A. 
Existing and desired character.
(1) 
This district consists of the highest-density areas in downtown Northampton, with a mix of commercial, civic, and residential uses. The district is characterized by a largely intact collection of 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings with masonry construction, storefronts at ground level, and a high degree of craftsmanship.
(2) 
Building coverage is high and there are limited yard areas. Landscaping is predominantly in the public realm and on green roofs. Buildings are attached side-by-side or built very close together and line up along the edge of the sidewalk. Most parking is public on-street, off-street, or structured parking which supports the entire district. Private parking, where it exists, is predominantly hidden from view.
(3) 
Streets have wide sidewalks, thriving street trees, and ample street furniture and other pedestrian amenities. Blocks are small to medium in size with very few curb cuts and no further curb cuts being created.
(4) 
Vehicle access is located from side streets or alleys which enhances the pedestrian environment. New buildings have high-quality architecture based on traditional architectural principles and techniques. Civic buildings occupy prominent locations in the district, often with larger front setbacks and elevated ground floors.
(5) 
Illustrative example of the character of the district.
B. 
Intent. The zoning standards are intended to maintain and enhance the district as the premier center of walkable mixed-use commercial, residential, civic, and institutional activity in Northampton and the region. Standards focus on:
(1) 
Enhancing the safety, comfort, and attractiveness of the public realm for all users;
(2) 
Maintaining high-quality building and site design;
(3) 
Preserving and enhancing the historic integrity of the district's architecture;
(4) 
Providing predictable and efficient permit review; and
(5) 
Encouraging targeted redevelopment, especially of underutilized sites.
C. 
Central Business Architecture Committee review. Some projects in the CB-Core District are subject to review by the Central Business Architecture Committee (CBAC). See below and Chapter 156 of the City of Northampton's Code of Ordinances, which includes the Central Business Architecture Design Guidelines Manual.
D. 
Table of Character-Based Requirements for Central Business-Core District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project triggers major site plan approval (Site-M).
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Review by Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Requirement
CB-Core
(1)
Lot Standards
Lot size (minimum/maximum)
—
Frontage (minimum/maximum)
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Side setback (minimum/maximum)
—
A
Rear setback (minimum)
—
B
Build-to-zone
0 feet to 5 feet
Special permit to increase maximum front setback
No
C
Building frontage occupancy (minimum)1
90%
D
Allowed uses of Lot Frontage Zone2
Building, landscape component, public realm component
E
Driveway width in Lot Frontage Zone (maximum) (when allowed)
0 feet3
Open space (minimum)
—
F
Ground floor use limitation area, residential use (minimum)4
20 feet
G
Ground floor use limitation area, parking use (minimum)5
20 feet; Site-M
H
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)
—
(2)
Public Realm Dimensions
I
Furnishing and Utility Zone (minimum)
2 feet
J
Pedestrian Throughway (minimum)
6 feet
K
Lot Frontage Zone (minimum)
2 feet
(3)
Building Massing
(a)
Height
L
Height (minimum/maximum)
30 feet/70 feet
M
Ground floor height (minimum)
14 feet
N
Upper floor height (minimum)
10 feet
O
Ground floor elevation (maximum average)6
1 foot
Upper story stepback at front of lot (maximum building height at front lot line/required stepback distance from front lot line for additional stories)
—
(4)
Building Details
(a)
Roof
P
Maximum pitched roof surface distance without variation
30 feet
(b)
Facade
Q
Vertical articulation of bays for street-facing facades (minimum/maximum length of bays)
6 feet/50 feet
R
Contiguous blank wall area, ground floor (maximum per floor)
85 square feet
S
Contiguous blank wall area, upper floor (maximum per floor)
100 square feet
T
Maximum distance between ground floor pedestrian entrances
40 feet
(c)
Fenestration
U
Percentage of fenestration, ground floor (minimum/maximum)
Per ground floor facade type
V
Percentage of fenestration, upper floors (minimum/maximum) when not specified elsewhere
20%/40%
(d)
Ground floor facade types7
Storefront facade type
Y
Commercial facade type
Y
Residential facade type
No
Civic facade type, for civic use [See § 350-21.7F(6)(f).]
Site-M with architectural review by CBAC
Civic facade type, for all other uses [See § 350-21.7F(6)(g).]
PB
(e)
Building components
Awning
Y
Entry canopy
Y
Balcony
Y
Bay window
Y
Arcade
Site and CBAC
Gallery
Site and CBAC
Porch
No
Stoop, portico, lightwell
PB
(5)
Building Design Standards and Guidelines, Review
Design guidelines and standards8 related to buildings contained in § 350-21.79
Review by CBAC for projects subject to site plan approval and/or for projects subject to Chapter 156 of the City of Northampton's Code of Ordinances
(6)
Building Bulk
Less than 2,000 square feet of new construction or addition
Y
New construction or addition of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area with no footprint expansion
Y with CBAC review of architecture for projects subject to Chapter 156 of the City of Northampton's Code of Ordinances
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area
Site and CBAC
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 5,000 to 9,999 square feet gross floor area
Site-M and CBAC
New construction or addition with footprint of 10,000 to 90,000 square feet gross floor area
PB and CBAC
New construction or addition resulting in a total of over 90,000 square feet of single-use footprint
No
(7)
Landscaping
(a)
Landscape components
Sidewalk extension
Y
Front plaza
Y
Front terrace
Y
Front yard
No10
Landscape path
Y
Front ramp
Y
Garden
Y
Fence or landscape wall
Y
(b)
Buffers
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)11
N/A
District transitional buffer, screening height (minimum)
N/A
Parking buffer, width (minimum)11
10 feet
Parking buffer, screening height (minimum). See also § 350-6.8E.
5 feet
(8)
Green Infrastructure
See § 350-21.9.
(9)
Public Realm Components
See § 350-21.10.
(10)
Off-Street Parking and Driveways
Addition of 6 to 9 parking spaces
Site
Addition of 10 or more parking spaces
Site-M
Continuation of use or reuse of existing buildings
No new parking required
Expansion of footprint, new gross floor area; new construction
New parking required only for theaters and nightclubs. See Table in § 350-8.1.
Bicycle parking
Per § 350-8.11
New curb cut
No
More than 1 curb cut
No
Parking located within the Lot Frontage Zone12
No
Pedestrian passage from rear parking to front of lot (maximum distance along frontage between pedestrian passages)
200 feet for new parking
NOTES:
1
See § 350-21.6E.
2
Subject to other provisions. See § 350-21.6D.
3
Except for a driveway that accesses a public parking lot, in which case the maximum width is 24 feet. No new private driveways are allowed.
4
See § 350-21.6F. Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
5
See § 350-21.6F.
6
Civic buildings are exempt from maximum ground floor elevation.
7
All types require a front door facing street.
8
The permit granting authority (CBAC and/or the Planning Board) may allow deviation from design guidelines and standards based on evaluation of the existing conditions and block compatibility. See also: §§ 350-21.7K(4) and 350-21.2B(4).
