A.
Purpose. It is the intention of this Bylaw that all structures be
provided with sufficient off-street parking:
(1)
To meet the needs of persons employed at or making use of such
structures;
(2)
To ensure that any use of land involving the arrival, departure,
or storage of motor vehicles on such land be so designed as to minimize
hazards to pedestrians and abutters caused by the noise, fumes, and
headlight glare of automobiles parking off the street;
(3)
To reduce congestion in the streets and contribute to traffic
safety by assuring adequate space for parking of motor vehicles off
the street;
(4)
To provide off-street loading space for all structures requiring
the delivery of goods.
B.
Applicability. These standards shall apply to all parking for multifamily dwellings with three or more dwelling units and all nonresidential uses. Any new parking area for multifamily dwelling with three or more dwelling units or any nonresidential structure or use with five or more parking spaces, or change to any existing such parking area with five or more parking spaces, shall be subject to site plan approval from the Planning Board pursuant to § 280-9.5.
(1)
Modification of existing lots. Any modification to an existing parking lot, whether subject to an existing parking plan or not, shall be subject to the requirements of this § 280-5.1. When such modification is requested, the applicant shall, to the extent feasible, eliminate all prior existing parking nonconformities, unless the Planning Board makes a written finding that site conditions render literal compliance with the provision of this § 280-5.1 impracticable or infeasible for some or all existing nonconforming parking areas.
D.
Required parking spaces. The number of parking spaces to be provided
shall be based on the net floor area of a building or on its rated
capacity as set forth in Table 3[1]; for uses not listed in Table 3, the Planning Board shall
utilize the requirements for the use most similar in terms of activity
and parking demand; where it is not certain which of several possible
uses will be the ultimate use, the higher of several requirements
shall be used. Fractional numbers of parking spaces shall be rounded
up to the next higher whole number. Where several separate uses share
the same parking lot, the number of parking spaces provided shall
not be less than the total number of spaces required in the maximum
use period, allowing for a reasonable number of extra spaces for the
cars arriving before the preceding users leave. A Board of Appeals
variance shall apply to specific dimensional requirements of parking
only to the extent expressly stated in the variance. Use variances
for parking or for other purposes are not permitted.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
E.
Shared parking. For the purposes of this Bylaw, "shared parking"
shall be defined as parking spaces that can be commonly shared or
used to serve two or more individual land uses without conflict or
encroachment and may include properties in the same or different ownership.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Bylaw, shared parking
may be permitted by the Planning Board, subject to site plan approval,
provided that:
(1)
The Applicant submits a shared parking analysis by a competent
traffic engineer or other parking professional demonstrating the availability
of parking space supply to satisfy the peak parking space demand of
the various uses during all or part of the day. The Applicant may
use off-site parking for shared parking provided the off-site parking
is located within 400 feet of the premises.
(2)
In the event that shared parking involves parties in different
ownership, or the same ownership that is off-site, a proposed contract,
agreement, or suitable legal instrument acceptable to the Planning
Board, specifying the location of all spaces to be jointly used, the
number of such spaces, the hours during the day that such parking
shall be available, and the duration or limit, if any on such parking,
shall be recorded with the Norfolk Registry of Deeds with a copy thereof
filed with the Planning Board.
(3)
Any reduction in area required for parking because of these
joint use provisions may be required as reserved landscaped open space.
F.
Required parking spaces, CB District. In the Central Business (CB)
zoning district, off-street parking existing on January 1, 1995, shall
be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Table 3.[2] However, any revision of the parking layout, building renovation, or alteration changing the footprint or the floor area of a building, or change of use to one with different parking requirements that increases the amount of required parking beyond the cumulative required parking, shall require approval by the Planning Board. Any addition, alteration, and new building construction shall require Site Plan Review in accordance with § 280-9.5; however, the Planning Board may waive literal compliance based on written findings that compliance is impractical or unfeasible and that approval of the site plan is in the public interest and not inconsistent with the intent of this § 280-5.1.
[2]
Editor's Note: Table 3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
G.
