The requirements applying to all districts regulate activities,
uses, structures, conditions and treatments that may be present on
a property whether or not a principal structure or use is present.
These requirements contribute to and promote the health, safety, comforts,
conveniences and/or necessities of the property's occupants, the immediate
neighborhood and/or the entire West Bloomfield community.
Unless otherwise specified, all accessory buildings shall observe
the same yard requirements as principal buildings except as noted
below:
A.
Accessory buildings less than 75 square feet shall not require a
permit.
B.
No more than three accessory buildings, including accessory buildings
that do not require a permit, shall be included on any single lot,
excluding farm buildings in the Agricultural District.
C.
No more than two accessory buildings shall be allowed on a single
lot in the Mobile Home Park District.
D.
Accessory uses, except for school bus wait stations, shall maintain
all setbacks outlined for the district.
E.
In commercial and industrial districts, accessory buildings shall
be a minimum of 20 feet from side or rear lot lines, except that the
accessory buildings shall be a minimum of 25 feet from any residential
district boundary.
F.
Accessory buildings may be located in the front yard only when the
principal building is more than 500 feet from the highway right-of-way
line and the accessory building is at least 200 feet from the highway
right-of-way.
When residential or commercial construction is proposed on an existing lot of record that has not been approved as a building lot through subdivision approval, building lot approval shall be required from the Planning Board. Such approval shall require submission of a grading, drainage, erosion and sediment control plan and stormwater management plan as outlined in Chapter 121, § 121-31.
B.
Setbacks.
(1)
Setbacks are established to provide separation between structures
on adjoining lots and between structures and the public right-of-way
to provide for privacy, to reduce the risk of fire, and to enhance
the safety and general welfare of the community. No structure shall
be constructed within a yard or setback area.
The following shall apply to all fences and walls in the Town
of West Bloomfield:
A.
Fences required. Fences in existence as a result of special use permits
or site plan review shall be maintained as originally required.
B.
Heights.
(1)
The height of a fence or wall is the vertical distance from
the ground to the top of the fence or wall measured at any given point
along the line of the fence or wall.
(2)
No fence or wall in a residential district shall exceed six
feet in height.
(3)
In no event shall fences or walls in nonresidential districts
abutting residential districts exceed six feet in height.
(4)
Within all nonindustrial districts, no fence or wall, other
than a necessary retaining wall, over three feet in height shall extend
into the front yard of any lot.
(5)
A fence of 10 feet shall be allowed to enclose a tennis court,
provided that such fencing is not less than 25 feet from either the
side or the rear property line.
(6)
Fences for the purpose of enclosing farmland, horses and cattle
shall not exceed eight feet in height.
C.
Fence surface.
(1)
In residential districts, fences not more than 60% solid may
be located in any front yard or in any yard with street frontage.
(2)
Except for agricultural uses, no chain-link or barbed-wire fencing
shall be permitted in the front yard.
(3)
All solid fences shall be installed so that the better side
shall face outward; all bracing shall be on the inside of the fence.
(4)
Where walls and fences are required, they shall be of a material
compatible with the building architecture.
(5)
All required fences and walls shall be maintained and, when
necessary, repaired or replaced.
(6)
Wooden retaining walls are prohibited.
D.
Street intersections. At the intersection of two or more streets,
no hedge, fence or wall which is higher than three feet above curb
level and no obstruction to vision shall be permitted in the triangular
area formed by the intersecting street center lines and a line joining
each 50 feet distant from said intersection along said street center
lines.
E.
Fences and all supporting structures must be entirely on the property
of the party erecting the fence and shall not encroach upon a public
right-of-way.
F.
No fence shall be erected in a special flood hazard area.
A.
No structure, except for bridges, recreational shelters with no walls,
and canoe launches, shall be erected in an area that is designated
as being within the one-hundred-year-flood boundary as determined
by FEMA.
B.
Existing structures within the flood hazard area may be repaired
or altered, provided that the alteration does not extend the structure
further into the flood hazard area.
C.
If a structure, other than those listed above, is destroyed by fire,
flood, or other natural disaster, the structure shall not be rebuilt.
A.
General landscaping requirements.
(1)
For purposes of this section, the landscaped area shall include
the area required or permitted, under this section, to be devoted
to landscaping and environmental improvement, which may include existing
and new vegetation, berms, lighting, street furnishings and ornamental
features which are integrated with the vegetation. Single-family and
two-family dwellings are exempt from these requirements.
