A.
Intent; zoning district boundary lines.
(1)
The predominant character of Suffield as it exists
and as planned is for agriculture and single-family residential use.
However, it is also the intent that there be a variety of types of
rural and urban residential environments and commercial centers to
meet the needs and desires of Town residents.
(2)
The Town of Suffield is divided into the following
single-family, multifamily, commercial, industrial, and agricultural
zoning districts, the boundaries of which are shown on the Official
Zoning Map, Town of Suffield, which is declared to be part of these
regulations and shall bear the date of the most recent zone map amendment.
(3)
Zoning district boundary lines are intended to follow
lot lines or center lines of streets, rights-of-way and watercourses,
or be parallel or perpendicular thereto, unless such district boundary
lines are fixed by dimensions as shown on the Zoning Map. Where district
boundaries are so indicated that they approximately follow the edge
of lakes or other bodies of water, the mean high water lines thereof
shall be construed to be the district boundaries. All dimensions to
or from roads shown on the Zoning Map shall be taken from the edge
of the right-of-way of such roads. When uncertainty exists the Commission
shall determine the location of the district boundary line.
B.
Single-family residential (R) zoning districts.
(1)
R-90 (90,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling
unit).
(2)
R-45 (45,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling
unit).
(3)
R-25 (25,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling
unit).
(4)
R-20 (20,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling
unit).
(5)
R-15 (15,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling
unit).
(6)
R-11 (11,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling
unit).
The Use Table included as an attachment to this
chapter lists permitted uses of land and buildings as follows. Any
use not specifically listed or otherwise permitted in a zoning district
herein established shall be deemed prohibited unless the Commission
determines that a proposed use is substantially similar to a listed
use. No structure shall be used, erected or expanded and no land use
shall be established or expanded except in accordance with these regulations.
A.
Any use marked "P" in the Use Table is a permitted
use subject to the issuance of a building and/or zoning permit.
B.
Any use marked "SP" in the Use Table may be a permitted
use subject to these regulations and requires a special permit and
site plan approval to be issued by the Commission.
C.
Any use marked "SPA" in the Use Table may be a permitted
accessory use subject to these regulations and requires a special
permit and site plan approval to be issued by the Commission.
D.
Any use marked "SITE" in the Use Table is permitted
subject to site plan approval issued by the Commission.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of the Farmland Preservation
(FP) Zoning District is to perpetually protect and preserve land in
Suffield for agricultural use. Only land containing a permanent conservation
restrictive covenant or easement shall be made part of the Farmland
Preservation (FP) Zone.
B.
Permitted uses. The following uses may be permitted
as of right in the FP Zone subject to any applicable provisions of
these regulations and subject to the property-specific conservation
restrictive covenant or easement:
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted in the FP Zone subject to special permit and site plan approvals in accordance with Article XIV of these regulations and in accordance with the property-specific conservation restrictive covenant or easement:
(1)
Aquaculture.
(2)
Bed-and-breakfast as an accessory use.
(3)
Commercial horse farm.
(4)
Farmers' market.
(5)
Farm stand, permanent.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(6)
Greenhouse operation (commercial).
(7)
Kennel.
(8)
Professional home office or occupation as an accessory
use to a single-family dwelling.
(9)
Small wind energy producing facility.
[Added 1-4-2019]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of the single-family residential
zoning districts is to provide areas for residential development surrounded
by open space while at the same time preserving those areas which
are capable of supporting agricultural pursuits. It is intended that
nonresidential and nonagricultural uses in these districts be limited
to those which are primarily necessary or desirable to serve the residents
of these districts and are compatible with residential uses when located
in their midst.
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted in all residential (R) zones unless indicated below, subject to special permit and site plan approvals in accordance with Article XIV of these regulations as follows:
(1)
Active-adult housing.
(2)
Animal hospital in the R-90, R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(3)
Antique shops as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling in the R-90 and R-45 Zones, or R-25 Zone within
a historic structure or accessory building identified within the Town's
Survey of Historical and Architectural Resources prepared by the Capital
Regional Council of Governments, 1979, on file with the Town Clerk's
office.
(4)
Aquaculture in the R-90 and R-45 Zones.
(5)
Assisted living facility.
(6)
Bed-and-breakfast as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling in the R-90, R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(7)
Cemetery in the R-90, R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(8)
Child day-care center.
(9)
Conversion of single- to two-family dwelling in the
R-90, R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(10)
Horses for commercial purposes in the R-90,
R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(11)
Farmers' market.
(12)
Farm stand, permanent in the R-90, R45, and R-25 Zones.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(13)
Golf course in the R-90, R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(14)
Greenhouse operations (commercial) in the R-90,
R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(15)
Kennel as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling in the R-90 and R-45 Zones.
(16)
Municipal land use.
(17)
Museums in the R-90, R-45, and R-25 Zones.
(18)
Places of worship in the R-90, R-45, and R-25
Zones.
(19)
Private membership club.
