[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
In accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and the comprehensive Zoning Law and Zoning Map of the Incorporated Village of the Branch, and in order to establish and provide a proper balance between the uses of real property in the Business District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch and the uses of real property in the Historic District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch, it is hereby determined that a district, hereafter to be known as the "Restricted Business District," shall hereby be established in the Incorporated Village of the Branch, in which the following regulations shall apply as hereinafter provided.
A. 
The Restricted Business District is hereby described as that part of the Incorporated Village of the Branch situated on the west side of new Route No. 111, more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the westerly side of Singer Lane (formerly Hauppauge Road), as the same existed prior to the alteration and alignment of Route No. 111, said point being at the southeast corner of property now or formerly belonging to the C. W. Company, Inc., and at the southeast corner of that portion of the Business District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch located west of Route No. 111 and the following four courses and distances from the corner formed by the intersection of the westerly side of Singer Lane with the southerly side of Main Street (Route No. 25):
(1)
South 18° 40' 00" East along the westerly side of Singer Lane, a distance of 273.58 feet;
(2)
South 19° 29' 00" East along the westerly side of Singer Lane, a distance of 106.98 feet:
(3)
South 22° 14' 20" East along the westerly side of Singer Lane, a distance of 91.63 feet: and
(4)
South 19° 58' 00" East along the westerly side of Singer Lane, a distance of 127.81 feet; running thence along the former westerly side of Hauppauge Road, as the same existed prior to alteration and alignment, the following two courses and distances:
(1)
South 19° 58' 00" East, 111.75 feet; and
(2)
South 18° 11' 10" East, 205.05 feet; running thence south 73° 39' 20" West, a distance of 73.19 feet to a point on the westerly side of Route No. 111 as the same now exists after alteration and alignment; running thence along the westerly side of Route No. 111 as the same now exists after alteration and alignment, the following two courses and distances:
(1)
South 1° 53' 40" West, 42.01 feet; and
(2)
Southerly along the arc of a curve bearing to the left and having a radius of 9,945 feet, a distance of 275.84 feet to land now or formerly belonging to Evelyn W. Miller; running thence along said land now or formerly belonging to Evelyn W. Miller, South 73° 39' 20" East, 635.67 feet to a point on the easterly boundary line of the Residence B District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch: running thence along said easterly boundary line of the Residence B District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch, North 2° 9' 40" East, 316.37 feet to a point at the northerly boundary line of land now or formerly belonging to Bit-O-Heaven, Inc.; running thence again along said easterly boundary line of the Residence B District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch and the westerly boundary line of land now or formerly belonging to Evelyn W. Miller, North 2° 9' 40" East, a distance of approximately 270 feet to a point at the northeast corner of the Residence B District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch and the southerly boundary line of that portion of the Business District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch located on the west side of Route No. 111; running thence along said southerly boundary line of the Business District of the Incorporated Village of the Branch and the westerly and northerly boundary lines of land now or formerly belonging to Evelyn W. Miller the following two courses and distances:
(1)
North 2° 9' 40" East, 79.25 feet: and
(2)
North 81° 5' 37" East, 571.82 feet, to the westerly side of Singer Lane the point or place of beginning.
B. 
Incentive zoning. The Board of Trustees of the Village of the Branch has determined that the uses permitted in the Restricted Business District by special exception permit shall be considered as incentives, pursuant to § 7-703 et seq. of the Village Law of the State of New York, and the grant of any special exception permit shall be considered incentive zoning and shall be subject to all the requirements as set forth in § 7-703 et seq. as set forth above.
[Added 10-14-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997]
In the Restricted Business District, no building or structure shall hereafter be erected and no premises shall be used except for one or more of the following purposes:
A. 
Any use permitted in the Residence A District.
B. 
Any use permitted in the Residence B District.
C. 
Any use permitted in the Historic District.
D. 
An indoor motion picture or other type of theater, only by special exception granted by the Board of Trustees.
E. 
A restaurant providing table service only and contained wholly within an office building.
F. 
One or more retail or personal service shops customarily located in office buildings, such as but not limited to pharmacies, tobacco shops, confectionery shops, barbershops and/or beauty parlors, provided that the same are wholly contained within an office building and situated below ground level or on the first floor above ground level, with no door for entry thereto or exit therefrom other than through the lobby of such office building.
G. 
Adult uses (as hereinafter defined).
[Added 6-17-1993 by L.L. No. 3-1993]
(1) 
Purposes and considerations.