9
All other design standards and design guidelines in §§ 350-21 and 350-22 are reviewed by the Planning Board for projects subject to site plan approval.
10
Except in association with a preexisting or permitted civic ground floor façade
11
Width can be reduced with use of a fence. See § 350-21.8H.
12
Other parking requirements apply as well. See §§ 350-21.11 and 350-8.
E. 
Use Table for Central-Business-Core District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval.
Site-M
Allowed with major site plan approval from Planning Board
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Review by Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Uses
CB-Core
Ground floor use limitation1
See lot standards.
Residential use above first floor
Y
Mixed residential/commercial
Y
Ground floor residential use on a property that does not abut a public way or public park maintained by the City. For the purposes of this provision, rail trails shall not be considered public parks.2
Y
Ground floor residential, multifamily, 4+ townhouses, live/work space
See lot standards.
All retail, personal service, artist's space, retail or medical marijuana sales,3 wholesale and business sales and supply of goods and services
Y
Professional/business office, banks, no drive-through
Y
Professional/business office, banks, with drive-through
No
Restaurant (drive-through not allowed), bar, entertainment, community center, theater, nightclub
Y
Establishment with drive-through component
No
Hotel/motel
Y
Trades
Y
Health/athletic club, indoor recreation, membership club operated for profit or nonprofit
Y
Temporary event
Y
Nursing homes (any facility licensed/sanctioned by the state as a nursing home or skilled nursing center, but not assisted living residences). See also assisted living residences.
Site
Assisted living residence
Site
Veterinary hospital in which all animals are kept inside permanent buildings
Y
Funeral establishment
No
Manufacturing, research and development (biotech research requiring Biosafety Level 3 and above not allowed)
PB
Breweries, distilleries, etc.
Y
Marijuana independent testing lab
Y
Education, religious use, day care, school-aged child-care program (MGL c. 28A, § 9), family day care (with registration with Building Commissioner); historical association, and nonprofit museum (residence of a caretaker must be above first floor only), agricultural uses.
Y
Reuse of an historic educational or religious building for any residential use, live/work space or office. All such uses approved under this provision shall be within the footprint of existing building(s) and may only be approved contingent upon protection of all historically contributing portions of the building with an historic preservation restriction granted to the City of Northampton in a form acceptable to the Planning Board, with input from the Historical Commission, as preserving the key character-defining features visible from the road (and not necessarily meeting federal or state preservation standards for the entire building). The existing building may be expanded to accommodate elevators and stairwells. Portions of the building that are not part of the original architecture of the building and which do not contribute to the historical or architectural significance of the building as determined by the Planning Board, with input from the Historical Commission, may be demolished.
Site
Automobiles: establishment selling, leasing, renting automobiles and/or used automobiles and trucks, new automobile tires and other accessories, boats, motorcycles and household and camping trailers
No
Single or multimodal passenger terminal
Y
Facilities for essential services, municipal facility
Y
Auto repair (not junkyard) without gasoline sales. Garage doors are not allowed on the front facade. Vehicular access or parking is not allowed within 30 feet of front lot line. The use is not allowed on the ground floor of a building within 30 feet of the front facade
PB
Auto service with gasoline sales, convenience commercial
No
Junk cars, motor vehicle accessories, scrap metal. See § 350-8.8L.
No
Commercial parking lot or structure including a public garage
Site
Telecommunications antennas on existing buildings/facilities that do not require a new tower. See § 350-10.9.
Site/CBAC
Telecommunications antennas requiring new tower. See § 350-10.9.
PB/CBAC
Private utility substation or similar facility or building; power plant and/or district utility
Site/CBAC
Rooftop solar hot water and photovoltaic
CBAC
Solar photovoltaic of any size, ground-mounted over any legal parking lot or driveway
Site/CBAC
Accessory solar photovoltaic ground-mounted on a parcel with any building or use, provided that the PV is sized to generate no more than 200% of the annual projected electric use of the non-PV building or use
Site/CBAC
Short-term rentals. Such rentals must be registered with the City and are only valid for the year in which registration is completed and expire December 31 each year.
Y, subject to ground floor use limitation
Marijuana production of small scale, less than 5,000 square feet of cumulative square footage of growing area. No portion of such use shall front on a public way. Use may only occur at the back of a building or in a building behind another building.4
Y
NOTES:
1
All uses are subject to ground floor use limitation, where it applies. See lot standards.
2
Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
3
No marijuana establishment shall be located within 200 feet of a preexisting public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of Grades 1 through 12. Building facades and property in which a marijuana establishment is located must be consistent with the character of the neighborhood, including such items as transparent storefront windows with a view into the interior of the building. Security measures must appear from the outside of the building to be consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
4
All such spaces must incorporate both high-efficiency particulate air handlers with activated carbon filters and exhaust systems designed with vents that force the air at least 10 feet above the roofline of the building. Alternative technology may be used upon finding by the Planning Board through site plan approval process that such other technology will to the extent practicable limit odors from marijuana in any place where the public or clients are present.
A. 
Existing and desired character.
(1) 
This district is a high-density mix of commercial, institutional, and residential uses set within an eclectic mix of buildings, including historic commercial and industrial buildings, historic residential structures, many of which have been repurposed for commercial use, and new commercial buildings.
(2) 
Streets in the district are generally narrow with limited space for landscaping or other pedestrian-oriented amenities. These elements are located predominantly on private property close to the edge of the right-of-way.
(3) 
Most parking in the district is public or shared private parking. Parking serves the CB-Side Street District and the CB-Core District. Not all lots have off-street parking. Off-street parking is largely hidden from view.
(4) 
Blocks are small to medium in size with limited curb cuts, which typically access public or shared parking lots. The creation of new curb cuts is kept to a bare minimum.
(5) 
Building coverage is moderately high. Buildings are typically close together or are attached. Buildings are often built to the edge of the sidewalk. Some buildings, however, have small front setbacks to accommodate active pedestrian-oriented uses, like sidewalk dining, small seating areas, or high-quality ornamental landscaping.
(6) 
New development follows basic principles of urban and architectural design, with strong attention to shaping the public realm, sensitive integration of new development into the predominantly historic architectural context of the area, and creative architectural detailing.
(7) 
Illustrative example of the character of the district.
B. 
Intent. The zoning standards are intended to support continued development of the area for commercial, civic, institutional, and residential use, including ground floor residential use. The district supports the CB-Core District with complementary commercial uses, homes within walking distance of Main Street, and parking. It also creates a transition from the CB-Core District to surrounding residential districts. Standards focus on:
(1) 
Enhancing the safety, comfort, and attractiveness of the public realm for all users;
(2) 
Maintaining high-quality building and site design;
(3) 
Facilitating sensitive integration of new development with historic architecture;
(4) 
Providing predictable and efficient permit review; and
(5) 
Encouraging targeted redevelopment, especially of underutilized sites.
C. 
Table of Character-Based Requirements for Central Business-Side Street District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval (Site-M).
