[Amended 8-28-2023]
The purpose of the Business Development District (BDD), consistent with the current Plan of Conservation and Development, is to provide for meaningful and realistic commercial utilization of appropriate areas within Thompson for a complementary and integrated mixture of employment, commerce, entertainment and civic uses, while preserving the rural landscape of Thompson.
The following uses are permitted in the BDD, under the level of review indicated in the table below, in accordance with the requirements found in Article 4, § 275-4.4. If more than one use is proposed for a site on the same application (e.g., residential/retail mixed use), the higher level of review shall apply.
Use
Structure Type
Zoning Permit, Simple
Zoning Permit with Site Plan Review by Commission
Special Permit
Prohibited
1.
Agriculture (nonlivestock)
Existing
X
New
X
2.
Farm stand
Existing
X
New
X
3.
Home occupation
Existing
X
New
X
4.
Single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings (including conversion), accessory apartments, accessory dwelling units
Existing
X
New
X
5.
Storage, commercial (passive)
Existing
X
New
X
6.
Agriculture (livestock; ref. Article 7, § 275-7.4)
Existing
X
New
X
7.
Agricultural-ancillary entertainment-based activities
Existing
X
New
X
8.
Business/professional offices, including work-share facilities
Existing
X
New
X
9.
Care services
Existing
X
New
X
10.
Country inns, bed-and-breakfast establishments
Existing
X
New
X
11.
Farm-based recreational business (seasonal or ongoing)
Existing
X
New
X
12.
Fitness, dance or sports training facilities, indoor or outdoor
Existing
X
New
X
13.
Food and beverage service establishments, including outdoor seating
Existing
X
New
X
14.
Food and beverage stores for the sale of groceries, fresh and packaged foods; includes farm stores; does not include liquor stores
Existing
X
New
X
15.
Meeting/function halls and conference centers
Existing
X
New
X
16.
Neighborhood limited enterprise
Existing
X
New
X
17.
Research (applied and basic), development and testing laboratories or centers (exclusive of medical facilities)
Existing
X
New
X
18.
Retail stores
Existing
X
New
X
19.
Shared artist/artisan workspace
Existing
X
New
X
20.
Wholesale and distribution facilities, storage rental facilities
Existing
X
New
X
21.
Adult entertainment businesses; see Article 14, § 275-14.8
Existing
X
New
X
22.
Adult-use cannabis establishment
Existing
X
New
X
23.
Breweries, microbreweries and craft distilleries
Existing
X
New
X
24.
Kennels, commercial or noncommercial (see Article 2)
Existing
X
New
X
25.
Drive-through establishments
Existing
X
New
X
26.
Earth and gravel removal
Existing
X
New
X
27.
Entertainment/spectator sports venues
Existing
X
New
X
28.
Gasoline filling stations
Existing
X
New
X
29.
Manufacturing, light (please see Article 2)
Existing
X
New
X
30.
Medical facilities (walk-in clinics, medical laboratories, hospitals)
Existing
X
New
X
31.
Motels, hotels, motor inns
Existing
X
New
X
32.
Motor vehicle dealerships, service and/or repair stations
Existing
X
New
X
33.
Multifamily dwellings of 3 or more units (including conversion)
Existing
X
New
X
34.
Schools, student housing (including conversion)
Existing
X
New
X
35.
Theaters or other performance venues
Existing
X
New
X
36.
Veterinary clinics
Existing
X
New
X
37.
Manufacturing, heavy (please see Article 2)
Existing
X
New
X
38.
Any other uses not anticipated in these regulations, but reasonably related to the intended purpose of this district, as determined by the Commission
Existing
X
New
X
The following general standards shall apply to all buildings, structures and uses in the BDD, except as these regulations may specifically provide otherwise:
A. 
Dimensional requirements.
(1) 
For properties not served by public water/sewer, the minimum lot area for development in this district shall satisfy the NDDH standards for septic and potable water and is not less than 40,000 square feet. Shared septic and/or water is allowed, provided all applicable health and environmental codes are satisfied.
(2) 
For properties served by public water/sewer, the minimum lot size within this district shall be 4,500 square feet. New construction shall be permitted, provided that the requirements for setbacks and building height requirements are met.
