Town of Wilton, NY H-1 Hamlet District

Editor's Note: See Schedule G and Article XXIV for additional requirements.

Building location and setbacks.

[Amended 8-1-2019]

All buildings shall have a build-to line of between 25 feet and 35 feet as measured from the right-of-way. Existing buildings shall be exempt from this requirement.

(2)

The side setbacks shall be a minimum of 15 feet.

(3)

All corner lots in the Hamlet districts may be treated as having one front and three side lot setbacks, if in the opinion of the Planning Board it is consistent with the character of the Hamlet intent. The Planning Board shall determine the lot line where the front yard setback needs to be met.

Site design.

(1)

The required front 15 feet shall be reserved as a municipal easement for amenities, including but not limited to municipal sewer, water and utilities and a level grass area. Ornamental light poles and uniformly spaced street trees of mixed species should be located on the building side adjacent to the sidewalk and property line, with maintenance responsibility retained by the property owner. A five-foot sidewalk shall be installed on a best-fit route along the property line in the right-of-way with approval from the authority having jurisdiction over the roadway or on a best-fit route approved by the Planning Board. The grass area adjacent to the sidewalk shall be properly graded and maintained to accommodate the above amenities. The location of various easement amenities depicted in Figure 1 and those shown in § 129-174 are guidelines only. The Planning Board has discretion as to the exact location of the amenities based on site plan issues discussed during the approval process. In cases where buildings, parking areas, pavement, and/or other obstructions already exist on a site, the Planning Board may waive or limit the street trees and lighting along a project's frontage.

[Amended 2-7-2013; 8-1-2019]

(2)

A minimum of 35% green space shall be required. This green space shall include adequate screening for the rear and side yards, as determined by the Planning Board. It shall also include a minimum of a fifteen-foot buffer along the boundary line of abutting residential districts or properties currently used for residential uses. Such buffer shall contain screen plantings of trees, hedges, shrubs, etc., to provide an effective visual and sound buffer between districts.

(3)

Stormwater basins should be at the rear or side of the parcel unless proven otherwise impractical.

[Amended 8-1-2019]

(4)

Drive-through windows shall be in the side or rear yard only.

(5)

Storage, loading and docking areas, dumpsters, utility boxes and other uses should be to the rear or sides, toward the rear of the building and screened from the road and adjacent neighboring parcels. Acceptable screening shall be landscaping, fencing and/or other design treatments compatible with the principal structure's finish. Dumpster enclosure standards shall be masonry block with facade matching the building unless waived by the Planning Board. The Planning Board may allow side or front yard loading, or side yard storage, based upon the following considerations: type of business; adjacent uses; traffic and pedestrian circulation; aesthetics and pedestrian accessibility.

[Amended 2-7-2013; 8-1-2019]

(6)

Preserve existing vegetative buffers and promote a balance with the building and green space. Landscape buffers between uses deemed noncomplementary can be utilized to protect privacy and buffer noises, odors or other unwanted impacts. Acceptable means for screening and buffering include landscaping, berming, fencing (not including chain link) or a combination of these screening techniques. Trees and other landscaping should be used to reduce the impacts of parking lots on neighboring properties and pedestrians.

	Figure 1 - Building Site Design with Side and Rear Parking

(7)

No uses shall be permitted or conducted in any manner which would render it noxious or offensive by reason of dust, odor, refuse, smoke, fumes, noise, vibration or glare, as determined by the Town of Wilton or its agent.


	Two story building illustrating appropriate site layout, treatment and fenestration. Includes vertical alignment of windows.

(8)

For all permitted uses and special permitted uses, § 129-176 shall be reviewed for additional requirements.

Architectural design standards and amenities. Color elevation renderings shall be required.

[Amended 8-1-2019]

(1)

Facade treatment and fenestration. Fenestration refers to the fluctuations of depth (such as doorway) and openings (windows) on a facade. Architectural design requirements are at the discretion of the Planning Board.

(a)

Buildings shall be oriented to the front and relate to public streets to the greatest extent possible. The main entry should be on the front of the building. Entrances to the building should be architecturally defined and articulated by architectural elements such as lintels, pediments, pilasters, columns, porches, overhangs, railings, balustrades, and others where appropriate.