(20)
Professional home office or occupation as an
accessory use to a single-family dwelling.
(21)
Two-family dwelling in the R-90, R-45, and R-25
Zones.
(22)
School/education center in the R-90, R-45, and
R-25 Zones, including indoor or outdoor restaurant facilities, as
an accessory use.
(23)
Small wind energy producing facility in the R-90, R-45, and
R-25 Zones.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(24)
Winery.
[Added 1-4-2019]
D.
General dimensional requirements.
Zone
|
Height
(feet)
|
Frontage
(feet)
|
Lot Size
(square feet)
|
Developable Area
(square feet)
|
Lot Coverage
|
Front
(feet)
|
Side
(feet)
|
Rear
(feet)
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R-90
|
30
|
200
|
90,000
|
60,000
|
10%
|
50
|
30
|
50
|
R-45
|
30
|
175
|
45,000
|
45,000
|
20%
|
50
|
20
|
50
|
R-25
|
30
|
125
|
25,000
|
25,000
|
25%
|
50
|
20
|
40
|
R-20
|
30
|
100
|
20,000
|
20,000
|
30%
|
40
|
10
|
40
|
R-15
|
30
|
90
|
15,000
|
15,000
|
35%
|
40
|
10
|
35
|
R-11
|
30
|
75
|
11,000
|
11,000
|
40%
|
40
|
9
|
25
|
See also § 315-39 for additional requirements.
|
A.
Purpose. The purpose of the Planned Development Apartment
(PDA) Zoning District is to provide, as a special permit after public
hearing, the establishment of carefully designed residential areas
which can be integrated into the neighborhood, conserve property values,
and do not negatively impact existing and proposed traffic or the
general character of the immediate neighborhood, for those residents
who cannot or do not wish to have personal responsibility for the
maintenance of residential property or who prefer a more urbanized
environment.
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted in the PDA Zone subject to special permit and site plan approvals in accordance with Article XIV of these regulations and any applicable provisions of these regulations:
(1)
Active-adult housing.
(2)
Adult day-care center as an accessory use.
(3)
Apartment or residential condominium, including townhouses.
(4)
Assisted living or personal care facility.
(5)
Child day-care center as an accessory use.
(6)
Farmers' market.
(7)
Golf course.
(8)
Multifamily dwelling, including apartments and townhouses.
(9)
Municipal land use.
(10)
Convalescent home.
(11)
Restaurant as an accessory use, including outdoor
cafe service.
(12)
Retail, personal services as an accessory use
when confined to the use by residents of the planned development.
D.
Area, yard, and density requirements.
(1)
Minimum lot size: 10 acres.
(2)
Maximum density: five dwelling units per developable
acre; seven dwelling per developable acre if age-restricted to those
55 or over.
(3)
Minimum lot frontage: 500 feet.
(4)
Minimum building setback from existing public streets:
100 feet.
(5)
Minimum building setback from proposed private roads:
30 feet.
(6)
Minimum building setback from property boundary: 50
feet unless adjacent to an existing PDA Zone in which case 20 feet
side and 40 feet rear yards.
(7)
Minimum parking area setback from property boundaries:
25 feet for side and rear; 50 feet for front.
(8)
Maximum lot coverage: 35%.
(9)
Maximum building height: 50 feet.
(10)
Minimum open space: sufficient to meet active
and passive recreational needs of residents, including tennis and
swimming facilities, and clubhouses limited to use by tenants and
guests.
E.
Other requirements.
(1)
Pre-application conference. Prior to the submission
of an application for a Planned Development Apartment (PDA) Zone change,
all applicants are required to initiate a pre-application conference
with the Commission and its staff to discuss the conceptual aspects
of the proposed development and to prepare and present a conceptual
plan for informal consideration. The conceptual plan should contain
all necessary information to allow the Commission to make an informed
informal consideration, including the locations of wetlands, slopes
in excess of 20%, and all proposed roads, parking areas, buildings,
development amenities, and open spaces.
(2)
Homeowners' association. A homeowners' association
shall be developed in a common interest community form of ownership
per CGS Chapter 828, i.e., Common Interest Ownership Act. A homeowners'
association must be legally established prior to filing the approved
plans; membership must be mandatory for each home buyer and any successive
buyer and recorded in all deeds; open space restrictions must be permanent
and not just for a given period of years; the association must be
responsible for liability insurance, taxes, and the maintenance of
recreational and other facilities; homeowners must pay pro rata share
of the cost or the assessment levied by the Town or the same may become
a lien upon the delinquent member's property and share of the common
space in the development; the instrument establishing the association
must be submitted for approval as part of the application; and each
unit owner shall own a proportionate share of the common land shown
on the plan and a statement to that effect shall be indicated on said
plan.
(3)
Bonding. Estimates of construction costs for roads,
storm drains, sidewalks, hydrants, streetlights and other common facilities
and site erosion and sedimentation control shall be prepared and submitted
to the Commission for approval after the appeal period for approval
has expired. Sureties must be received and approved by the Commission's
Counsel and the Treasurer's office prior to start of construction.
