I I IntroductionII II DefinitionsIII III Residential (R) DistrictsIV IV Business and Industrial DistrictsV V Design DistrictsVI VI Other DistrictsVII VII Basic StandardsVIII VIII Special RegulationsIX IX ProceduresX X General ProvisionsXI XI AdministrationXII XII Regulating PlansXIII XIII Building Form StandardsXIV XIV Urban Space StandardsXV XV Architectural StandardsXVI XVI Parking and Loading StandardsXVII XVII Building FunctionXVIII XVIII Village District StandardsXIX XIX DefinitionsXX XX Appendix : Regulating Plans
A. 
Goals.
(1) 
The goal of the BFS is the creation of a consistent public realm through the creation of coherent street-space. The form and function controls on buildings work together while allowing the buildings more flexibility in use.
(2) 
The Regulating Plan identifies the BFS for all parcels within the Design Village Districts.
(3) 
The BFS set the basic parameters governing the building form for development and redevelopment on private lots, unless otherwise indicated on the Regulating Plan, as well as certain required functional elements such as fenestration (windows and doors) and street walls, or permitted elements such as stoops, balconies, or front porches.
A. 
Building height.
(1) 
The height of all buildings is measured in stories, with a maximum limit in feet, measured from the average finished grade of the edge of street pavement directly in front of the building to the locations shown in Zoning Regulations § 470-202, Defined terms, "building height" and "story-related terms," unless otherwise designated. The height of all interior buildings shall be measured using Article II of the Zoning Regulations.
(2) 
Dormers are permitted and do not constitute a story (for height measurement purposes) so long as: they do not break the primary eave line, are individually less than 15 feet wide, and are collectively not more than 60% of their BTL facade length.
(3) 
If an individual story exceeds the maximum story clear height (floor to ceiling), it shall be counted against another story, and no individual building height may exceed the specified maximum height (except to allow places of assembly).
(4) 
The prescribed minimum story clear height shall be met by at least 80% of the story's floor area.
(5) 
Mezzanines that have a floor area greater than 40% of the ground story's floor area shall count as an additional full story in the story height measurement.
(6) 
Any portion of a parking structure within 30 feet of a building constructed per this Code shall not exceed that building's primary roof ridge or parapet height.
(7) 
Exception to the maximum allowed height may be allowed by the Commission as a Type II application under § 470-401D(5) of the Zoning Regulations.
B. 
Siting.
(1) 
Buildable area.
(a) 
Buildings must be located within the designated buildable area per the BFS.
(b) 
The private, interior portions of the lots (toward the alley or rear lot lines) are much less controlled to allow commercial operators to utilize these spaces as efficient working environments unseen by the public and allow residents to have private (semi-private for apartment and condominium dwellings) gardens and courtyards.
(c) 
No portion of any building shall be located outside of the buildable area except overhanging eaves, awnings, storefronts, bay windows, stoops, steps, balconies, or handicapped ramps approved by the ZEO. See Zoning Regulations § 470-202, Table 2.1 - Coverage and Yard Setback Applicability.
(d) 
On lots designated Main or Town BFS adjacent to the boundary of Design Village District and adjacent to existing single-family homes, a planted buffer must be provided along the common lot line in accordance with Zoning Regulations § 470-701.
(2) 
Corner lots.
(a) 
Corner lots shall satisfy the BTL requirements for their full/all street frontages, unless otherwise shown on the Regulating Plan.
(b) 
The building facade must occupy the BTL at a block corner for 20 feet minimum in both directions.
(3) 
Street walls (see also Article XV, Architectural Standards).
(a) 
A street wall, two feet minimum and six feet maximum height, shall be required along any BTL frontage that is not otherwise occupied by a building, private drive, or common access easement. The street wall shall be located not more than 12 inches behind the BTL.
(4) 
Garage and parking (see also Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards).
(a) 
The PSL, shown on the Regulating Plan, extends vertically from the ground floor as a plane to the minimum building height specified per BFS. Vehicle parking shall be located behind the PSL, except where parking is provided below grade or above the minimum required story height.
(b) 
Driveways shall be located at least 50 feet away from any block corner or another garage entry on the same block face. These requirements are not applicable along alleys or common access easements.
(5) 
Transitions.
(a) 
On a lot with more than one BFS across the BTL, the property owner has the option, of applying either BFS for a maximum additional distance of 20 feet, in either direction along that BTL.
(b) 
Existing structures located on a lot with more than one BFS across the BTL may use the building use for either BFS designated on the Regulating Plan for the existing structure only.
(c) 
Where any main BFS is adjacent to an existing single-family detached residential lot, any structures shall have a maximum height of 30 feet for a minimum of twenty-foot depth.
(d) 
Where any main BFS abuts an existing single-family residential lot, a street wall or privacy fence up to six feet in height shall be constructed within 12 inches of the common lot line.
