As used in these regulations:
A.
When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present
tense include the future tense, and words in the singular or plural
shall include both single and plural numbers.
B.
The word "shall" is construed as mandatory. The word "may" is permissive.
C.
In the case of any difference of meaning or implication among the
text of these regulations and any captions, illustrations, summaries
and illustrative tables, the text shall control.
D.
The terms "used" and "occupied" include the meanings "designed to
be used (or occupied)" and "intended to be used (or occupied)."
E.
When
the context so requires, words in the masculine, feminine or neutral
gender shall include any gender.
In interpreting and applying these regulations:
A.
The regulations shall be considered as the minimum requirements for
the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare.
B.
When these regulations impose a greater restriction on the use of
buildings; require larger yards, courts or other open spaces; require
a larger percentage of lots to remain unbuilt; or impose other standards
higher than those imposed by any law, regulation or private agreement,
then these regulations shall control.
C.
When restrictions are imposed by any law, regulation or private agreement
that are greater than those required by these regulations, such greater
restrictions shall not be affected by these regulations.
D.
When one section of these regulations imposes standards greater than
those of another section, the standards of the more restrictive section
shall control.
If any section, clause, provision or portion of these regulations
shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such a decision shall not affect the validity or the
constitutionality of the remaining regulations or any other section,
clause, provision of portion thereof, other than the part so decided
to be invalid or unconstitutional.
In the interests of clarity and brevity, the following terms
shall, unless otherwise stated, have the meaning herein indicated
for all purposes of these regulations:
Discontinued use of any structure or land. A structure shall
be considered abandoned if it is fully or partially demolished. The
use of a structure or land shall be considered abandoned if the activity
or operation ceases, the premises are vacated, machinery, equipment
or fixtures are removed or other action terminating the use is taken
to cease or discontinue a use or activity with the intent not to resume,
but excluding temporary or short-term interruptions to use or activity
during periods of remodeling, maintaining or otherwise improving or
rearranging a facility or during normal periods of vacations or seasonal
closures.
A strip of land in which a legal permanent interest has been
acquired, permitting access to an adjoining interior lot from a public
street or private way.
Space allotted within an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling
that is designed or intended for separate use by one or more persons
occupying that allotted space. The habitable space shall be interconnected
to the primary dwelling, shall be properly conditioned as a dwelling
and shall be serviced by the same septic system and electrical service
as the primary dwelling.
A building or structure, in addition to the principal building,
that is clearly subordinate to, and customarily incidental to, and
is located upon the same lot as the principal building or on a contiguous
lot under the same ownership. Any accessory building physically attached
to the principal building shall be deemed to be a part of such principal
building in applying the bulk regulations to such a building.
A use, in addition to the principal use, that is clearly
subordinate to, and customarily incidental to, and is located on the
same lot as the principal use or on a contiguous lot under the same
ownership.
A use intended only for persons having achieved legal age
of majority. The use is sexually explicit but otherwise legal in nature.
Adult entertainment uses include adult bookstores, adult live entertainment
establishments, adult motion-picture theaters, adult mini-motion-picture
theaters, adult video stores and adult paraphernalia stores.
As per Connecticut General Statutes, Sec. 1-1(q), cultivation
of the soil, dairying, forestry, raising or harvesting any agricultural
or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding,
caring for, training and management of livestock, including horses,
bees, poultry, and the raising or harvesting of oysters, clams, mussels,
other molluscan shellfish or fish; the operation, management, conservation,
improvement or maintenance of a farm and its buildings, tools and
equipment, or salvaging timber or cleared land of brush or other debris
left by a storm, as an incident to such farming operations; the production
or harvesting of maple syrup or maple sugar or any agricultural commodity,
including lumber, as an incident to ordinary farming operations or
the harvesting of mushrooms, the hatching of poultry or the construction,
operation or maintenance of ditches, canals, reservoirs or waterways
used exclusively for farming purposes; handling, planting, drying,
packing, packaging, processing, freezing, grading, storing or delivering
to storage or to market, or to a carrier for transportation to market,
or for direct sale any agricultural or horticultural commodity as
an incident to ordinary farming operations, or, in the case of fruits
and vegetables, as an incident to the preparation of such fruits or
vegetables for market or for direct sale. The term "aquaculture" means
the farming of the waters of the state and tidal wetlands and the
production of protein food, including fish, oysters, clams, mussels
and other molluscan shellfish, on leased, franchised and public underwater
farm lands.