(4)
Improvements. Any required public improvements shall
conform to the applicable sections of the subdivision regulations.
The owner(s) shall maintain all private roads, parking areas, landscaping,
streetlights, and sidewalks. All utilities shall be underground. Public
sewer and water are required.
(5)
Parking. There shall be a minimum of 2.5 parking spaces
provided for each dwelling unit to provide adequate unit and visitor
parking.
(6)
Landscaping plan. The landscaping provisions of § 315-83 of these regulations shall be applicable to Planned Development Apartments except as modified by this section. A forty-foot-wide landscaped buffer area shall be provided within the building setback wherever a Planned Development Apartment unit abuts a single-family residential development. The buffer shall be installed in compliance with the Type "B" screening requirements. A landscape plan prepared by and containing the seal of a landscape architect registered by the State of Connecticut shall be prepared and include a list and count of all trees and shrubs to be planted by common and botanical names, size (caliper, height, time until maturity) at planting, and height and spread at maturity and shall be part of the PDA application. All trees and shrubs to be undisturbed shall be tagged, or otherwise identified in the field prior to commencement of site work, and shall be shown on the landscape plan.
(7)
Outdoor illumination. The outdoor illumination provisions of § 315-19 of these regulations shall be applicable to Planned Development Apartments.
(8)
Solid waste disposal. Solid waste stations (dumpsters)
shall be placed on a concrete pad, appropriately screened, maintained,
and shown on the approved site plan.
(9)
Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be required to provide
sufficient and safe pedestrian circulation both within the site and
to abutting properties.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this zoning district is to
allow for integrated commercial development which meets the shopping
and service needs of the entire Town and encourages a diversity and
mix of uses while preserving and enhancing the distinctive character,
landscape, pedestrian nature, and historic structures within the district.
It is the intent of this area to encourage the conversion, conservation,
and preservation of existing buildings and sites in a manner that
maintains the historic and/or unique character of the district; to
encourage revitalization and compatible new development within the
district; to promote a mix of compatible land uses; to promote a pedestrian-oriented
environment; to promote human scale; to require traffic access management;
and to promote traditional neighborhood design for new construction
and substantial reconstruction to ensure compatibility with current
uses.
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted in the TCV Zone subject to special permit and site plan approvals in accordance with Article XIV of these regulations as long as the maximum footprint area of any single building is no greater than 20,000 square feet, unless said building is in existence at the time of adoption of these regulations:
(1)
Adult day-care center.
(2)
Apartment or (residential) condominium as an accessory
use.
(3)
Bank and financial institution.
(4)
Bed-and-breakfast as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling.
(5)
Child day-care center.
(6)
Farmers' market.
(7)
Municipal land use.
(8)
Museums.
(9)
Offices.
(10)
Personal care or convalescent home.
(11)
Places of worship.
(12)
Private membership club.
(13)
Restaurant, including outdoor cafe service as
an accessory use.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
(14)
Retail, personal services.
(15)
School/education center, including restaurant
facilities as an accessory use.
(16)
Theaters (indoor movies).
D.
Applicability. These regulations shall apply to new
construction and exterior modifications of properties within the TCV
District, including but not limited to the design and placement of:
E.
Parking requirements. The off-street parking and loading requirements of Article VII of these regulations shall be satisfied using one or a combination of the following methods:
[Amended 9-10-2007]
F.
Design standards. The Commission shall consider the
design, relationship and compatibility of structures, plantings, signs,
roadways, street hardware and other objects in public view. Complete
drawings, elevations, and renderings, including color and lighting,
shall be required so that the Design Review Board and the Commission
can review the proposal as to its compatibility with the scale and
character of the Town Center Village. In approving applications relating
to the exterior of buildings within the Town Center Village District,
the Commission shall consider the standards set forth in the "Connecticut
Historical Commission - The Secretary of the Interior Standards for
Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings"
as well as the following standards:
(1)
Buildings and their main entrance shall be oriented
toward the street. Doorways, windows and other building facade openings
shall be proportionate to reflect pedestrian scale and movement, and
to encourage interest at the street level.
(2)
First floor street-facing building facade fenestration
shall be 50% to 75% with pedestrian entrances spaced no greater than
35 feet apart. Second and third floor building fenestration shall
be 20% to 60%. Fenestration requirements shall be met with the installation
of clear glass sufficiently transparent to provide views into interior
of buildings.
(3)
Windowsill height shall be 24 inches to 36 inches
from ground level for first floor uses. Glazing is required to be
located between sill height and eight feet above the sidewalk on retail
frontages.
(4)
Blank walls or roof planes shall not be longer than
30 feet.
(5)
Flat roofs on buildings of less than two stories are
prohibited where they can be viewed along the street frontage of said
property.
