[Amended 11-22-2004 by L.L. No. 7-2004; 2-23-2005 by L.L. No. 3-2005; 7-28-2005 by L.L. No. 7-2005; 2-23-2009 by L.L. No. 1-2009]
[Amended 9-6-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016; 9-14-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017;[1] 4-11-2024 by L.L. No. 6-2024; 7-10-2025 by L.L. No. 4-2025]
A. 
Purpose. The land use district regulations in this article are intended to allow flexibility of land use to encourage business and residential development that is consistent with the character and scale of Goshen's countryside and neighborhoods. In reviewing applications for special permits and site plan approval, the Planning Board may impose any conditions it deems necessary to ensure that a proposed use will be consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and compatible with its surroundings. The Planning Board shall deny the plan for any proposed use which does not satisfy the criteria in this chapter. Sections 97-11 through 97-22 contain regulations specific to each land use district.
B. 
Use restrictions and Use Table. Structures and land shall be used only as provided in the Use Table,[2] except as otherwise provided in this chapter. See § 97-84 for definitions of the use categories. In the event that a particular proposed use does not fit into one of the categories shown on the Use Table and is not prohibited by Subsection C, it may be allowed by special permit issued by the Town Board. (See § 97-70B.) The Use Table shows allowable uses for all districts except for the AI District, for which use regulations are contained in § 97-13.
[2]
Editor's Note: The Use Table is included at the end of this chapter.
C. 
Prohibited uses in all districts.
(1) 
The following uses are prohibited in all districts:
(a) 
Any use that violates the environmental performance standards in § 97-50.
(b) 
Amusement parks and circuses and related activities, except for a temporary period on special license from the Town Board. For purposes of this section, a commercial recreation facility in a Commercial Recreation Overlay District is neither an amusement park nor a circus.
(c) 
Junkyards, landfills, dumps, nonmunicipal facilities for the storage or treatment of sewage sludge, or other solid waste management facilities, except for composting facilities, as provided in § 97-58C.
(d) 
The removal of black dirt.
(e) 
Any building or structure or any part of a drainage or disposal system located within 100 feet of any watercourse which is part of a water supply system.
(f) 
The removal of groundwater for use outside of the Town of Goshen, except i) pursuant to a special permit issued by the Town Board upon a finding that groundwater recharge measures will be taken to prevent any negative impact on water quantity or quality within the Town or ii) pursuant to an agreement approved by the Town Board for the sale of water by the Town of Goshen to another municipality upon a finding that groundwater recharge measures will be taken to prevent any negative impact on water quantity or quality within the Town.
(g) 
Short-term rentals (see also presumption of dwelling unit as a short-term rental property § 97-67I).
(2) 
If one of these specifically prohibited uses was, when commenced, not listed as a permitted or conditional use in the Town of Goshen Zoning Law (and was therefore commenced in violation of the Zoning Law), it shall not be protected as a nonconforming use by the provisions of Article VI.
D. 
Accessory uses. Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to principal uses shown on the Use Table shall be allowed on the same terms as the principal uses on the same lot or on contiguous lots, unless otherwise indicated on the Use Table. Accessory uses in connection with agriculture may occur on any lot which is part of the farm operation. Noncommercial recreational use shall be permitted as an accessory use in all districts, except that the recreational use of any motorized off-road recreational vehicle shall not be permitted within 250 feet of a residence, excluding the residence of the vehicle owner.
(1) 
The following shall be permissible accessory uses:
(a) 
Small wind or solar energy systems for the production of electric energy to serve the principal permitted use on the lot, provided the applicable requirements in § 97-55 are met.
(b) 
Wind or solar energy systems for the production of electric energy on tracts of land at least 10 contiguous acres or more in size that are owned by the same person or entity, provided the applicable requirements in § 97-55 are met.
E. 