(2)
The following standards shall be observed for all projects subject
to this section:
(a)
Whenever possible, development plans shall be designed so as
to minimize the number of trees (six-inch caliper and greater) which
would have to be removed or would otherwise disturb the forest floor.
(c)
In general, landscaped areas shall be located along public streets
and sidewalks.
(d)
A landscaped area shall have a minimum width of five feet excluding
curbs, retaining walls or similar enclosing structures.
(e)
Landscaping materials shall be contained so as not to spill
or intrude into the public right-of-way.
(f)
Wooden timbers, because of the likelihood of rotting, may not
be used for containing a landscaped area.
(g)
All trees shall be planted and maintained to grow upright and
plumb, and the tree pit shall be mulched.
(h)
The use of synthetic vegetation (turf, plastic plants, etc.)
shall not be allowed for any required landscaping.
B.
Plant sizes and specifications.
(1)
The minimum size for a shrub shall be 30 inches in height.
(2)
The number of shrubs shall be determined by requiring one shrub
for every 10 feet of perimeter of the lot.
(3)
The minimum size for a tree shall be a two-inch caliper.
(4)
The number of trees shall be determined by requiring one tree
for every 40 feet of perimeter of the lot. Trees planted in the right-of-way,
when planted in conjunction with sidewalk development, may count towards
this requirement, but trees planted within 10 feet of the public right-of-way
shall be protected by root guards. An existing tree may be counted
towards meeting the requirements of this provision, provided that
the tree has a caliper of at least three inches and the condition
of the tree is approved for that purpose by the Code Enforcement Officer.
Such trees must be depicted on the landscape plan.
(5)
Ground covers planted to satisfy the standards of this section
shall have a minimum container size of one gallon.
C.
Ground treatments.
(1)
Mulch shall be installed and maintained at a minimum depth of
three inches on all planted areas except where ground cover plants
are fully established.
(2)
Turf areas shall be planted with species suitable as permanent
lawns in the region. Turf areas may be sodded or seeded. Additional
maintenance shall be provided until coverage is complete.
(3)
Other ground covers suitable for the soil and climate conditions
of the area may be approved within required landscape areas.
D.
Buffers and screening.
(1)
Unless otherwise specified, a buffer area shall be required
for any nonresidential use where it abuts an area zoned or used residentially.
The buffer area shall be a minimum of 25 feet in width and shall contain
dense vegetation.
(2)
Mechanical equipment and open storage areas shall be screened
from public streets, alleys, paths, private streets and abutting lots
to a minimum height of six feet.
(3)
Refuse areas must be completely screened from view of property
in any residential or agricultural district or public street or walkway
with screening that is at least as tall as the refuse container. This
provision shall apply to all refuse containers, including those used
for the collection and storage of recyclable materials, whether public
or private.
E.
Landscaping plans and additional information.
(1)
Guidelines. The following guidelines shall be used in developing
all landscaping plans:
(a)
Plants selected shall be suited to the climate and region as
well as the geologic and topographic conditions of the site. Protection
and preservation of native plant materials and natural areas are encouraged.
(b)
Water-intensive ornamental plant materials shall not exceed
10% of the total landscaped area.
(c)
Decorative water features should use recirculating water, when
possible.
(d)
All plant materials located in snow storage areas shall be selected
to withstand the conditions associated with these areas. Additionally,
all parking lot landscaping shall be salt-tolerant.
(2)
Landscape plan. All landscape plans detailing proposed installation
and/or irrigation systems shall be prepared by a landscape architect
registered in the State of New York. This requirement shall not apply
to conceptual landscape plans or site plans. Landscaping plans shall
be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distances, and shall clearly
delineate:
(a)
Plant materials, including trees, shrubs, ground cover, turf
and other vegetation, shall be shown clearly on the plan. In addition,
plants shall be labeled by botanical name, common name, caliper or
container size, spacing and quantities in each group.
(b)
Property lines and street names.
(c)
Streets, driveways, walkways and other paved areas.
(d)
Pools and water features, lighting fixtures, fences and retaining
walls.
(e)
Existing and proposed buildings and structures, including elevation,
if applicable.
(f)
Natural features, including but not limited to rock outcroppings
and existing plant materials, that will be preserved.
(g)
Tree staking, plant installation, soil preparation details and
all other applicable planting and installation details.
(h)
Calculation of the total landscaped area.
(i)
Designation of recreation areas, if applicable.
F.
Maintenance. All required planting shall be permanently maintained
in good condition and, when necessary, replaced with new plant material
to ensure continued compliance with these standards. For the purpose
of enforcement, the property owner shall be responsible for maintenance.