Nonagricultural offerings, commonly used as incidental components
of on-farm direct- marketing activities, that are accessory to and
serve to increase the direct-market sales of the agricultural output
of a farm. Such business activities are designed to attract customers
to a farm by enhancing the experience of purchasing agricultural products.
Examples of such business activities include, but are not limited
to, horseback riding (lessons or rentals), live music performances,
weddings and business meetings.
Shall be as defined in Chapter 545 of the Connecticut General
Statutes, the Liquor Control Act.
As applied to a building or structure, a change or rearrangement
in the structural parts thereof, the movement of all or any part thereof,
or the substantial reconstruction thereof so as to produce a significant
change in appearance or construction. Also means an enlargement, whether
by increasing the height, coverage, volume or floor area. As applied
to a use, means a change or enlargement in the type, floor area occupied
by, intensity or scope of use, including, but not limited to, the
extension of hours of operations; the addition of other activities,
equipment, functions or processes; or the extension into additional
land or building area. See also "enlargement (or to enlarge)."
[Amended 8-28-2023]
A device used to receive or transmit electromagnetic waves.
Examples include, but are not limited to, whip, panel and dish antennas.
The flood level having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded
in any given year.
The elevation of the base flood as recorded on the Flood
Hazard Boundary Map and accompanying stream profile data.
That portion of a building having its floor level partly
or wholly below the adjacent finished grade and that has more than
half its interior height measured from floor to rough ceiling above
the finished grade of the ground adjoining the building.
An owner-occupied dwelling, part of which is used as overnight
accommodations for transients in exchange for compensation. A morning
meal may be provided to transient guests but no additional food service
or food service to the general public is permitted.
A sign that directs attention to a business, community service
or entertainment not exclusively related to the premises where such
a sign is located.
A deposit of a specified amount as determined by the Commission,
generally required as security against proper completion of certain
special permit activities. Cash bonds and surety bonds are acceptable
by the Commission.
A lot line or property line. Also, the line legally separating
two adjoining lots or parcels of land.
A box trailer, also commonly known as a "box body," is a
special body with solid walls in the form of a closed box on a vehicle.
The box body is usually firmly attached to the chassis. However, there
are also box bodies that are removable. The removable body is known
as a "swap body."
An establishment where beer is brewed. A "craft brewery"
is a small-scale brewery that allows sales and consumption of its
own products on the premises. A "microbrewery" is a small-scale brewery
that allows sales of its own products on the premises but has limited
or no on-premises consumption.
A strip of land identified on a site plan or by a zoning
regulation established to protect one type of land use from another.
A parcel of land unoccupied by buildings, structures or pavements
and maintained as a grass area and/or planted with trees or shrubs
or left in its natural state.
Any structure having a roof and intended for shelter, housing
or enclosure of persons, animals or materials. The connection of two
or more buildings by means of a porch, breezeway, passageway, carport
or other roofed structure shall be deemed to make them one building.
The impervious ground-level area enclosed by the walls of
a building, together with the area of all covered porches, roofed
structures and nonimpervious structures such as raised open decks
and attached roof structures to the principal building.
The provisions of the Connecticut State Building Code, as
amended.
The vertical distance from grade plane to the greatest height
that includes the average finished grade adjoining the building at
all exterior walls, as well as rooftop service structures housing
mechanical equipment, unless otherwise specified in these regulations.
A line parallel to the abutting street at a distance equal
to or greater than the setback requirements for the front yard.
The officer of the Town designated as the authority or other
authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the Connecticut
State Building Code.
The permit required by Connecticut state law and issued by
the Building Official for the construction, repair, renovation and/or
alteration of a structure, including additions.
The size and volume of buildings, structures and use areas
and the physical relationships of their exterior walls or spatial
limits with lot lines or with other walls of the same building or
other sections of the same structure or use. Bulk also includes the
relationship of buildings, structures and uses with all yards and
open spaces required by these regulations. This also includes provisions
of these regulations dealing with floor area ratio, building height,
lot area per dwelling unit, lot frontage, lot width, required yards,
courts, usable open space, spacing between buildings on a single lot,
length of building in a row and all other similar provisions of these
regulations dealing with the relationship between land and the improvement
or uses located or to be located thereon.