Change of use or structure. A change of use is the establishment of a use that is in a use category (as listed on the Use Table) different from the existing use of the site or structure. A change of ownership, tenancy, or occupancy, or a change from one use to another within the same category, shall not be considered a change of use, unless the change would result in the enlargement or addition of a sign, the enlargement of a structure or construction of a new structure, or an increase of more than 10% in vehicle trip generation as indicated in current trip generation rates published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
(1) 
Uses by right. Any change of use of land or existing structures to a use permitted by right (without site plan review) shall require approval only from the Building Inspector. This shall not affect applicable requirements for obtaining building permits for construction or expansion of a structure from the Building Inspector under Chapter 49 of the Goshen Town Code.
(2) 
Uses by right subject to site plan review. Any change of the use of an existing structure to a use permitted by right subject to site plan review shall require site plan review only if it involves the construction or enlargement of a structure, the clearing, excavation, or grading of more than 1,000 square feet of land, the addition of four or more parking spaces, or the enlargement, addition, or relocation of a sign.
(3) 
Uses by special permit.
(a) 
A special permit shall be required for any change of use from a use that does not require a special permit to a use that does require a special permit.
(b) 
Once a special permit has been granted, it shall apply to the approved use, as well as to any subsequent use of the property in the same use category, provided that it has no greater impact on adjoining properties, complies with all terms and conditions of the special permit, and does not involve new construction, enlargement, exterior alteration of existing structures, increased parking, or other changed use of outdoor areas. Any change to another use allowed by special permit shall require the granting of a new special permit or a special permit amendment.
F. 
Change to site plan of an existing use. Modifications to the site of any use allowed by right subject to site plan review or allowed by special permit shall require an amendment to the approved site plan pursuant to § 97-78D. Such modifications include but are not limited to changes to buildings as well as changes in lighting, signage, access, parking, drainage, and landscaping.
G. 
Rebuilding, replacement and expansion of structures. The rebuilding or replacement on the same footprint of any structure for a use which requires site plan review and/or a special permit shall require site plan review, even if it is a continuation of the same use.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for expiration of these provisions as follows: "This Commercial Recreation Overlay District shall terminate and cease to exist without further action by the Town Board if the Town Planning Board does not approve a special permit and site plan and/or subdivision for a Commercial Recreation Facility within six (6) months of the effective date of this local law or, if so approved, the Commercial Recreation Facility is thereafter abandoned."
The regulations in this chapter are intended to encourage the preservation of Goshen's open space, while providing opportunities for needed housing and business uses. This is accomplished in various ways, including clustering development in nodes surrounded by open space and, where practical, in the traditional compact pattern found in the region's villages and hamlets. This chapter encourages the use of open space development to preserve significant amounts of open space. Density and dimensional regulations applicable to all districts are contained in § 97-12, and those regulations specific to each district appear in §§ 97-13 through 97-23.
A. 
Accessory apartments and accessory residential structures.
(1) 
One accessory apartment or residential structure per single-family dwelling unit may be located as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling as provided in the Use Table.[1] The accessory apartment or residential structure shall be connected to the same well as the principal residence.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Use Table is included at the end of this chapter.
(2) 
Accessory apartments and residential structures shall not be counted as a residential unit for purposes of determining density. No permit shall be granted for an accessory apartment nor residential structure without certification of the adequacy of the public water supply and water supply service connection or, for on-site systems, the well and septic system servicing both the principal residence and the accessory apartment or residential structure. One accessory apartment per single-family dwelling may be located in an accessory structure or a principal building as provided in the Use Table.
B. 
Multifamily and senior citizen dwellings.
(1) 
Buildings may be converted to multifamily use if permitted in the Use Table, provided that the owner occupies at least one unit in the building. Maximum density shall be established by the Planning Board based upon applicable review criteria and the characteristics of the existing building. Conversions to mixed residential and compatible nonresidential uses are encouraged.
(2) 
For congregate senior citizen housing (as distinguished from planned adult community housing) and residential care facilities, each bedroom shall be treated as 1/2 of a dwelling unit.
(3) 
For farm operations, dormitory and multiple-family housing shall be allowed by special permit in the RU District in compliance with the provisions of § 97-13B(4).
C. 