Maintenance shall include watering, weeding and pruning.
G.
Protected areas during grading and construction.
(1)
During grading and construction, a protected area, extending
outward to the drip line of each tree, shall be provided within which
paving, grading, or the storage of dirt, building materials, debris,
or any other materials or any other equipment shall not be allowed.
Failure to maintain barriers may result in revocation of the building
permit.
(2)
For projects not requiring a grading permit, the required barriers
shall be constructed by the property owner and approved by the Code
Enforcement Officer prior to issuance of a building permit. Protective
barriers shall be maintained until issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
The Code Enforcement Officer may reduce the protected area if he or
she determines a larger area is not necessary to the survival and
health of the tree.
The following lighting design standards are provided to ensure
coordinated, safe and functional lighting systems in each development.
The site lighting requirements include:
A.
No use shall produce a strong, dazzling light or reflection of a
strong, dazzling light or glare that is visible from any point along
a lot line.
B.
Lighting for pedestrian areas, plazas and walkways shall not exceed
15 feet in height and should be designed to be harmonious with light
fixtures on site.
C.
Soft lighting of building faces is encouraged. Building lighting
should be indirect in character. Indirect wall lighting or wall-washing
interior illumination that spills outside is encouraged. Architectural
lighting should articulate the particular building design and provide
required functional lighting for safety and clarity of pedestrian
movement.
D.
Light fixtures that ensure downcast lighting shall be required.
E.
All light fixtures shall be concealed source fixtures except for
pedestrian-oriented accent lights.
F.
Security lighting fixtures shall not project above the facade or
roofline of any building and are to be shielded. Lighting shields
shall be painted to match the surface to which they are attached.
Security lighting fixtures shall not be substituted for parking lot
or walkway lighting fixtures and are restricted to lighting only loading
and storage locations or other similar areas requiring security lighting.
G.
Service-area lighting shall be contained within the service yard
boundary. No light spillover shall occur outside the service area;
the light source should not be visible from the street.
H.
Exterior floodlights shall be prohibited except for security lighting
in enclosed service courtyards.
I.
When possible, overhead wiring should be avoided.
A.
Change in use or intensity.
(1)
Whenever a use existing on the effective date of this chapter
is changed thereafter to a new use, parking facilities shall be provided
as required herein for such new use, except that when any such existing
use was deficient in required parking spaces on such effective date,
such new use may be established with a deficiency in required parking
spaces equal in number to not more than such preexisting deficiency.
(2)
Whenever the intensity of use of any building, structure or
use is increased, parking facilities shall be provided for such increase
in intensity of use.
(3)
All new or substantially modified development or redevelopment
shall submit a report as part of the design review process regarding
the potential for and efforts to develop shared or connected parking
with adjoining properties as well as shared or combined access from
the streets. In no instance shall the proposed site design limit the
future potential for shared or connected access and parking between
and among adjoining properties.
B.
Measurement and computation.
(1)
Computation of required spaces.
(a)
When determination of the number of required parking spaces
results in the requirement of a fractional space, any fraction up
to and including 1/2 shall be disregarded and fractions over one-half
shall require one parking space.
(b)
In stadiums, sports arenas, churches and other places of assembly
in which patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews or other similar
seating facilities, each 20 inches of such seating facility shall
be counted as one seat for the purpose of determining the requirement
for off-street parking facilities under this chapter.
(c)
When parking spaces are required on the basis of the number
of faculty, staff, students and employees, the maximum number present
at any one time shall govern.
(d)
Uses not specified. For uses not expressly listed in this section,
parking spaces shall be provided on the same basis as required for
the most similar use listed, or as determined by the Code Enforcement
Officer to interpret the provisions of this chapter.
C.