A plot of land on which two or more campsites are located,
established or maintained for occupancy by camping units as temporary
living quarters for recreation, education or vacation purposes.
FAMILY CHILD DAY CAREA care service, provided in a private residence, caring for not more than six children full-time (including the providers' own children not in school full-time) and three part-time children. Children are cared for not more than 12 hours during a twenty-four-hour period, and care is given on a regular, recurring basis. Part-time consists of child care for not more than four hours in a twenty-four-hour period. Services must conform to all state and federal regulations. Note: restricted from adding elder-care services in the same dwelling.
GROUP CHILD DAY CAREA care service, provided in a private residence or nonresidential facility, caring for not more than 12 children. Services must conform to all state and federal regulations. Note: restricted from adding elder-care services in the same dwelling.
CHILD DAY-CARE CENTERA nonresidential facility that provides child care. The facility must have 30 square feet per child and one staff member per 10 children. For children under three, there must be one staff member per four children. Day-care services must conform to all state, federal, and Fire Marshal regulations.
ELDER-CARE SERVICEA care service, provided in a private residence, caring for not more than five elderly persons (including the providers' own elderly persons unable to self-care). Elderly are cared for not more than 12 hours during a twenty-four-hour period, and care is given on a regular recurring basis. Services must meet all state and federal regulations. Note: restricted from adding child-care services in the same dwelling.
ADULT DAY-CARE CENTERA nonresidential facility that provides adult care services. The facility must have 60 square feet per adult and one staff member per seven adults. Services must meet all state, federal, and Fire Marshal regulations.
REST HOME (also NURSING HOME)An establishment that is licensed by the Department of Public Health pursuant to Chapter 368v of the Connecticut General Statutes and that furnishes food and shelter to two or more persons unrelated to the proprietor. In addition, provides services that meet a need beyond the basic provisions of food, shelter and laundry. Such services may include, but are not limited to, assistance in personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise, recreation and health maintenance. This term shall not include "convalescent home" or "skilled nursing facility."
Locating wireless communications facilities of more than
one provider on a single site.
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Thompson.
A document (DEP Bulletin 34) intended to provide information
to government agencies and the public on soil erosion and sediment
control. These guidelines fulfill the requirements of Connecticut's
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act (§§ 22a-325 through
22a-329 of the Connecticut General Statutes).
A building, originally designed as a residence, that is converted
to use as overnight accommodations for transients in exchange for
compensation. A country inn may or may not be owner-occupied, but
it may not be a part of a hospitality group or franchise. A country
inn may include an area for food and beverage service, may provide
meals other than breakfast, may provide personal services and may
be open to the general public.
The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission
immediately following the submission date of an application, request
or appeal, or 35 days from the date of application, request or appeal,
whichever is sooner. If there is any conflict between this provision
and the requirements of C.G.S. § 8-7d, the provisions of
the Connecticut General Statutes shall prevail.
Any man-made change to real estate, including, but not limited
to, the construction of buildings or structures or mining, dredging,
filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, but excluding
the tilling of soil as a part of agriculture or horticultural uses.
That impervious area from which stormwater runoff discharges
directly to waters of the state or directly to a stormwater system
that discharges to waters of the state.
An establishment for the distilling of alcoholic spirits.
A "craft distillery" is a small-scale distillery that allows sales
and consumption of its own products on the premises.
An area where the ground cover is destroyed or removed, thus
leaving the land subject to accelerated erosion.
A light source or fixture affixed to a sign or building aiming
downward and intended to illuminate a specific subject without the
creation of any external glare.
A private accessway connecting one or more buildings to a
public or private street. The term "shared driveway" is used when
the private accessway connects multiple buildings with different owners
or tenants in an undivided lot (e.g., for a condominium development,
a business park or similar uses) or connects multiple lots in a subdivided
parcel.
A building designed and/or used for human habitation on a
solid bearing foundation using listed weatherproof exterior materials.
