[Added effective 5-20-1957; amended effective 12-5-1973; 9-15-1975; 4-14-1977; 4-25-1980]
A.
Purpose and intent.
(1)
It is declared that a need has developed in Norwalk for the
provisions of a Research and Development Zone, to be known as an "R-D
Zone," which cannot be provided within the scope of the present building
zone regulations.
(2)
It is the purpose of this zone to permit a limited number of
executive offices, research and development firms, and executive and
management educational facilities for use by companies, corporations
and organizations for their business use, subject to limitations set
forth herein, for use by non-businesses for celebratory events, ceremonies
and rituals which may or may not include music, food and liquor services
and which will contribute to the economic base of the City and will
constitute a harmonious and appropriate part of the physical development
of the City. The provisions of this zone are intended to ensure that
all permitted uses and structures will be compatible with and will
provide protection to adjacent residential areas and will maintain
the character of the neighborhood in which they are located.
[Amended effective 7-25-2003; effective 2-27-2009]
B.
Uses and structures.
(1)
Principal uses and structures. Premises and buildings shall be used only pursuant to Special Permit as defined in Subsection B(2), except that if the zoning district existing prior to the amendment of the Zoning Map establishing this zone was a residence zone, the use of premises and buildings shall be permitted in accordance with the requirements of such prior district.
(2)
Special Permit uses and structures. The following uses and structures and no others shall be permitted by Special Permit, in accordance with the provisions of Article 140, § 118-1450, Special Permits, and subject to the additional standards and limitations set forth herein:
[Amended effective 12-26-1986; effective 7-26-1991; effective 1-28-1994; effective 7-25-2003; effective 2-27-2009]
(a)
Office buildings for business and professional establishments
other than those primarily providing services to customers or clients
on the premises.
(b)
Research and development facilities which involve no production
or fabrication of products for sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the manufacture of limited quantities of products solely for research
purposes may be permitted as specifically authorized by the Commission.
(c)
Executive and management educational facilities for use by:
[1]
Companies, corporations and organizations for executive or management
educational training purposes, or meetings of their officers, directors,
shareholders, members, and/or employees, provided that, during any
one (1) calendar week, no more than twelve (12) companies, corporations
or organizations shall utilize such facilities.
(3)
Uses which are not permitted in Subsection B(1) and (2) above shall not be permitted by variance in a Research and Development Zone.
[Added effective 4-24-1992[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This enactment also provided for the renumbering
of former Subsection B(3) and (4) as Subsection B(4) and (5), respectively.
(4)
Additional standards for Special Permit uses.
(a)
The uses permitted by Special Permit in the R-D Zone shall be
subject to the following additional standards:
[1]
Environmental impact. No use shall be allowed which would have
an adverse effect upon adjacent properties by reason of the emission
of smoke, particulate matter, noise, dust, glare, fumes, odor, ionizing
radiation, vibration, heat or any other noxious pollutant or waste.
[2]
Storage of materials. All materials stored on the premises shall
be in completely enclosed structures.
[3]
Sanitary facilities. Public sewer facilities shall be utilized
and adequate provision for storm drainage shall be made as determined
by the Commission.
[4]
Location and access. Each parcel shall have direct access on
an arterial or collector street, designated upon the Urban Systems
Map, as amended, capable of providing safe and adequate access to
the site.
[5]
Density.
[a]
Office buildings and research and development facilities.
The maximum number of employees permitted on each lot shall not exceed
25 per acre or fraction thereof.
[b]
Executive and management educational facilities.
[Amended effective 7-25-2003; effective 2-27-2009]
[i]
The maximum number of executives or management
persons undergoing educational training or attending business meetings
and dinners (collectively "core business activities") at any one time
together with supporting staff persons shall not exceed a combined
total of six (6) per acre or fraction thereof.
[ii]
The maximum number of individuals attending special
events and utilizing overnight accommodations in connection therewith,
plus the number of individuals described in Subsection B(4)(a)[5][b][i]
above plus supporting staff persons shall not, combined at any one
time, exceed six (6) per acre or fraction thereof.
[6]
Hours of operation, other limitations.
[a]
Office buildings and research and development facilities.
Hours of operation shall be limited to between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m., except for maintenance purposes, data and communications processing
and research and equipment requiring continuous operation or study.
