Village of East Aurora, NY Article 20 Residential Districts

§ 285-20.1 Residential districts established.

A. The residential districts are listed in Table 20.1 below. When this chapter refers to residential districts it is referring to one of the following:

Table 20.1: Residential Districts
Residential District Name	Abbreviation and Map Symbol
Single-Family Residential	SFR
Low Density Residential	LDR
General Residential	GR
Limited Commercial Residential	LCR

B. The residential district names and map symbols are intended to provide a general indication of what is allowed in the district by denoting the intensity, scale, and/or type of uses permitted.

§ 285-20.2 Residential district purpose statements.

A. Single-Family Residential (SFR) District. The purpose of the SFR District is to support the vision and goals contained within the Village's adopted Comprehensive Plan through the preservation and enhancement of the existing, traditional single-family neighborhoods. The intent of this district is to permit the construction and/or reconstruction of single-family detached dwellings that do not compromise the existing residential character and pedestrian-friendly setting of the Village's neighborhoods. Future development and investment should continue the existing traditional neighborhood development pattern, generally consisting of owner-occupied, single-family detached homes, unobstructed front yards, and pedestrian-scaled streetscapes (e.g., with sidewalks, street lighting, street trees, etc.).

B. Low Density Residential (LDR) District. The purpose of the LDR District is to provide for housing choice as outlined in the Village's adopted Comprehensive Plan and allow for a transitional zone between established single-family neighborhoods and mixed-density residential areas. These neighborhoods may contain a mix of single- or two-family homes, townhouses, and multifamily dwellings with no more than four dwelling units per structure. The LDR District is intended to recognize the need for varying housing styles and densities in certain residential areas to foster a suitable transition and buffer between established neighborhoods, new development, and limited commercial areas.

C. General Residential (GR) District. The GR District is intended to allow for the greatest level of flexibility in residential development within the Village. Newly constructed and redeveloped neighborhoods in the GR District should reflect the traditional character and walkability of the Village's existing neighborhoods, while also providing for a mix of housing types and densities as provided for in the adopted Comprehensive Plan for East Aurora.

D. Limited Commercial Residential (LCR) District. The purpose of the LCR District is to accommodate the broadest range of housing choice in immediate and close proximity to supporting commercial shops and services in accordance with the Village's adopted Comprehensive Plan. Proposed development or redevelopment in this district shall employ techniques to minimize negative impacts on established lower-density residential areas and neighboring properties. The specific objectives of the LCR District are as follows:

(1) To establish a transition zone between commercial districts and residential districts, particularly along Main Street and other higher volume traffic corridors.

(2) To protect established residential neighborhoods from the type of land use associated with more intense commercial operations, including, but not limited to, large, unscreened, or highly visible parking areas; high levels of traffic; illumination; noise; and odors that could be detrimental to the characteristics of the residential neighborhood.

(3) To permit transitional uses, those by nature or level and scale of activity, and act as a transition or buffer zone between two or more incompatible uses (such as auto-related uses and single-family residences).

(4) To provide opportunities for new mixed-use developments, alternatives for the conversion of dwellings, and new construction in areas that are undergoing change and may be more viable as commercial or mixed-use as opposed to exclusively residential in character.

(5) To ease the transition between residential and commercial areas by providing for a mix of residential and nonresidential uses with development standards that foster economic development and convenient services for area residents, while maintaining compatibility with nearby residential areas.

(6) To promote a pattern of land use suitable for the development of professional and business offices and limited service, retail and commercial activities.

§ 285-20.3 Residential use lists.

[Amended 5-4-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020]

Uses are allowed in residential districts within the Village in accordance with Table 20.3 below.

A. Uses identified with a "P" in the table are permitted as-of-right in the zoning district, subject to compliance with all other applicable standards of this chapter.

B. Uses identified with a "SP" in the table may be allowed if reviewed and approved in accordance with the special use permit procedures contained in Article 52 of this chapter.

