall make a recommendation to the Town Board
and approval shall require formal action of the Town Board. When a
site plan is not required, plans shall be submitted to the Administrator
for approval by the Zoning Administrator.
Any building construction, additions or remodeling plans applicable
to this article shall be accompanied by the payment of a fee as contained
in the Town of Buchanan Fees and Licenses Schedule.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Fees and Licenses Schedule is on file in
the Town Administrator's office.
Any person who violates any provision of this article or any
order, rule or regulation made hereunder shall, upon conviction, forfeit
not less than $10 nor more than $100 for such offense, together with
the costs of prosecution. Each day that a violation continues to exist
shall constitute a separate offense.
B.
Screening requirements for existing dumpsters. This section is intended
to regulate existing dumpsters located on the property.
(1)
Existing dumpsters which, in the judgment of the Town Zoning
Administrator, meet the intent of this section shall be exempt from
the specific requirements herein. Existing dumpsters located within
the Industrial District shall be exempt from requirements, unless
the dumpster is located within 100 feet of an existing residential
land use.
C.
Screening requirements for new dumpsters. All new dumpsters placed
on the property shall meet the following requirements:
(1)
All properties that utilize a dumpster shall utilize an enclosed
dumpster area.
(2)
All dumpster enclosures shall be located behind the structure
on the side designated as having the rear yard. If topography or other
conditions will not allow the dumpster enclosure to meet this requirement,
the Town Zoning Administrator shall approve an appropriate location
for any parcels with existing structures and the Town Plan Commission
shall approve an appropriate location for any other parcels.
(3)
Dumpster enclosures shall not be located any closer than five
feet to a lot line and any closer than five feet from any structure
on the parcel.
(4)
Dumpster enclosures shall not be located on any required parking
spaces or within any required easements.
(5)
Dumpsters shall be surrounded by an opaque enclosure that is
compatible with the design and color of the principal building. Chain
link fencing shall not be permitted as an enclosure.
(6)
Dumpster enclosures shall have a minimum height of six feet.
If the dumpster is taller than four feet, the enclosure shall be two
feet taller in height than the dumpster. Dumpster enclosure area shall
have no overhead obstructions (wires, trees, roof overhangs, etc.).
(7)
Dumpster enclosures shall have a single or double access gate
on one side only. Gates shall have a closing latch and must remain
closed at all times except during service.
(8)
All dumpster enclosures shall be placed on a concrete pad with
a concrete apron.
A.
Intent. The intent of this section is to enhance the appearance of
the Town by improving the quality of landscaping. Criteria and standards
are provided to ensure building sites and off-street parking areas
are sufficiently landscaped to protect and preserve the appearance,
character and value of surrounding properties and public right-of-way,
thereby promoting the general welfare, safety and aesthetic quality
of the Town of Buchanan.
B.
Additional applicability. In addition to applicability as listed in § 525-105, this section shall also apply to any commercial- or industrial-zoned property in which there is an increase in the number of parking spaces by more than 10% from existing development.
C.
Landscape plan submittal and requirements. A landscape plan shall
be submitted for review and shall be drawn to an appropriate scale
and shall include at a minimum the following information:
(1)
The name and address of owner/developer, and name of the landscape
architect/designer.
(2)
Date of plan preparation, date and description of all plan revisions,
name of project or development, scale of plan and North marker.
(3)
The location of all lot lines, locations of all existing and
proposed easements and rights-of-way, and elevation, topography, and
cross-section details as determined necessary by the Plan Commission
or Zoning Administrator.
(4)
The location of all existing and proposed structures, parking
and loading areas, driveways, sidewalks, ground signs, dumpster enclosure
areas, fences, freestanding electrical and other utility equipment
and other related site improvement features.
(5)
The location and contours at one-foot intervals of all proposed
berms.
(6)
The location, caliper size and species (common and/or botanical
name) of all existing plant material on the site and designation of
intended treatment (save, move, remove).
(7)
The location, caliper size at planting and species (common and/or
botanical name) of all proposed plant materials, and location and
description of all ground cover and turf grasses.
(8)
A schedule of all new plants proposed for planting, and those
existing plants that will be saved, including planned installation
date.
(9)
A schedule itemizing the total square foot area of all greenspace
proposed on the lot, the total square foot area of off-street parking,
the number of off-street parking spaces, the number and square foot
area of each interior island and peninsula.
D.
Landscape standards. Landscaping required under this section shall
be of four types as specified below: lot line landscaping, interior
landscaping, buffer yard landscaping and screening requirements:
(1)
Lot line landscaping. A minimum five-foot-wide area extending
along the lot adjacent to all road right-of-way plus a minimum five-foot-wide
area along all other lot lines shall be landscaped as described below.
(Requirements shall not apply for any development with an approved
zero-lot line.)