(6)
Building exteriors shall be constructed of traditional
materials such as masonry, stucco, stone, and wood. The exterior color
of buildings shall be selected from the Historic Colors of America
pallet (as approved by the Society for the Preservation of New England
Antiquities) by California Products Corporation or equivalent. Metal
or vinyl siding, exposed concrete block or panels, and reflective
glass are prohibited, as are metallic, neon, and primary colors, unless
the DRB determines that existing conditions warrant such use.
(7)
No outdoor mechanical equipment, fans, generators,
etc., shall be visible from Ffyler Place, High Street, Mountain Road
or Main Street, or be on the roofs of buildings unless totally screened
by means of a parapet wall or a sloped or stepped roof form that is
part of the architecture of the building. Evergreen plantings and/or
opaque fencing shall screen ground-mounted or wall-mounted mechanical
equipment.
(8)
Residential uses are excluded from first-floor storefronts
and shall be accessory to the main use of the building.
(9)
Operable awnings are permitted to provide for covered
walkways, except that fluorescent lighting and back illuminated awnings
are prohibited on facades fronting streets. No awning, canopy or similar
weather shielding device projecting beyond the property line of any
lot into the sidewalk portion of a public street shall be erected
or maintained on any building or structure unless such awning is at
least seven feet six inches above the level of the sidewalk, nor may
any such awning project beyond six feet of the property line. Any
such awning shall be firmly affixed to the building and no support
other than that provided by the building shall be allowed.
(10)
Refuse receptacles (dumpsters) shall be located
in the side or back of buildings and screened entirely from public
and abutting site view with evergreen plantings or opaque fencing.
(11)
Pedestrian amenities. Amenities such as seating
benches, sidewalks, covered garbage cans, bike racks, etc., shall
be required by the Commission as deemed appropriate.
(12)
Signage. Signs shall be approved according to Article IX of these regulations and the Design Review Board.
(14)
On sites with rear vehicular access, sidewalks
must be located a minimum of 10 feet from the front of the building.
[Amended 7-5-2007]
G.
Town Center Village District Design Review Board (DRB). In accordance with CGS and these regulations, there shall be a Design Review Board (DRB) consisting of at least five members appointed by the Commission. Members shall include at least a licensed architect or landscape architect, or certified land use planner, and a member of the Historic District Commission, and two business owners or residents from the district. Design Review Board members shall be appointed for a period of four years. The duties of the DRB shall include the review of all applications for construction and exterior modifications, including the placement of signs, parking areas and pedestrian ways, within the district and making advisory recommendations to the Commission with respect to their consistency with the design standards of Subsection F within 35 days of Commission plan acceptance. The DRB report submitted to the Commission shall be entered into public record and considered in the decision of the Commission. The Commission may seek other reports and recommendations in accordance with applicable sections of the regulations. The DRB shall be notified when a variance from these regulations is sought.
H.
Other requirements.
(1)
Minimum lot size: 12,000 square feet.
[Amended 7-5-2007]
(2)
Maximum height: 40 feet (three stories).
(3)
Maximum lot coverage: 75%.
(4)
Minimum rear yard setback: 20 feet.
(5)
Minimum front yard setback: zero feet [see § 315-32F(14)].
[Amended 7-5-2007]
(6)
Minimum side yard setback: 10 feet with aggregate
of 30 feet.
[Amended 7-5-2007]
(7)
Minimum frontage: 60 feet.
[Amended 7-5-2007]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this zoning district is to
allow for the creation of commercial development that meets the shopping
and service needs of the community while preserving the rural character
of the district.
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted
in the WSCV Zone subject to special permit and site plan approvals
as long as the maximum floor area of any single building is no greater
than 20,000 square feet:
(1)
Adult day-care center.
(2)
Animal hospital.
(3)
Antique shop as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling.
(4)
Apartment or (residential) condominium as an accessory
use to a nonresidential development.
(5)
Banks and financial institution.
(6)
Bed-and-breakfast as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling.
(7)
Commercial horse farm.
(8)
Day-care center.
(9)
Farmers' market.
(10)
Greenhouse operations.
(11)
Municipal land use.
(12)
Museums.
(13)
Offices.
(14)
Personal care or convalescent home.
(15)
Places of worship.
(16)
Private membership club.
(17)
Professional home office or occupation as an
accessory use to a single-family dwelling.
(18)
Restaurant, including outdoor cafe service as
an accessory use.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
(19)
Retail, personal services.
(20)
School/education center, including restaurant
facilities as an accessory use.
(21)
Theaters (indoor movies).
D.
Applicability. These regulations shall apply to new
construction and exterior modifications of properties within the WSCV,
including but not limited to the design and placement of:
E.
Design standards. The Commission shall consider the
design, relationship and compatibility of nonresidential structures,
plantings, signs, roadways, street hardware and other objects in public
view. Complete drawings, elevations, and renderings, including color
and lighting, shall be required so that the Design Review Board and
the Commission can review the proposal as to its compatibility with
the scale and character of the West Suffield Center Village District.