Multiple residences on a lot. A lot may contain more than one principal residential structure and accessory apartment with site plan approval by the Planning Board, provided that the lot has enough acreage to satisfy the acreage requirements for each dwelling if the land were subdivided. For example, if an owner of a ten-acre parcel wishes to build a second house on the same property without subdividing the land, that owner may do so as long as this chapter would allow one house per five acres in that district. The second house must also comply with septic system requirements and the environmental control formula in § 97-18D. Such a lot may not be later subdivided unless the subdivided lots conform to the dimensional regulations in effect when the subdivision is proposed. A maximum of three residences, with accessory apartments, may be created under this Subsection C. No permit shall be granted for an accessory apartment nor residential structure without certification of the adequacy of the public water supply and water supply service connection or, for on-site systems, the well and septic system servicing both the principal residence and the accessory apartment or residential structure.
The primary purpose of the AI Agricultural-Industrial District is to preserve those prime black-dirt areas in the Town for agricultural use and thereby support the continuance of a strong agribusiness sector. The Town also recognizes that not all soils within these areas are prime agricultural soils and thus should provide an opportunity for other uses: additional low-density residential and expanded, compatible nonagricultural business development uses that are potentially incompatible with certain agricultural practices. These additional uses are therefore provided for within the Agricultural-Industrial District through the application of guidelines and standards intended to ensure compatibility with the overall agricultural nature of the district.
A. 
The following uses shall be permitted by right in the AI District, provided that site planning information is submitted that is sufficient for the Building Inspector to determine compliance with this section and other applicable sections of this chapter:
(1) 
Commercial agricultural operations and accessory uses thereto;
(2) 
The keeping, breeding, raising, training and rental of horses and stabling facilities; riding instruction; and horse shows and competitions, subject to any licensing requirements, separate from zoning, that the Town may impose for large-scale events;
(3) 
Single-family dwellings and customary accessory uses, subject to the following conditions:
(a) 
No subdivision plats or residential site plans shall be approved and no building permit shall be issued unless the applicant complies with the disclosure requirements of § 97-47B. In addition, no building permit shall be issued to lot owners until such owners file a statement with the Building Inspector that they have read the disclosure and fully understand that the lot lies within the Agricultural-Industrial District, where the primary permitted activity is black-dirt farming, and that certain aspects of customary agricultural procedures (namely spraying and dusting of chemicals, noise and odors) constitute ongoing nuisances of which the lot owner is aware.
(b) 
A minimum setback of 100 feet shall be required from any dwelling unit to a lot line abutting a nonresidential use.
(c) 
Unrestricted flow of stormwater runoff from such developed property will not be allowed to drain directly into black-dirt agricultural operations. Site plans and subdivision plats must include provisions for retention/detention ponds to contain such runoff.
(d) 
Minimum lot size: 80,000 square feet, subject to the environmental control formula in § 97-18D.
(e) 
Minimum setbacks: 50 feet front and rear, 30 feet side.
B. 
The following uses shall be allowed by right subject to site plan review, as provided in § 97-75:
(1) 
Food processing and packaging plants, including drying, food-freezing and vacuum-cooling establishments, on a lot of not less than five acres.
(2) 
Warehousing and wholesaling of farm products and supplies and retail establishment devoted primarily to the sale of farm products, processed food products and supplies on a lot not less than three acres in area.
(3) 
Trucking terminals for shipping agricultural or food products, provided that:
(a) 
Terminals of 1,500 square feet or less shall meet all bulk regulations in § 97-13F.
(b) 
Terminals of greater than 1,500 square feet shall require a five-acre minimum lot size in addition to satisfying the setback requirements in § 97-13F.
(4) 
Dormitory accommodations and multiple-dwelling-unit housing for agricultural workers, provided that:
(a) 
All such premises are constructed and operated in conformance with applicable state and federal regulations.
(b) 
Accessory housing and dormitory accommodations house farm operation workers that are employed and work on Town of Goshen farms. Such accommodations must be in conformity with the dimensional requirements in § 97-13F and Subsection B(4)(d) below.
(c) 
Dormitory accommodations and multiple dwelling units for workers, if located on a separate lot, shall require a minimum lot area of five acres and shall meet other bulk regulations in § 97-13F and Subsection B(4)(d) below.
(d) 
In all cases, a buffer area of 150 feet shall be maintained between a dormitory and the lot line of an abutting residential use.