Parking lot design standards.
(1)
Parking spaces and aisles. For parking at right angles to a
building, lot line, or aisle, the width of a parking space shall not
be less than nine feet, the length shall be 19 feet, of which two
feet may overhang a curb or barrier, but shall not extend across a
street or lot line, provided that for parking lots used for long term
(four hours or longer) parking by the same group of drivers, such
as all-day employee parking, parking space width may be reduced to
lot[3] less than 16 feet. For parking at other angles, the depth
shall be such as to accommodate a nine-foot by nineteen-foot parking
space with 1.5 feet maximum overhang.
[3]
Editor's Note: So in original; should be "not".
(2)
Parking angle.
(a)
The following requirements are applicable:
|
Aisle
|
Width
|
|---|---|
|
Parallel
|
12.0
|
|
30
|
12.0
|
|
45
|
14.0
|
|
60
|
18.0
|
|
70
|
19.0
|
|
80
|
24.0
|
|
90
|
24.0
|
(b)
These requirements are for aisles providing access to parking
stalls for one-way use only. For two-way use, the minimum shall be
20 feet or the aisle width required above, whichever is greater.
(3)
Parallel parking. Parking parallel to curb or building shall
require 22 feet long parking spaces, nine feet wide. Parking spaces
for persons with disabilities shall conform to the applicable federal
and state standards as to number and dimensions, and shall be located
near building entrances and wheelchair ramps. No parking space shall
obstruct the exit path from any other space or be located as to require
backing out into or from a street. For driveway curves, the smaller
radius shall be not less than 12 feet, and the width of a driveway,
where the driveway it is not used for maneuvering in and out of parking
spaces, shall not be less than 10 and not more than 15 feet for one-way
and not less than 20 and not more than 30 feet for two-way traffic,
except that for parking lots with a capacity of 10 or fewer parking
spaces and for garages, driveway entrances and exits may be reduced
with Planning Board approval to not less than 12 feet for two-way
traffic. Lots for 200 or more parking spaces shall have more than
one two-way access, located so as to serve different parts of the
parking lot. Parking lots designed to include parking for trucks,
buses, or other large vehicles shall have designated parking spaces,
driveways, and access ways large enough to accommodate such vehicles.
In order to screen parking to the greatest extent, wherever and whenever
possible, parking shall be located to the rear and sides of buildings.
(4)
The number of parking spaces with reduced stall dimensions shall
not exceed 25% of the total number of spaces in the parking lot.
H.
Construction standards.
(1)
All areas to be used for parking, driveways, aisles or access
ways to streets open to public travel, pedestrian walkways, and safety
islands shall have a pavement surface, designed and maintained, to
provide a firm surface, safe traction, and clean walking conditions
in wet, freezing, or other inclement weather.
(2)
Except for lots designed to serve five or fewer cars, an alternative
surface may be used for parking, driveways, aisles, or access ways
which is firm, provides safe traction.
(3)
For pedestrian walks an alternative surface may be used provided
it provides a clean walking surface in wet, freezing, or other inclement
weather conditions.
(4)
Pavement shall consist of bituminous concrete which is 3.5 inches
thick after compaction. An equivalent surface such as cement, concrete
brick, masonry, or other permanent surface which provides the design
strength of bituminous concrete which is 3.5 inches thick after compacted
is permissible.
(5)
Paved areas shall be graded so as to avoid ponding and to channel
surface water to catch basins or to landscaped, unpaved areas and
to avoid excessive surface drainage to the streets.
(6)
Parking and maneuvering spaces shall have grades between 1%
and 4% whenever possible.
(7)
Parking spaces and driveways shall be marked by white striping,
and pedestrian paths, fire lanes, and safety zones shall be marked
by yellow striping, four inches wide, and/or by curbing, barriers,
and retaining walls.
(8)
Large parking lots designed for 200 cars or more or for customer,
employee, and fleet vehicles parking shall be laid out in several
areas separated by landscaping, fencing, or space buffers.