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Review by Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Requirement
CB-Side Street
(1)
Lot Standards
Lot size (minimum/maximum)
—
Frontage (minimum/maximum)
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Side setback (minimum/maximum)
—
A
Rear setback (minimum)
—
B
Build-to-zone
0 feet to 10 feet
Special permit to increase maximum front setback
PB
C
Building frontage occupancy (minimum)1
75%
D
Allowed uses of Lot Frontage Zone2
Building, landscape component, public realm component, driveway (when allowed)
E
Driveway width in Lot Frontage Zone (maximum) (when allowed)
20 feet
Open space (minimum)
—
F
Ground floor use limitation area, residential use (minimum)3
0 feet
G
Ground floor use limitation area, parking use (minimum)4
0 feet; Site
H
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)
20 feet
(2)
Public Realm Dimensions
I
Furnishing and Utility Zone (minimum)
2 feet
J
Pedestrian Throughway (minimum)
5 feet
K
Lot Frontage Zone (minimum)
2 feet
(3)
Building Massing
(a)
Height
L
Height (minimum/maximum)
30 feet/70 feet
M
Ground floor height (minimum)
12 feet
N
Upper floor height (minimum)
10 feet
O
Ground floor elevation (maximum average)5
2 feet
Upper story stepback at front of lot (maximum building height at front lot line/required stepback distance from front lot line for additional stories)
55 feet/10 feet
(4)
Building Details
(a)
Roof
P
Maximum pitched roof surface distance without variation
100 feet
(b)
Facade
Q
Vertical articulation of bays for street-facing facades (minimum/maximum length of bays)
6 feet/50 feet
R
Contiguous blank wall area, ground floor (maximum per floor)
85 square feet
S
Contiguous blank wall area, upper floor (maximum per floor)
100 square feet
T
Maximum distance between ground floor pedestrian entrances
50 feet
(c)
Fenestration
U
Percentage fenestration, ground floor (minimum/maximum)
Per ground floor facade type
V
Percentage fenestration, upper floors (minimum/maximum) when not specified elsewhere
20%/40%
(d)
Ground floor facade types6
Storefront facade type
Y
Commercial facade type
Y
Residential facade type
Site
Civic facade type, for civic use [See § 350-21.7 F(6)(f).]
Site
Civic facade type, for all other uses [See § 350-21.7F(6)(g).]
PB
(e)
Building components
Awning
Y
Entry canopy
Y
Balcony
Y
Bay window
Y
Arcade
Y
Gallery
Y
Porch
Y
Stoop, portico, lightwell
Site
(5)
Building Design Standards and Guidelines, Review
Design guidelines and standards7 related to buildings contained in § 350-21.78
Review by Planning Board for projects subject to site plan approval
(6)
Building Bulk
Less than 2,000 square feet of new construction or addition
Y
New construction or addition of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area with no footprint expansion
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 5,000 to 9,999 square feet gross floor area
Site-M
New construction or addition with footprint of 10,000 to 90,000 square feet gross floor area
PB
New construction or addition resulting in a total of over 90,000 square feet single use footprint
No
(7)
Landscaping
(a)
Landscape components
Sidewalk extension
Y
Front plaza
Y
Front terrace
Y
Front yard
Site
Landscape path
Y
Front ramp
Y
Garden
Y
Fence or landscape wall
Y
(b)
Buffers
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)9
20 feet
District transitional buffer, screening height (minimum)
6 feet
Parking buffer, width (minimum)9
10 feet
Parking buffer, screening height (minimum). See also § 350-6.8E.
5 feet
(8)
Green Infrastructure
See § 350-21.9.
(9)
Public Realm Components
See § 350-21.10.
(10)
Off-Street Parking and Driveways
Addition of 6 to 9 parking spaces
Site
Addition of 10 or more parking spaces
Site-M
Continuation of use or reuse of existing buildings
No new parking required
Expansion of footprint, new gross floor area; new construction
New parking required only for theaters and nightclubs. See table in § 350-8.1.
Bicycle parking
Per § 350-8.11
New curb cut
PB
More than one curb cut
No
Surface parking located within the Lot Frontage Zone10
No
Pedestrian passage from rear parking to front of lot (maximum distance along frontage between pedestrian passages)
200 feet
NOTES:
1
See § 350-21.6E.
2
Subject to other provisions. See § 350-21.6D.
3
See § 350-21.6F. Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
4
See § 350-21.6F.
5
Civic buildings are exempt from maximum ground floor elevation
6
All types require a front door facing street.
7
The Planning Board may allow deviations from design guidelines and standards based on evaluation of the existing conditions and block compatibility. See also § 350-21.2B(4).
8
All other design standards and design guidelines in §§ 350-21 and 350-22 are reviewed by the Planning Board for projects subject to site plan approval.
9
Width can be reduced with use of a fence. See § 350-21.8H.
10
Note: Other parking requirements apply as well. See §§ 350-21.11 and 350-8.
D. 
Use Table for Central Business-Side Street District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval (Site-M).
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Review by Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Uses
CB-Side Street
Ground floor use limitation1
See lot standards.
Residential use above first floor
Y
Mixed residential/commercial
Y
Ground floor residential use on a property that does not abut a public way or public park maintained by the City. For the purposes of this provision, rail trails shall not be considered public parks.2
Y
Ground floor residential, multifamily, 4+ townhouses, live/work space
Site
All retail, personal service, artist's space, retail or medical marijuana sales,3 wholesale and business sales and supply of goods and services
Y
Professional/business office, banks, no drive-through
Y
Professional/business office, banks, with drive-through
PB
Restaurant (drive-through not allowed), bar, entertainment, community center, theater, nightclub
Y
Establishment with drive-through component
No
Hotel/motel
Y
Trades
Y
Health/athletic club, indoor recreation, membership club operated for profit or nonprofit
Y
Temporary event
Y
Nursing homes (any facility licensed/sanctioned by the state as a nursing home or skilled nursing center, but not assisted living residences). See also assisted living residences.
Site
Assisted living residence
Site
Veterinary hospital in which all animals are kept inside permanent buildings
Y
Funeral establishment
No
Manufacturing, research and development (biotech research requiring Biosafety Level 3 and above not allowed)
PB
Brewery, distillery, etc.
Y
Marijuana independent testing lab
Y
Education, religious use, day care, school-aged child-care program (MGL c. 28A, § 9), family day care (with registration with Building Commissioner); historical association, and nonprofit museum (residence of a caretaker must be above first floor only), agricultural uses
Y
Reuse of an historic educational or religious building for any residential use, live/work space or office. All such uses approved under this provision shall be within the footprint of existing building(s) and may only be approved contingent upon protection of all historically contributing portions of the building with an historic preservation restriction granted to the City of Northampton in a form acceptable to the Planning Board, with input from the Historical Commission, as preserving the key character-defining features visible from the road (and not necessarily meeting federal or state preservation standards for the entire building). The existing building may be expanded to accommodate elevators and stairwells. Portions of the building that are not part of the original architecture of the building and which do not contribute to the historical or architectural significance of the building as determined by the Planning Board, with input from the Historical Commission, may be demolished.