(5) 
Public utility structures and other uses listed in and as regulated in § 97-61.
(6) 
Light manufacturing exclusively related to agricultural processing and other related agricultural business, on a lot not less than three acres in area.
(7) 
Repair garages devoted exclusively to the repair and farm-related machinery, farm vehicles or farm equipment, on a separate lot not less than three acres in area.
(8) 
Composting facilities located on a farm operation, in which no more than 30% of the material composted originates off of the farm operation.
C. 
The following uses shall be allowed by special permit granted by the Planning Board pursuant to Article IX:
(1) 
Conversion of an existing residential building to a two-family dwelling.
(2) 
Kennels, as regulated in § 97-57.
(3) 
Storage/Warehousing and wholesale of nonfarm products, materials, equipment, etc., on a lot not less than three acres in area.
(4) 
Trucking terminals for shipping nonagricultural products, provided that:
(a) 
Terminals of 1,500 square feet or less shall meet all bulk regulations for a principal building in Subsection F.
(b) 
Terminals of greater than 1,500 square feet shall require a five-acre minimum lot size.
(5) 
Manufacturing, assembling, altering, finishing, converting, fabricating, cleaning or any other processing, packing, packaging or repackaging of products or materials on a lot not less than three acres in area.
(6) 
Repair garages devoted exclusively to the repair of farm-related machinery, farm vehicles or farm equipment on a lot with a residence, provided that:
(a) 
There are not more than three nonresident employees.
(b) 
All equipment to be repaired or which has been repaired shall be stored indoors or behind a solid fence or natural landscaping barrier able to completely screen equipment from all adjacent residential properties.
(c) 
No signs other than those normally permitted in a residence district shall be allowed other than a two-square-foot double-faced sign located in the front yard.
(d) 
Facilities shall be properly maintained and subject to a renewal of approval without fee by the Planning Board if the Building Inspector finds a violation of these regulations to be in existence.
(7) 
Repair garages for nonfarm related machinery, vehicles or equipment on a lot not less than three acres in area.
(8) 
Day-care centers and nursery schools.
(9) 
Composting facilities not related on a farm operation, or located on a farm operation where more than 30% of the material composted originates off of the farm operation.
D. 
Accessory uses shall be permitted, limited to the following:
(1) 
Customary accessory uses, including keeping of horses as regulated in § 97-57.
(2) 
Signs as regulated in § 97-49.
(3) 
Repair garages devoted exclusively to the repair of farm-related machinery, farm vehicles or farm equipment on an existing farm or accessory to a trucking terminal, subject to the following conditions:
(a) 
Such use accessory to a trucking terminal shall be located at least 200 feet from any property line; and
(b) 
Such use shall meet the bulk requirements for a permitted use rather than an accessory use.
(4) 
Small wind or solar energy systems for the production of electric energy to serve the principal permitted use on the lot, provided the applicable requirements in § 97-55 are met.
[Added 9-6-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016]
(5) 
Wind or solar energy systems for the production of electric energy on tracts of land at least 10 contiguous acres or more in size that are owned by the same person or entity, provided the applicable requirements in § 97-55 are met.
[Added 9-6-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016]
E. 
The uses and requirements as outlined in Chapter 83, Table of Soil Groups,[1] shall be established as the minimum standards for all nonagricultural uses and buildings. Such buildings and uses shall be permitted only on a certification by a licensed soils engineer that:
(1) 
Either the site does not contain prime organic soils or contains other organic soils which are not suitable to commercial agricultural operations; and
(2) 
The site soils are suitable to support the proposed use.
[1]
Editor's Note: See now § 97-18D(1).
F. 
Unless otherwise provided, all nonresidential uses and buildings in the AI District shall meet the following bulk regulations:
(1) 
Bulk regulations for nonresidential uses and buildings:
(a) 
Minimum lot area: two acres.
(b) 
Minimum road frontage: 200 feet.
(c) 
Minimum front setback: 50 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side and rear setback: 50 feet.
(e) 
Maximum impervious surface coverage: 50%.
(f) 
Maximum building height: 45 feet.