The interior walls are constructed with compatible materials and incorporate
a living space for sleeping, cooking/eating, and sanitation. Sanitation
shall be connected to a safe water supply with adequate sanitary sewage
disposal. Such a building must be also equipped with a heat source
or apparatus that, combined with insulation throughout, is capable
of maintaining proper interior temperature and ventilation.
A building or group of buildings in which dwelling units,
offices or floor area is owned individually. The structure, common
areas and facilities are owned by all the owners on a proportional,
undivided basis. Condominiums may be arranged as apartments, townhouses
or detached dwellings.
A building containing three or more units conforming to the
definition of a dwelling that share a structure, may share common
areas or facilities and in which the occupants of the units are otherwise
independent of each other.
A building that is a single unit conforming to the definition
of a dwelling, and which is the primary dwelling unit on a residential
lot.
A single-family dwelling unit constructed in a row of at
least three such units, in which each unit has its own front and rear
access to the outside, no unit is located over another unit and each
unit is separated from any other unit by one or more common, vertical,
fire-resistant walls.
A single detached building containing two independent units
conforming to the definition of a dwelling. Such units may be arranged
horizontally (side-by-side) or vertically (one-above-one-below).
[Amended 8-28-2023]
Alteration of earth materials excavated on-site, including
mixing with earth materials or other approved materials imported to
the site using authorized processing equipment, including, but not
limited to, screening and crushing and production of concrete, asphalt
and other earth materials.
A nonpossessory interest in land. The owner of an easement
has a right to use the land of another for a special purpose as distinguished
from a right to possess that land.
Any addition to the floor area of an existing building, an
increase in the size of any other structure or an increase in that
portion of a tract of land occupied by an existing use. "To enlarge"
is to make an enlargement. See also "alter, alteration."
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments or
by the wearing away of the land surface by water, wind, ice or gravity.
A scheme that minimizes soil erosion and sedimentation resulting
from development and includes, but is not limited to, a map and a
narrative.
The severance from the earth's surface or removal from the
ground of soil, loam, sand, gravel, clay, rock, topsoil or any other
earth material.
A property on which agriculture is the primary use, including
buildings and accessory buildings thereto; nurseries; orchards; ranges;
greenhouses, hoop houses and other temporary structures or other structures
used primarily for the raising of and, as an incident to ordinary
farming operations, the sale of agricultural or horticultural commodities.
A freestanding structure that is not constructed for permanent
usage, but is utilized for the sale of seasonal agricultural products.
[Amended 8-28-2023]
A structure that is a permanent building primarily used for
the sale of agricultural products. A farm store must be under common
ownership of the owners of one or more farms, but it is not required
to be on the site of a farm.
Recreational offerings that are uniquely suited to occurring
on a farm and may also include common outdoor recreation activities
that are compatible with the agricultural use of the farm, where such
offering and activities are related to marketing the agricultural
output of the farm. Such activities are accessory to, and serve to
increase, the direct-marketing sales of the agricultural output of
the farm by attracting customers and enhancing the experience of purchasing
agricultural products at the farm. Examples of farm-based recreational
business activities uniquely suited to occurring on a farm may include,
but are not limited to, corn, sunflower or other crop mazes; hayrides
and wagon rides; agricultural animal display or petting areas; farm
tours; horseback riding and pony rides; or tractor pulls. Examples
of farm-based recreational business activities considered common outdoor
activities that are compatible with the agricultural use of a farm
include, but are not limited to, hiking, bird-watching, sleigh rides,
hunting and fishing and bonfires. Seasonal business activities are
those that are determined by the agricultural calendar (e.g., crop
mazes or festivals celebrating a seasonal crop). Ongoing activities
are those which are not determined by the agricultural calendar (e.g.,
hayrides, farm tours and petting zoos).
A structure erected for the purpose of separating properties
or enclosing or protecting or screening the property within its perimeter.
A fence shall not include construction site barriers or a chain link
fence wholly within the property to which it pertains, and which conforms
to the setbacks for an accessory structure and which is used for the
purpose of containing a domestic animal which does not exceed seven
feet in height.