Site
Automobiles: establishment selling, leasing, renting automobiles and/or used automobiles and trucks, new automobile tires and other accessories, boats, motorcycles and household and camping trailers
No
Single or multimodal passenger terminal
Y
Facilities for essential services, municipal facility
Y
Auto repair (not junkyard) without gasoline sales. Garage doors are not allowed on the front facade. Vehicular access or parking is not allowed within 30 feet of front lot line. The use is not allowed on the ground floor of a building within 30 feet of the front facade
PB
Auto service with gasoline sales, convenience commercial
PB
Junk cars, motor vehicle accessories, scrap metal. See § 350-8.8L.
No
Commercial parking lot or structure including a public garage
Site
Telecommunications antennas on existing buildings/facilities that do not require a new tower. See § 350-10.9.
Site
Telecommunications antennas requiring new tower. See § 350-10.9.
PB
Private utility substation or similar facility or building; power plant and/or district utility
Site
Rooftop solar hot water and photovoltaic
Y
Solar photovoltaic of any size, ground-mounted over any legal parking lot or driveway
Site
Accessory solar photovoltaic ground-mounted on a parcel with any building or use, provided that the PV is sized to generate no more than 200% of the annual projected electric use of the non-PV building or use
Site
Short-term rentals. Such rentals must be registered with the City and are only valid for the year in which registration is completed and expire December 31 each year.
Y
Marijuana production of small scale, less than 5,000 square feet of cumulative square footage of growing area. No portion of such use shall front on a public way. Use may only occur at the back of a building or in a building behind another building.4
Y
NOTES:
1
All uses are subject to ground floor use limitation, where it applies. See lot standards.
2
Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
3
No marijuana establishment shall be located within 200 feet of a preexisting public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of Grades 1 through 12. Building facades and property in which a marijuana establishment is located must be consistent with the character of the neighborhood, including such items as transparent storefront windows with a view into the interior of the building. Security measures must appear from the outside of the building to be consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
4
All such spaces must incorporate both high-efficiency particulate air handlers with activated carbon filters and exhaust systems designed with vents that force the air at least 10 feet above the roofline of the building. Alternative technology may be used upon finding by the Planning Board through site plan approval process that such other technology will to the extent practicable limit odors from marijuana in any place where the public or clients are present.
A. 
Desired character.
(1) 
The character-based standards are intended to foster appealing gateways to downtown. The district signals to motorists that they are entering downtown Northampton where pedestrians and bicyclists are frequent and valued. The streetscape is welcoming, safe, and attractive to all users. The public realm is characterized by ample street trees, sidewalks with adequate width and functional and attractive furnishing and utility zones, where possible.
(2) 
Buildings are set close together and are two or more stories, or one story with adequate street presence, creating the sense of a consistent street wall and at least a moderate level of street enclosure. Buildings are built to the edge of the sidewalk or have small front setbacks which are occupied by high-quality semipublic spaces used for expanded pedestrian throughway space, cafe seating, outdoor display space, green stormwater management, ornamental landscaping, and other pedestrian-oriented elements.
(3) 
Parking is predominantly located on-street and behind buildings with shared curb cuts, cross-access between parking lots, internal pedestrian circulation, plentiful trees, and green stormwater management. Where possible, redevelopment of large sites creates a recognizable block pattern with buildings lined up along pedestrian-scale streets, and parking arranged into coherent lots located behind buildings. Additions and new buildings follow basic principles of urban design and architectural composition.
(4) 
Illustrative example of the desired character of the district.
B. 
Intent. This district is intended to:
(1) 
Create a gateway to downtown Northampton and adjacent residential neighborhoods;
(2) 
Take advantage of existing high traffic volumes;
(3) 
Develop a pedestrian-scale public realm;
(4) 
Facilitate redevelopment of the area with a broad range of moderate- to high-density commercial, mixed-use, and residential buildings, including ground floor residential use, to support commercial uses in the district and adjacent districts;
(5) 
Provide increased options for housing and services that benefit residents in the surrounding neighborhoods and travelers along the corridor; and
(6) 
Reknit connections to and between adjacent residential neighborhoods by providing a welcoming streetscape and pedestrian-oriented destinations between them.
C. 
Table of Character-Based Requirements for Central Business-Gateway District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval (Site-M).
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Review by Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Requirement
CB-Gateway
(1)
Lot Standards
Lot size (minimum/maximum)
—
Frontage (minimum/maximum)
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Side setback (minimum/maximum)
—
A
Rear setback (minimum)
6 feet
B
Build-to-zone
0 feet to 10 feet
Special permit to increase maximum front setback
PB
C
Building frontage occupancy (minimum)1
50%
D
Allowed uses of Lot Frontage Zone2
Building, landscape component, public realm component, driveway (when allowed)
E
Driveway width in Lot Frontage Zone (maximum) (when allowed)
24 feet
Open space (minimum)
—
F
Ground floor use limitation area, residential use (minimum)3
0 feet
G
Ground floor use limitation area, parking use (minimum)4
0 feet; Site
H
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)
20 feet
(2)
Public Realm Dimensions
I
Furnishing and Utility Zone (minimum)
2 feet
J
Pedestrian Throughway (minimum)
5 feet
K
Lot Frontage Zone (minimum)
2 feet
(3)
Building Massing
(a)
Height
L
Height (minimum/maximum)
20 feet/70 feet
M
Ground floor height (minimum)
12 feet
N
Upper floor height (minimum)
10 feet
O
Ground floor elevation (maximum average)5
2 feet
Upper story stepback at front of lot (maximum building height at front lot line/required stepback distance from front lot line for additional stories)
55 feet/10 feet
(4)
Building Details
(a)
Roof
P
Maximum pitched roof surface distance without variation
100 feet
(b)
Facade
Q
Vertical articulation of bays for street-facing facades (minimum/maximum length of bays)
6 feet/50 feet
R
Contiguous blank wall area, ground floor (maximum per floor)
85 square feet
S
Contiguous blank wall area, upper floor (maximum per floor)
150 square feet
T
Maximum distance between ground floor pedestrian entrances
60 feet
(c)
Fenestration
U
Percentage of fenestration, ground floor (minimum/maximum)
Per ground floor facade type
V
Percentage of fenestration, upper floors (minimum/maximum) when not specified elsewhere
20%/40%
(d)
Ground floor facade types6
Storefront facade type
Y
Commercial facade type
Y
Residential facade type
Y
Civic facade type, for civic use [See § 350-21.7F(6)(f).]
Site
Civic facade type, for all other uses [See § 350-21.7F(6)(g).]