(6) 
For proposed interior buildings on a lot with more than one BFS, the interior building shall utilize the BFS applied to the frontage building. If more than one frontage building exists utilizing different BFS, the owner has the option of applying either, provided should the frontage building be improved or replaced the BFS used for the interior building shall be used for the frontage building.
C. 
Facades.
(1) 
Facade changes (increases/decreases/change in fenestration, projections, awnings, per area of facade wall associated with the storefront being modified). If changes are proposed to a facade wall not related to storefront modifications, the percentage changes shall apply to the area of the facade wall. (See Figures 1 and 2.)
(2) 
Changes to existing facades are regulated in accordance with the percentage area changes identified in § 470-1104B.
(3) 
Facade changes greater than 50% require the retrofit of existing architectural elements, but do not require additional height being added to the elevation being modified.
(4) 
Retrofit of existing facades. Retrofit of existing elements within a multitenant/multibuilding complex, including facade walls that are shared by more than one store front must meet the design intent of this code, while maintaining design continuity to the extent practical with the site and architectural motif of the building being modified, in accordance with § 470-1801A and B.
Figure 1-1 Storefront, 1 Facade Wall
470 Fig 1 Storefront Facade Wall.tif
Figure 2 - Multiple Storefronts, with Shared Facade Wall
470 Multi Storefronts w Shared Facade Wall.tif
470 Purple Bar.tif
A. 
470 Flex Uses Design.tif
Three stories of flexible uses and optional attic story.
Three stories of flexible uses and optional attic story.
Collinsville and Canton Village Design Village Districts.
(1) 
Character for Collinsville and Canton Village Design Village Districts.
(a) 
The Main Building Form Standard is the basic urban street frontage, once common across the United States. The uses are not specific, ranging from commercial to residential, retail to municipal - and combinations of all of the above. The primary form is that of a multistory building placed directly at the sidewalk, with windows across the facade. There could be several buildings lined up shoulder to shoulder, filling out a block, or on smaller blocks, a single building might fill the frontage line.
470 Corner Bldg Multi Entrances.tif
Good corner building with entrances on both streets.
470 Three Story Commercial Design.tif
Three-story commercial
(upper floor residential possible).
470 Red Bar.tif
470 Main Storefront Frontages.tif
470 Main Storefront Images Text.tif
470 Red Bar.tif
470 Purple Bar.tif
470 Purple Bar.tif
470 Design Illus Purposes.tif
For Illustrative Purposes
1.
Commercial or residential use.
7.
Street trees and street lighting in continuous tree lawn or tree grates
2.
Ground floor commercial use - required under main storefront and optional under main BFS
8.
Optional awnings.
3.
Storefront, where required, with larger windows.
9.
Build-to line tight to sidewalk providing limited dooryard
4.
Minimum two story.
10.
Required minimum fenestration; must have windows and doors facing street.
5.
Street wall where buildings do not abut
6.
Rear alley access preferable for parking and loading (service access).
470 Purple Bar.tif
(2) 
BFS for Collinsville and Canton Village (no storefront required) Design Village Districts.
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
470 Collinsville and Canton BFS Plan Elements.tif
470 Collinsville and Canton BFS Sec Elements.tif
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Property Line.tif Property Line
470 Buildable Area.tif Buildable Area
470 Pvt Open Space.tif Private Open Space
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Residential Use.tif Residential Use
470 Res or Bus Use.tif Residential OR Business Use
470 Business Use.tif Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Build-to line
15 feet from curb or edge of paving
(Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
(To top of wall plate)
4 stories/60 feet maximum (Canton)
3 stories/36 feet maximum (Collinsville)
B.
Parking setback line
30 feet behind BTL
K.
Facade height minimum
(To top of wall plate)
2 stories/24 feet minimum
C.
Rear setback
10 feet minimum - Collinsville
20 feet minimum - Canton
L.
Finished ground floor level
Business:
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum
D.
Lot width
40 feet - Collinsville
20 feet - Canton Village
Residential:
at grade minimum/4 feet maximum
M.
Finished floor story clear height
E.
Lot depth
75 feet - Collinsville
100 feet - Canton Village
Business:
12 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
Residential:
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
F.
Side setback
N/A
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
10% of buildable area
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
H.
Primary street facade
80% minimum
P.
Clear walkway width
5 feet minimum
470 Purple Bar.tif
Interior buildings are allowed, provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings in Canton Village may be increase by one story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design application
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.
470 Purple Bar.tif
B. 
East Gateway Design Village District.
(1) 
Character for East Gateway Design Village District.
(a) 
The Main Building Form Standard has different examples for the east and west ends of Albany Turnpike. The East Gateway has a character precedent of simple or more modern forms of traditional Connecticut buildings.