[Amended 8-28-2023]
A piece of fabric or fabric-like material of distinctive
design that is used as a national, state or municipal symbol; as a
signaling device; or for advertising, decorative or informational
purposes. A "feather flag," "open feather flag" or "sail flag" is
a flexible or rigid pole to which one side of a flexible fabric, generally
in the shape of a feather or similar shape, is attached. Such banners
are also known and sold under names that include, but are not limited
to, "quill sign," "banana banner," "blade banner," "flutter banner,"
"flutter flag," "bowflag," "teardrop banners" and others. This definition
includes functionally similar display devices.
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent
land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood
without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than
two feet.
The sum of the gross horizontal area of every floor of a building
as measured by the exterior faces of the walls or from the center
line of a party or common wall separating two buildings, dwellings,
or distinct nonresidential uses having no common exterior access.
Gross floor area shall include:
Basement space.
Attic space, whether or not a floor has been laid, over which
there is structural headroom of seven feet or more.
Floor space used for mechanical equipment with structural headroom
of seven feet or more.
Roofed porches, breezeways, interior balconies and mezzanines.
Any roofed-over space not located in a basement, such as a garage
or carport, for off-street parking accessory to a dwelling.
The portion of the gross floor area of a dwelling that is
adequately provided with heat, light and ventilation so as to be suitable
for residential use and occupancy. Livable floor area shall include
finished basement or attic spaces, including finished living space
over an attached garage. Livable floor area shall not include garage
space, cellar space, terraces or patios, unroofed porches, access
steps or stairways and halls serving more than one dwelling unit and
similar unenclosed or unfinished spaces.
Any facility where food and/or beverages are sold and served
to the public as a principal or accessory use. Examples of food and
beverage service establishments include, but are not limited to: restaurants,
banquet halls, event facilities, diners, cafes, coffeehouses, bars,
and taverns. Breweries, microbreweries and craft distilleries are
not included in this definition, as they are subject to separate provisions
under these regulations. Food trucks are not included in this definition,
but are considered a temporary use under the jurisdiction of the Fire
Marshal.
The boundary of a lot abutting a public street.
Any earthmoving, excavating, grubbing, filling (including
hydraulic fill) or stockpiling of earth materials or any combination
thereof, including the land in its excavated or filled condition.
A small business that is capable of coexisting with residential
use, without undue adverse effects on the quality of life, environment,
aesthetics and property values of the district in which it is located.
A building or group of buildings providing lodging for persons
with or without meals, intended primarily for the accommodation of
transients. The term "hotel" shall be inclusive of the terms motel,
motor inn and inn.
A companion animal that resides with the owner or tenant
in the dwelling unit.
An area of a lot that has been altered in such a way as to
be impenetrable by surface water. Such surfaces include, but are not
limited to, roofs, paved areas (roads, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks),
patios and swimming pools.
A land parcel that lies at the end of a long driveway, not
containing the minimum road frontage generally required by these regulations
but otherwise conforming to all specific area and dimensional requirements
for the district in which it is located. An interior lot may lie behind
residences, buildings or open land.
A facility maintained for boarding companion animals and
may or may not include grooming services. The term "commercial kennel"
shall include veterinary hospitals that board companion animals for
nonmedical purposes.
A facility where five or more companion animals over the
age of four months under one ownership are maintained at a single
location and bred for show, sport or sale. Any owner who breeds more
than two litters of dogs annually shall apply to the Thompson Town
Clerk for a kennel license (C.G.S. § 22-342).
The clearing, stripping or removal of vegetation exposing
the underlying soil.
Domesticated animals, other than household pets, as defined
in this section, including alpaca, bison, cattle, goats, horses, llamas,
poultry, sheep and swine.
One or more contiguous parcels of land under unified ownership
and separately described in a Deed of Record that are occupied or
capable of being occupied by one principal building and the accessory
buildings or uses customarily incidental to them, including such open
spaces as are required by these regulations and which, in addition,
meet the minimum area, width and other applicable requirements of
these regulations for the district in which such parcel is located
or which is a legal nonconforming lot, as defined in these regulations.
In the case of multiple or two-family dwellings, a group of buildings
under the same ownership shall be considered as occupying the same
lot. The term "lot" includes the terms "plot" and "parcel," but those
terms do not include the term "lot."
The area of a horizontal plane bounded by all lot lines.