PB
(e)
Building components
Awning
Y
Entry canopy
Y
Balcony
Y
Bay window
Y
Arcade
Y
Gallery
Y
Porch
Y
Stoop, portico, lightwell
Site
(5)
Building Design Standards and Guidelines, Review
Design guidelines and standards7 related to buildings contained in § 350-21.78
Review by Planning Board for projects subject to site plan approval
(6)
Building Bulk
Less than 2,000 square feet of new construction or addition
Y
New construction or addition of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area with no footprint expansion
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 5,000 to 9,999 square feet gross floor area
Site-M
New construction or addition with footprint of 10,000 to 90,000 square feet gross floor area
PB
New construction or addition resulting in a total of over 90,000 square feet of single-use footprint
No
(7)
Landscaping
(a)
Landscape components
Sidewalk extension
Y
Front plaza
Y
Front terrace
Y
Front yard
Site
Landscape path
Y
Front ramp
Y
Garden
Y
Fence or landscape wall
Y
(b)
Buffers
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)9
20 feet
District transitional buffer, screening height (minimum)
6 feet
Parking buffer, width (minimum)9
10 feet
Parking buffer, screening height (minimum). See also § 350-6.8E.
5 feet
(8)
Green Infrastructure
See § 350-21.9.
(9)
Public Realm Components
See § 350-21.10.
(10)
Off-Street Parking and Driveways
Addition of 6 to 9 parking spaces
Site
Addition of 10 or more parking spaces
Site-M
Continuation of use or reuse of existing buildings
No new parking required
Expansion of footprint, new gross floor area; new construction
Parking required per table in § 350-8.1 for the new gross floor area10
Bicycle parking
Per § 350-8.11
New curb cut
Site
More than 1 curb cut
PB
Parking located within the Lot Frontage Zone11
No
Pedestrian passage from rear parking to front of lot (maximum distance along frontage between pedestrian passages)
200 feet
NOTES:
1
See § 350-21.6E.
2
Subject to other provisions. See § 350-21.6D.
3
See § 350-21.6F. Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
4
See § 350-21.6F.
5
Civic buildings are exempt from maximum ground floor elevation.
6
All types require a front door facing street.
7
The Planning Board may allow deviations from design guidelines and standards based on evaluation of the existing conditions and block compatibility. See also § 350-21.2B(4).
8
All other design standards and design guidelines in §§ 350-21 and 350-22 are reviewed by the Planning Board for projects subject to site plan approval.
9
Width can be reduced with use of a fence. See § 350-21.8H.
10
However, the applicant shall not be required to make up any parking deficiency for existing gross floor area where the existing use (or in cases of vacancy, the next previous use) did not provide for the number of off-street parking spaces required under this chapter.
11
Other parking requirements apply as well. See §§ 350-21.11 and 350-8.
D. 
Use Table for Central Business-Gateway District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by-right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval.
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Review by Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Uses
CB-Gateway
Ground floor use limitation1
Residential use above first floor
Y
Mixed residential/commercial
Y
Ground floor residential use on a property that does not abut a public way or public park maintained by the City. For the purposes of this provision, rail trails shall not be considered public parks.2
Y
Ground floor residential, multifamily, 4+ townhouses, live/work space
Y
All retail, personal service, artist's space, retail or medical marijuana sales,3 wholesale and business sales and supply of goods and services
Y
Professional/business office, banks, no drive-through
Y
Professional/business office, banks, with drive-through
PB
Restaurant (drive-through not allowed), bar, entertainment, community center, theater, nightclub
Y
Establishment with drive-through component
No
Hotel/motel
Y
Trades
Y
Health/athletic club, indoor recreation, membership club operated for profit or nonprofit
Y
Temporary event
Y
Nursing homes (any facility licensed/sanctioned by the state as a nursing home or skilled nursing center, but not assisted living residences). See also assisted living residences.
Site
Assisted living residence
Y
Veterinary hospital in which all animals are kept inside permanent buildings
Y
Funeral establishment
Y
Manufacturing, research and development (biotech research requiring Biosafety Level 3 and above not allowed)
PB
Brewery, distillery, etc.
Y
Marijuana independent testing lab
Y
Education, religious use, day care, school-aged child-care program (MGL c. 28A, § 9), family day care (with registration with Building Commissioner); historical association, and nonprofit museum (residence of a caretaker must be above first floor only), agricultural uses
Y
Reuse of an historic educational or religious building for any residential use, live/work space or office. All such uses approved under this provision shall be within the footprint of existing building(s) and may only be approved contingent upon protection of all historically contributing portions of the building with an historic preservation restriction granted to the City of Northampton in a form acceptable to the Planning Board, with input from the Historical Commission, as preserving the key character-defining features visible from the road (and not necessarily meeting federal or state preservation standards for the entire building). The existing building may be expanded to accommodate elevators and stairwells. Portions of the building that are not part of the original architecture of the building and which do not contribute to the historical or architectural significance of the building as determined by the Planning Board, with input from the Historical Commission, may be demolished.
N/A
Automobiles: establishment selling, leasing, renting automobiles and/or used automobiles and trucks, new automobile tires and other accessories, boats, motorcycles and household and camping trailers.
PB
Single or multimodal passenger terminal
Y
Facilities for essential services, municipal facility
Y
Auto repair (not junkyard) without gasoline sales. Garage doors are not allowed on the front facade. Vehicular access or parking is not allowed within 30 feet of front lot line. The use is not allowed on the ground floor of a building within 30 feet of the front facade.
PB
Auto service with gasoline sales, convenience commercial
PB
Junk cars, motor vehicle accessories, scrap metal. See § 350-8.8L.
No
Commercial parking lot or structure including a public garage
Site
Telecommunications antennas on existing buildings/facilities that do not require a new tower. See § 350-10.9.
Site
Telecommunications antennas requiring new tower. See § 350-10.9.
PB
Private utility substation or similar facility or building; power plant and/or district utility
Site
Rooftop solar hot water and photovoltaic
Y
Solar photovoltaic of any size, ground-mounted over any legal parking lot or driveway
Site
Accessory solar photovoltaic ground-mounted on a parcel with any building or use, provided that the PV is sized to generate no more than 200% of the annual projected electric use of the non-PV building or use
Site
Short-term rentals. Such rentals must be registered with the City and are only valid for the year in which registration is completed and expire December 31 each year.
Y
Marijuana production of small scale, less than 5,000 square feet of cumulative square footage of growing area. No portion of such use shall front on a public way. Use may only occur at the back of a building or in a building behind another building.4
Y
NOTES:
1
All uses are subject to ground floor use limitation, where it applies. See lot standards.
2
Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
3
No marijuana establishment shall be located within 200 feet of a preexisting public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of Grades 1 through 12. Building facades and property in which a marijuana establishment is located must be consistent with the character of the neighborhood, including such items as transparent storefront windows with a view into the interior of the building. Security measures must appear from the outside of the building to be consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
4
All such spaces must incorporate both high-efficiency particulate air handlers with activated carbon filters and exhaust systems designed with vents that force the air at least 10 feet above the roofline of the building. Alternative technology may be used upon finding by the Planning Board through site plan approval process that such other technology will to the extent practicable limit odors from marijuana in any place where the public or clients are present.
A. 
Desired character.