(a)
Lot line landscaping areas shall be planted with a minimum of
one shade tree and six shrubs per 40 linear feet of frontage, excluding
driveway openings.
(b)
Where it is deemed appropriate or desirable to construct a berm
in the lot line landscaping area, as may be required by the Plan Commission
or Zoning Administrator, the slope of the berm shall be planted with
a minimum of one shade tree and three shrubs per 40 lineal feet of
frontage, excluding driveway openings.
(2)
Interior landscaping. Curbed planting islands or peninsulas
shall be provided in off-street parking areas as described below.
(a)
Parking spaces must be separated by a planting island or peninsula
at the rate of one island/peninsula for each row of 12 consecutive
parking spaces for single-row configurations, or for each 24 consecutive
parking spaces in double-row configurations.
(b)
Each island or peninsula shall be at least 162 square feet in
area for single-row configurations, and 324 square feet in area for
double-row configurations.
(c)
One tree shall be planted in each island or peninsula, or within
10 feet of the periphery of the parking area.
(d)
Where practicable, islands and peninsulas shall be placed at
the ends of parking rows or along designated pedestrian circulation
areas. Planted boulevards within off-street parking areas may be considered
as an alternative to islands and peninsulas.
(3)
Landscaped buffer. Landscaped buffer regulations as required by the Zoning Chapter, § 525-38, shall continue to be met when required.
(4)
Screening requirements. The intent of these requirements is
to provide a visual screen around service equipment and vehicle storage
areas. At the time of installation or planting, screening materials
must be 50% impervious at planting to sight, and be sufficiently high
and long to accomplish the desired blockage of view year round.
(a)
All loading, service equipment and vehicle storage areas on
commercial and industrial properties shall be screened from view to
all adjacent properties. Screening materials may consist of the following:
[1]
For commercial properties there shall be a minimum ten-foot-wide
strip and shall be planted with 10 evergreen trees, three shade trees,
five ornamental trees and 25 shrubs per 100 linear feet.
[2]
For industrial developments there shall be a minimum twenty-five-foot-wide
strip and shall be planted with 15 evergreen trees, three shade trees
and five ornamental trees per 100 linear feet.
[3]
As an alternative to these landscaping requirements, a six-foot-high
sight-tight fence may be constructed near the lot line, with the remainder
of the required strip planted with a minimum of two shade trees and
five evergreen trees per 100 linear feet.
[4]
The required strip shall be a greenspace where no portion of
a building, parking, driving, loading or storage area may be located.
E.
Planting specifications. Plant materials provided in conformance
with the requirements of this section shall be equal to or better
in quality than the standards of the American Nursery and Landscape
Association. The minimum sizes of plant materials that shall satisfy
the requirements of this section are as follows:
F.
Substitutions and modifications.
(1)
To meet unique site design conditions or to overcome obstructions,
conflicts or other factors, the Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator
may approve planting substitutions as described below.
(2)
While plant materials should generally be distributed proportionately
on the lot in accordance with the standards of this section, the Plan
Commission or Zoning Administrator can require alterations and variations
in the planting pattern, on a case-by-case basis, to maximize the
effectiveness of the installed landscaping.
G.
Installation/certification. All landscaping, buffering and screening
improvements required under this section must be completed on a schedule
approved by the Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator. Within 30
days of the installation of plan materials, the owner/developer shall
submit written certification to the Town that healthy plant materials
were properly installed in accordance with the approved landscape
plan.
H.
Maintenance. The owner of the lot on which landscaping has been provided
shall be responsible for protecting and maintaining all plant materials
and landscape areas in a healthy and growing condition and shall be
responsible for keeping them free from refuse, debris and weeds. Failure
to maintain or replace dead or diseased plant materials during the
next appropriate planting period shall constitute a violation of the
provisions of this section.
A.
Intent. The intent of this section is to regulate outdoor lighting
in order to reduce and prevent light pollution within the Town of
Buchanan, promoting the public health, safety, prosperity, aesthetics
and general welfare of the community. This means, to the extent reasonably
possible, the reduction or prevention of glare and light trespass,
the conservation of energy, and promotion of safety and security.
B.
DARK SKY CUTOFF
DARK SKY FIXTURE
DARK SKY SHADE OR SHIELD
FIXTURE or LUMINAIRE
FULL CUT-OFF
FULL SHIELD
LIGHT POLLUTION
LIGHT TRESPASS
MOTION SENSOR
SHIELDING
SWITCH
TEMPORARY
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
Any light fixture that emits its light below 45° when
measured from 0 to 180° vertical. Dark sky cutoff fixtures keep
most of their light from reaching the night sky and also minimize
ground reflection and reduce light scatter beyond the property line.
A light fixture that emits its light below 90° when measured
from 0 to 180° vertical. Dark sky fixtures keep most of their
light from reaching the night sky.