The ratio between the building area and the gross area of
the lot; the aggregate or total bearing area as a percentage of all
buildings and structures, including impervious surfaces such as asphalt
drives and uncovered steps.
The length measured between side lot lines, located entirely
within the lot and passing through any point(s) of the front lot line.
Such frontage may be noncontinuous, i.e., it is not required to be
a straight line between points but may be irregular.
Any boundary line of a lot.
The shortest line that is roughly opposite of, and farthest
from, the front lot line, which is at least the length of the minimum
lot width required by these regulations for the subject district.
If such line does not exist, then the shortest straight line between
side lot lines that is roughly opposite of, and farthest from, the
front lot line, a line that is contained within the lot and that is
at least the length of the minimum lot width required by these regulations
for the subject district.
Any lot line that is not a front lot line or a rear lot line,
extending directly or indirectly from the front lot line.
A lot of which two adjacent sides face a street or streets,
so that the angle of the intersection is less than 135°, provided
that the corner of any such intersection is not rounded by a curve
having an inside radius greater than 50 feet.
An approach to environmentally friendly land use planning.
LID practices are designed to mimic predevelopment site hydrology
by identifying opportunities to soak rainwater into the ground on-site,
rather than directing it off-site, often into storm drain systems.
By capturing and retaining stormwater on-site, any pollutants contained
in the stormwater runoff are prevented from being transported into
nearby water bodies.
A prefabricated or transportable single-family dwelling unit
that is transported in one or more sections. A manufactured home must
be constructed in accordance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction
and Safety Standards of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD). The manufactured home must be suitable for year-round habitation
and equipped with a means to connect to water, sanitary and electric
facilities. A manufactured home must comply with all applicable flood
management regulations.
Processing or fabrication of products, primarily extracted
from raw materials or bulk storage, and handling of such products
and materials, which involves more intense impacts associated with
large industrial uses, their accessory outdoor storage uses, and large
building areas. Uses that pose significant risks due to the involvement
of explosives, radioactive materials or other hazardous materials
are included in this category. Examples include, but are not limited
to, wrecking yards, chemical plants, commercial slaughterhouses and
freight facilities. Heavy manufacturing is a prohibited use in the
Town of Thompson.
Fabrication or assembly of products lower in intensity, cleaner
and generally more compatible when located adjacent to commercial
or mixed-use districts than are heavy manufacturing uses. Light manufacturing
or industrial uses do not generate excessive noise, particulate matter,
vibration, smoke, dust, gas, fumes, odors, radiation and other nuisance
characteristics. Examples include, but are not limited to, appliance
and electronic device assembly; machine shop and related activities;
construction of signs, including painted signs; light sheet-metal
products, such as ventilating ducts and eaves; ice manufacturing;
ceramic products, provided that kilns shall only be operated by gas
or electricity; products assembled from materials fabricated off-site;
tinsmith and roofing services; milk processing plants; processing,
sale, and display of monuments and stones; forming of small concrete
products (i.e., stepping stones, fence posts, yard ornaments, etc.)
and cultured marble products. Light manufacturing is an allowed use
in the Town of Thompson as described in the tables of uses of the
various districts.
A development that provides multiple compatible uses in close
proximity to one another. Also used to describe a land use pattern
that seeks to increase concentrations of population and employment
in well-defined areas with a mix of compatible land uses. The term
may be applied to a single development (e.g., a single mixed-use building)
or to a district containing one or more such developments.
A trailer coach or similar vehicle or structure that is,
or can be, used for sleeping, living or working quarters and that
is, or can be, mounted on wheels. A mobile home may contain cooking,
bathing and toilet facilities and is capable of being connected to
a water supply and sewage disposal system. Recreational vehicles that
are used as temporary quarters (six months or less) at seasonal campgrounds
are not included in this definition.
A small business that may reasonably be pursued in a residential
district, but which may cause sufficient intensification of use that
there are additional requirements for approval by the Commission over
and above those required for approval of a home occupation.