(9)
Pavement markings and directional signs shall be used for circulation
guidance and safety. Whenever a new site plan approval or a revision
to an existing site plan approval depicts an increase in the total
impervious surface on the lot, the same shall be submitted to the
Conservation Commission for review, and the provisions for drainage
on said site plan approval shall be in accordance with a duly issued
Order of Conditions or Stormwater Management Permit, whichever is
applicable.
(10)
All artificial lighting shall be arranged and shielded so as
to prevent direct glare from the light source onto any public way
or other property. Artificial lighting standards and design requirements
are within Site Plan Approval Design Manual as most recently amended.
I.
Zoning district requirements; residential. Parking Decks. Parking
decks shall be prohibited above or below ground in residential districts
unless allowed by Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
J.
Zoning district requirements; RDO districts.
(1)
Access. Driveways serving uses located in the RDO district shall be located as follows, unless an alternative egress configuration is authorized by the Planning Board in performing Site Plan Approval under § 280-9.5, upon the Boards determination that the alternative more effectively reduces traffic hazard and disturbance to residential environs.
(2)
Shared drives. Where feasible, driveways shall be shared with
adjacent uses so as to reduce the number of points of entry onto streets.
(3)
Street. Driveway access shall be only onto a street zoned non-residentially.
If that is not feasible, then access shall be onto that abutting street
(if two or more exist) where traffic will disturb the smaller number
of dwellings.
(4)
Buffer area. In the RDO district, no portion of any parking
lot of 20 or more spaces serving a use not allowed in an abutting
Single or General Residence District shall be located within 40 feet
of the boundary of such district, except that on lots established
by plan or deed prior to the effective date of this Bylaw (April 8,
1996), that buffer space may be reduced by the Planning Board acting
through Site Plan Approval which is sufficient to achieve visual separation
and amenity equivalent to that under the basic separation and landscaping
requirements.
K.
Construction delay. If, in the sole and exclusive discretion of the
Planning Board, the construction or paving of the entire parking lot
shown on the approved site plan shall not be needed initially, the
Planning Board may grant an authorization for a specified delay of
up to two years in paving portions of the parking lot, not exceeding
40% thereof, which shall be identified on the plan and shall remain
vacant, landscaped, and available for parking. The authorization for
such a stay may be extended by the Planning Board for additional periods
not to exceed 12 months each upon an express finding by the Planning
Board that such further extension is in the public interest and consistent
with the intent of this subsection. Nothing herein shall be construed
to allow any reduction in the horizontal area for parking required
by this section or its use for any other purpose.
L.
Waiver. The Planning Board may grant a waiver from any provision of this § 280-5.1, provided that such waiver shall not cause substantial detriment to public safety. In granting such waivers, the Planning Board may require as a condition of approval the use of mitigating measures such as carpools, shuttles from an off-site lot, assigned employee parking spaces with reduced stall dimensions, or the designation of compact car parking spaces with reduced dimensions. In these instances, the Planning Board shall make detailed written findings of
M.
Loading requirements.
(1)
General. Adequate off-street loading spaces or loading areas
shall be provided and maintained by the owner of the property for
each nonresidential building or use which is erected, enlarged, or
altered after the effective date of this Bylaw, according to the following
regulations.
(2)
Required loading space. Where off-street parking is required
by this Section, loading berths or bay shall be provided for the loading
and unloading of stock and other materials as set forth in Table 3.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Table 3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(3)
Same lot. All loading spaces or loading areas required by this
Bylaw shall be on the same lot as the building or use which they are
intended to serve, and in no case shall any required loading area
be part of an area used to satisfy the off-street parking requirements
of this Bylaw.
(4)
No queues or backing onto street. No loading facility shall
be designed to require trucks to queue on a public way while awaiting
off-loading. No loading facility shall be designed to require vehicles
to back onto a public way; all turning maneuvers shall be accommodated
on the premises.
(5)
Shared loading. No part of an off-street loading area required
by this Bylaw for any nonresidential building or use shall be included
as part of an off-street loading area similarly required for another
building or use, unless the type of buildings or uses indicates that
the usage of such loading area would not occur simultaneously, as
determined by the Planning Board.
