Article VIII

 

Section 801 Establishment of Districts

 

“The Village of Bloomfield is hereby divided into nine (9) zoning districts…”

            Add VC                        Village Center

 

Article IX District Regulations

 

Add      Section 913      Village Center

 

A. Purpose

 

The purpose of the Village Center (VC) District is to support the goals, objectives, and policies adopted as part of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan. More specifically, the VC District is intended to foster the development of a small-scaled, mixed use area for convenient shopping and services that cater to the community in a manner that is consistent with the pedestrian-oriented and historical character of the district. In order to accomplish this, the VC District regulates the location, design and use of structures and land to create a dense concentration of activity with a high degree of amenities that create a comfortable environment for visitors arriving on foot, bicycle, or by motor vehicle.

 

B. Permitted Uses

 

The following uses are permitted within the VC District when conducted entirely within an enclosed building:

 

1.   Retail and other related uses including but not limited to the sales of groceries, pharmaceuticals, auto parts, flowers and plants, and spirits and wine.

 

 

2.   Personal services and other related uses including but not limited to laundromats, beauty parlors, financial institutions, repair shops, and fitness center.

 

3.   Dry cleaning establishments or pick-up stations, dealing directly with consumers. Central dry cleaning plants serving more than one retail outlet are prohibited.

 

4.   Professional services and offices.

 

5.   Medical offices and clinics.

 

6.   Sit down restaurants, excluding drive-in and drive-thru restaurants.

 

7.   Pet grooming.

 

8.   Artisan and craftsman studio in conjunction with a retail operation.

 

9.   Dance, art, and music studio.

 

10.  Theater.

 

C. Specially Permitted Uses

 

1.   Essential services.

 

2.   Public and semi-public uses.

 

3.   Car wash establishments.

 

4.   Gasoline dispensing units

 

5.   Drive thru facilities in conjunction with a permitted use. Stand alone drive thru facilities are prohibited.

 

6.   Hotel/motel.

 

7.   Residential uses in conjunction with a permitted use or a specially permitted use.

 

8.   Storage of more than one commercial vehicle.

 

9.      Any permitted or specially permitted use not conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building.

 

D. Building Scale & Location

 

1.                                                                  Maximum square footage of principal structure is a 4,000 square feet building footprint.

 

a.    Minimum lot size............................ Determined through Site Plan Review

b.      Minimum lot width.......................... Determined through Site Plan Review

c.       Maximum Building Coverage............................................................ 70%

d.      Maximum lot coverage...................................................................... 80%

(minimum green space …………………………………………………………20%)

 

2.  New construction shall have a maximum setback of zero (0) to five (5) feet from the public right-of-way. Relief from this provision may be provided for pedestrian amenities such as recessed entries or chamfered corners.

 

3.  New construction shall extend to both side property lines.

 

4.  A minimum rear setback of five feet shall be provide in conjunction with satisfying all parking requirements..

 

5.  New construction shall be or appear to be two stories in height.        

 

6.  New construction or remodeling shall incorporate a roof form which reflects the adjacent late 19th or early 20th century buildings. Flat roof slopes shall slope to the back and will have a decorative cornice at the top of the building. Peaked or gable roofs shall have significant overhangs and decorative brackets are encouraged.

 

7. Entry points shall be located to afford direct access from the sidewalk.  Corner buildings may have two separate entry points or a single entry point at the corner.

 

E. Facades

 

1. Building façades shall reflect the 19th or early 20th century style of the Village.

 

2.  The pedestrian zone (2’ to 8’ above the sidewalk) shall have a minimum of 60% clear glass. Opaque or heavily tinted glass is not permitted.

 

3.  The pedestrian zone shall allow visual access a minimum of three (3) feet to the interior of the building.  Dis­plays that do not completely obstruct the visual access into the building (excluding window treatments such as curtains or blinds) shall be permitted.

 

4.  A minimum of 25% percent of the façade for the upper floor shall incorporate transparent glass openings.

 

5.  Existing windows shall not be covered up or changed in size unless the proposed change is part of an effort to restore the original appearance of the building. 

 

6.  No external security devices (coiling shutters, accordion gates, etc) shall be utilized. Alternative se­curity systems such as lighting, alarms, and interior barriers are to be used when necessary.

 

7.  A visual separation shall be provided between the first and second story of a building. This element may consist of decorative trim, awnings, or a change of material that creates added relief in order to add a shadow line that delineates the end of the first story.

 

8.  Large buildings, greater that 40 feet in width, shall be designed to look like multiple smaller buildings.

 

9.  All of the facades of the building which face a public street shall be architecturally consistent (i.e. building materials, style, etc.) with each other.