A contiguous area of land that is at least 50 feet wide,
not containing wetlands, watercourses, conservation easements or areas
waterward of the 100-year flood boundary as delineated by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
A building or structure legally existing on the effective
date of these regulations that met all requirements of the zoning
regulations in force at the time of construction or which predates
the adoption of zoning regulations by the Town of Thompson but does
not meet the current standards of these regulations. This term may
also include a building or structure legally existing on the effective
date of any amendment hereto that caused such building or structure
to cease to meet the requirements of these regulations.
See § 275-3.7B(1).
The use of land, buildings or premises that is not a use
permitted by these regulations for the district in which such use
is occurring, but which was legally existing and conformed to all
requirements in force at the time of its approval.
Land set aside for parks, playgrounds, active or passive
recreation or conservation purposes on any subdivision plan, but not
including unbuilt land on any lot not so designated. Open space shall
be dedicated in a location approved by the Commission and regulated
in accordance with applicable provisions of these regulations.
An amenity with extensive outdoor uses, including, but not
limited to, outdoor tennis clubs and golf courses.
A contiguous owned or leased area, used for confining of livestock which excludes areas occupied by dwelling units, nonagricultural buildings, and on-site sewage disposal systems, and meets general criteria as described in the provisions of Article 7, § 275-7.4D. Animal shelters are permitted within the confined area.
Any contiguous piece of land, including one or more contiguous
lots of record, unified under the same ownership, whether or not every
said piece of land was acquired at the same time; excluding, however,
any parcel which is a "lot" as defined in these regulations.
An area that permits the direct infiltration of at least
30% of all stormwater into the ground, and does not create a point
source of runoff greater than 70%.
A document adopted by the Commission under the authority
of Section 8-23 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.
A plan presented in advance of a formal application. Presentation of the preliminary plan shall not constitute an application within the meaning of Title 8, Chapter 126 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and review by the Commission of said preliminary plan and its comments, if any, shall not be deemed to be an official action or decision.
A lot or parcel and all buildings, uses and structures located
thereon.
A single building in which is conducted the principal use
of the lot on which the building is situated.
The primary purpose or function for which a premises is used,
designed or intended to be used.
An accessway to one or more privately owned properties which
has not been dedicated and accepted by the Town. Such accessways are
not maintained by the Town.
The further division of lots or the relocation of lot lines
of any lot or lots within a subdivision previously approved and recorded
by law. Resubdivision is further defined in Section 8-18 of the Connecticut
General Statutes and in the Subdivision Regulations and shall conform
to the requirements of Sections 8-25 and 8-26 of the Connecticut General
Statutes.
Any of the following:
That portion of land made available for the construction of
roadway, ditches, drainage structures and utility lines and is to
be conveyed to the Town, in the case of a proposed Town road, or is
to be conveyed to an association charged with the maintenance of such
right-of-way, in the case of a private road;
The parcel of land between "street property lines," which are
defined as the limits of land dedicated, secured or reserved for public
transportation uses;
A narrow strip of land used to gain access to a parcel of land
that does not otherwise have access to a street right-of-way; and
A legally cognizable right belonging to a party to pass and
repass on and over land of another for ingress and egress. Such right
can arise by easement of deed, by judicial interpretation, or by common
law or statute.
See "frontage."
Solid material, either mineral or organic that is in suspension,
transported, or removed from its site or origin by erosion.
An open space on the same lot with a building having those
minimum distances prescribed by these regulations.
Any structure, or part thereof, or any device attached to
a building or structure or painted or represented thereon that displays
or includes letters, words, symbols, trademarks or any other graphic
representation that is in the nature of an announcement, direction,
advertisement or other device used to attract the attention of the
public. Similarly, any natural object such as a tree, stone, or the
earth itself that is painted or arranged so as to represent or display
any of the aforementioned graphic representations; any building feature,
including a roof, special illumination, special colors or effects,
or building lines or rooflines that serve to identify the use or occupancy
of any building or site through a recognized motif or symbol. The
term "sign" shall include sculptures and similar works of art designed
or intended to attract the attention of the general public to commercial
or industrial premises.
Any sign in which or upon which artificial light is not maintained
in a stationary fashion with constant intensity and color at all times.
This term includes signs that scroll, alternate or otherwise move
or change a message using lighting, screens, projections or moving
parts of any kind. Signs that solely provide the time and/or temperature
are excluded in this definition.