C. Uses not listed and those identified with a "-" are expressly prohibited.

Table 20.3: Residential District Use Lists
	Zoning District
Land Use	SFR	LDR	GR	LCR
Residential
Single-family dwellings	P	P	P	P
Two-family dwellings or townhomes	-	P	P	P
Multifamily dwellings, new construction	-	-	SP	SP1
Multifamily dwelling groups, new construction	-	-	SP	-
Multifamily dwellings, by conversion	-	SP1	SP1	SP1
Mobile home parks	-	-	SP	-
Nursing homes or assisted living facilities	-	P	P	P
Bed-and-breakfasts	SP	SP	SP	SP
Home occupations	P	P	P	P
Upper-floor dwelling units	-	-	-	P
Accessory uses or structures	P	P	P	P
Accessory dwelling unit	SP	SP	SP	SP
Institutional/Other
Places of worship	P	P	P	P
Nonprofit or membership based clubs	-	-	-	P
Schools, public or private	P	P	P	P
Family day-care home	SP	SP	SP	SP
Museums or libraries	-	-	SP	SP
Public parks or playgrounds	P	P	P	P
Municipal structure or use	P	P	P	P
Parking area (not on same lot as the use it serves)	-	-	-	-
Commercial
Professional or medical offices	-	-	-	P2
Dance, art, music, or photo studios	-	-	-	P2
Funeral homes or parlors	-	-	-	P2
Retail stores	-	-	-	P2
Dining facilities ancillary to a permitted use	-	-	-	SP
Permitted uses exceeding 2,500 square foot building footprint	-	-	-	SP
Mixing of permitted uses in a single structure	-	-	-	SP
Nonresidential accessory uses or structures	-	-	-	P

Notes:
1	Provided the number of dwelling units per multifamily dwelling does not exceed four.
2	Provided the building footprint of such use does not exceed 2,500 square feet.

§ 285-20.4 Residential lot and yard requirements.

[Amended 5-4-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020]

The lot and yard requirements listed in Table 20.4 below shall apply to the residential districts within the Village.

Table 20.4: Residential District Lot and Yard Requirements
	Zoning District
Land Use	SFR	LDR	GR	LCR
A. Minimum Lot Size
Single-family dwelling	10,500 square feet	9,000 square feet	10,500 square feet	9,000 square feet
Two-family dwelling	-	10,500 square feet	12,000 square feet	10,500 square feet
Multifamily dwelling	-	5,000 SF/DU1	5,000 SF/DU1	4,500 SF/DU1
Nonresidential use	13,000 square feet	13,000 square feet	13,000 square feet	13,000 square feet
B. Minimum Lot Width
Single-family dwelling	70 feet	70 feet	70 feet	70 feet
Two-family dwelling	-	70 feet	70 feet	70 feet
Multifamily dwelling	-	100 feet	100 feet	100 feet
Nonresidential use	100 feet	100 feet	100 feet	100 feet
C. Front Yard2
Residential use	20 feet minimum 60 feet maximum	20 feet minimum 60 feet maximum	20 feet minimum 75 feet maximum	20 feet minimum 75 feet maximum
Nonresidential use	20 feet minimum 75 feet maximum	20 feet minimum 75 feet maximum	20 feet minimum 75 feet maximum	20 feet minimum 75 feet maximum
Accessory use/structure	-	-	-	-
D. Minimum Rear Yard
Residential use	20 feet	20 feet	20 feet	20 feet
Nonresidential use	25 feet OR 50 feet3	25 feet OR 50 feet3	25 feet OR 50 feet3	25 feet OR 50 feet3
Accessory use or structure	5 feet	5 feet	5 feet	5 feet
E. Minimum Side Yard
Residential use	10 feet	8 feet	10 feet	8 feet
Nonresidential use	20 feet	15 feet	15 feet	15 feet
Accessory use/structure	5 feet	5 feet	5 feet	5 feet

Notes:
1	SF/DU indicates square feet per dwelling unit.
2	Or the average front yard space (with +/- one-foot margin) on the block.
3	When adjacent to a residential use, the larger yard requirement shall apply.

§ 285-20.5 Residential bulk requirements.

The bulk requirements listed in Table 20.5 below shall apply to all uses within the residential districts of the Village.

Table 20.5: Residential District Bulk Requirements
	Zoning District
Land Use	SFR	LDR	GR	LCR
A. Maximum Building Height1
Single-/two-family dwelling	35 feet	35 feet	35 feet	35 feet
Multifamily dwelling	-	35 feet	35 feet	35 feet
Nonresidential use	40 feet	40 feet	40 feet	40 feet
Accessory use/structure	15 feet	15 feet	15 feet	15 feet
B. Maximum Lot Coverage
Single-/two-family dwelling	35%	35%	35%	35%
Multifamily dwelling	-	30%	35%	30%
Nonresidential use	30%	30%	35%	35%
Accessory use/structure	25% of rear yard	25% of rear yard	25% of rear yard	25% of rear yard

Note:
1	Or the average building height (with +/- one-foot margin) on the block.

§ 285-20.6 Additional regulations.

All other applicable requirements of this chapter, including but not limited to Article 31, Regulations for Certain Uses, and Part 4, Development Standards, shall also apply to uses in the residential districts of the Village.