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example1.tif
East Gateway Design Village District character example
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example2.tif
East Gateway Design Village District character example
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example3.tif
East Gateway Design Village District character example
470 Purple Bar.tif
470 Purple Bar.tif
(2) 
BFS for East Gateway Design Village District.
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
470 East Gateway Design Village BFS Plan Elements.tif
470 East Gateway Design Village BFS Sec Elements.tif
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Build-to Zone Square.tifBuild-to Zone
see § 470-1201A(3)
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Property Line.tif Property Line
470 Buildable Area.tif Buildable Area
470 Pvt Open Space.tif Private Open Space
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Res or Bus Use.tif Business Use
470 Business Use.tif Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Parking setback line
15 feet from property line (Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
4 stories/60 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Build-to-zone
75 feet depth from property line
C.
Rear setback
20 feet minimum
K.
Facade height minimum
2 stories/24 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
D.
Lot width
70 feet minimum/200 feet maximum
E.
Lot depth
175 feet minimum
L.
Finished ground floor level
F.
Side setback
N/A
Business:
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum*
G.
Private open space
10% of buildable area
M.
Finished floor story clear height
H.
Primary street facade
50% minimum
Business:
12 feet minimum/24 feet maximum
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
P.
Clear walkway width
5 feet minimum
*
In the East Gateway, building exteriors must represent a two-story construction from a minimum of three sides. This may be accomplished through the provision of unoccupied/unfinished interior space, facade elements, and other architectural treatments in provided the regards to the upper story, provided the upper story requirements and corresponding facade height is met for 75% of the structure on average. In a connected row of multiple storefronts along a shared block face, the upper story requirement must be met by a minimum of 75% of the connected facades.
470 Purple Bar.tif
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings may be increased by one story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design application.
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.
470 Orange Bar.tif
A. 
Character descriptions.
(1) 
The Town Building Form Standard is of moderate intensity, often created by a series of smaller attached structures, most commonly single-family residential, but potentially also stacked flats, service commercial, or live-work arrangements. This standard has regular entrances and the character and intensity of this frontage varies (as designated on the Regulating Plan) with the siting/location of the build-to line - the buildings may be placed at the rear of the sidewalk with stoops, or may be arranged with front porches and small dooryards. Similarly, the tree lawns may be found uncovered and continuous or partially covered in the street-space, depending on the street type.
470 Duplex w 4 Apts.tif
Duplex (2 attached houses) type divided into four apartments
470 Attached Single Fam Cottage.tif
Attached single-family cottages
470 Detailed Townhouses.tif
Architecturally detailed townhouses to articulate the row
470 Conventional Rowhouses.tif
Conventional Colonial-style rowhouses
470 Duplex Single Fam Detached.tif
Duplex (2-family) with appearance of single-family detached
470 Orange Bar.tif
470 Orange Bar.tif
470 Illus Purposes Diag.tif
For Illustrative Purposes
1.
Residential use
9.
Street trees and street lighting in continuous tree lawn or tree grates
2.
Optional ground floor commercial use
10.
Build-to line behind sidewalk providing dooryard and front yard
3.
Narrow dimension facing primary street
11.
Small multifamily building (rental apartments or for sale condominiums)
4.
Raised finished floor level for ground floor residential use
12.
Individual single-family attached (fee simple townhouses)
5.
Optional stoop or porch
13.
Required minimum fenestration; must have windows and doors facing street
6.
Minimum two story
7.
Street wall where buildings do not abut
8.
Rear alley access preferable for parking and loading (service access)
470 Orange Bar.tif
470 Orange Bar.tif
(2) 
Town BFS for East Gateway, Canton Village, and Harts Corner Design Village Districts.
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
470 Corner Design BFS Plan Elements.tif
470 Corner Design BFS Sec Elements.tif
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Property Line.tif Property Line
470 Buildable Area.tif Buildable Area
470 Pvt Open Space.tif Private Open Space
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Residential Use.tif Residential Use
470 Res or Bus Use.tif Residential OR Business Use
470 Business Use.tif Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Build-to line*
30 feet from curb or edge of paving (Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
3 stories/48 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Parking setback line
30 feet behind BTL except along accessways
C.
Rear setback
25 feet minimum
K.
Facade height minimum
2 stories/24 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
D.
Lot width
20 feet minimum
E.
Lot depth
100 feet minimum
L.
Finished ground floor level
F.
Side setback
0 feet minimum/10 feet maximum (both sides)
5 feet maximum (one side)
Business:
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum
Residential:
at grade minimum/4 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
20% of buildable area
M.
Finished floor story clear height
H.
Primary street facade
33% minimum
Business:
12 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
I.
Continuous primary street facade frontage (may include multiple facades)
120 feet maximum
Residential:
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
P.