(a) 
In the execution of this subsection, it is recognized that there are some uses which, due to their very nature, have serious objectionable characteristics. The objectionable characteristics of these uses are further heightened by the concentration in any one area, thereby having deleterious effects on adjacent areas. Special regulation of these uses is necessary to ensure that these adverse effects will not contribute to the blighting or downgrading of the surrounding neighborhoods or land uses.
(b) 
It is further declared that the location of these uses in regard to areas where our youth may regularly assemble and the general atmosphere encompassing their operation is of great concern to the Incorporated Village of the Branch.
(c) 
These special regulations are itemized in this subsection to accomplish the primary purposes of preventing a concentration of these uses in any one area and restricting their accessibility to minors.
(2) 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADULT BOOKSTORE
An establishment having as a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade books, magazines, other periodicals, films, slides and videotapes and which establishment is customarily not open to the public generally but excludes any minor by reason of age.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT CABARET
A public or private establishment which presents topless dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators or exotic dancers or other similar entertainments and which establishment is customarily not open to the public generally but excludes any minor by reason of age.
ADULT THEATER
A theater that customarily presents motion pictures, films, videotapes or slide shows that are not open to the public generally but exclude any minor by reason of age.
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT
Any establishment having a fixed place of business where massages are administered for pay, including but not limited to massage parlors, sauna baths and steam baths. This definition shall not be construed to include a hospital, nursing home or medical clinic or the office a physician, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath or duly licensed physical therapist or barbershops or beauty salons in which massages are administered only to the scalp, face, neck or shoulders. This definition also shall exclude health clubs which have facilities for physical exercise, such as tennis courts, racquetball courts or exercise rooms and which do not receive their primary source of revenue through the administration of massages.
PEEP SHOWS
An establishment which presents material in the farm of live shows, films or videotapes, viewed from an individual enclosure for which a fee is charged and which is not open to the public generally but excludes any minor by reason of age.
(3) 
The adult uses as defined in Subsection G(2) above are to be restricted as to location in the following manner in addition to any other requirements of the Incorporated Village of the Branch Code:
(a) 
Any of the above uses shall not be located within a one-fourth-mile radius of another such use.
(b) 
Any of the above uses shall not be located within 1,000 feet of the lot line of the premises used for a school, church or other place of religious worship, park, parkland, playground or playing field, library, hospital or similar public or semipublic place of general congregation.
(4) 
No more than one of the adult uses as defined above shall be located on any lot.
H. 
Congregate care facility by special exception permit from the Village Board of Trustees. A congregate care facility shall be defined as any residential development providing efficiency or one or two bedroom units with common dining, recreating and/or medical or nursing home facilities for persons in excess of 65 years of age. In the case of a married couple, one of the spouses must be in excess of 65 years of age. In addition to the special exception permit standards as contained in § 275-83 of this Code, any application for a special exception permit must evidence the following:
[Added 10-14-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997]
(1) 
An association with a fully licensed staffed hospital and nursing home facility which provides skilled care to residents requiring such services on a priority basis.
(2) 
Kitchen and dining room facilities offering no less than two common meals to all residents each day.
(3) 
A call-button monitoring system for emergency call directly to supervisory staff on premises.
(4) 
A medical history on file for each permanent resident.
(5) 
A registered nurse on call on a twenty-four-hour basis for the congregate care residents.
(6) 
A medical doctor or doctors on call on a twenty-four-hour basis for the congregate care residents.
(7) 
On-premises in-house sale and distribution of personal services and food items for residents of the facility.
(8) 
Available transportation for residents from the facility to shopping, medical, recreational and other major desired points of destination.
(9) 
A minimum unit size of 270 square feet of floor area inclusive of bathroom area.
(10) 
A handicapped adaptable bathroom with toilet, sink and shower stall for each residential unit. No residential unit shall have cooking facilities of any kind or nature.
(11) 
Evidence of sufficient full-time employees to meet the needs of the residents.
(12) 
Three-quarters parking space for each residential unit in the facility, together with sufficient parking to accommodate state, service vehicles and visitors.
(13) 
Such other requirements as set forth by the Board of Trustees of the Village of the Branch in conformity with "incentive zoning" as defined in § 275-64B of this Code and § 7-703 et seq. of the Village Law of the State of New York.
I. 
Senior recreation center by special exception permit from the Village Board of Trustees. A senior recreation center shall be defined as a nonresidential, not-for-profit center offering classes, recreational and leisure facilities for persons in excess of 65 years of age. In addition to the special exception permit standards as contained in § 275-83 of this Code, any application for a special exception permit for a senior recreation center must evidence the following:
[Added 10-14-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997]
(1) 
Sufficient parking for staff, guests and persons eligible to use the recreation center.