(7)
Size. Loading bays shall not be less than 12 feet in width,
55 feet in length, and 14 feet in height, exclusive of driveway and
maneuvering space.
(8)
Location. No loading dock or bay shall be located within 20
feet of the boundary of any residential district.
(9)
Waiver. Any loading requirement set forth herein may be reduced
by the grant of a waiver by the Planning Board if the Board finds
that the reduction is not inconsistent with public health and safety,
or that the reduction promotes a public benefit. In these instances,
the Planning Board shall make detailed written findings of
(a)
Those specific conditions that render literal compliance with the
terms of this subsection impracticable or infeasible,
(b)
The specific nature of alternative means of complying with the terms
of this subsection, and
(c)
Why and how such action is in the public interest and not inconsistent
with the intent and purpose of this subsection.
A.
Applicability.
(1)
The requirements of this subsection shall apply to any proposed
outdoor parking lot for 10 or more parking spaces and to any alteration
of an existing parking lot which will contain 10 or more spaces. However,
a lot of any size abutting a parcel used for residential purposes
shall provide a minimum of a five-foot landscaped buffer strip, or
other type of screening as determined by the Board, along all property
lines of such parking lot abutting the residential use. The Planning
Board acting through Site Plan Approval may require additional buffer.
The specific requirements and standards for landscaping is within
Site Plan Approval Design Manual as most recently amended.
B.
Landscaped areas.
(1)
Frontage strip. Only landscaping shall be allowed in the landscaped
buffer zone which extends across the entire frontage of the lot on
a street or highway and for a depth of 20 feet in the Highway Business
and Research Development and Office districts, and five feet in the
Local Business, General Business, and Limited Manufacturing districts,
or of the required minimum front yard, whichever is less. Any commercial,
industrial, institutional, or other nonresidential use located in
a residential district shall provide a landscaped buffer zone of 20
feet in Single Residence A districts, 10 feet in Single Residence
B districts, and five feet in General Residence districts. Existing
healthy trees and shrubs shall be preserved within this landscaped
buffer zone and planted to supplement and not prevent existing vegetation
from surviving. Shrubs shall be planted between each two trees. The
specific requirements and standards for landscaping are within Site
Plan Approval Design Manual as most recently amended.
(2)
Lot interior. Trees and shrubs shall also be preserved or planted
in the interior of the parking lot (defined as the space enclosing
the parking spaces, maneuvering areas, and aisles) so that such landscaped
space shall comprise not less than 15% of the paved parking area.
This interior landscaped area shall not include the landscaping provided
in the frontage strip. Trees and shrubs shall be planted near the
middle of rows of parking spaces extending more than 180 feet and
to separate parts of the parking lot, and shrubs shall be planted
in the landscaped rounding between the end of a row of parking and
the curved wedge-shaped spaces or narrow strips not large enough for
a tree. The interval between trees shall not be more than 25 feet,
and the distance from a tree to the paved area shall be at least five
feet. The distance from a shrub or other vegetation to a paved area
shall be at least two feet. Landscaping that is less than two feet
from the paved area shall not block the line of sight. Other unpaved
areas on the lot shall be suitably landscaped with trees, grass, hedges,
occasional trees, and flower beds or benches and ornamental structures.
The specific requirements and standards for landscaping are within
Site Plan Approval Design Manual as most recently amended.
(3)
Perimeter. Parking areas, except those associated with single
and two-family residences, shall be set back at least five feet from
the side and rear lot lines. This required setback shall consist entirely
of landscaped open space. The Planning Board, acting through Site
Plan Approval, may increase the perimeter landscaping where the Planning
Board deems it necessary to protect the single and two-family residences
adjacent to the site.
C.