(3) 
For properties not served by public water/sewer, the net buildable area shall be not less than 15,000 square feet.
(4) 
For properties served by public water/sewer, the net buildable area shall be not less than 4,500 square feet.
B. 
Height of any building or structure, nonagricultural. The maximum height of any nonagricultural building or structure shall be three stories.
C. 
Lot coverage: 75% maximum impermeable surface.
D. 
Frontage and setback requirements:
Use — Private Water/Septic
Frontage
(feet)
Front
(feet)
Side
(feet)
Rear
(feet)
Residential, single-family or two-family
150
40
20
20
Multifamily, 3 or more units
150
40
20
20
Nonresidential
150
40
20
20
Accessory structures to the primary building greater than 200 square feet footprint
n/a
40
20
20
Sheds and other structures less than or equal to 200 square feet footprint
n/a
40
5
5
Special-needs access
n/a
1
1
The ZEO shall permit the construction of a required special-needs accessway to protrude into any setback, provided that it is the only reasonable location for such accessway.
Use — Public Water/Sewer
Frontage
(feet)
Front
(feet)
Side
(feet)
Rear
(feet)
Primary structure, nonresidential use
50
10
10
10
Primary structure, residential use
50
20
10
10
Accessory structures to the primary building, nonresidential use
n/a
10
10
10
Accessory structures to the primary building, residential use
n/a
20
5
5
Special-needs access
n/a
1
1
The ZEO shall permit the construction of a required special-needs accessway to protrude into any setback, provided that it is the only reasonable location for such accessway.
E. 
Landscaped buffer area. Notwithstanding the setbacks for the structure, the Commission may require up to an additional 50 feet of buffer between a commercial use and a residential or agricultural use. The Commission may require additional screenings where it deems them necessary to protect neighboring properties from noise, light or other nuisances. Such additional screenings may include the erection of a solid fence, the installation of an earthen berm or other measures deemed appropriate by the Commission. Any plantings so required should be of varieties native to Connecticut. Species from the most current Connecticut Invasive Plant List, as compiled by the Connecticut Invasive Plant Council, are prohibited (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CAES/Invasive-Aquatic-Plant-Program/Plant-Information/Invasive-Plant-List-2013.pdf?la=en).
F. 
Landscaping, nonresidential uses. A plan for landscaping and buffering shall be submitted as part of all permit applications in this district. Such a plan shall indicate the presence and proportion of permeable v. impermeable surfaces, the presence and nature of any LID measures and a species list for any planned plantings. Preference is to be given to native v. nonnative species. Species from the most current Connecticut Invasive Plant List, as compiled by the Connecticut Invasive Plant Council, are prohibited (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CAES/Invasive-Aquatic-Plant-Program/Plant-Information/Invasive-Plant-List-2013.pdf?la=en).
G. 
Rubbish disposal. Rubbish and waste disposal areas shall be fenced or otherwise screened. Rubbish and waste shall at all times be kept in appropriate closed containers in order to prevent dispersal of refuse materials within or outside the lot.
H. 
Lighting. Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be so arranged as to direct light down towards the parking area and away from any adjoining lots and any public street right-of-way.
A. 
New construction or substantial renovation shall be consistent with the scale of the neighboring buildings or structures in terms of building height, width, proportion of height to width, proportion of wall area to door and window opening area (fenestration), size of overhangs, property line setback and other dominant site features.
B. 
The removal or disruption of historic, traditional or significant structures or architectural elements shall be avoided or minimized.
C. 
Maintenance of views, historic buildings, monuments and landscaping shall be encouraged.
D. 
The exterior of structures of sites should be consistent with the Design Guidelines found in Appendix A.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
E. 
Newly installed utility services, as well as service revisions made necessary by exterior alterations, shall be underground to the greatest extent possible.
F. 
Utility and service equipment areas should be screened from public view. The Commission may determine the suitability of any proposed screening methods.
G. 
Exterior lighting, where used, should enhance public safety and be compatible with the building design and the landscape.
H. 
A desirable streetscape and attractive landscape transitions to adjoining properties should be provided as described in Appendix A.