(2) 
Van and bus loading and unloading areas for senior citizen trips.
(3) 
Handicap access bathroom of sufficient size to accommodate senior citizens using the center and all staff, visitors and guests.
J. 
Funeral home by special exception permit from the Village Board of Trustees. Any application for use of land in the Restricted Business District as a funeral home shall meet the requirements as set forth in § 275-83 of this Code for a special exception, together with the funeral home requirements as set forth in Article VII (Historic District) of this Code.
[Added 10-14-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997]
In the Restricted Business District, no building or structure of any kind shall hereafter be erected on any lot containing less than 100 feet fronting on any public or private street, road or highway when measured at the front building setback line.
In the Restricted Business District, no building or structure of any kind shall hereafter be erected unless the front thereof shall be set back at least 20 feet from Route No. 111.
In the Restricted Business District, no building or structure of any kind shall hereafter be erected on any lot containing a side yard less than five feet in width or containing less than a total of 15 feet for both of the required side yards. Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, no building or structure of any kind shall hereafter be erected which is less than 30 feet from any other building or structure, wherever located.
In the Restricted Business District, no building or structure of any kind shall hereafter be erected, enlarged or altered so that any part thereof shall be more than 35 feet above ground level; provided, however, that spires, belfries, cupolas, domes and decorative railings and fences on top of buildings shall be excluded from the foregoing height limitations so long as no part thereof shall be used for human occupancy.
In the Restricted Business District, no building or structure of any kind shall hereafter be erected on any lot containing a rear yard less than 80 feet in depth when measured from the rear building or structure line of the building or structure closest to the easterly boundary line of the Residence B District to said easterly boundary line of said Residence B District.
A. 
In order to protect property in the Residence B District abutting or adjoining property in the Restricted Business District, there shall be provided on the property in the Restricted Business District a buffer zone area at least 80 feet in depth, to permanently remain in its natural state, adjoining the Residence B District, within which no building, accessory building or parking shall be permitted. No less than the first 10 feet of such buffer zone immediately abutting or adjoining the Residence B District shall be landscaped with trees and shrubs at least six feet in height each, which trees and shrubs shall be so located and of sufficient density as to effectively screen the Restricted Business District from the Residence B District. The Planning Board of the Incorporated Village of the Branch may, as a condition of approval of any site plan submitted to it with respect to property to be developed in the Restricted Business District, require the erection of one or more fences and the planting of such trees and shrubs in such locations and in such number as in its discretion and opinion will effectively protect property values and the health, safety, welfare and well-being of the residents in the Residence B District.
B. 
Any site plan required to be submitted for approval pursuant to this article shall designate all trees and shrubs intended to be planted and/or retained and all fences intended to be erected and the location of the same.
C. 
The aforesaid buffer zone and all trees and shrubs required to be planted and fences required to be erected therein shall be maintained regularly by the owner or owners of the properties in the Restricted Business District. The same shall include, but shall not be limited to, the replacement of trees and shrubs, of whatever type is required by the Board of Trustees, which shall die and/or otherwise become infected, infested, destroyed or decayed, the replacement of fences which shall fall into disrepair and the general maintenance of the buffer zone in a clean, healthful, sanitary and aesthetic condition.
D. 
The owner or owners of record of property who shall be directed by the Board of Trustees or its duly authorized agent to replace trees or shrubs and/or to repair or replace a fence or fences as provided in the preceding subsection shall do so within 15 days after the postmarking of a letter mailed by or on behalf of the Board of Trustees to said owner or owners of record at the address of record set forth on the current tax assessment rolls of the Village of the Branch, by certified mail, return receipt requested, directing compliance with the Board of Trustees' directive in question. In the event that such order shall not be duly and timely complied with, the work in question shall be performed by the Village and the entire cost thereof, including any attorneys' fees incurred, shall be assessed by the Village upon the real property and/or properties in question, and the expenses and fees so assessed shall constitute a lien and charge upon such real property and/or properties until paid or otherwise satisfied or discharged and shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as other charges, taxes and assessments of the Village.
[Amended 5-12-1981 by L.L. No. 1-1981]
A. 