In approving applications relating to the exterior of buildings within
the WSCV, the Commission shall consider the standards set forth in
the "Connecticut Historical Commission — The Secretary of the
Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating
Historic Buildings" as well as the following standards:
(1)
Buildings and their main entrance shall be oriented
toward the street. Doorways, windows and other building facade openings
shall be proportionate to reflect pedestrian scale and movement, and
to encourage interest at the street level.
(2)
Flat roofs on buildings of less than two stories are
prohibited where they can be viewed along the street frontage of said
property.
(3)
Building exteriors as viewed from the street shall
be constructed of traditional materials such as masonry, stucco, stone,
and wood. The exterior color of buildings shall be selected from the
Historic Colors of America pallet (as approved by the Society for
the Preservation of New England Antiquities) by California Products
Corporation or equivalent. Metal or vinyl siding, exposed concrete
block or panels, and reflective glass are prohibited, as are metallic,
neon, and primary colors, unless the DRB determines that existing
conditions warrant such use.
(4)
No outdoor mechanical equipment, fans, generators,
etc., shall be visible from the street, or be on the roofs of buildings
unless totally screened by means of a parapet wall or a sloped or
stepped roof form that is part of the architecture of the building.
Evergreen plantings and/or opaque fencing shall screen ground-mounted
or wall-mounted mechanical equipment.
(5)
Residential uses are excluded from first-floor storefronts
and shall be accessory to the main use of the building.
(6)
Operable awnings are permitted to provide for covered
walkways, except that fluorescent lighting and back illuminated awnings
are prohibited on facades fronting streets. No awning, canopy or similar
weather shielding device projecting beyond the property line of any
lot into the sidewalk portion of a public street shall be erected
or maintained on any building or structure unless such awning is at
least seven feet six inches above the level of the sidewalk, nor may
any such awning project beyond six feet of the property line. Any
such awning shall be firmly affixed to the building and no support
other than that provided by the building shall be allowed.
(7)
Refuse receptacles (dumpsters) shall be located in
the side or back of buildings and screened entirely from public and
abutting site view with evergreen plantings or opaque fencing.
(8)
Pedestrian amenities. Amenities such as seating benches,
sidewalks, covered garbage cans, bike racks, etc., shall be required
by the Commission as deemed appropriate.
F.
West Suffield Center Village District Design Review Board (DRB). In accordance with CGS and these regulations, there shall be a Design Review Board (DRB) consisting of at least five members appointed by the Commission. Members shall include at least one licensed architect, licensed landscape architect, or certified land use planner and two business owners or residents within the District. Design Review Board members shall be appointed for a period of four years. The duties of the DRB shall include the review of all applications for nonresidential construction and exterior modifications, including the placement of signs, parking areas and pedestrian ways within the district, and making advisory recommendations to the Commission with respect to their consistency with the design standards of Subsection E within 35 days of plan acceptance. The DRB report submitted to the Commission shall be entered into public record and considered in the decision of the Commission. The Commission may seek other reports and recommendation in accordance with applicable sections of the regulations. The DRB shall be notified when a variance from these regulations is sought.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this zoning district is to
allow for neighborhood-oriented commercial, institutional, and office
services which meet the daily needs of a particular neighborhood within
the Town and to encourage a diversity of uses which are complementary
to the surrounding residential areas and among the various uses within
the district. It is the intention of the Commission to require traffic
access management within this district.
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted
in the NC Zone subject to special permit and site plan approvals as
long as the maximum floor area of any single building is no greater
than 20,000 square feet:
(1)
Active-adult housing.
(2)
Adult day-care center.
(3)
Animal hospital.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(4)
Antique shop as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling.
(5)
Apartments or condominiums as an accessory use.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(6)
Assisted living facility.
(7)
Banks and financial institution.
(8)
Bed-and-breakfast as an accessory use to an owner-occupied
single-family dwelling.
(9)
Day-care center.
(10)
Farmers' market.
(11)
Greenhouse operations.
(12)
Motor vehicle sales, service, and washing.
(13)
Municipal land use.
(14)
Museums.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(15)
Offices.
(16)
Personal care or convalescent home.
(17)
Places of worship.
(18)
Private membership club.
(19)
Professional home office or occupation as an
accessory use to a single-family dwelling.
(20)
Restaurant, including outdoor cafe service as
an accessory use.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
(21)
Retail, personal services.
(22)
School/education center, including restaurant
facilities as an accessory use.
(23)
Theaters (indoor movies).
D.
Other requirements.
(1)
Minimum lot size: 30,000 square feet.
(2)
Minimum lot frontage: 125 feet.
(3)
Maximum height: 30 feet (2 1/2 stories).
(4)
Maximum lot coverage: 40%.
(5)
Minimum front yard setback: 50 feet.
(6)
Minimum side and rear yard setbacks: 20 feet, except
where it abuts a residential zone where it shall be 30 feet.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this zoning district is to
allow for a range of industrial and manufacturing facilities that
benefit the residents of Suffield and have a minimum impact on the
natural resource base of the Town. It is the intention of the Commission
to require traffic access management within this district.