A drawing containing the proposed development for one or more lots, on which is shown the existing and proposed conditions of the lot, including topography; vegetation; drainage; areas of special flood hazard; wetlands and watercourses; landscaping and open spaces; walkways; means of ingress and egress; circulation; utility services; structures and buildings; signs and lighting; berms, buffers and screening devices; surrounding development; and any other information that may be required by the Commission according to Article 3 of these regulations.
The naturally occurring body of porous mineral and organic
materials on the land surface composed of unconsolidated materials,
including sand-sized, silt-sized and clay-sized particles mixed with
varying amounts of larger fragments and organic material. The various
combinations of particles differentiate specific soil textures identified
in the soil textural triangle developed by the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) as found in Soil Survey Staff, USDA; Soil Survey
Manual, Handbook 18, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC, 1993, p. 138.
A power system designed to capture radiant solar power by
means of photovoltaics, converting it to usable electrical current,
and arrangement of several components that may include storage or
energy containment, providing electricity for individual, agricultural,
industrial or governmental use.
A structure or facility used for the purpose of storing goods
or equipment for a business. Passive storage does not include storage
rental facilities or any other business aspect which is available
to the general public.
A document containing material for describing how existing
runoff characteristics will be maintained by a land-disturbing activity,
and methods for complying with the requirements of these regulations
and those of the State of Connecticut, that is prepared in accordance
with accepted engineering practices and that identifies potential
sources of pollution that may reasonably be expected to affect the
quality of stormwater discharges from the construction site or its
associated land-disturbing activities. In addition, the document shall
describe and ensure the implementation of best management practices.
An improved right-of-way or fee simple parcel of land dedicated
and accepted by the Town or the State of Connecticut by lawful procedure
for the purpose of public travel and suitable for vehicular travel,
or it is a proposed street shown on a subdivision plan approved by
the Commission, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Subdivision Regulations.
The dividing line between the street and the lot. Where such
line has not been established, it is deemed for the purposes of these
regulations to be a line parallel to, and 25 feet distant from, the
center line of the traveled surface.
Anything that is constructed or erected and the use of which
requires permanent attachment to ground or water areas, or attachment
to something having permanent location on ground or water areas. An
edifice of a building of any kind, any production or piece of work
artificially built up or composed of parts and joined together in
some definite manner. Signs, vending machines, fences or walls, a
wharf or dock, an above-ground tank or a detached solar panel or satellite
dish would be defined as structures. A structure shall not include
a flagpole or an ornamental well.
The vertical distance of a structure measured from the average
elevation of the finished grade surrounding the structure to the highest
point of the structure.
The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or
more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land for sale, development
or lease. Subdivision is further defined in Section 8-18 of the Connecticut
General Statutes and in the Subdivision Regulations, and shall conform
to the requirements of Sections 8-25 and 8-26 of the Connecticut General
Statutes.
A type of subdivision where homes are clustered together
on smaller lots than are otherwise permitted to preserve the surrounding
natural area, farmland or other open space.
The surface layer of a soil profile (known as a "horizon"
of a soil), generally characterized as being darker than the subsoil
due to the presence of organic matter, containing most of the nutrients
available to plants, and supplying a large amount of the water used
by plants and the zone where the respiration of plant roots occurs.
The Town of Thompson, a municipal corporation having its
territorial limits within the County of Windham and State of Connecticut.
Any purpose for which a building, structure or premises may
be designed, arranged, intended, maintained or occupied or any activity,
occupation, business or operation carried on in a building or structure
or on a lot or parcel.
Permission to depart from the literal requirements of these
regulations, but not involving the actual use or activity of the variance
as subject to any conditions required by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The equipment and structures involved in receiving or transmitting
electromagnetic waves associated with wireless communications services.
Services associated with the transmission and/or reception
of wireless communications. These services may include, but are not
limited to, cellular, personal communication services, specialized
mobilized radio and paging.
An open space that lies between the principal building or
buildings and the nearest lot line.
The individual who is appointed by a majority vote of the
Commission to carry out the functions and purposes identified in these
regulations until such time as the appointment is revoked by the majority
vote of the Commission.
A written approval from the ZEO or the Commission, indicating
a proposed building, structure or use is in compliance with these
regulations.