 

 

F. Off-Street Parking Requirements

 

1.            Computation of minimum number of parking spaces within the VC District:

 

a.    Retail, Service, & Professional Office................ 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

b. Medical Office or Clinic..................................... 6 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

c Sit Down Restaurant........................................... 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

d.Restaurant with Drive In or Thru......................... 6 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

e.Artisan or Craftsman Studio................................. 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

f. Dance, Art, and Music Studio.............................. 6 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

g. Theater.................................................................... 1 space per four seats

h. Plazas consisting of a combination of permitted uses 3 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

i. Public and Semi-Public........................................ 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.

j. Places of Worship..................................................... 1 space per four seats

k. Car Wash........................................................................... 2 spaces per bay

l. Gas Stations.................................................................... 2 spaces per island

m. Hotel/motel....................................................................... 1 space per room

n. Residential, Elderly............................................................. 1 space per unit

o. Residential, Non-Elderly

1 bedroom unit............................................................... 1 space per unit

2 or more bedroom unit............................................... 2 spaces per unit

 

2.                        Maximum number of parking spaces. No use shall provide more than 33% in excess of the requirements listed above, except through the submission of a narrative describing the rationale for the spaces requested and through the approval of a special permit. The special permit decision should be based upon:

 

a.                                    What is the rationale for the proposed number of spaces?

b.                                    Are there other parking resources available off-site (i.e. is there shared parking opportunities or on street parking available within 1,000 feet of the proposed use)?

c.                                     Is the placement and configuration of the proposed parking spaces consistent with the intent and language of the Village Center Zoning District?

 

3. Design & Layout of Parking Facilities

 

a.            Parking shall be placed behind the building.

b.            Parking shall be buffered utilizing a combination of fencing (no greater than four feet in height) and landscaping.

c.             Drive thru facilities shall be placed to the rear of the building.

d.            Parking of one commercial vehicle, which is related directly to the business, may be parked behind the building.

e.             Parking lots shall be paved and drained.

 

G. Signage

 

1.   These following requirements are intended to augment the existing Village Sign Regulations outlined in Section 1301. In cases where there is conflicting requirements, this section shall take precedence.

 

a.      Signage must be located in a manner that creates a pedestrian friendly atmosphere.  Methods to be en­couraged are: attached to the façade of the building, hanging signs suspended above the sidewalk, or placement on an awning.

b.      The size and location of the signs should respect the architectural elements of the building.

c.      Signs painted or posted on the interior of storefront windows should not obstruct visual access to the interior of the building.

d.      Temporary signs should be designed and placed in a manner that does not obscure visual access to the interior of the building.

e.      Pole signs are prohibited within the VC District. Detached signs shall consist of a monument sign no taller than five feet in height and constructed using materials that are consistent with Section H1.

f.       Perpendicular signs are permitted. Perpendicular sign shall not project more than five feet from the façade of the building to which it is attached. There must be a minimum of nine feet of clearance between the bottom of the sign and the sidewalk. The maximum size of a perpendicular sign is 16 square feet.

g.      Sandwich board signs are permitted within the VC District. Sandwich board type signs should be consistent with (colors, graphics, etc) the building mounted signs.

 

H. Architectural Treatments

 

1.   Materials

 

a.      All new construction or remodeling that is visible from the public right of way shall utilize materials that appear to be smaller in scale such as brick or clap­board. Larger scale materials, such as concrete block, shall be limited to the rear of the building.

b.      Brick selected for new construction or renovation shall reflect the surrounding  19th or early 20th century buildings.

c.      Vertical siding is permissible if it reflects the 19th or early 20th century style architecture.

d.      All wood shall be finished using either stain or paint. All metal shall be colored; clear coated aluminum or stainless steel is not permitted.

           

2.   Awnings, Doors, & Windows

 

a.         Multi-pane glass or the appearance of multi-pane glass shall be used to break up larger windows.

b.         Awnings shall be consistent with materials used in the late 19th or early 20th century (i.e. canvas, wood, etc)

c.         If awnings are placed on a façade they shall be consistent with shape of the window that they are located over. For example, an awning placed over an arched window shall be arched and an awning placed over a rectangular window shall be a flat topped awning.

d.         Awnings shall have a triangular or curved profile.

e.         Awnings may not be backlit.

f.          Doors should allow visual access to the interior of the building. If the door is solid, it shall be multi-panel. All doors shall be pain­ted or stained to accent the building.

 

3.   Colors

 

a.         The Village recommends exterior colors be consistent with those used in the  19th or early 20th century. Appropriate color palettes can be obtained at www.californiapaints.com or from the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities at http://www.spnea.org/.

 

I. Administration

 

1.  Site Plan Review is required prior to the issuance of a building or sign permit within the Village Center District. The Village Planning Board shall be responsible for the review of these items as part of the site plan review process.

 

2.  Relief from these provisions shall be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

3.  The Village reserves the right to retain an architect and engineer to assist the Planning and Zoning Boards with the implementation of these guidelines and standards. The cost incurred by the Village for these services shall be paid for by the applicant. These fees will be added to the standard site plan review fees.

 

4. In order to complete the review, a color rendering and samples or descriptions of the materials to be used is required by applicants.