(1) 
The character-based standards are intended to foster a family-friendly walkable village center that predominantly serves local residents while accommodating all street users. The public realm will be characterized by ample street trees, sidewalks with adequate width, and functional and attractive furnishing and utility zones, where possible. Buildings will be set close together with a moderate level of street enclosure, while maintaining the village scale of the area. Buildings will be built to the edge of the sidewalk, where adequate space for pedestrians and street trees exists, or will have small front setbacks which will be occupied by high-quality public or semipublic spaces used for expanded pedestrian throughway space, cafe seating, outdoor display space, green stormwater management, or ornamental landscaping. New buildings will follow the basic principles of urban design and architectural composition and will take cues from the area's 19th and early 20th century commercial and industrial buildings, or the historic building forms of the adjacent residential neighborhoods. Well-designed public green spaces will provide gathering places for residents and users of the district and adjacent neighborhoods and will enhance the viability of commercial uses.
(2) 
Illustrative example of the desired character of the district.
B. 
Intent. This district is intended to facilitate a broad range of commercial, residential, and mixed uses, in the form of infill development and redevelopment at a pedestrian-scale and moderate density, providing services that benefit residents in the surrounding neighborhoods and travelers along the Route 9 corridor.
C. 
Table of Character-Based Requirements for Florence Village-Center District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval (Site-M).
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Requirement
FV-Center
(1)
Lot Standards
Lot size (minimum/maximum)
—
Frontage (minimum/maximum)
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Side setback (minimum/maximum)
—
A
Rear setback (minimum)
6 feet
B
Build-to-zone
0 feet to 20 feet
Special permit to increase maximum front setback
PB
C
Building frontage occupancy (minimum) 1
75%
D
Allowed uses of Lot Frontage Zone2
Building, landscape component, public realm component, driveway (when allowed)
E
Driveway width in Lot Frontage Zone (maximum) (when allowed)
24 feet
Open space (minimum)
5%
F
Ground floor use limitation area, residential use (minimum)3
20 feet
G
Ground floor use limitation area, parking use (minimum)4
0 feet; Site
H
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)
20 feet
(2)
Public Realm Dimensions
I
Furnishing and Utility Zone (minimum)
2 feet
J
Pedestrian Throughway (minimum)
5 feet
K
Lot Frontage Zone (minimum)
2 feet
(3)
Building Massing
(a)
Height
L
Height (minimum/maximum). Minimum may be reduced by PB site plan for buildings that do not front on the public way.
20 feet/60 feet
M
Ground floor height (minimum)
14 feet
N
Upper floor height (minimum)
10 feet
O
Ground floor elevation (maximum average)5
1.5 feet
Upper story stepback at front of lot (maximum building height at front lot line/required stepback distance from front lot line for additional stories)
45 feet/10 feet
(4)
Building Details
(a)
Roof
P
Maximum pitched roof surface distance without variation
100 feet
(b)
Facade
Q
Vertical articulation of bays for street-facing facades (minimum/maximum length of bays)
6 feet/50 feet
R
Contiguous blank wall area, ground floor (maximum per floor)
85 square feet
S
Contiguous blank wall area, upper floor (maximum per floor)
100 square feet
T
Maximum distance between ground floor pedestrian entrances
40 feet
(c)
Fenestration
U
Percentage of fenestration, ground floor (minimum/maximum)
Per ground floor facade type
V
Percentage of fenestration, upper floors (minimum/maximum) when not specified elsewhere
20%/40%
(d)
Ground floor facade types6
Storefront facade type
Y
Commercial facade type
Y
Residential facade type
No
Civic facade type, for civic use [See § 350-21.7F(6)(f).]
Site
Civic facade type, for all other uses [See § 350-21.7F(6)(g).]
PB
(e)
Building components
Awning
Y
Entry canopy
Y
Balcony
Y
Bay window
Y
Arcade
Y
Gallery
Y
Porch
Y
Stoop, portico, lightwell
Site
(5)
Design Guidelines, Review
Design guidelines7 contained in the character-based districts
Review by Planning Board for projects subject to site plan approval
(6)
Building Bulk
Less than 2,000 square feet of new construction or addition
Y
New construction or addition of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area with no footprint expansion
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 5,000 to 9,999 square feet gross floor area
Site-M
New construction or addition with footprint of 10,000 to 90,000 square feet gross floor area
PB
New construction or addition resulting in a total of over 90,000 square feet of single use footprint
No
(7)
Landscaping
(a)
Landscape components
Sidewalk extension
Y
Front plaza
Y
Front terrace
Y
Front yard
Site
Landscape path
Y
Front ramp
Y
Garden
Y
Fence or landscape wall
Y
(b)
Buffers
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)8
20 feet
District transitional buffer, screening height (minimum)
6 feet
Parking buffer, width (minimum)8
10 feet
Parking buffer, screening height (minimum). See also § 350-6.8E.
5 feet
(8)
Green Infrastructure
See § 350-21.9.
(9)
Public Realm Components
See § 350-21.10.
(10)
Off-Street Parking and Driveways
Addition of 6 to 9 parking spaces
Site
Addition of 10 or more parking spaces
Site-M
Continuation of use or reuse of existing buildings
No new parking required
Addition of a second floor to a one-story building
No new parking required
Expansion of footprint, new gross floor area; new construction
Parking required per table in § 350-8.1 for the new gross floor area9
Bicycle parking
Per § 350-8.11
New curb cut
No
More than 1 curb cut
No
Parking located within the Lot Frontage Zone10
No
Pedestrian passage from rear parking to front of lot (maximum distance along frontage between pedestrian passages)
200 feet
NOTES:
1
See § 350-21.6E.
2
Subject to other provisions. See § 350-21.6D.
3
See § 350-21.6F. Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
4
See § 350-21.6F.
5
Civic buildings are exempt from maximum ground floor elevation.
6
All types require a front door facing street.
7
The Planning Board may allow deviations from design guidelines based on evaluation of the existing conditions and block compatibility. See also § 350-21.2B(4).
8
Width can be reduced with use of a fence. See § 350-21.8H.
9
However, the applicant shall not be required to make up any parking deficiency for existing gross floor area where the existing use (or in cases of vacancy, the next previous use) did not provide for the number of off-street parking spaces required under this chapter.
10
Other parking requirements apply as well. See §§ 350-21.11 and 350-8.
D. 
Use Table for Florence Village-Center District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by-right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval.
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
No
Not allowed
—
No standard
Uses
FV-Center
Ground floor use limitation1
See lot standards.
Residential use above first floor
Y
Ground floor residential use on a property that does not abut a public way or public park maintained by the City. For the purposes of this provision, rail trails shall not be considered public parks.2
Y
Ground floor residential, multifamily, 4+ townhouses, live/work space
No
All retail, personal service, artist's space, retail or medical marijuana sales,3 wholesale and business sales and supply of goods and services
Y
Professional/business office, banks, no drive-through
Y
Professional/business office, banks, with drive-through
No
Restaurant (drive-through not allowed), bar, entertainment, community center, theater, nightclub
Y
Establishment with drive-through component
No
Hotel/motel
Y
Trades
Y
Health/athletic club, indoor recreation, membership club operated for profit or nonprofit
Y
Temporary event
Y
Nursing homes (any facility licensed/sanctioned by the state as a nursing home or skilled nursing center, but not assisted living residences). See also assisted living residences.