(2) 
In addition, any nonresidential use shall maintain a suitably landscaped two-hundred-foot buffer strip from the building or use to any lot line abutting the RU District boundary.
The HC, CO and I Districts are locations where larger-scale commercial and other nonresidential uses are permitted, as provided in the Use Table.[1]
A. 
The dimensional regulations for these districts are as shown in the table below:
Dimensional Table for HC, CO and I Districts
District
HC
CO
I
Minimum lot area
1 acre1
1 acre1
5 acres
Minimum road frontage:
Town road
200
200
200
County/State road
300
200
200
Minimum front yard setback:
Town road
25
50
100
County/State road
35
150
200
Minimum side yard setback
302
302
502
Minimum rear yard setback
502
502
752
Maximum impervious surface coverage
70%
70%
70%
Maximum height3
45
35
45
Maximum footprint (in square feet) for nonresidential structures4
40,000
200,000
—
NOTES:
All dimensions are in feet unless otherwise indicated.
1
Subject to environmental control formula in § 97-18D for residential uses only.
2
One-hundred-foot setback with wooded buffer required if lot abuts a residential district.
3
Above average grade. For height exceptions, see § 97-40D.
4
Excluding agricultural structures and all structures legally completed or granted a building permit, special permit, site plan approval, or variance prior to the adoption of this chapter.
B. 
Special site design and operational considerations in the CO District. The purpose of the CO District is to allow larger-scale nonresidential uses that contribute to the Town's tax base and provide jobs, while protecting the Town's treasured scenic and rural qualities and residential areas using open space buffers. Impervious surfaces are limited to 70% of the total project area, requiring 30% to be maintained as open or undeveloped green space. This green space shall be arranged in a manner that adequately buffers buildings and parking areas from public roads and neighboring properties, while protecting wetlands, watercourses, and scenic views. The open or undeveloped green space may include those items meeting the criteria for open space under § 97-21, and shall be entirely pervious. CO land may not be accessed through land that is zoned RU if such CO land has feasible road access from land zoned CO, HC or I in the Town of Goshen or from land that is located in the Village of Goshen or Florida.
C. 
Residential development is allowed in the CO District as permitted by the Use Table. Planned adult communities (PACs) shall not be permitted in the CO District. The maximum residential density for dwellings in the CO District shall not exceed 20% of the total floor space of the development project. The allowable residential density for a particular site shall be based upon the application of standards for site plans and special permits. For purposes of determining the 20% maximum floor space in this subsection, density shall be measured by the total square footage of residential use and not by the number of dwelling units.
D. 
All new development in the HC, CO and I Districts shall comply with the following design standards. Where alterations to existing structures and business operations require special permit or site plan approval, they shall comply with these standards to the extent practical, i.e., full compliance shall not be required if it would impose unnecessary economic hardship or discourage property owners from improving their properties. The overall design goal is to maintain and enhance the landscape character of commercial road corridors. This is to be accomplished by mitigating the visual impacts of business development through landscape, layout, and architectural standards. The design guidelines referred to in § 97-5 shall apply except where a building or site is screened from public roads and adjacent properties. The following standards shall apply in the HC and CO Districts and in the I District for buildings that are visible from public roads or properties not located in the I District:
(1) 
Building placement.
(a) 
Buildings shall be clustered together to the extent practical, preserving existing green areas, and conform to the natural terrain to the extent practicable.
(b) 
Buildings shall be placed in front of their parking lots to screen the parking from the road. This requirement shall not apply if the entire site is screened from the road by natural vegetation and/or natural topography.
(2) 
Architecture.
(a) 
Existing structures with historic or architectural significance shall be retained to the extent practical. Alterations to such structures shall be compatible with the architecture of the existing structure.
(b) 
Buildings, including canopies for accessory facilities, shall have peaked roofs with a slope of at least 8:12, except that hip roofs with a slope of at least 4:12 and flat roofs that are hidden by a raised cornice shall also be permitted.
(c) 
Windows shall be vertically proportioned and balanced on facades, with width-to-height ratios ranging from 1:2 to 3:5. Horizontal windows may be used just below roof eaves ("eyebrow" windows) and as first-floor display windows.
