It is the purpose of this article to implement the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan to permit the construction of high-density living accommodations with suitable facilities and services that are sufficiently adequate to provide seniors and disabled older individuals with comfortable and safe home-like housing in a congregate setting while providing a continuum of care that allows seniors and older individuals to age in place, and to further provide services that encourage personal independence and enhance the quality of life. In addition, it is the intent of the Town Board to provide a diversity of housing types to be located in close proximity to shopping, medical offices, public services and public transportation. Particular development applications made pursuant to this zoning use district will require the transfer of development rights pursuant to Article
XLII, Transfer of Development Rights, of this chapter.
In the Residence RC District (Retirement Community), no building,
structure or premises shall be used or arranged or designed to be
used and no building shall be hereafter erected, reconstructed or
altered or occupied, unless otherwise provided in this chapter for
the following specially permitted uses:
A. One-family dwelling units, either attached or detached, designed
to provide living accommodations for persons 55 years of age or older.
B. Independent congregate-living residences.
C. Assisted-living retirement community.
D. Continuing-care retirement community.
E. Accessory uses. Accessory uses shall include structures, buildings
or improvements which are located on the same lot as the principal
use and are customarily incidental to the principal use and designed
for the sole use of the residents of the community or their guests.
No building shall be erected nor any lot or land area utilized
unless in conformity with the Zoning Schedule incorporated into this chapter by reference and made a
part hereof with the same force and effect as if such requirements
were herein set forth in full as specified in said schedule, except
as may be hereafter specifically modified.
A. The as-of-right development yield for one-family dwelling units, either attached or detached, for persons 55 years of age or older as provided under §
301-44A shall not exceed one dwelling unit per 40,000 square feet of land area without the use of transferred development rights pursuant to Article
XLII, Transfer of Development Rights, of this chapter.
B. There shall be dimensional requirements for all residential units
within the Residence RC Zoning Use District, to wit:
(1) Independent dwelling units within a continuing-care retirement community
shall not exceed 1,200 square feet and shall not be less than 600
square feet.
(2) All other units within either an assisted-living retirement community
or a continuing-care retirement community shall not exceed 1,050 square
feet and shall not be less than 350 square feet.
(3) There shall be a maximum of two bedrooms for all residential units
within either an assisted-living retirement community or a continuing-care
retirement community.
C. The development yield for all residential units within either an
affordable assisted-living retirement community or an affordable continuing-care
retirement community shall be as follows:
(1) Independent living units shall not exceed four dwelling units per
40,000 square feet of real property.
(2) Assisted-living units shall not exceed eight units per 40,000 square
feet of real property.
D. The development yield for all residential units within either a conventional
assisted-living retirement community or a conventional continuing-care
facility shall be as follows:
(1) Independent living units shall not exceed two dwelling units per
40,000 square feet of real property. Independent living units shall
not exceed four dwelling units per acre with the redemption of development
rights, at a rate of one additional unit per development right.
(2) Assisted-living units shall not exceed four dwelling units per 40,000
square feet of real property. Assisted-living units shall not exceed
eight dwelling units per acre with the redemption of development rights,
at a rate of one additional unit per development right.
E. The lot area shall not be less than 15 acres of contiguous real property
in single or consolidated ownership. The contemplated development
shall not be subdivideable. Multiple lots shall be consolidated prior
to the approval of the relevant special permit.
The site plan shall show, in addition to all other requirements
of this chapter, the following:
A. All lots shall be located within the Town of Riverhead Water District
and Sewer District or be located within 1,500 feet of the Water District
and Sewer District and subject to approval for the requisite capacity
for the proposed development. The applicant shall be responsible for
all costs related to application for Water and/or Sewer District extension
and costs related to extension of the appurtenances to include the
parcel in the water and sewer districts.
B. The method of water supply and of sewage disposal, conforming to
Health Department requirements.
C. At least 30% of the total site area shall be devoted to open space
which shall be kept in its natural state or landscaped and maintained
with grass for passive recreational uses such as picnic areas, walking
trails, gardening and horticultural.
D. The use of interconnecting walkways, trails and natural walking paths
for pedestrian traffic shall be an integral part of the design of
any development to facilitate access between common areas, groups
of dwelling units and open space areas.
E. All primary walkways and sidewalks shall meet Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) requirements. Trails and natural walking paths are exempt
from this requirement; however, the Town encourages maximizing accessibility
to all residents. Due consideration shall be given to planning walks,
ramps, and driveways to prevent slipping, stumbling, and handrails
and ample places for rest shall be strategically provided.
F. A buffer strip of not less than 10 feet in width consisting of massed
trees and shrubbery or existing mature vegetation supplemented by
new landscaping shall be maintained alongside front and rear property
lines, except the buffer area shall be 25 feet in width along any
lot line abutting a residential district or use. The trees and shrubbery
shall consist of evergreens and deciduous plant material which, when
planted, shall be at least six feet tall and when mature shall be
maintained at a height of not less than eight feet, so as to provide
an effective natural screen. No structure shall be permitted within
this strip or buffer.
G. All utilities shall be placed underground, including telephone, electric
and cable telephone service.
H. All parking shall comply with the Parking Schedule set forth in §
301-231 of this chapter, notwithstanding the following:
(1) No parking shall be provided within 25 linear feet of the principal
frontage.
(2) Parking and loading areas shall be placed as far from adjacent residences
as possible (but a minimum of 50 linear feet) and surrounded by landscaping.
I. The proposed method of collection and disposal of stormwater, designed
so as not to interfere with adjoining properties or burden public
facilities.
J. The proposed lighting facilities for the safety of pedestrian and
vehicular traffic, with exterior spotlighting of buildings or grounds
to be from shaded sources and located so that the light beams are
not directed toward any lot in a residential district or toward a
public highway.
K. The provisions of this section (§
301-46) which were added by Local Law No. 9-2012, adopted on June 19, 2012, are intended to and shall take effect for those parcels designated or mapped as Retirement Community after the effective date of Local Law No. 9-2012. Parcels that were mapped as Retirement Community prior to June 19, 2012, shall be subject to the additional requirements of §
301-46 in effect prior to June 19, 2012.
[Added 3-1-2016 by L.L.
No. 8-2016]