	Pedestrian oriented scale, continuity of treatment including front porches, and roof design that adds visual interest, with integrated sidewalks and landscaping. Buildings overall contribute to the surrounding area as a whole.

(b)

Buildings are encouraged to contain multistory, mixed uses with commercial/retail uses on the ground level and apartments or offices on the upper levels. Buildings shall generally relate in design features and scale to the depicted buildings in this section. As a general rule, a continuity of treatment should be made by subtly maintaining the building scale or by graduating changes, front yard setbacks at the build-to line, by continuous use of front porches on residential buildings, by extending horizontal lines of fenestration, and by echoing architectural styles and details, design themes, building materials, and colors used in surrounding buildings.

(c)

Buildings should be designed to enhance and contribute to the surrounding area. Utilizing similar building massing, scale, colors and architectural features will ensure compatibility with surroundings. An architectural treatment should continue from the front facade to all visible sides of a building.

(d)

Overall facade composition should break the building down into distinct segments to communicate a pedestrian-oriented scale. First floors shall be integrally designed with upper floors, including vertically aligning upper-floor windows with windows and doors on the first floor. First-floor uses should have large pane display windows; 50% to 75% of the first floor should be of glass surface. Windows should consist of at a minimum 30% of the upper-floor facade.

(e)

If a structure is on the local historic registry or noted as historically significant by the Town's Historic Preservation Board or National Registry, renovation of the structure is particularly encouraged. Adaptive reuse of existing structures is encouraged.

(2)

Building height and massing. Building height shall be increased from the maximum 35 feet to a maximum of 55 feet for nonoccupied spaces, such as awnings, spires and peaked rooflines. Buildings shall avoid long uninterrupted stretches of wall or roof plane. Building wall offsets including projections, recesses and changes in floor level shall be used in order to provide architectural interest and variety to the massing of the buildings.

(3)

Roof design. Pitched hip and gable roofs are generally encouraged. Pitched roofs shall contain safety measures such as overhangs to ensure safety from falling ice, snow, or rain. Roofline offsets shall be provided, in order to provide architectural interest and variety to the massing of the building, and to relieve the visual effect of a single long roof. Architectural embellishments such as dormers, cupolas, masonry chimneys and clock towers are encouraged for visual interest. Flat roofs incorporating a parapet are encouraged for buildings two stories and higher. Mansard roofs are generally discouraged. All air-conditioning units, HVAC systems, exhaust pipes or stacks, elevator housing, and satellite dishes and other telecommunications-receiving devices shall be reasonably screened from view from the public right-of-way and from adjacent properties utilizing walls, fencing, roof elements or landscaping. Utilities shall be placed underground when allowed by code.

(4)

Lighting. All lights, whether pole- or building-mounted, shall be shielded such that light is adequately directed away from off-site areas. Light fixtures attached to the exterior of a building shall be architecturally compatible with the style, materials, colors, and details of the building. Facades shall be lit from the exterior, and, as a general rule, lights should be concealed through shielding or recessed behind architectural features. The use of low-pressure sodium, fluorescent, or mercury-vapor lighting either attached to buildings or to light the exterior of buildings is not allowed. Mounting brackets and hardware should be inconspicuous.

(a)

Pole-mounted lighting within parking or other areas of the site should be compatible with town hamlet lighting standards and proposed lighting for the building.

(5)

Materials and colors. All materials, colors, and architectural details used on the exterior of a building shall be compatible with the building's style, and with each other. Exterior materials shall be of high quality that will assure long-lasting durability and low maintenance.


	Building illustrating preferred higher quality facade materials and appropriate facade treatment.

(a)

Preferred facade materials: Actual color samples of exterior building materials shall be provided to the Planning Board unless waived by the Planning Board.

[1]

Red brick.

[2]

Wood.

[3]

Architectural masonry units.

[4]

Natural stone, veneer, or cast stone.

[5]

Siding of high quality (including cement board) that simulates well a natural material.

[6]

Contemporary materials such as glass and concrete are permitted if overall color, texture and material reflects context of the surrounding area.

(b)

Strongly discouraged materials:

[1]

Plain vinyl or metal siding.

[2]

Imitation stone, plastic, and resin products of lower quality.

[3]

Fluorescent and primary colors shall not be permitted.