(d) 
Trademarked architecture which identifies a specific company by building design features shall be prohibited, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the design is compatible with the historic architecture of the region.
(e) 
Large buildings (footprint larger than 10,000 square feet) shall generally be broken up into smaller volumes using building proportions found in the region's traditional architecture.
(3) 
Landscaping.
(a) 
A continuous green landscaped buffer shall be maintained along the road, consisting of trees, shrubs, fields, meadows, natural areas and lawns, provided that such buffer vegetation does not interfere with required sight distances. Bike paths and/or sidewalks shall be constructed within this landscaped buffer. To the extent practical, existing trees, lawns and shrubs shall be preserved.
(b) 
Undeveloped natural areas shall be managed to maximize recharge of groundwater, protection of surface water quality, and protection of wildlife habitat. Frequent mowing of areas not used for agriculture or pedestrian access shall be discouraged in favor of management as open meadows.
(c) 
The buffer yard requirements in § 97-75D(2) shall be used to determine specific buffer and landscaping requirements.
(4) 
Fences. Fence materials and designs shall be appropriate to the historic character of Goshen and shall not block visual access to scenic views. Chain link fencing shall not be used in locations visible from public highways. Existing chain link fences may be replaced if coated with a dark, nonreflective finish or screened by an evergreen hedge.
(5) 
Outdoor storage and enclosed buildings. All permitted and accessory uses shall be confined within completely enclosed buildings, with the exception of off-street parking spaces, off-street loading berths, accessory fuel storage and employee recreational facilities. Outdoor storage of materials, equipment or vehicles in an orderly manner is permitted in any area other than required front, rear or side yards, provided that such outdoor storage does not exceed 10% of the area of the lot and is effectively screened from public roads and from any adjacent residential district boundary. This 10% limitation may be waived by the Planning Board in the course of site plan review for those uses which by their nature require outdoor storage of material or products, such as nurseries, lumberyards, outdoor sculpture galleries, and automobile dealers. The screening requirement may be waived where it would prevent the necessary display of merchandise for public viewing, provided that the Planning Board finds that such display will be orderly and attractive.
(6) 
Curb cuts. The minimum distance between curb cuts shall be 600 feet, unless the configuration of a parcel in relation to adjoining parcels makes this requirement impossible to satisfy.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Use Table is included at the end of this chapter.
The HR District is intended to provide suitable locations for "clusters" of residential development. The HR Districts are generally located within close proximity of a village and are designed to allow a location for more compact development densities than are permitted in the RU District. Development in the HR District shall conform to the natural terrain to the greatest extent practicable.
A. 
Requirement of public sewer and public water. The rules applicable to the HR Districts in this chapter shall only apply if there is public sewer and public water service available. In the absence of such infrastructure, all land zoned HR shall be subject to the land use district regulations of the RU District (including but not limited to the Use Table[1] and the provisions of Article IV). In addition, if the applicant will be withdrawing water from the site or from another location in the Town of Goshen, the applicant shall be required to comply with applicable portions of § 97-27 and prove that such withdrawal will not adversely affect water quality or quantity.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Use Table is included at the end of this chapter.
B. 
Minimum lot sizes and open space.
(1) 
Minimum lot size for a detached single-family dwelling shall be 8,000 square feet.
(2) 
Minimum lot size for a two-family dwelling shall be 10,000 square feet.
(3) 
Minimum lot size for a multifamily dwelling shall be 12,000 square feet.
(4) 
Minimum lot size for an attached single-family townhome shall be 2,500 square feet.
(5) 
The minimum lot size required shall not include constrained lands. Within the HR District, contiguous slopes containing at least 1,500 square feet with at least 10 feet of continuous horizontal width perpendicular to the slope shall be considered steep slopes.
(6) 
At least 30% of the site area must be protected as undeveloped open space, which may include public greens, parks, playing fields, playgrounds or portions of large private residential or nonresidential lots set aside as open space and preserved with a conservation easement as provided in § 97-21. Land used for common buildings and recreational facilities, including parking areas for such facilities, shall also be counted toward the open space requirement. The preserved open space area may not include wetlands or other constrained land.