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted in the I Zone subject to special permit and site plan approvals in accordance with Article XIV of these regulations:
(1)
Adult-oriented establishment.
(2)
Animal hospital.
(3)
Banks and financial institution.
(4)
Contractor's yard.
(5)
Commercial horse farm.
(6)
Crematorium.
(7)
Day-care center.
(8)
Farmers' market.
(9)
Golf course.
(10)
Greenhouse operations.
(11)
Indoor recreation.
(12)
Industrial.
(13)
Light industrial.
(14)
Motor vehicle sales, service, and washing.
(15)
Municipal land use.
(16)
Offices.
(17)
Private membership club.
(18)
Professional home office or occupation as an
accessory use to a single-family dwelling.
(19)
Restaurant, including outdoor cafe service as
an accessory use.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
(20)
Retail or personal services as long as the maximum
floor area of any single building is no greater than 20,000 square
feet.
(21)
School/education center, including restaurant
and banquet facilities as an accessory use.
(22)
Self-storage facility.
(23)
Small wind energy producing facility.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
(24)
Theaters (indoor movies).
(25)
Warehousing, wholesaling, and distribution.
[Amended 3-24-2006]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this zoning district is to
allow for a range of office, research, and light industrial facilities
that can be located relatively close to residential uses without negative
influence and which will have minimum impacts on the natural resource
base of the Town. It is the intention of the Commission to require
traffic access management within this district.
C.
Special permit uses. The following uses may be permitted in the PDIP Zone subject to special permit and site plan approvals in accordance with Article XIV of these regulations:
(1)
Active
recreation facility.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(2)
Animal hospital.
(3)
Banks and financial institution.
(4)
Commercial horse farm.
(5)
Contractor's yard, provided that the maximum lot area
is 10 acres; that there is a minimum five-thousand-square-foot building
associated with said use; that no portion of the property maintaining
such use fronts or is directly accessed by South, Hale or Spencer
Streets; that outdoor material storage is located in bins or alternative
encasement deemed acceptable by the Commission; and that any outdoor
parking of commercial vehicles or equipment is located behind the
building and not visible from Town roads or residences. Storage area
of property shall be screened from abutting properties. Based on site
conditions, the Commission may require Type "C" or year-round screening
for outside storage of commercial vehicles, equipment and material
containers from abutting properties.
[Amended 3-24-2006]
(6)
Day-care center.
(7)
Farmers' market.
(8)
Funeral home.
(9)
Golf course.
(10)
Greenhouse operations.
(11)
Hospital.
(12)
Hotel/motel.
(13)
Indoor recreation.
(14)
Light industrial.
(15)
Municipal land use.
(16)
Offices.
(17)
Personal care or convalescent home.
(18)
Private membership club.
(19)
Professional home office or occupation as an
accessory use to a single-family dwelling.
(20)
Restaurant as an accessory use, including outdoor
cafe service.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
(21)
Retail, personal services as an accessory use.
(22)
School/education center, including restaurant
and banquet facilities as an accessory use.
(23)
Small wind energy producing facility.
[Added 1-4-2019]
(24)
Theaters (indoor movies).
(25)
Warehousing, wholesaling, and distribution.
Activities such as carnivals, fairs, demonstrations,
performances, concerts, fund-raising events or similar temporary activities
by public and private nonprofit organizations may be permitted by
the Zoning Officer for a period not to exceed three days' duration.
If the Zoning Officer feels that there is a reasonable question that
the use will have or cause significant negative impacts because of
traffic, noise, excessive glare or similar detrimental effects, he/she
shall not issue the temporary permit and shall refer the matter to
the Commission which shall review the circumstances of the request
and approve, disapprove, or approve with limitations or modifications
of the proposed activity.
A.
Any use not listed as permitted by these regulations is deemed to be prohibited (see § 315-3 of these regulations). Nevertheless, due to their uniquely objectionable characteristics, certain uses are identified in this section for specific prohibition in any zone, as principal or accessory uses, and no use category set forth in these regulations shall be deemed to include any use set forth herein. No land, premises, building or structure in any zone shall be used for any of the following uses:
(1)
Amusement parks.
(2)
Animal by-product rendering.
(3)
Blast furnaces or smelting of copper, iron, lead,
tin or zinc.
(4)
Bulk or wholesale storage of gasoline, fuel oil, and
other petroleum products above ground, excluding such storage for
on-site consumption or otherwise accessory to the principal use of
the property.
(5)
Chemical manufacturing.
(6)
Commercial kennel.
(7)
Drive-in theaters.
(8)
Drive-through facilities associated with any use other
than a bank and pharmacy.
(9)
Dry-cleaning facilities using chemicals on site.
(10)
Fertilizer manufacture.
(11)
Flea markets.
(12)
Heliports.
(13)
Itinerant peddling, sales or promotions conducted
from vehicles or from any other mobile or portable facility, excluding
vendors legally operating within a public highway right-of-way.