[b]
Executive and management educational facilities.
[Amended effective 2-27-2009]
[i]
Hours of operation for core business activities
shall be limited to between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., except for overnight
lodging and boarding purposes, recreational activities and maintenance
purposes.
[ii]
For special events the following shall apply:
[A]
Outdoor activities at any event shall be permitted
for a period not exceeding two (2) hours and shall end no later than
9:00 p.m.
[B]
Except for a voice microphone on a patio, no outdoor
amplification for voice, sound, music, light shows, fireworks or similar
sounds shall be permitted at any time.
[C]
Except for covering patios, no tents or temporary
structures are permitted.
[D]
Special events attended by 90 or more people shall:
|
{1}
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Be limited to 48 such events during any calendar year and to
no more than two (2) such events during a weekend (Friday-Sunday)
or three (3) such events during a weekend followed by a Monday holiday;
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|
{2}
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Have a police officer or security person stationed at each entry/exit
to a public road during the period one hour after the scheduled event.
| |
|
{3}
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Be allowed on legal holidays on any day during the week (Monday-Thursday).
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{4}
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Provide that music, food and liquor services terminate no later
than 11:15 p.m. for those events taking place on a holiday, a Friday,
a Saturday or a Sunday that precedes a Monday holiday and 10:00 p.m.
on any other day with participants either retiring to their on-premises
overnight accommodations or vacating the premises as soon thereafter
as reasonable.
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[E]
Special events attended by less than 90 people
shall:
|
{1}
|
Be allowed on any day including holidays and provide that music,
food and liquor services terminate at the same times as set forth
above for special events attended by 90 or more people, i.e. either
10:00 p.m. or 11:15 p.m. as the case may be.
|
[F]
Annual report. An annual report shall be filed
by the owner of the premises within ninety (90) days of the end of
a calendar year indicating the number of special events attended by
90 or more people occurring during the prior calendar year and the
dates thereof.
[7]
Illumination. Exterior illumination shall be controlled by design
or screening so as not to intrude upon adjacent streets and properties.
[8]
Existing buildings and structures. Buildings of historical or
architectural significance which exist on the site shall be preserved
and adapted for reuse in a manner which maintains the character of
the building.
[9]
Landscaping. All areas of a site not used for building, parking,
walks and drives shall be suitably landscaped. New construction shall
be designed and carried out in a manner which results in the least
defacement to the existing landscape features of the site.
(b)
Application for Special Permit shall include plans, drawings and other documentation which the Commission deems necessary for it to evaluate the standards for Special Permit listed under § 118-1450C and the additional standards set forth herein. The Commission may refer such applications to appropriate city agencies and departments for review and recommendations.
(5)
Accessory uses and structures. Accessory uses and structures
which are incidental to and customarily associated with the principal
use of the premises shall be permitted subject to the setback requirements
for the principal use and subject to the following restrictions:
(a)
Office buildings and research and development facilities. Lodging
shall be for the temporary accommodation of not more than ten (10)
employees or visitors.
(b)
Executive and management educational facilities. Lodging shall
be for the temporary accommodation of not more than ten (10) employees
or visitors and for the accommodation of not more than four (4) executive
or management persons undergoing educational training or individuals
attending special events for each acre or fraction thereof within
the total site.
[Amended effective 2-27-2009]
(c)
Recreation facilities shall be for the exclusive use of employees
and guests.
(d)
Permanent living quarters may be provided solely for a managing
director, assistant managing director, custodian, a caretaker or watchman
and family of each named position.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(5)(e), added effective
7-25-2003, which immediately followed this subsection and prohibited
nonbusiness-related ceremonies and rituals, was repealed effective
2-27-2009.
C.
Lots and building requirements. See Schedule of Commercial and Industrial
Uses and all other applicable sections of these regulations. Not withstanding
the foregoing, no executive or management educational facility shall
be located upon a lot of less than fifty (50) acres.
[Amended effective 7-25-2003]
D.
(1)
Off-street parking and loading facilities shall be located in
accordance with the required building setback lines.
(2)
Off-street parking and loading facilities and lights from exiting
cars shall be effectively screened from view from adjacent streets
and properties.
[Amended effective 2-27-2009]