Required parking spaces. For the following uses, the number of off-street
parking spaces shall include:
Use
|
Minimum Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces
| |
---|---|---|
RESIDENTIAL
| ||
Single-family detached, semidetached, two-family and attached
dwelling
|
2 per dwelling unit
| |
Multiple-family dwelling
|
2 per dwelling unit
| |
Senior housing
|
Parking demand analysis
| |
EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS
| ||
Day care or nursery
|
1 per 6 persons enrolled
| |
Place of worship
|
1 per 3 fixed seats
| |
School, elementary and intermediate
|
2 per classroom
| |
School, secondary
|
1 per 10 students, plus 2 per classroom
| |
CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL
| ||
Amusement facility
|
1 per every 5 customers, plus 1 per employee
| |
Auditorium and theater
|
1 per 4 seats
| |
Bowling alley
|
2 per lane
| |
Community center
|
3 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Health club and similar facilities
|
4 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Entertainment
|
0.5 per allowable occupancy
| |
Library
|
1 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Museum or art gallery
|
2 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Private club or lodge
|
1 per 50 square feet of net floor area
| |
Skating rink
|
1 per 1,000 square feet of rink area
| |
Stadium or sports arena
|
1 per 5 seats
| |
Swimming pool
|
1 per 4 persons' design capacity
| |
GOVERNMENT, SAFETY AND HEALTH
| ||
Hospital
|
1 per 2 beds, plus 1 per every 2 employees during largest working
shift
| |
Medical clinic and medical office
|
5 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Nursing home and health-related facility
|
1 per 3 beds, plus 1 for every 2 employees during largest working
shift
| |
Funeral home
|
15 spaces per parlor
| |
MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL
| ||
All uses
|
1 per 2 employees
| |
RETAIL
| ||
Food store
|
6 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Convenience store
|
1 per 150 square feet of net floor area
| |
General retail
|
1 per 250 square feet of net floor area
| |
Home occupation
|
2 for client purposes, 1 per each nonresident employee, plus
any dwelling-related requirements
| |
Shopping center and planned business development
|
6 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
SERVICES
| ||
Bank
|
2 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Bar, tavern, nightclub
|
10 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Bed-and-breakfast
|
1 per guest bedroom, plus 1 for the owner
| |
Beauty parlor, barbershops and the like
|
1 per chair
| |
Dry cleaning and laundromat
|
2 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
| |
Hotel and motel
|
1 per sleeping unit
| |
Mortuary and funeral home
|
1 per 100 square feet of net floor area
| |
Office, professional or business
|
1 per 200 square feet of net floor area
| |
Restaurant
|
1 per every 2 customer seats
| |
VEHICLE-RELATED USES
| ||
Vehicle repair
|
2 per bay; minimum of 6
| |
Vehicle service station
|
1 per every 100 square feet of net floor area
| |
Vehicle sales
|
2 per employee
| |
Vehicle rental
|
1 per 1,000 square feet of net floor area
|
D.
Maximum number of parking spaces. No use shall provide more than 110% of any of the above-listed requirements, except through approval of a special permit in accordance with § 140-151.
E.
Design and maintenance. Every parking area, parking lot and garage
shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the
standards and requirements set forth herein.
(1)
Parking lots in general.
(a)
Parking shall be located within 1,000 feet of the use served.
(b)
No parking shall be located in the required front yard setback.
(c)
Parking shall not be permitted between a building and the sidewalk
on the street. Where existing or proposed buildings are set back from
the build-to line, the front yard shall not be converted to parking.
(d)
Vehicular access to parking shall not be located on the principal
pedestrian-oriented street unless there is no other practical alternative.
(e)
Customer or employee parking for nonresidential uses shall not
be located within 10 feet of any residential district or use, except
where a solid screening wall at least six feet in height is placed
on the lot line, in which case no setback shall be required.
(f)
Parking shall not be located within 10 feet of any street frontage,
except where a decorative fence or wall of no more than three feet
in height is used in conjunction with landscaping.
(g)
When the setback is 10 feet or more, an earth berm may be used
to screen the parking lot. An earth berm may be credited toward the
height required. At all intersections and driveways, screening shall
be restricted to a maximum height of two feet and trees shall be maintained
to a clearance of seven feet above ground to ensure sight lines remain
unobstructed.
(h)
Parking lots and parking areas shall be screened from abutting
residential uses and districts with a minimum height of five feet.
An earth berm may be credited toward the required height. At all intersections
and driveways, screening shall be restricted to a maximum height of
two feet and trees shall be maintained to a clearance of seven feet
above ground to ensure sight lines remain unobstructed.
(2)
Parking lot landscaping.
(a)
A landscaped area shall have a minimum width of five feet, excluding
curbs, retaining walls or similar enclosing structures.
(b)
Plant materials located in snow storage areas shall be selected
to withstand the conditions associated with these areas.
(c)
All parking lot landscaping shall be salt-tolerant.
(d)
Trees located in paved areas shall be provided with adequate
tree pits to permit proper watering.
(e)
For lots of 15 or more spaces, a minimum of one landscaped area
with a minimum size of 200 square feet (approximately 10 feet by 20
feet) shall be provided for every nine parking spaces and developed
as islands within the parking surface area.