(c)

Trim materials should consist of finish-grade painted, stained wood or comparable quality material. Bare, lumber-grade wood is strongly discouraged. Windows should have anodized aluminum or a wood frame, not consisting of a bare aluminum frame.

(d)

Awnings and canopies, fixed or retractable, are encouraged at ground-floor level if designed as an integral part of the facade. Canvas is the preferred material, although other waterproofed fabrics may be used. Metal or aluminum awnings are prohibited.

Parking and vehicle access.

(1)

Parking shall be in the side or rear yards of the building only. The Planning Board may allow front yard parking in certain situations such as larger lots, corner lots, or lots where more than one structure is proposed. The Planning Board may alleviate the parking standards set forth in § 129-161 based upon the following considerations: type of business; shared and banked parking arrangements; adjacent uses; aesthetics; and pedestrian accessibility. On-street parking can be proposed with permission of the authority having jurisdiction on the roadway.

[Amended 8-1-2019]

(2)

The ratio of parking distribution shall allow for up to 25% of the total parking in the side yard and the remainder in the rear yard. In cases where side yard capacity is available, the Planning Board may allow more than 25% of total parking in the side yard. See Figure 4 - Building Site Design with Side and Rear Parking for the Hamlet One (H-1) District.

(3)

Spillover parking areas with alternative pervious paving materials including pervious asphalt, concrete and grass pavers are strongly encouraged and can be included as a portion of the 35% required green space at the Planning Board's discretion.

(4)

For the purpose of assuring safe and continuous movement of vehicles, interconnections between the rear yards of adjoining parcels should be evaluated by the Planning Board. The design and location of the interconnections shall be determined during the site plan review process. Cross easements should be used to formalize shared access arrangements between parcels.

[Amended 8-1-2019]

(5)

Shared driveways are strongly encouraged. Points of ingress and egress should be limited to one per parcel. Curb cuts are required to be consolidated to the greatest extent possible.

(6)

For the purpose of encouraging shared points of access, points of egress and ingress shall be at one side of the property.

Pedestrian and bicycle access.

(1)

See Chapter 107 for sidewalks, pathways and streetlighting.

[Amended 8-1-2019]

(2)

Properties may be required to provide access for existing or potential trail connection.

[Amended 8-1-2019]

(3)

To accommodate pedestrian and bicycle access, pedestrian resting spots such as benches and low-lying walls should be incorporated into a site's development. Bike racks should be provided within accessible, visible locations to serve bicyclist traffic within the hamlet areas.

Public spaces. Public spaces provide a valuable contribution reflecting a sense of community and providing formal and informal gathering places for residents and visitors.


	Illustration of an appropriate public space that reflects a sense of community and provides an aesthetically pleasing gathering place for residents and visitors.

(1)

Public space is strongly encouraged and can include plazas, courtyards, walkways, and other amenities such as seating, ornamental fountains, lighting and gardens. Landscaping should include trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Public space should be constructed on the side of a building which receives the most sunlight. Benches should be placed under trees to provide shaded areas for those utilizing the space. The Planning Board has discretion to consider the proposed public space towards the required 35% green space.

(2)

Incorporation of works of art into the public spaces, exterior facade, or entrance lobbies is encouraged.

Outdoor dining. Outdoor dining is defined as a dining area with seating and tables located outside of a restaurant, coffee shop or other food-service-related facility where all food and beverages are prepared within the establishment.


	Outdoor dining featuring a defined dining area.

(1)

A restaurant shall be permitted to operate outdoor dining provided that pedestrian circulation and access to store entrances is not impeded. The number and location of tables shall be compliant with maximum occupancy and aisle width standards within the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.

(2)

Planters, posts with ropes or other removable enclosures are recommended and shall be used as a way of defining the occupied dining area. The operators of occupied dining areas shall be responsible for a continuously maintained, litter free and well-kept appearance.

Sidewalk displays. Sidewalk displays are permitted directly in front of a retail establishment, provided that display is associated with the retail operation; at least five feet of clearance is maintained at the storefront entrance; that the display is located against the building wall no more than three feet; and that less than 75% of the building storefront is occupied with any display. The display area shall maintain a clean, uncluttered look at all times. The display shall be allowed during normal business hours with removal at the end of each day.