No building or structure of any kind shall hereafter be erected, enlarged or altered in the Restricted Business District unless at least the following number of parking spaces shall be provided off the street for use in connection with such building or structure or buildings or structures:
Type of Use
Required Minimum Number of Parking Spaces
Auditorium, art gallery, church, library, museum, theater, restaurant or other place of public assembly not otherwise classified
1 for every 4 seats or fractional part thereof or 1 per 150 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is greater; provided, however, that said requirements with respect to theaters and auditoriums may be satisfied by utilizing that portion of the parking facilities of an office building devoted solely to office, bank and/or stock brokerage firm purposes and not to any other use classified or unclassified in this section, so long as said office building facilities shall be located on the same lot as the building or structure devoted to theater or auditorium purposes and so long as the latter-mentioned non-office building facilities shall be open to the public solely on Saturdays and/or Sundays and after 6:00 p.m. on weekdays only and at no other time, except as permitted by special exception from the Board of Trustees
Bank, stock brokerage firm, offices or office building
1 per 150 square feet of gross floor area
Funeral home
1 per 150 square feet of gross floor area
Public or private school
1 per employee plus 1 per each 8 students in grade 12 or above, or the parking requirement for the auditorium component, whichever shall be the greater
Retail shop or personal service shop
1 per 125 square feet of gross floor area
B. 
All of the foregoing parking facilities shall be located on the premises on which the building or structure shall be situated, at the rear or sides thereof or underneath said building or structure; provided, however, that the Board of Trustees may, by special exception, permit parking facilities required in connection with the foregoing to be provided on any plot in the Incorporated Village of the Branch which shall be located within 300 feet of such building or structure, if the Board shall determine that it is not practical or causes unnecessary hardship to require all of the parking facilities which shall be required to be provided on the same premises on which the building or structure shall be located.
C. 
Each parking space shall have an area of not less than 200 square feet, and there shall be provided in addition thereto adequate areas for entering and leaving said parking facilities.
A. 
In accordance with the public policy of the State of New York concerning the conservation of natural resources and the reservation of lands or moneys for the public acquisition of lands for park, playground and recreational purposes by land developers, as particularly expressed in the Constitution of the State of New York and the Village Law of the State of New York, and for the purpose of promoting the public good and orderly development of lands in the Incorporated Village of the Branch in accordance with the purposes of this article, it is hereby directed and declared to be the public policy of the Incorporated Village of the Branch that no building or structure shall hereafter be erected in the Restricted Business District, and no existing building or structure shall hereafter be structurally altered, enlarged, modified, expanded or otherwise changed so as to increase the assessed valuation thereof by more than 50% of the assessed value of such building or structure at the time of the effective date of this chapter, unless the owner of such property shall either first set aside and donate to the Village 10% of the land to be so developed by way of fee title or pay to the Village a sum, to be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Village, equal to the then market value of 10% of the land to be so developed. The land so donated to the Village shall be solely used and developed by the Village for park, playground, recreation and/or conservation purposes, or if moneys are donated in lieu of land, such funds shall constitute a trust fund for park, playground, recreation and/or conservation purposes, including acquisition and/or development.
B. 
The determination of whether to accept lands or trust fund moneys shall be in the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees. In making its determination, the Board shall consider such factors as:
(1) 
The total existing acreage then owned by the Village and reserved for park, playground, recreation and/or conservation purposes.
(2) 
The size of the parcel under consideration for donation by the developer.
(3) 
The location of such parcel, especially in regards to its proximity to buildings and structures which are located in the Restricted Business District and the Residence B District.
(4) 
The prospective character of the proposed development of the balance of the land in question for purposes other than those permitted solely in a residential district in the Village.
(5) 
The density of occupancy existing and proposed of and for the land to be developed.
(6) 
The topography thereof.
(7) 
The general suitability of such lands or any part thereof for park, playground, recreation and/or conservation purposes.
C. 
Any land donated to the Village for park, playground, recreation and/or conservation purposes pursuant to this article may include all or any part of the buffer zone area required to be maintained by the owner of premises in the Restricted Business District and may or may not be on the same lot proposed to be developed.
D. 
No certificate of occupancy shall hereafter be issued by the Building Inspector with respect to buildings and structures in the Restricted Business District unless any and all of the provisions of this article shall have been complied with, if applicable to the property in question.
In the Restricted Business District, only the following types of signs may be erected and on the following conditions:
A. 
One freestanding sign outside of and detached from every building situated within the Restricted Business District, for the purpose of showing any and all uses of premises therein, which sign shall be located on the premises of such building and shall be no greater than six feet by six feet in dimensions. In no event, however, shall the bottom of such sign be more than five feet above ground level.
B. 
In addition to the foregoing, every motion picture or other type of theater may have attached to the front of the building in which such theater shall be contained one sign, which sign shall be no greater than 30 feet square in dimensions and shall be subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. No marquee-type signs advertising material being performed in or shown in such theater or theaters shall be permitted outside thereof.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 218, Signs.