(f)
Parking lot stops shall include permanent material, such as
concrete, masonry, metal or rubber. In no case shall wooden stops
be used.
(g)
All required screening and landscaping shall be maintained and,
if required, replaced to comply with the requirements in this section
and any approvals.
(3)
Design standards. The following minimum standards shall apply
to the width and length of required parking spaces:
Type of Parking
|
Angle
|
Stall Length
|
Stall Width
|
Aisle Width
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Traditional
|
90°
|
19'00"
|
9'00"
|
24'00"
| |
Traditional
|
60°
|
21'00"
|
9'00"
|
18'00"
| |
Traditional
|
45°
|
19'10"
|
9'00"
|
13'00"
| |
Handicapped
|
90°
|
19'00"
|
13'00"
|
24'00"
| |
Handicapped
|
60°
|
21'00"
|
13'00"
|
18'00"
| |
Handicapped
|
45°
|
19'10"
|
13'00"
|
13'00"
|
(4)
Ingress and egress.
(a)
Every parking garage and parking lot shall be provided with
one two-way driveway at least 24 feet in width or two one-way driveways,
each at least 13 feet in width.
(b)
When ingress and egress are less than 20 feet in width, marked
separate entrances and exits shall be provided so that traffic shall
flow in one direction only.
(5)
Maneuvering space.
(a)
Maneuvering space shall be located completely off the right-of-way
of a public street, place or court unless otherwise approved by the
appropriate authority.
(b)
Maneuvering space shall be designed to prevent any vehicles
from backing into the public right-of-way except as required off-street
parking spaces other than for one- and two-family dwellings.
(6)
Surface.
(a)
Off-street parking lots shall be constructed in such a manner
as to provide an all-weather, durable and dustless surface. Individual
stalls shall be clearly identified by markings four to six inches
in width.
(b)
Parking surfaces shall be graded and drained to dispose of all
surface water accumulation in the area without shedding additional
water on an adjoining property or right-of-way.
(c)
The use of interior catch basins linked to the Town's drainage
system shall be used.
(d)
The Planning Board shall approve the surface material and drainage
system.
(7)
Lighting.
(a)
Illumination shall not be used for the purpose of advertising
or attracting attention to the principal use.
(b)
Lighting fixtures shall be designed, sized and located so as
not to cast direct rays of excessive brightness upon adjoining premises
or cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or persons using adjacent
public streets.
(c)
Parking lots used after sundown shall be lighted to give protection
to persons using the lot, and the lights shall be directed away from
the street and adjoining property.
The vehicle stacking standards of this section shall apply.
A.
Minimum number of spaces. In addition to minimum parking requirements
established in this chapter, the following stacking or queuing areas
are required:
Activity Type
|
Minimum Number of Stacking Spaces
|
Measured From
| |
---|---|---|---|
Automated teller machine
|
4
|
Teller
| |
Bank teller lane
|
5
|
Teller or window
| |
Car wash stall, automatic
|
10
|
Entrance
| |
Car wash stall, self-service
|
3
|
Entrance
| |
Gasoline pump island
|
2
|
Pump island
| |
Pharmacy
|
4
|
Window
| |
Restaurant drive-through
|
6
|
Order box
| |
Restaurant drive-through
|
4
|
Order box to pickup window
| |
Oil change and quick lube
|
3
|
Per bay
| |
Other
|
Determined by Code Enforcement Officer
|
B.
Design and layout. Required stacking spaces are subject to the following
design and layout standards:
(1)
The size of a stacking or queuing space shall be 20 feet in
length by 10 feet in width.
(2)
Each lane shall be clearly defined in a manner that is identifiable
during all seasons.
(3)
Stacking spaces may not impede on- or off-site traffic movements
or movements into or out of off-street parking spaces.
(4)
Stacking spaces must be separated from other internal driveways
by raised medians if deemed necessary by the Code Enforcement Officer
for traffic movement and safety.
Outdoor displays shall be allowed in nonresidential districts
subject to the following:
A.
Outdoor displays shall be allowed adjacent to a principal building
wall and extending to a distance no greater than five feet from the
wall.
B.
Such displays shall not be permitted to block windows, entrances
or exits and shall not impair the ability of pedestrians to use the
building.
C.
Outdoor displays shall be temporary or seasonal in nature.
A.
Residential uses. Outdoor storage is not permitted on any residential
lot.
B.
Agricultural uses. Active agricultural operations are exempt from
outdoor storage regulations.
C.