Anything that is used to shade or shield a light fixture
so that it behaves as a dark sky fixture. These include, but are not
limited to, fixtures outfitted with caps or housings or installed
under canopies, building overhangs, roof eaves, or shaded by other
structures, objects or devices.
A complete lighting unit including the lamps or bulbs, together
with the parts required to distribute the light, to position and protect
the lamps, and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
A light fixture that prevents all transmissions of light
above the horizontal.
A fixture with housing or attachment which prevents a line
of sight to the bulb when viewed from another property and which prevents
a line of sight to any part of the light source at or above a horizontal
plane running through the lowest portion of the fixture.
A general sky glow caused by the scattering of artificial
light in the atmosphere and resulting in decreased ability to see
the natural night sky.
Light emitted by a fixture that shines beyond the property
on which the fixture is installed causing private nuisance to adjacent
property owners.
Any device that turns a light fixture on when it detects
motion and off when motion stops.
Allows no light rays to be emitted by a fixture above the
horizontal plane running through the lowest point of the fixture where
light is emitted.
Any device that can be manually controlled by a person to
turn a light fixture on and off.
Refers to lighting as required to carry out legally approved
activities for durations as specified in permits for those activities.
These include, but are not limited to, for example, activities such
as nighttime agricultural operations, construction work lighting and
seasonal decorations.
C.
General prohibitions. Except as specifically permitted by this article,
all non-dark-sky lights and fixtures are prohibited.
D.
Light fixtures permitted.
(1)
Existing light fixtures. All light fixtures existing as of the
effective date of this article are grandfathered, approved and permitted
by this article. However, at such time as such fixture is replaced,
the provisions of this article shall apply.
(2)
Dark sky fixtures. All light fixtures that are dark sky fixtures
and dark sky cutoff fixtures are approved and permitted by this article.
(3)
Dark sky shade or shield. All light fixtures that have a dark
sky shade or dark sky shield (fully shielded) are approved and permitted
by this article.
(4)
Other light fixtures encouraged but not required:
(a)
Light fixtures with motion sensors are encouraged to minimize
the duration of nighttime lighting.
(b)
Light fixtures with soft yellow or orange lights instead of
harsh white lights are encouraged to protect the view of the night
sky.
(c)
Dark sky shades and dark sky shields are encouraged for existing
fixtures to protect the view of the night sky, minimize ground reflection
and reduce light scatter beyond the property line.
E.
Exemptions. The Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator may allow
exemptions from this article as needed to relieve any unusual circumstances
or difficulties or costs that would be encountered in complying with
this article. The burden shall be on the applicant requesting the
exemption to establish good cause.
A.
Intent: achieve a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing and consistent
architectural character in new construction, additions and redevelopment
through the use of exterior building materials and details that are
similar to or compatible with adjacent buildings.
B.
Building material and facade requirements.
(1)
Materials must be selected to adequately suit the type of building
and style in which it is intended to serve.
(2)
Buildings must have the same materials, or those which are architecturally
harmonious, used for all building elevations. A primary facade material
must be used consistently on all building elevations to limit the
number of compatible secondary facade materials.
(3)
The sides and rear of buildings shall be as visually attractive
as the front through the design of rooflines, use of similar architectural
detailing and building materials.
(4)
Examples of appropriate facade materials: brick, nonreflective
glass, wood, stucco, decorative architectural tile, integrally colored
textured concrete, natural or cultured stone, architectural block,
architectural metal panels.
(5)
Examples of prohibited facade materials: particle board, shingle
siding (except for cedar shake siding), vinyl siding, wood siding
(plywood paneling), highly reflective or glare-producing glass, industrial
metal panels with or without exposed fasteners, concrete masonry units,
exposed aggregate precast concrete, metal.
C.
Architectural requirements.
(1)
Building designs shall minimize the effects of size and scale
by use of variable rooflines, door and window openings, facade protrusions
or recesses, and use of porticos, overhangs, arcades, arches, patios
and other similar features.
(2)
Building entrances must be designed to be clearly identifiable
and easily recognizable from parking lots and pedestrian access points.
(3)
Colors shall be compatible, coherent and harmonious with existing
materials in the immediate area. Color schemes shall be used consistently
throughout the property. Fluorescent, day-glow and/or neon colors
and light tubing shall not be permitted.
(4)
For all visible roofs, roofing materials and construction must
be high quality, such as but not limited to standing seam metal, slate,
cedar or architectural shingles. Roofing materials and shape must
be compatible with the architectural style of the building and with
surrounding buildings and roofs.
This article and its individual provisions are declared to be
severable. If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this article
is declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction,
this decision shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a
whole. All parts of the ordinance not declared invalid or unconstitutional
shall remain in full force and effect.