(7) 
To achieve this open space set-aside, the Planning Board shall condition its approval of individual developments on the protection of open space in amounts appropriate to each parcel. These amounts may be different percentages on different parcels. Preservation of open space land must be secured either by a conservation easement or by dedication of the land to the Town as parkland.
(8) 
Where portions of an HR District were developed prior to being zoned HR, such previously developed areas shall be exempted from the 30% open space requirement.
C. 
Two-family dwellings. In the HR District, two-family dwellings shall be permitted by right on all conforming lots.
D. 
Multifamily dwellings. New multifamily dwellings in the HR District shall have their front entrances on an existing or new street, with parking behind the buildings. No more than 30% of the dwelling units proposed for a development in the HR District shall contain multifamily dwellings. Multifamily dwellings may take the form of rowhouses, townhouses, apartment buildings, mixed-use buildings containing an apartment, or any other form, such as three-family and four-family houses, which fit into the traditional architectural character of Goshen, as determined by the Planning Board.
E. 
Apartments in mixed-use buildings. Apartments are encouraged to be located in the upper stories of buildings that have retail or service commercial on the ground floor, in the manner of traditional hamlet main streets.
F. 
Setbacks, build-to lines and building height. Setbacks and build-to lines shall be established at the time of site plan approval, in conformance with the practices found in traditional hamlets. In the HR District, all structures shall have a maximum height of 35 feet, subject to the exceptions set forth in § 97-40D.
G. 
Maximum footprint. The maximum footprint of a nonresidential structure in an HR District shall be 10,000 square feet, permitted by special permit from the Town Board, or as otherwise provided in the Use Table. The Town Board may permit a structure of up to 60,000 square feet if it is a supermarket deemed essential to the hamlet's economic viability. This footprint limitation shall not apply to structures designed for indoor recreation or as community centers. Light industrial activity shall not be permitted in the HR District, unless by special permit from the Town Board and in compliance with the conditions of the Zoning Code.
H. 
Design guidelines. Development within an HR District shall comply with the Hamlet Design Guidelines referred to in § 97-5. The Town Board may promulgate additional design standards or guidelines to assist in the administration of this § 97-15.
I. 
Streets. Streets in the HR District shall generally be interconnected, and permanent culs-de-sac shall only be permitted where wetlands, watercourses, or steep slopes make street interconnections impractical. In such cases, pedestrian paths and public stairways shall be provided where practical. All streets in an HR District shall be offered for dedication to the Town, and no street shall be gated. The requirements for streets in the Town's road specifications may be waived if such waivers are necessary to permit street designs in cluster subdivision or hamlet character.
J. 
Maximum density. The maximum residential density (i.e., the total number of dwelling units divided by total unconstrained land area, including open space) in the HR Districts shall be three dwelling units per unconstrained acre. There shall be no entitlement to this density, but such density may be achievable if the project satisfies all of the applicable requirements of the HR Districts and other provisions of this chapter and, in addition, is consistent with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) analysis for the project.
K. 
Dwelling units in multifamily dwellings. For purposes of this § 97-15, the number of "dwelling units" for multifamily housing shall be calculated according to the following table, based upon the number of bedrooms in each dwelling unit:
Number of Bedrooms
Fractional Units in Relation to 3-Bedroom Unit
1
0.38
2
0.75
3 or more
1.0
L. 
(Reserved)[2]
[2]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection L, regarding allowable affordable housing amounts, was repealed 10-11-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018.
M. 
Developments that include RU District land. For lots or developments that include land located in the RU District contiguous to the HR District, an applicant may perform a separate density calculation for land in each district and then design the development plan without regard to the zoning district boundary line, provided that the total number of units (based upon the "bedroom count" methodology in Subsection K above) is consistent with the combined density calculations. Unless, in the opinion of the Planning Board, there is a clearly articulated planning or environmental justification for doing otherwise, the units shall generally be clustered more densely within the HR portion of the site, with the RU portion kept in a more open and rural condition.
N. 