All other uses. Outdoor storage on nonresidential and nonagricultural
lots are subject to the following:
(1)
Box trailers exceeding 300 square feet may not be used for outdoor
storage.
(2)
Outdoor storage shall not be allowed in the front yard.
(3)
Outdoor storage shall not occupy more than 10% of the entire
lot area.
(4)
All outdoor storage shall be fully screened to ensure the area
is not visible from the public right-of-way or adjacent residential
uses.
(5)
Screening shall be of sufficient height and density to completely
hide the storage from public view.
(6)
Screening shall be of sufficient height and density to completely
hide storage from major highways, rail lines and other public accessways.
(7)
All screening shall be maintained in such a manner as to present
a neat and orderly appearance at all times.
Refuse collection areas for multifamily, commercial and industrial
uses shall be subject to the following:
A.
All refuse collection areas shall be in the side and rear of the
buildings.
B.
All refuse collection areas should be effectively designed to contain
all refuse generated on site and deposited between collections. Deposited
refuse should not be visible from outside the refuse enclosure.
C.
Screening shall be of sufficient height and density to completely
hide the storage from public view. All screening shall be maintained
in such manner as to present a neat and orderly appearance at all
times.
D.
Refuse collection areas should be so located upon the lot as to provide
clear and convenient access for refuse collection vehicles.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide standards for
the regulation of the height, size, location and appearance of signs
to:
(1)
Protect and enhance property values and neighborhood character.
(2)
Protect public and private investment in buildings and open
spaces.
(3)
Preserve and improve the appearance of the Town of West Bloomfield
as a place to live and work and as an attraction to visitors.
(4)
Encourage sound signing practices to aid business and provide
information to the public.
(5)
Prevent excessive and confusing sign displays.
(6)
Reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians.
(7)
Protect the public health, safety and general welfare.
B.
Allowed signs. The following are allowed in any district:
(1)
Customary holiday decorations.
(2)
One prominently displayed building address sign that is pedestrian-
and automobile-oriented.
(3)
Family name signs.
(4)
Decorative flags.
(5)
No-trespassing and similar signs.
(6)
Traffic control signs.
(7)
No more than two directional and parking signs, not exceeding
two square feet per face and no taller than three feet high, per business
.
(8)
Signs, flags or emblems erected and maintained pursuant to any
government function.
(9)
Decorative or architectural features of a building, except letters
or trademarks.
(10)
Memorial or historic plaques, markers, monuments or tablets.
(11)
Safety signs.
(12)
Gasoline price signs, not exceeding one square foot per face,
attached to a gasoline dispenser.
(13)
Home occupations signs, which may not be illuminated, and which
must be less than two square feet in area, attached to the dwelling,
numbering a maximum of one per lot, unless otherwise restricted
[Added 3-22-2017 by L.L.
No. 1-2017]
C.
[2]Permitted permanent signs for nonresidential uses:
District
|
Permitted Signs
| ||
---|---|---|---|
AG
|
1 sign, not exceeding 20 square feet, identifying any building
or use permitted under this chapter
| ||
R-1 and R-2
|
1 sign not exceeding 15 square feet in area
| ||
MU
|
A maximum of 50 square feet of signage per lot, including:
| ||
Attached signs, identifying uses or services on the premises,
that include 0.5 square foot in area for every foot of the building
frontage; and/or
| |||
1 detached sign located in the front yard, not exceeding 25
square feet in size per side of sign, and posted no more than 4 feet
in height from the finished grade of the lot
| |||
M-1
|
Maximum signage area of 10% of the primary building facade per
lot, including:
| ||
Attached signs, identifying uses or services on the premises,
not exceeding 1.0 square foot for every foot of building frontage;
and/or
| |||
1 detached sign located in the front yard, not exceeding 32
square feet in size per side, and no more than 6 feet high from the
finished lot grade
|
D.
Sign location.
(1)
Upon relocation of a business or service for reasons of an unforeseen
disaster (example: due to fire), an off-site sign shall be allowed
for a period of six months.
(2)
No sign shall be at any location where it interferes with or
obstructs the view or free passage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3)
No sign shall be painted, placed or constructed directly on
or project from a roof.
(4)
No sign shall be attached to any tree or utility pole or be
painted upon or otherwise affixed to any rock, ledge or other natural
feature.
(5)
No detached sign shall be closer than 10 feet to a residential
lot line.
(6)
Signs parallel to and attached to a building shall not be set
out more than 10 inches from the building.
(7)
Any sign that projects from a building over the public way shall
be located at least eight feet above the ground.
