[Amended 5-21-2003 by Ord. No. 106-2003; 12-14-2004 by Ord. No. 293-2004; 1-18-2005 by Ord. No. 21-2005; 12-8-2009 by Ord. No. 238-2009]
A. Purpose. The purpose of the Water View Overlay Zone is to minimize the impact of development on water views enjoyed by the public on adjacent rights-of-way and by adjacent and upland property owners, including winter water views. The Water View Overlay Zone imposes dimensional requirements that may be more restrictive than the underlying zoning on sites where water views, including winter water views, are enjoyed by the public on adjacent rights-of-way and by adjacent and upland property owners.
B. Applicability. Any building permit application to construct a new building; to replace or to expand an existing building; to construct any accessory building; to construct any accessory structure or add equipment onto the roof of a building or structure in the mapped Water View Overlay Zone shall require the prior granting of a special permit by the Planning Board, pursuant to the special permit procedures and standards set forth in §§
331-88 and
331-89 of this chapter and submission of the proof required under this section, except that the following shall not require the granting of a special permit:
[Amended 6-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-121]
(1) Replacement of a portion or all of an existing building within its existing footprint, exclusive of any unenclosed porches, decks and terraces, as permitted by the underlying zoning, provided none of such replacement creates a height of building in excess of the building's highest roof ridgeline.
(2) Expansion or replacement of an existing building toward a side lot line, including a side lot line along a street, as permitted by the underlying zoning, which construction does not extend closer to such side lot line than the nearest point of the existing building to such side lot line, provided none of such construction creates a height of building in excess of the building's existing roof ridgeline.
(3) Expansion or replacement of an existing building toward a front or rear lot line, as permitted by the underlying zoning, provided none of such construction creates a height of building in excess of the building's existing roof ridgeline. For buildings or structures with flat roofs, building height shall be taken from the top of the rafters of the flat roof or roofs. This exception shall not apply to front or rear yards that are not oriented perpendicular to the water where an improvement would obstruct an otherwise unobstructed view of the water.
[Amended 12-13-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-245]
(4) Construction alongside an existing building of an unscreened patio or deck no higher than three feet in height above the existing underlying ground level.
(5) Construction on an existing or proposed building of an open rooftop deck with Open Railings or illuminated posts no higher than 3 1/2 feet in height above such deck, provided the surface of the deck does not create a height of building in excess of six inches above the building's existing roof ridgeline. No vegetation, barbeques or other cooking equipment shall be allowed on any such open rooftop deck.
(6) New vegetation planted and maintained so as not to exceed a maximum height of four feet, unless a water view would otherwise be obstructed by other waterside structures on site, in which case said vegetation shall not exceed the height of the other waterside structure.
[Amended 12-13-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-245]
(7) New fencing that does not exceed a maximum height of four feet.
C. Procedures, standards, and proof for special permit.
(1) An applicant for a special permit required under this section shall submit proof to the Planning Board that the construction of a new building or replacement or expansion of an existing building on the site shall not block any significant existing water views, including winter water views, enjoyed by the public on adjacent rights-of-way and/or by adjacent and/or upland property owners, if such views are commonly and frequently enjoyed and easily accessible, including winter water views or if the loss of such view would negatively affect property values. This proof shall include, without limitation, visual demonstration on the applicant's property which identifies the height of the proposed construction or proposed planting. If the Planning Board determines that the special permit procedures and/or standards set forth in §§
331-88 and
331-89 of this chapter have not been met and/or if the Planning Board determines that any significant existing water views, if such views are commonly and frequently enjoyed and easily accessible, enjoyed by the public on adjacent rights-of-way and/or by adjacent and/or upland property owners, including winter water views, are blocked, the special permit shall be denied.
(2) Insofar as the protection of winter water views is also required, application for special permit approval shall be made at a time when the applicant can demonstrate that winter water views, due to the lack of leaves on deciduous trees and which are enjoyed by the public or private property owners, are not being significantly blocked.
(3) If petitioned by the applicant, the Planning Board is authorized to grant a waiver to expand an existing building by a maximum distance of five feet beyond the front or rear lot setback line currently required by the underlying zoning district, if the Planning Board determines, after Special Permit public hearing, that such waiver will not significantly block any existing water views.
D. Additional regulations. Prior to the issuance of a permit for demolition of an existing building or a portion thereof or for any alteration of the existing roof, the applicant shall submit a recent survey conduct by a licensed surveyor or engineer in order to establish the height of the existing roof ridgeline.