A. 
Within the Town of Winchendon are hereby established 12 zoning districts, seven of which comprise the total area of the Town and are contiguous, and five of which are superimposed over portions of the other seven districts.
(1) 
"R" refers to a district which is principally residential. Preference is given to land use that entails the building of houses similar in character, type and size to those of the surrounding houses and the typical performance thereof. Small-scale businesses and the like can be allowed if they are not nuisances to the neighbors and burden the Town no more than the equivalent residential construction. (See Figures A.3.1.1, A.3.1.2 and Appendix F.[1])
[1]
Editor's Note: The appendices are included as an attachment to this chapter.
(2) 
"C" refers to a district which is principally commercial and light industrial. Preference is given to land use that entails the building of businesses and shops similar in character, type and size to those of the surrounding businesses and shops and the typical performance thereof. Residences may be allowed, but only if they are agreeable to, not nuisances or burdens to, and promote the commercial interests of the district. (See Figure A.3.1.3 and Appendix F.[2])
[2]
Editor's Note: The appendices are included as an attachment to this chapter.
(3) 
"I" refers to a district which is principally industrial. Preference is given to land use that entails the building of factories and large-scale commercial facilities similar in character, type and size to those of the surrounding facilities and the typical performance thereof. Since these are the least compatible with other types of development, care is given to make sure this district can hold and accommodate this intense usage and that it is sufficiently buffered and regulated to reduce impacts on neighboring districts. Residences are usually not allowed as their safety, health and freedom from nuisances cannot be guaranteed. (See Appendix F.[3])
[3]
Editor's Note: The appendices are included as an attachment to this chapter.
(4) 
"PD" refers to a district that caters to both commercial and residential use. Preference is given to facilities that are mixed use with a higher density sharing resources such as on-street parking, parks and so forth. See § 300-4.7. (Also see Figure A.3.1.4 and Appendix F.[4])
[4]
Editor's Note: The appendices are included as an attachment to this chapter.
(5) 
"OVERLAY DISTRICTS" recognize the special conditions and values prevalent in wetlands, flood-prone areas, groundwater aquifers, historic districts, and other specially designated areas. These districts are superimposed over portions of the seven contiguous, regular zones designated in the Zoning Map. Conditions and requirements of the underlying zones apply in general, with exceptions and special conditions as described in the section on each overlay district in Article IV.
B. 
Designations are as follows:
Table 3.1.
Zoning District Designations
Designation
Title
R80
Rural Residential
R40
Rural Suburban Residential
R10
Neighborhood Residential
C1
Highway Commercial
C2
Neighborhood Business
PD
Planned Development
I
Industrial
IR
Ice Racing District (overlay)
MCOD
Mill Conversion Overlay District
LMOD
Lake Monomonac Overlay District
GAOD
Gateway Overlay District
WF
Wetlands and Flood Conservancy (superimposed)
Rt. 140 COD
Route 140 Corridor Overlay District
A. 
The location and boundaries of the 12 zoning districts designated R80, R40, R10, C1, C2, PD, I, IR, MCOD, GAOD and WF are hereby established as shown on a map entitled "Zoning Map of Winchendon, Massachusetts," which accompanies and is hereby declared to be a part of this bylaw and is on file in the office of the Town Clerk. (See Figure A.3.2.[1]) More specific identification and designation of zoning district boundary lines are as follows:
(1) 
Boundary lines shown on the Zoning Map as being approximately on the location of property or lot lines, when exact location is not indicated in dimensions, shall be upon the property lot line as shown on the Winchendon Assessors Map January 1, 2005;
(2) 
Boundary lines shown on the Zoning Map as following street, road, highway, railroad or utility lines shall be upon the center line of such ways;
(3) 
Boundary lines shown on the Zoning Map as being outside of street, road, highway or utility lines, but approximately parallel thereto, shall be deemed as parallel and at such distance therefrom as shown on the Zoning Map or as determined by scale;
(4) 
Boundary lines shown following a stream, lake, watercourse or other water body shall be at the center line thereof, or the jurisdictional limits of the Town of Winchendon;
(5) 
Boundary lines shown as intersecting a street, road, highway, railroad or utility line, watercourse or other water bodies shall be construed to intersect at right angles to the center line thereof; and
(6) 
Any questions or uncertainties as to the precise location of a district boundary line shall be determined by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Winchendon.
[1]
Editor's Note: Figure A.3.2 can be found in the Appendix, which is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B. 
Determining zoning district boundaries in general followed the ensuing guidelines (cf. Example A.3.2[2]):
(1) 
Public health, safety and utility considerations are the principal driving forces in zoning determination. Zoning districts make an attempt to recognize and preserve the historic development patterns and character of the neighborhood.
(2) 
Areas located in mixed-use districts, along key circulation corridors and central to densely populated areas tend to be zoned PD.
(3) 
Residential areas served by both Town water and Town sewer and that are walkable were in general zoned as R10. Those that were not walkable and had a development pattern inconsistent with R10 were zoned R40.
(4) 
Residential areas that were not considered within a walkable distance of a business center and had a development pattern inconsistent with R10 were generally zoned R40.
(5) 
Residential areas not served by Town water or Town sewer tend to be zoned R80.
(6) 
Areas targeted for neighborhood-scale commercial development tend to be zoned C2.
(7) 
Areas targeted for high-intensity commercial and light manufacturing development tend to be zoned C1.
(8) 
Areas zoned as industrial tend to be located in remote areas and allow for more intense industries to conduct business without being a nuisance to neighbors.
[2]
Editor's Note: Figure A.3.2 can be found in the Appendix, which is included as an attachment to this chapter.
C. 
Applicants for projects in residential areas in an R40 Zone or an R80 Zone which abut an R10 or R40 Zone may apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Winchendon for a special permit to allow their areas to have the same density and dimensional requirements as if they were in an R10 Zone, provided that their area is served by both Town water and Town sewer.
In the case of a lot which is split into separate zoning districts, the Board of Appeals may grant a special permit to allow a use located within the district in which the frontage is situated to extend into the adjacent zoning district. In granting such a permit, the Board of Appeals shall consider the compatibility of existing uses in the abutting lots consistent with the spirit of the bylaw and the Master Plan. The Board of Appeals shall seek input from the Planning Board prior to rendering a decision on the special permit.
A. 
Recognizing the special conditions prevalent in wetlands, flood-prone areas and areas characterized by poorly drained soils, the Wetlands and Floodplain Conservancy Districts are considered to be superimposed over portions of the seven regular zones designated on the Zoning Map.
B. 
The Floodplain Conservancy District includes all areas of Town identified on the Flood Hazard Boundary Maps of the U.S. Federal Insurance Administration as special flood hazard areas of the Town, as approved by the Town of Winchendon.
C. 
Regulations governing permitted and prohibited uses within the Wetlands and Floodplain Conservancy District are as set forth in Article IV.
Nothing in this bylaw is intended to conflict with any provisions of the Winchendon Centre Historic District bylaw adopted under the provisions of the Chapter 40C of the Massachusetts General Laws and amendments thereto.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 157, Historic Preservation, Art. I.