Planting requirements. Screening by trees, especially evergreens,
and shrubs shall be provided between parking lots and residential
areas, highways or streets, and buildings on abutting lots, as specified
herein. Trees to be planted shall have a minimum height of 12 feet
and a minimum diameter of three inches at four feet height at the
time of planting, and shall be planted in one cubic yard of loam,
wrapped and guyed to facilitate survival. They shall be of species
characterized by rapid growth, hardiness, and suitable for New England
climate. Shrubs to be planted shall be of at least five gallon size,
and suitable for the purpose of visual screening.
D.
Seasonal planting waiver. Landscaping may be delayed due to seasonal
changes with the approval of the zoning enforcement officer for up
to six months from the date of issuance of a building permit. A temporary
occupancy permit may be issued if the record owner of the property
upon which the landscaping is to be completed posts a bond or other
acceptable security with the Town Treasurer, such bond to be in the
amount of one-and-a-half times the estimated cost of such delayed
landscaping construction, as indicated on the approved parking or
site plan. Upon completion of all landscaping, substantially in accordance
with the approved plan, the zoning enforcement officer shall authorize
in writing the release of said security and shall issue a permanent
occupancy permit. The owner shall be responsible for the continued
vitality of landscaped areas.
E.
Waiver of landscaping and planting requirements. Where soil conditions, lot shape, topography, architectural or structural conditions make literal compliance with the terms of this § 280-5.2 impracticable or infeasible, the Planning Board may approve a site plan showing alternative means of complying with the objectives of this § 280-5.2 and may allow the use of ground cover and ornamental screening or buffers, as long as such action is in the public interest and not inconsistent with the intent and purpose of this § 280-5.2. In these instances, the Planning Board shall make detailed written findings of:
A.
General. All commercial uses permitted as of right, by special permit,
or by a variance, and all related uses, except principal or accessory
residential and agricultural uses, shall be conducted wholly within
enclosed buildings, except the following:
(1)
Plants, landscaping, natural features of the land, minor ornamental
or utility system structures requiring no building permit, pedestrian
and vehicular ways, parking lots, fences and screening or ornamental
walls, utility and light poles and wiring, signs and sign supports,
structures and devices required by government for traffic control
or other purposes.
(2)
Areas and facilities for outdoor sports, athletic, or recreational
activities, and open air theaters, but only where such activities
are permitted as of right or by special permit.
(3)
Outdoor eating areas of a restaurant, where permitted by the
Board of Appeals or when shown on a site plan approved by the Planning
Board.
(4)
The dispensing of fuel, lubricants, or fluids at a garage or
service station, where otherwise permitted.
(5)
In all zoning districts, outdoor storage or display of goods,
products, materials and equipment, including motor vehicles, boats,
and construction materials handling equipment, where accessory to
the principal use conducted in an enclosed building and otherwise
permitted and subject to the requirements herein, is allowed, provided
that such outdoor display or storage shall not exceed 20% of the square
footage of such building. An automobile sales agency may use an area
not exceeding 80% of the square footage of its building for outdoor
display and storage of new vehicles.
B.
Special permit. The Board of Appeals may grant special permits for
other uses, activities, and structures to be located outside of enclosed
buildings, provided that such outdoor location is customary, that
it will have no adverse effect on adjacent buildings and uses, and
that location indoors is not feasible or not practical.
A.
General. In any Limited Manufacturing District, all open storage of junk, junk cars, scrap metal, waste paper, concrete products, and similar used materials shall be completely screened from view at normal eye level from any street, or from any premises other than that on which located. Any other use conducted outside a completely enclosed building, except an open use permitted in General Business Districts, shall, if visible at normal eve level from any point within a residence district and less than 200 feet distant, be completely screened from such view, unless separated from said district by a railroad or by a street having a width of 40 feet or more. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any existing open use which, under the terms of § 280-3.3 of this Bylaw, is exempted in whole or in part from the enclosure of use requirements in § 280-5.3 shall be completely screened from view at normal eye level from any street or from any premises other than that on which it is located, if such open use, in the case of a new use, would be required under § 280-5.3 to be conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building or occupies an area in excess of that which would be permitted for open use under § 280-5.3. Screening required under this paragraph shall be by a dense evergreen planting, fence, or other suitable visual barrier.