Site
Assisted living residence
Site
Manufacturing, research and development (biotech research requiring Biosafety Level 3 and above not allowed)
PB
Breweries, distilleries, etc.
Y
Veterinary hospital in which all animals are kept inside permanent buildings
Y
Marijuana independent testing lab
Y
Education, religious use, day care, school-aged child-care program (MGL c. 28A, § 9), family day care (with registration with Building Commissioner); historical association, and nonprofit museum (residence of a caretaker must be above first floor only), agricultural uses
Y
Single or multimodal passenger terminal
Y
Facilities for essential services, municipal facility
Y
Automobiles: establishment selling, leasing, renting automobiles and/or used automobiles and trucks, new automobile tires and other accessories, boats, motorcycles and household and camping trailers
No
Auto repair (not junkyard) without gasoline sales. Garage doors are not allowed on the front facade. Vehicular access or parking is not allowed within 30 feet of front lot line. The use is not allowed on the ground floor of a building within 30 feet of the front facade.
PB
Junk cars, motor vehicle accessories, scrap metal. See § 350-8.8L.
No
Commercial parking lot or structure including a public garage
Site
Telecommunications antennas on existing buildings/facilities that do not require a new tower. See § 350-10.9.
Site
Telecommunications antennas requiring new tower. See § 350-10.9.
PB
Veterinary hospital in which all animals are kept inside permanent buildings
Y
Private utility substation or similar facility or building; power plant and/or district utility
Site
Rooftop solar hot water and photovoltaic
Y
Solar photovoltaic of any size, ground-mounted over any legal parking lot or driveway
Site
Accessory solar photovoltaic ground-mounted on a parcel with any building or use, provided that the PV is sized to generate no more than 200% of the annual projected electric use of the non-PV building or use
Site
Short-term rentals. Such rentals must be registered with the City and are only valid for the year in which registration is completed and expire December 31 each year.
Y subject to ground floor use limitation
Funeral establishment
No
Marijuana production of small scale, less than 5,000 square feet of cumulative square footage of growing area. No portion of such use shall front on a public way. Use may only occur at the back of a building or in a building behind another building.4
Y
NOTES:
1
All uses are subject to ground floor use limitation, where it applies. See lot standards.
2
Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
3
No marijuana establishment shall be located within 200 feet of a preexisting public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of Grades 1 through 12. Building facades and property in which a marijuana establishment is located must be consistent with the character of the neighborhood, including such items as transparent storefront windows with a view into the interior of the building. Security measures must appear from the outside of the building to be consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
4
All such spaces must incorporate both high-efficiency particulate air handlers with activated carbon filters and exhaust systems designed with vents that force the air at least 10 feet above the roofline of the building. Alternative technology may be used upon finding by the Planning Board through site plan approval process that such other technology will to the extent practicable limit odors from marijuana in any place where the public or clients are present.
A. 
Desired character.
(1) 
The desired character for this area is the same as that for Florence Village-Center, except that a wider range of uses, building types, frontage types, facade types, and configurations of the public realm is anticipated. More industrial uses are expected as are standalone residential uses. Likewise, more diverse building types are expected, with greater representation of wood frame buildings. Particular attention will be paid to the areas along Depot Avenue and along the Rail Trail between North Main Street and Bardwell Street. These areas will be characterized by attached buildings with simple massing and ample fenestration. Where possible, pedestrian circulation will be developed along the faces of buildings. Parking lots will be consolidated where possible and landscaping and pedestrian circulation will be added to them. The space between parking lots and the Mass Central Rail Trail will be improved with seating, additional trees, improved stormwater management to decrease flooding on the Rail Trail, and buffering of views of parked cars from the Rail Trail, where possible.
(2) 
Illustrative example of the desired character of the district.
B. 
Intent. The intent of this district is to facilitate continued utilization and selected redevelopment of this area to accommodate a wide range of commercial, industrial, residential, and live/work uses within walking distance of Florence Village-Center and adjacent moderate-density residential neighborhoods. The district is intended to continue to provide space for employment opportunities and other commercial uses, while also providing opportunities for compatible higher-density residential use, including ground-floor residential use, to support those commercial uses.
C. 
Table of Character-Based Requirements for Florence Village-General Districts (FV-General).
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval.
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
CBAC
Central Business Architecture Committee
No
Not allowed
N/A
Not applicable
Requirement
FV-General
(1)
Lot Standards
Lot size (minimum/maximum)
—
Frontage (minimum/maximum)
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Side setback (minimum/maximum)
—
A
Rear setback (minimum)
6 feet
B
Build-to-zone
5 feet to 20 feet
Special permit to increase maximum front setback
PB
C
Building frontage occupancy (minimum)1
50%
D
Allowed uses of Lot Frontage Zone2
Building, landscape component, public realm component, driveway (when allowed)
E
Driveway width in Lot Frontage Zone (maximum) (when allowed)
24 feet
Open space (minimum)
5%
F
Ground floor use limitation area, residential use (minimum)3
0 feet
G
Ground floor use limitation area, parking use (minimum)4
0 feet; Site
H
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)
20 feet
(2)
Public Realm Dimensions
I
Furnishing and Utility Zone (minimum)
2 feet
J
Pedestrian Throughway (minimum)
5 feet
K
Lot Frontage Zone (minimum)
2 feet
(3)
Building Massing
(a)
Height
L
Height (minimum/maximum). Minimum may be reduced by PB site plan for buildings that do not front on a public way.
20 feet/60 feet
M
Ground floor height (minimum)
12 feet
N
Upper floor height (minimum)
10 feet
O
Ground floor elevation (maximum average)5
1.5 feet
Upper story stepback at front of lot (maximum building height at front lot line/required stepback distance from front lot line for additional stories)
45 feet/10 feet
(4)
Building Details
(a)
Roof
P
Maximum pitched roof surface distance without variation
100 feet
(b)
Facade
Q
Vertical articulation of bays for street-facing facades (minimum/maximum length of bays)
6 feet/50 feet
R
Contiguous blank wall area, ground floor (maximum per floor)
85 square feet
S
Contiguous blank wall area, upper floor (maximum per floor)
100 square feet
T
Maximum distance between ground floor pedestrian entrances
50 feet
(c)
Fenestration
U
Percentage of fenestration, ground floor (minimum/maximum)
Per ground floor facade type
V
Percentage of fenestration, upper floors (minimum/maximum) when not specified elsewhere
20%/40%
(d)
Ground floor facade types6
Storefront facade type
Y
Commercial facade type
Y
Residential facade type
Site
Civic facade type, for civic use [See § 350-21.7F(6)(f).]
Site
Civic facade type, for all other uses [See § 350-21.7F(6)(g).]