(14)
Junkyards and storage of junk, including any
place in or on which is stored or deposited old material, glass, paper,
metal, cordage, scrap or other waste or secondhand or unused substances,
including any material which has been or was intended to be a part
of any fabricated object, or of any vehicle or of any form of conveyance
of any kind or description. Includes motor vehicle junk business and
motor vehicle junkyard as defined by CGS.
(15)
Manufacture or storage of explosives.
(16)
Manufacturing uses involving the primary production
of raw materials such as asphalt, rubber (natural and synthetic),
cement, charcoal, charcoal fuel briquetting, lime, gypsum, or plaster
of paris; aniline dyes, ammonia, carbide, caustic soda, cellulose,
chlorine, carbon black, bone black, creosote, hydrogen, oxygen, soap,
paper, industrial alcohol; carbolic, phosphoric, hydrochloric, nitric,
picric, or sulfuric acid; and linoleum, oil cloth, matches, paint,
varnishes, turpentine and other solvents.
(17)
Commercial mining or quarrying operations, including
removal of sand, and gravel operations.
(18)
Natural, propane, or other gas manufacture by
other than a public utility, and natural, propane, or other gas storage
as a principal use, except that the storage for distributing purposes
and the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas may be permitted by
the Zoning Board of Appeals provided that there is compliance with
all requirements of CGS Chapter 541, Part II, and any regulations
adopted pursuant thereto, as the same may be amended from time to
time. This provision shall not be construed to prevent the storage
for use on the premises of liquefied petroleum gas when installed
and used in accordance with applicable Connecticut State laws.
(19)
Outdoor activities dealing with the racing of
motorized vehicles, i.e., cars, snowmobiles, go-carts, motorcycles,
etc.
(20)
Refining and recovery of products from fish,
bones, fat and other animal refuse or offal.
(21)
Solid waste facilities (other than for municipal
use) as defined by Connecticut General Statutes.
(22)
Tattoo parlors.
(23)
Truck storage yards.
(24)
Valet parking, car rental, and taxi service
facilities.
(25)
Wind farms.
(27)
The rental of separate quarters within a single-family
house.
[Amended 9-10-2007]
(28)
The burial of stumps, logs, branches or other
construction debris such as scrap lumber, metal, concrete, asphalt
or other discarded material.
[Amended 10-9-2009]
B.
The Zoning Board of Appeals is prohibited from granting
any variance establishing, enlarging or extending any use that is
otherwise prohibited in the zone in which the property lies.
The Height and Area Schedule is included as
an attachment to this chapter.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of the Housing Opportunity District (HOD) is to permit and regulate the development of multifamily housing within a community that is well planned and contains homes that are financially accessible to moderate- and low-income households. This section is adopted pursuant to CGS § 8-2 as amended by Public Act 91-392, to encourage multifamily dwellings and promote housing choice and economic diversity, including housing for low- and moderate-income households, and is in conformance with the standards of CGS § 8-30g. Should any provision of this HOD regulation conflict with other provisions of the Suffield Zoning Regulations, the provisions of this section shall control.
B.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT (HOD DEVELOPMENT)
(1)
(2)
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY UNIT
Definitions. The following definitions are applicable
to the HOD regulation:
A housing development in which, for at least 40 years after
the initial occupancy of units within the proposed development:
Not less than 15% of the dwelling units will be conveyed by
deeds or leased pursuant to documents containing covenants or restrictions
which shall require that such dwelling units be sold or leased at
or below prices which will preserve the units as affordable housing,
as defined in CGS § 8-30g, for persons or families whose income
is less than or equal to 80% of the area median income for the Hartford
PMSA or the statewide median income, whichever is less, as determined
by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;
and
Not less than 15% of the dwelling units shall be conveyed or
leased in the same manner to persons or families whose income is less
than or equal to 60% of the area median income or the statewide median
income, whichever is less.
A residential unit for which the sale or resale price, and unit lease price, is restricted in accordance with these regulations and the affordability plan required to be filed per Subsection M(2) below.
C.
Permitted uses. The following uses shall be permitted uses within an HOD, subject to site plan approval by the Commission, in accordance with § 315-116B, except for § 315-116B(3)(e) and (s), and as otherwise set forth in Subsection L below:
(1)
Multifamily dwellings consisting of no more than 30
dwelling units per building.
(2)
On-site active and passive recreational and social
uses as shown on the approved site plan, including any community buildings
and clubhouses, swimming pools, athletic fields, walking trails, bicycle
routes, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas and other similar
recreational facilities.
D.
Permitted accessory buildings, structures and uses.
(1)
Uses or structures accessory to the above uses, including
temporary construction facilities, trailers and sales offices, and
as accessory uses otherwise permitted.
(2)
Use of a residence for personal business purposes
to the extent permitted by, and subject to the procedures, limitations,
and conditions of these Zoning Regulations.
E.
Parcels eligible for rezoning to HOD. No parcel (or
parcels) of land shall be rezoned to HOD unless, after combining the
parcels into one development parcel for the purpose of constructing
an HOD development, it satisfies the following criteria:
F.