(8)
Advertising signs.
(a)
Except for the M-1 District or within 660 feet of a federal-aid-program
highway, no off-site signs shall be permitted.
(b)
No advertising sign shall be located:
[1]
Within 200 feet of any other advertising sign structure located
on the same side of the street or within 100 feet of any other such
sign structure.
[2]
For signs having a gross surface area in excess of 300 square
feet: within 500 feet of any other such sign on the same side of the
street.
[3]
Within 100 feet of any lot line of any school, church, library
or public park when located in a residential or agricultural district
if the sign or sign structure is visible from the perimeter of the
parcel of property at a point five feet above ground level.
[4]
Within 100 feet of any residential district.
[5]
For sign structures oriented toward an expressway, no sign structure
shall be located within 500 feet of any other sign structure located
on the same side of the expressway, regardless of sign face orientation
to the direction of travel, except that two or more signs erected
back-to-back so as to be oriented to be visible from two or more directions
of travel shall be deemed to be one sign structure.
(c)
In order to determine whether or not a suggested sign site conforms
to the location criteria, the suggested site shall be the point of
origin for all radii to be drawn. This method of measurement recognizes
the fact that portions of certain properties qualify for sign placement
while other portions of the same properties do not. It is the intention
of these provisions to qualify or disqualify sign sites and not whole
properties when portions of such properties are outside drawn radii.
(d)
No more than two sign faces may be erected at any site, and
each sign face must be back-to-back.
(e)
All advertising signs shall include only one advertisement that
covers the entire sign face at all times.
(f)
No cutout shall be allowed on advertising signs.
E.
Electronic signs:
[Amended 3-22-2017 by L.L. No. 1-2017]
(1)
For the purposes of this chapter, "electronic signs" shall be
defined as "a sign whose display (or any portion thereof) utilizes
light-emitting diode (LED) technology or similar technology that permits
a sign face to present different displays by a method other than physically
removing and replacing the sign or its components."
(2)
Electronic signs are permitted in the Town upon the following
restrictions:
(a)
Electronic signs are permitted only in MU and M-1 Districts.
(b)
Electronic signs shall be erected perpendicular to the street
and shall not be mounted on any building.
(c)
Electronic signs shall be permitted only on monument signs.
(d)
Electronic signs shall employ only light emitting a light of
constant intensity.
(e)
Electronic signs shall display only static messages, and shall
have no movement, or the appearance of movement, fade or transition
effects, flashing, scrolling or other animation in displayed messages.
(f)
Electronic signs are limited in message changes to one change
every half hour, with changes in message occurring immediately.
(g)
Electronic signs may be in operation only from one hour before
opening to one hour after closing of the business to which the sign
relates.
(3)
Electronic signs must comply with all other applicable regulations pertaining to use, size, location, and design standards as set forth in this § 140-129. In the event that the provisions of this § 140-129E are found to be in conflict with the other requirements of § 140-129, the provisions of this subsection shall govern.
F.
Design standards.
(2)
The area of signs composed of individual letters without a background
shall include the area enclosed by a series of lines joined to form
a perimeter bounding all parts of the display including all lettering,
logo, graphics and trademarks.
(3)
No pennants, ribbons, streamers, sheets, spinners or other moving
devices shall be allowed on signage in the Town of West Bloomfield.
(4)
No sign shall consist of strings of lights or contain blinking,
flashing, intermittent, rotating, glaring, moving lights or other
attention-attracting devices.
(5)
Any illuminated sign shall employ only lights emitting a light
of constant intensity.
(6)
Neon window signs may be permitted in cases where they are compatible
with the building's use, historic and/or architectural character.
(7)
Neon window signs shall not exceed 25% of the window.
(8)
Window signs shall not exceed 25% of the window and shall be
included in the calculation of the overall signage allowed for the
use.
(9)
The area of an awning or canopy that includes lettering, logo,
graphics and trademarks shall be included in calculations for allowed
signage.
(10)
If more than one tenant is located in a building, individual
signs for each will be allowed to be attached to the building as long
as the total signage square footage for the development does not exceed
the maximum signage for the district.
(11)
In commercial or industrial buildings or plazas with two or
more occupants, a shared sign is required. Kiosk sign structures are
encouraged to advertise for these multi-tenant buildings and plazas.
Signage included on the kiosk shall follow the standards outlined
in these regulations in terms of colors, lettering, etc.
(12)
No sign shall be movable or portable unless defined as a temporary
sign.
G.
Maintenance of signs.