PB
(e)
Building components
Awning
Y
Entry canopy
Y
Balcony
Y
Bay window
Y
Arcade
Y
Gallery
Y
Porch
Y
Stoop, portico, lightwell
Site
(5)
Design Guidelines, Review
Design guidelines7 contained in the character-based districts
Review by Planning Board for projects subject to site plan approval
(6)
Building Bulk
Less than 2,000 square feet of new construction or addition
Y
New construction or addition of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area with no footprint expansion
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet gross floor area
Site
New construction or addition with footprint expansion of 5,000 to 9,999 square feet gross floor area
Site-M
New construction or addition with footprint of 10,000 to 90,000 square feet gross floor area
PB
New construction or addition resulting in a total of over 90,000 square feet of single use footprint
No
(7)
Landscaping
(a)
Landscape components
Sidewalk extension
Y
Front plaza
Y
Front terrace
Y
Front yard
Site
Landscape path
Y
Front ramp
Y
Garden
Y
Fence or landscape wall
Y
(b)
Buffers
District transitional buffer, width (minimum)8
20 feet
District transitional buffer, screening height (minimum)
6 feet
Parking buffer, width (minimum)8
10 feet
Parking buffer, screening height (minimum). See also § 350-6.8E.
5 feet
(8)
Green Infrastructure
See § 350-21.9.
(9)
Public Realm Components
See § 350-21.10.
(10)
Off-Street Parking and Driveways
Addition of 6 to 9 parking spaces
Site
Addition of 10 or more parking spaces
Site-M
Continuation of use or reuse of existing buildings
No new parking required
Addition of a second floor to a one-story building
No new parking required
Expansion of footprint, new gross floor area; new construction
Parking required per table in § 350-8.1 for the new gross floor area9
Bicycle parking
Per § 350-8.11
New curb cut
Site
More than one curb cut
PB
Parking located within the Lot Frontage Zone10
No
Pedestrian passage from rear parking to front of lot (maximum distance along frontage between pedestrian passages)
200 feet
NOTES:
1
See § 350-21.6E.
2
Subject to other provisions. See § 350-21.6D.
3
See § 350-21.6F. Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
4
See § 350-21.6F.
5
Civic buildings are exempt from maximum ground floor elevation.
6
All types require a front door facing street.
7
The Planning Board may allow deviations from design guidelines based on evaluation of the existing conditions and block compatibility. See also § 350-21.2B(4).
8
Width can be reduced with use of a fence. See § 350-21.8H.
9
However, the applicant shall not be required to make up any parking deficiency for existing gross floor area where the existing use (or in cases of vacancy, the next previous use) did not provide for the number of off-street parking spaces required under this chapter.
10
Other parking requirements apply as well. See §§ 350-21.11 and 350-8.
D. 
Use Table for Florence Village-General District.
Key:
—
No requirement
/
When two numbers are separated by a / symbol, the first number is the minimum requirement, and the second number is the maximum requirement.
Y
Allowed by right. All uses must be registered with the Building Commissioner and comply with all codes. Site plan approval is often also required for uses above certain thresholds.
Site
Allowed with site plan approval from Planning Board. Intermediate site plan approval is required unless the project otherwise triggers major site plan approval.
PB
Allowed by special permit from Planning Board
No
Not allowed
—
No standard
Uses
FV-General
Ground floor use limitation1
See lot standards.
Residential use above first floor
Y
Ground floor residential use on a property that does not abut a public way or public park maintained by the City. For the purposes of this provision, rail trails shall not be considered public parks.2
Y
Ground floor residential, multifamily, 4+ townhouses, live/work space
Y
All retail, personal service, artist's space, retail or medical marijuana sales,3 wholesale and business sales and supply of goods and services
Y
Professional/business office, banks, no drive-through
Y
Professional/business office, banks, with drive-through
PB
Restaurant (drive-through not allowed), bar, entertainment, community center, theater, nightclub
Y
Establishment with drive-through component
No
Hotel/motel
Y
Trades
Y
Health/athletic club, indoor recreation, membership club operated for profit or nonprofit
Y
Temporary event
Y
Nursing homes (any facility licensed/sanctioned by the state as a nursing home or skilled nursing center, but not assisted living residences). See also assisted living residences.
Site
Assisted living residence
Site
Manufacturing, research and development (biotech research requiring Biosafety Level 3 and above not allowed)
PB
Breweries, distilleries, etc.
Y
Veterinary hospital in which all animals are kept inside permanent buildings
Y
Marijuana independent testing lab
Y
Education, religious use, day care, school-aged child-care program (MGL c. 28A, § 9), family day care (with registration with Building Commissioner); historical association, and nonprofit museum (residence of a caretaker must be above first floor only), agricultural uses
Y
Single or multimodal passenger terminal
Y
Facilities for essential services, municipal facility
Y
Automobiles: establishment selling, leasing, renting automobiles and/or used automobiles and trucks, new automobile tires and other accessories, boats, motorcycles and household and camping trailers
No
Auto repair (not junkyard) without gasoline sales. Garage doors are not allowed on the front facade. Vehicular access or parking is not allowed within 30 feet of front lot line. The use is not allowed on the ground floor of a building within 30 feet of the front facade.
PB
Junk cars, motor vehicle accessories, scrap metal. See § 350-8.8L.
No
Commercial parking lot or structure including a public garage
Site
Telecommunications antennas on existing buildings/facilities that do not require a new tower. See § 350-10.9
Site
Telecommunications antennas requiring new tower. See § 350-10.9.
PB
Veterinary hospital in which all animals are kept inside permanent buildings
Y
Private utility substation or similar facility or building; power plant and/or district utility
Site
Rooftop solar hot water and photovoltaic
Y
Solar photovoltaic of any size, ground-mounted over any legal parking lot or driveway
Site
Accessory solar photovoltaic ground-mounted on a parcel with any building or use, provided that the PV is sized to generate no more than 200% of the annual projected electric use of the non-PV building or use.
Site
Short-term rentals. Such rentals must be registered with the City and are only valid for the year in which registration is completed and expire December 31 each year.
Y
Funeral establishment
Y
Marijuana production of small scale, less than 5,000 square feet of cumulative square footage of growing area. No portion of such use shall front on a public way. Use may only occur at the back of a building or in a building behind another building.4
Y
NOTES:
1
All uses are subject to ground floor use limitation, where it applies. See lot standards.
2
Home businesses are not considered residential uses for these purposes.
3
No establishment shall be located within 200 feet of a preexisting public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of Grades 1 through 12. No marijuana establishment shall be located within 200 feet of a preexisting public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of Grades 1 through 12. Building facades and property in which a marijuana establishment is located must be consistent with the character of the neighborhood, including such items as transparent storefront windows with a view into the interior of the building. Security measures must appear from the outside of the building to be consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
4
All such spaces must incorporate both high-efficiency particulate air handlers with activated carbon filters and exhaust systems designed with vents that force the air at least 10 feet above the roofline of the building. Alternative technology may be used upon finding by the Planning Board through site plan approval process that such other technology will to the extent practicable limit odors from marijuana in any place where the public or clients are present.