 

5.  The demolition of any structure within the VC District is considered an Unlisted Action under SEQR. Site Plan Approval of a proposed re-development plan for the property must be obtained prior to the issuance of a demolition permit. Relief from this provision may be granted by the Village Board of Trustees if the structure is deemed to be a safety hazard by the Code Enforcement Officer. (see Local Law #4 of 1994)

 

Article X Regulations Governing Special Use Permits

 

Section 1007 A 3 add “… and VC Village Center District.”

                     A 4 remove and replace with

  A 4 a   Off-street parking shall be provided on the property in the ratio of not less than four (4) reservoir parking spaces entering each washing stall and three (3) reservoir parking spaces at the exit from each stall plus one (1) space per employee  in the Community Commercial District

A 4 b     In the VC District a ratio of not less than two (2) reservoir parking spaces entering each washing stall and one (1) space per employee shall be provided.

B 4 add …and the VC Village Center District.

 

Section 1015 Remove “Self service” to read “Gasoline… add Dispensing Units

The Planning Board may approve… add and VC Village Center District…

A.     Remove “self service” and where it states gasoline units may be allowed.

B.     Remove self service

C.     Remove self service

 

Section 1019 The Planning Board may … in the CC Community Commercial … add and Village Center District…

 

  add  Section 1023 Drive Thru Facilities

The Planning Board may approve a special use permit for a drive through facility in the CC Community Commercial and VC Village Center Districts provided the following standards and provisions are maintained:

    1. Drive through facilities must be in conjunction with a permitted use.  Stand alone drive through facilities are prohibited.
    2. Drive through facilities must be placed to the rear of the structure in order to ensure that its presence does not obstruct pedestrian access to the building or interfere with pedestrian traffic along the public right of way.  A detached facility may be used to accomplish this.
    3. Driveways, access and circulation aisles must be paved and drained.
    4. Landscaping and screening shall be provided to screen the facility from the adjacent properties.

 

Add Section 1024 Residential Uses in Conjunction with a Permitted or Specially Permitted Use

 

The Planning Board may approve a special use permit for a residential use in conjunction with a permitted or specially permitted use in the VC Village Center Districts provided the following standards and provisions are met and maintained:

  1. Each dwelling unit shall be located, constructed and served by public utilities in such a fashion that each dwelling unit may be sold individually.
  2. The minimum habitable floor area for living units shall be five hundred (500) square feet for efficiency units, six hundred (600) square feet for one bedroom units and eight hundred (800) square feet for two bedroom units and nine hundred (900) square feet for three or more bedroom units.
  3. Dwelling units shall be placed on the second floor. 
  4. The Planning Board shall determine that water supply and sanitary sewer services are adequate to support the additional units.
  5. The Planning Board shall determine that the street system serving the site is adequate to carry the anticipated traffic flows and that the proposal will not create a burden or nuisance for adjacent property owners.

 

Add Section 1025 Storage of Commercial Vehicles

 

 The Planning Board may approve a special use permit for storage of commercial vehicles in the VC Village Center Districts provided the following standards and provisions are met and maintained:

  1. A site plan is approved showing the location on the property for buildings, open storage of vehicles, and customer parking areas.
  2.  Only one commercial vehicle, directly related to the operation of the permitted or specially permitted use, may be stored on the property.
  3. No unlicensed vehicles shall be permitted.
  4. No vehicular repairs are to be conducted on site.
  5. The area used for vehicular storage shall be paved and drained.
  6. Landscaping and screening shall be provided to screen the storage area from the adjacent properties.
  7. Vehicle storage shall not be visible from the public rights of way and shall not occupy more than 15% of the total site area.

 

Add Section 1026 Use Not Conducted Within An Entirely Enclosed Building

 

The Planning Board may approve a special use permit for a use not conducted within an entirely enclosed building in the VC Village Center Districts provided the following standards and provisions are met and maintained.  It should be noted that this does not apply to community events, concerts, carnivals, festivals, or cruise nights.

 

  1. A site plan is approved showing the location on the property for buildings, outdoor operation, and customer parking. 
  2. All outdoor operations must be located on the same parcel as the permitted use.
  3. The total area devoted to the outdoor operation shall not exceed 20% of the total site.
  4. The area of outdoor operation must be delineated using landscaping, architectural treatments such as ballards or railings, or other means approved by the Planning Board.
  5. All outdoor operations must cease at midnight.  

 

Article XI    Site Plan Regulations

 

Section 1101 B. “Generally speaking, site plan approval is required for site development s of permitted uses …”  Add VC  Village Center

                          “Generally speaking, site plan approval is required for site development s of special permit uses…” Add VC  Village Center

 

Article XIII   Sign Regulations

 

Section 1305 Sign Standards – General

            14. Projecting signs – delete current language and replace with “ No sign shall be permitted to project into any public right-of-way, except in the Village Center District.  There shall be no more than one (1) projecting sign for any building unless the building has public entrances to two (2) or more public ways, in which case one (1) projecting sign may be erected for and toward each public way. Further specifications are included in Section 913.

 

Section 1307  Add D. Village Center – Please refer to Section 913 for sign regulations         

 

Change Schedule V to Schedule VI and add a new Schedule V (see attached)