[Amended 5-8-2023 ATM by Art. 23; 5-8-2023 ATM by Art. 26]
The Town of Belchertown is hereby divided into
the following classes of zoning districts:
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AG-A
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Primary Agricultural
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VR
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Village Residential
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AG-B
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Rural Residential
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LR
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Lakes Residential
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MDR
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Multiple-Dwelling Residential
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MHP
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Mobile Home Park Residential
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B1
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Limited Business
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B2
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General Business
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I
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Industrial
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AVA
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Agricultural Value-Added
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The following overlay districts are hereby established:
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WP
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Wetland Protection
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FP
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Floodplain
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AP
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Aquifer Protection
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HVP
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Historic Village Protection
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A.
The location and boundaries of zoning and overlay
districts hereby established are shown on a series of maps entitled
"Zoning Map of the Town of Belchertown," revised through June 1992,
which accompanies and is hereby declared to be part of this chapter.[1] This series of maps is comprised of:
(1)
Zoning District Map;
(2)
Aquifer Protection District Overlay (tracing based
upon enlargement of the United States Geological Survey Topographic
Map from 1:25000 Belchertown, Ludlow, Palmer, Windsor Dam Quadrangle
to one inch to 1,000 feet); and
(3)
Wetland Protection and Floodplain Overlay District
(provided by Pioneer Valley Planning Commission through a Strategic
Planning Grant, Executive Offices of Communities and Development,
June 1989).
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is included
in a pocket at the end of this volume. The most recent Zoning Map
was adopted 2-12-2001 STM by Art. 8.
B.
Said map is hereinafter referred to as the "Zoning
Map." All explanatory legend and memoranda thereon or attached thereto
are hereby declared to be a part of this chapter. Any change in the
location of boundaries of a zoning district hereafter made through
the amendments of this chapter shall be indicated by the alteration
of the Zoning Map, and the Zoning Map, thus altered, is declared to
be a part of this chapter thus amended.
C.
Copies of the Zoning Map, including overlays, amendments
and memoranda, are on file in the Town Clerk's office. All Mylars
(originals) are on file in the Planning Board office.
For the purposes of interpretation, it shall
be assumed that:
A.
Boundaries that appear to follow public and private
ways, railroads or watercourses shall coincide with the center line
thereof.
B.
Where the boundary lines are shown upon the Zoning
Map approximately on the location of property or lot lines and the
exact location of property, lot or boundary lines is not indicated
by means of dimensions shown in figures, then the property or lot
lines shall be the boundary lines.
C.
Boundary lines which appear to run parallel to the
side lines of public and private ways shall be regarded as parallel
to such side lines, with dimensions shown in figures placed upon the
Zoning Map to specify the distance between the boundary line and such
side lines, such distances being measured at right angles to such
side lines, unless otherwise indicated.
D.
Boundary lines dependent on contour lines shall be
based on United States Geological Survey mean sea level datum.
Where a zoning district boundary line divides
a lot or parcel of land of the same ownership of record at the time
such line is established at adoption or amendment of this chapter,
the regulations and provisions applicable to each of the different
portions of said lot shall be those pertaining to the district in
which each portion is located.
The Zoning Districts established in this article
have the following intent and characteristics:
A.
Residential.
(1)
Village Residential (VR). These are neighborhoods
located in the town's water and sewer service area and located on
smaller lots.
(2)
Agricultural-B (AG-B). These are neighborhoods which
are characterized by their relatively quiet atmosphere and the exclusion
of nonresidential use.
(3)
Lakes Residential (LR). Historically a resort area
of town, these neighborhoods surround the small lakes and are environmentally
sensitive.
(4)
Multiple-Dwelling Residential (MDR). These are areas
which are suitable to meet the needs of more intensive residential
use.
(5)
Mobile Home Park Residential (MHP). These are areas
best suited for mobile home parks.
B.
Open.
(1)
Agricultural-A (AG-A). These areas containing prime
farm soils and/or active farm and forest operations are best suited
to the land uses and activities common in the less developed areas
of a rural town, particularly farm and farm-related uses.
C.
Business.
(1)
Limited Business (B-1). These are areas in which primarily
retail and professional activities will be encouraged while large
businesses and industrial-type developments will be restricted.
(2)
General Business (B-2). These are areas suitable for
concentrated commercial use and serve areas larger than the immediate
neighborhood.
A.
Wetland Protection Overlay (WP). This district applies
to all lands within 100 feet of the annual high-water line of a stream,
lake, pond or watercourse and all lands within 100 feet of all poorly
or very poorly drained soils as classified by the National Cooperative
Soil Survey, mapped by the United States Soil Conservation Service,
as shown as an overlay on the Zoning Map.
B.
Floodplain Overlay (FP). This district applies to
these areas within the boundary of the one-hundred-year flood which
are considered hazardous areas as shown on the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA), Town of Belchertown Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM),
dated September 2, 1981.
C.
Aquifer Protection Overlay (AP). This district applies
to those lands lying within the primary recharge areas of groundwater
aquifers which provide public water supply and are shown as an overlay
on the Zoning Map.
D.
Historic Village Protection Overlay (HVP). This district
applies to those areas within the Belchertown Center Historic District
in order to limit the type, intensity and appearance of business and
other uses because of the historic character of the area.