Clear walkway width
5 feet minimum
NOTE:
*
PL becomes the BTL when the measured BTL is in ROW.
470 Orange Bar.tif
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings may be increased by one additional story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design plan application.
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.
470 Yellow Bar.tif
A. 
Character for Collinsville and Canton Village Districts.
(1) 
The detached frontage standard is represented by the traditional single-family house with small front, side and rear yards along a tree-lined street. Structures are typically two to 2 1/2 stories in height with pitched roofs and front porches.
470 Wood Siding Frontage.tif
Simple, yet well detailed, wood siding
470 Poss Home Occupation Uses1.tif
Possible home occupation uses
470 Small Lot Single Fam Homes.tif
Small lot (close together) single-family homes
470 One Story Bungalow w Local Stone.tif
One-story bungalow with local stone
470 Poss Home Occupation Uses2.tif
Possible home occupation uses
470 Yellow Bar.tif
470 Yellow Bar.tif
470 Illus Purposes Diag2.tif
For Illustrative Purposes
1.
Residential use
8.
On-street parking
2.
Optional business use (Harts Corner/Canton Village)
9.
Street trees and street lighting in continuous tree lawn
3.
Wider dimension facing street
10.
Build-to line set back providing front yard
4.
Optional stoop or porch
11.
Required fenestration; must have windows and doors facing street
5.
Minimum 1 1/2 story
6.
Private open space
7.
Preferable rear alley access preferable for off-street parking
470 Yellow Bar.tif
470 Yellow Bar.tif
(2) 
BFS for Collinsville and Canton Village Design Village Districts.
[Amended 9-26-2022]
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
470 Village Design Village Dists BFS Plan Elements.tif
470 Village Design Village Dists BFS Sec Elements.tif
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Property Line.tif Property Line
470 Buildable Area.tif Buildable Area
470 Pvt Open Space.tif Private Open Space
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Residential Use.tif Residential Use or Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Build-to-line
15 feet from property line
(Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
2 1/2 stories/26 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Parking setback line
30 feet behind BTL
K.
Facade height minimum
1 1/2 stories/18 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
C.
Rear setback
25 feet minimum
D.
Lot width*
40 feet minimum
L.
Finished ground floor level
2 feet minimum/4 feet maximum
E.
Lot depth*
100 feet minimum
M.
Finished floor story clear height
F.
Side setback
5 feet minimum
Collinsville:
9 feet minimum 12 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
25% of buildable area
Canton Village:
9 feet minimum/14 feet maximum
H.
Optional porch width
33% minimum of facade
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/12 feet maximum
I.
Primary street facade
33% minimum
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
P.
Optional front porch
6 feet minimum depth
Q.
Accessory building
2 stories maximum/20 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
NOTE:
*
Lot area: 5,000 square feet minimum
470 Yellow Bar.tif
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings in Canton Village may be increased by one additional story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design plan application
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.
470 Yellow Bar.tif
B. 
Character for Harts Corner Design Village Districts.
(1) 
The Detached Building Form Standard has different examples for the east and west ends of Albany Turnpike. Unlike the typical detached buildings in the other Design Village Districts with residential uses, Harts Corner and East Gateway are permitted to be commercial and have parking fronting the street-space in the build-to zone.
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example4.tif
East Gateway Design Village District character example
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example6.tif
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example8.tif
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example5.tif
East Gateway Design Village District character example
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example7.tif
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
470 East Gateway Design Village Dist Character Example9.tif
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
470 Yellow Bar.tif
470 Yellow Bar.tif
(2) 
BFS for Harts Corner Design Village Districts.
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
470 Harts Corner Design BFS Plan Elements.tif
470 Harts Corner Design BFS Sec Elements.tif
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Build-To Line Subsec 301-A-3.tifBuild-to Zone
see § 470-1201A(3)
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Property Line.tif Property Line
470 Buildable Area.tif Buildable Area
470 Pvt Open Space.tif Private Open Space
KEY
470 Hash Build-To Line.tif Build-to Line
470 Hash Parking Setback Line.tif Parking Setback Line
470 Res or Bus Use.tif Residential OR Business Use
470 Business Use.tif Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Parking Setback Line
15 feet from property line
(Refer to Regulating Plan
I.
Facade height maximum
2 1/2 stories/36 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Build-to zone
75 feet depth
J.
Facade height minimum
1 1/2 stories/18 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
C.
Rear setback
20 feet minimum
D.
Lot width
70 feet minimum/200 feet maximum
K.
Finished ground floor level
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum
E.
Lot depth
175 feet minimum
L.
Finished floor story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
F.
Side setback
10 feet minimum
M.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/14 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
10% of buildable area
N.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
H.
Primary street facade
50% minimum
O.
Optional front porch
6 feet minimum depth
470 Yellow Bar.tif
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings may be increased one story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design application
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.