The purpose of the Thompson Corridor Development District (TCDD) is to provide the opportunity for the variety and flexibility in land development that is necessary to foster compatible mixed uses along the Route 12/131 corridor, including residential, commercial and service uses for residents of the Town and the region and promoting convenience, economic vitality and fiscal stability. Specifically, the regulations for this district are intended to:
A. 
Create walkable, livable and attractive development centers in the community.
B. 
Encourage infill and redevelopment of commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.
C. 
Provide diverse housing development for households with a range of incomes and lifestyles.
D. 
Promote the adaptive reuse of historic buildings.
E. 
Enhance business vitality and provide employment opportunities.
F. 
Promote the sensitive treatment of significant features of the natural environment, including vegetation, waterways, views and viewsheds.
G. 
Create and maintain usable open spaces for the enjoyment of occupants, employees and/or patrons.
H. 
Promote green, sustainable and environmentally friendly development through the use of innovative building design (e.g., LEED-certified), energy and water conservation, LID and reuse of historic structures.
I. 
Provide appropriate buffers and transitional standards between mixed-use development and adjacent neighborhoods to ensure a harmonious mixture of a wide variety of residential, commercial, civic and service activities.
The following uses are permitted in the TCDD, 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 stands
Existing
X
New
X
3.
Home occupations
Existing
X
New
X
4.
Single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings (including conversion), accessory apartments, ADUs
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 business
Existing
X
New
X
8.
Business/professional offices
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
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 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.
Wholesale and distribution facilities, storage rental facilities
Existing
X
New
X
20.
Adult-use cannabis establishments
Existing
X
New
X
21.
Breweries, microbreweries, craft distilleries
Existing
X
New
X
22.
Kennels, commercial or noncommercial
Existing
X
New
X
23.
Drive-through establishments
Existing
X
New
X
24.
Earth and gravel removal
Existing
X
New
X
25.
Gasoline filling stations
Existing
X
New
X
26.
Manufacturing, light
Existing
X
New
X
27.
Medical facilities (walk-in clinics, medical laboratories, hospitals)
Existing
X
New
X
28.
Motels, hotels, motor inns
Existing
X
New
X
29.
Motor vehicle dealerships, service and/or repair stations
Existing
X
New
X
30.
Multifamily dwellings of 3 or more units (including conversion)
Existing
X
New
X
31.
Schools, student housing (including conversion)
Existing
X
New
X
32.
Theaters or other performance venues
Existing
X
New
X
33.
Veterinary clinics
Existing
X
New
X
34.
Manufacturing, heavy
X
35.
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 TCDD, 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
100
20
10
10
Multifamily, 3 or more units
100
20
25
25
Nonresidential
100
20
25
25
Mixed-use, residential and nonresidential
100
20
25
25
Accessory structures to the primary building greater than 200 square feet footprint
n/a
20
10
10
Sheds and structures less than or equal to 200 square feet footprint
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.
Use — Public Water/Septic
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 it necessary to protect neighboring properties from noise, light or other nuisances. Such additional screening may include the erection of a solid fence or 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 plan shall indicate the presence and proportion of permeable v. impermeable surface; 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. 
Signs, in addition to conformity with Article 15, § 275-15.6, should be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and site to which it principally relates and should be coordinated with the building architecture.
I. 
A desirable streetscape and attractive landscape transitions to adjoining properties should be provided, as described in Appendix A.
J. 
All portions of any proposed development shall be accessible by a direct, convenient, attractive, safe and comfortable system of pedestrian facilities, with appropriate pedestrian amenities.
K. 
Wherever possible, parking areas are to be situated to the rear of buildings.
L. 
Proposals for mixed uses or nonresidential uses shall either provide usable public space or show appropriate access or connection to existing adjacent public spaces (e.g., parks, civic buildings and spaces, transit stops, sidewalks and plazas). Spaces are "public" when they are within view of a street or other public space or right-of-way, accessible by pedestrians and can be occupied by people without cost or legal penalty.