Area and bulk requirements. Zoning standards and requirements
for the HOD development site are as follows:
(1)
Maximum density per gross acre: seven dwelling units.
(2)
Parking space requirement: 1.5 parking spaces per
unit.
(3)
Minimum building setback from existing public street:
100 feet.
(4)
Minimum building setback from proposed private road(s):
no minimum.
(5)
Minimum building setback from property boundary HOD
development: 50 feet. Note: Bus stops and/or landscape wall treatments
are allowed in front, side and rear yards, or setback areas. Privacy
fences are allowed inside the rear yards.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
(7)
Maximum lot coverage: 35%.
(8)
Maximum building height: 50 feet.
(9)
Total minimum open space: 20% of HOD development site
with no requirement for active recreation use.
G.
Landscaping requirements. The landscaping plan for
an HOD development shall be prepared by a Connecticut licensed landscape
architect and shall provide, at a minimum, for the following:
(1)
A landscaped or natural perimeter buffer of not less
than 20 feet in width between any proposed building and abutting residentially
zoned properties or a six-foot-high privacy fence, except where HOD
development roads access existing streets and highways.
(2)
Landscaping in vicinity of parking areas shall include
the use of shade trees and ornamentals for visual appeal, and the
use of evergreens, where practical, to screen parking areas and buildings,
to the extent reasonably possible, from adjacent residentially zoned
properties.
(3)
All walkways within the HOD development shall be a
minimum of three feet in width.
I.
Signage.
(1)
Signage within an HOD development shall be sufficient
to safely direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the HOD site.
(2)
The site plan shall depict the location of all proposed
signage at the entrance to the HOD development. Any entrance sign
shall be no more than 25 square feet in area per side and may be located
within 10 feet of the street line of the existing public street.
(3)
No sign permit is required to the extent that proposed
signage location and information on type and size for the HOD development
is depicted on the site plan.
J.
Lighting. An HOD development site plan shall provide,
with illustrative detail, for exterior streetlighting fixtures as
may be required for the safety of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
L.
Procedure. An HOD development requires a change of zone for the HOD site, amendment of the Official Zoning Map, and site plan approval pursuant to § 315-116B, excluding the requirements of § 315-116B(3)(e) and (s). If these applications are submitted together with the request to adopt or amend this HOD regulation, the Commission shall hold a public hearing to consider all applications simultaneously and shall decide the submitted applications as one comprehensive proposal and give notice of its decision as required by law.
M.
N.
Additional standards for administration and preservation
of price restrictions for housing opportunity units.
(1)
Construction quality and location of units. Housing
opportunity units shall be of a construction quality that is comparable
to market-rate units within the HOD development and shall be dispersed
throughout the development.
(2)
Pro-rata construction. If the HOD development is to
be built in phases, the housing opportunity units shall be built on
a pro rata basis as construction proceeds.
(3)
Monthly payment. Calculation of the maximum monthly
payment for a housing opportunity unit, so as to satisfy CGS § 8-30g,
shall utilize the median income data as published by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development for an ownership or leased
unit in effect on the day a bond for deed, similar contract of conveyance,
or lease is accepted by the seller or lessee.
(4)
Maximum monthly payment. The maximum payment that
the occupant for a housing opportunity unit shall pay shall not be
greater than the amount that will preserve such unit as "affordable
housing" as that term is defined in CGS § 8-30g.
(5)
Principal residence. Housing opportunity units shall
be occupied only as a purchaser's or lessee's principal residence
except as provided herein.
(6)
Notice of availability. At the same time that the
market-rate units in an HOD development are first advertised to the
general public, notice of availability of the housing opportunity
units shall be provided by advertising such availability in accord
with the state regulations for affirmative fair housing marketing
programs and by providing notice to the Commission and the local Housing
Authority. All notices shall comply with the federal Fair Housing
Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq., and the Connecticut Fair
Housing Act, CGS § 46a-64b and 46a-64c.
(7)
Forty-year period. The forty-year affordability period
shall be calculated separately for each housing opportunity unit in
an HOD development, and the period shall begin on the date of initial
leasing or conveyance of said unit.
O.
Enforcement. A violation of the regulations contained
in this section shall not result in a forfeiture or reversion of title,
but the Commission shall otherwise retain all enforcement powers granted
by the Connecticut General Statutes, including the authority under
CGS § 8-12 to issue notices of violation, to impose fines,
and to seek injunctive relief.
P.
Subdivision. The HOD development site may be subdivided
subsequent to approval of the HOD development site plan. The resultant
parcels may be owned by separate and distinct persons or entities.
Such subsequent subdivision or resubdivision shall not require compliance
with the HOD development design standards or affordability requirements
for each proposed parcel, as long as the entire HOD development site
remains in compliance with the approved site plan and affordability
requirements. Cross easements and provisions for access to and use
of any common recreational amenities on the HOD development site shall
be required, as appropriate, to maintain access for all residents
of HOD development across the HOD site.