Specific plan option. An applicant or the Town may prepare a "specific plan" in the form of a conceptual site plan that covers all or a portion of a site, including land in multiple ownerships. If prepared by an applicant, all landowners covered by such a plan must consent to this specific plan option. If prepared by the Town, landowners shall be given notice and an opportunity to object, but the Town shall have the authority to prepare such a plan without their consent, provided that the owners of at least 80% of the land area subject to the specific plan consent to its preparation. The Town shall conduct outreach to all landowners to be covered by a proposed plan and shall involve them in the process of plan preparation. The specific plan shall also be prepared with a substantial public involvement process. A specific plan shall be approved as an amendment to the Town's Comprehensive Plan following procedures required by law for such an amendment. The Town Board may, in addition, make the specific plan part of this chapter, by adopting it as a zoning amendment binding upon all landowners as provided in § 97-79. Once a specific plan is adopted as a zoning amendment, any application for development which is in substantial compliance with it may be approved by the Planning Board through site plan review. If the specific plan is prepared by the Town, the cost of such preparation, including the cost of SEQR compliance, may be allocated among the landowners through development fees charged at the time they receive development approvals, provided that there has been prior notice and opportunity for such landowners to be heard concerning the amount of such fees.
O. 
Setbacks on existing lots of record. Lots in existence as of June 10, 2004, with or without structures, shall be buildable and considered conforming if they can satisfy applicable Health Department regulations and the setback requirements below. There shall be no minimum required front setbacks for such lots. Minimum side and rear setbacks on such lots shall be as follows:
(1) 
Principal building: 20 feet side and rear.
(2) 
Accessory structures greater than 200 square feet: 20 feet side; 10 feet rear.
(3) 
Accessory structures 200 square feet or less: 10 feet side and rear.
P. 
Planned adult community (PAC). Planned adult communities are allowed by special permit from the Town Board in the HR and RU Districts, provided that the following criteria are satisfied:
[Amended 7-23-2009 by L.L. No. 4-2009]
(1) 
The PAC shall qualify as housing for older persons, intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older, as provided in 42 U.S.C. § 3607(b)(2)(c). Appropriate deed restrictions that enforce this requirement shall be provided in a form acceptable to the Town Attorney and shall be included in all deeds conveying title to a lot or unit and in any project offering plan. At least one resident of a dwelling unit shall be 55 years of age or older, and no one under age 19 shall permanently occupy a dwelling unit. Such age restrictions shall not apply to:
(a) 
Units occupied by employees of the homeowners' association or of the property owner if the units are rented; and
(b) 
Units occupied by persons under age 55 who are needed to provide a reasonable accommodation to disabled residents aged 55 or over.
(2) 
The residential units may be in any combination of detached, attached, multifamily, or other configuration that satisfies the dimensional and design standards in Subsections A through O above. The units may be in separate lots, multifamily apartments, condominiums, cooperatives, or any other form of ownership approved by the Planning Board that enables the requirements in Subsection P(1) to be enforced. If land subdivision is required, a sketch plan subdivision application shall be submitted to the Planning Board as part of the special permit application submission.
(3) 
The minimum acreage for a PAC is 20 acres of unconstrained land. The maximum allowable density in a PAC shall be three units per acre of unconstrained land, with the maximum total number of dwelling units in a PAC being 200.
(4) 
(Reserved)[3]
[3]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection P(4), regarding minimum amounts of designated affordable housing units, was repealed 10-11-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018.
(5) 
The PAC must be located with direct access to a state or county highway, arterial or collector route.
(6) 
The PAC must be connected to existing Town water and sewer districts, or must be included in new water and sewer districts created by the Town. In existing water and sewer districts, the Town must approve any extension thereof.
(7) 
No development shall be permitted on predevelopment slopes over 15% (development shall include cut and fill).
(8) 
A PAC must be developed to include recreation facilities and other amenities, which shall be left to the discretion of the Planning Board. A PAC may include accessory uses related to and primarily serving the PAC residents, including but not limited to clubhouses, dining facilities, storage facilities, offices for health-related services, recreation facilities, retail and service businesses not exceeding 5% of the total floor area of the PAC, work spaces for residents of the PAC (such as home offices or workshops) not exceeding 10% of the total floor area of the PAC, and such other uses as the Planning Board deems compatible with the purposes and character of the PAC.