(1)
Every sign shall at all times be maintained in a safe and structurally
sound condition. Signs that do not comply with adequate safety standards
shall be removed at the property owner's expense.
(2)
Signs must be regularly maintained, including the replacement
of worn parts, painting and cleaning.
(3)
The full number of illuminating elements of a sign shall be
kept in working condition or immediately repaired or replaced.
H.
Abandoned signs.
(1)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any sign which
is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period
of three months or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event
or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
(2)
Abandoned signs are prohibited and shall be removed by the owner
of the sign or owner of the premises. The Code Enforcement Officer
shall notify the property owner if an abandoned sign is present on
their property. The property owner shall remove the sign within 10
days following such notice.
I.
Temporary signs. Any sign which is not permanent in nature and/or
which is either intended or designed to be posted for a period time
that is not indefinite. Temporary signs may promote 1) an event that
occurs at a specified time or 2) a subject matter or event that exists
or is relevant only for a temporary period of time. Such signs may
be posted for the period of the event/subject matter and the preceding
30 days, unless otherwise specified herein, but never for a period
of greater than 90 days. A temporary sign must be removed within 72
hours of the end of the event/subject.
[Amended 3-22-2017 by L.L. No. 1-2017]
(1)
Common examples of temporary signs, include, but are not limited
to:
(a)
Political election signs, which relate to a candidate in an
election.
(b)
Real estate signs relating to the sale, rental, or leasing of
real estate.
(c)
Construction or renovation signs, erected by a contractor, engineer,
architect or similar professional or business.
(d)
Signs introducing a new business or an anniversary or significant
date or a new business.
(e)
Signs used in place of a permanent sign until a permanent sign
may be erected.
(2)
Temporary signs that conform to the following shall be allowed
under the following conditions:
(a)
Temporary signs shall be limited to six square feet in area
for each side. Such signs are limited to a maximum of three per lot.
(b)
Temporary signs which comprise fabric, pliable plastics or other
similar materials which are designed to float or flutter in the wind,
such as banners, pennant and ribbons, may be used as a temporary sign.
(c)
Temporary signs shall comply with the location and design standards
contained in this chapter.
All site grading shall conform to the following requirements:
A.
Lot grading will be done in such a way as to preserve or enhance
the topographic features and to provide positive drainage.
B.
Where retaining walls are required, they shall be of a material compatible
with the building architecture. Wooden retaining walls are prohibited.
C.
Berms, channels, swales, etc., shall be graded in such a way as to
be an integral part of the grading and paved surface. Such features
shall be designed with smooth vertical transitions between changes
in percent slope.
D.
All structures shall be designed so as to minimize the amount of
cutting into the embankment, general grading and removal of vegetative
cover. This shall generally mean designing a rectangular-shaped structure
that can be placed parallel with all contours and/or designing a cantilevered
structure for maximum exposure above the ground.
E.
The location of driveways, walkways and accessory buildings, as well
as general.
F.
Terracing, sodding, planting and the construction of retaining walls
shall be provided as necessary.
G.
Site plans shall comply with all requirements as determined by the
Town Engineer.
A.
All structures shall be designed so as to minimize the amount of
cutting into the embankment, general grading and removal of vegetative
cover. This shall generally mean designing a rectangular-shaped structure
that can be placed parallel with all contours, and/or designing a
cantilevered structure for maximum exposure above the ground.
B.
The location of driveways, walkways and accessory buildings as well
as general grading shall conform to objectives outlined above.
C.
Terracing, sodding, planting and the construction of retaining walls
shall be provided as may be necessary.
A.
No structure, except for bridges, recreational shelters with no walls,
and canoe launches, shall be constructed within 50 feet of the bed
of a stream carrying water on an average of six months of the year.
B.
The natural vegetation along the banks of such body of water shall
not be disturbed without the approval of the State Department of Environmental
Conservation.
A.
The filling of wetland areas of more than one acre in size shall
not be permitted.
B.
Proposed water supply and sewage systems shall be approved by the
appropriate regulatory agencies.
C.
All structures, as well as driveways and walkways, shall be placed
so as to avoid disturbing the natural function and process of the
wetlands.
D.
Plans for diking, new channelization or withdrawing of water shall
be approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
A.
Whenever possible, the site plan shall be designed so as to minimize
the number of trees (30 feet and over) which would have to be removed
or would otherwise disturb the forest floor.
B.
Large-scale developments, including residential subdivisions, campgrounds,
mobile home parks, etc., shall be guided in their layout by a professional
engineer or landscape architect.