The purpose of the South Main Village Design District (SMVDD)
is to establish an overlay zone that identifies the district and provides
regulations and design guidelines that will serve to protect the distinctive
character, landscape and historic structures within the South Main
Street corridor.
The intent of the SMVDD is to help guide development along South
Main Street in ways that will:
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Protect the distinctive character, landscape and historic structures
within the district;
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Be appropriate to the location and scale of any particular site;
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Maintain and enhance the unique character of South Main Street,
including the residential and natural characteristics;
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Encourage the conservation and preservation of architecturally
significant or historic buildings in a manner that maintains the distinctive
character of the district;
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Provide for compatible economic development;
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Manage the amount of traffic that will be generated;
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Control traffic access by limiting the number, size and location
of driveways onto South Main Street; and
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Promote the sharing of parking and other amenities.
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To help accomplish the above purpose and intent, the SMVDD is
hereby:
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Designated as a Village District as authorized by C.G.S. § 8-2j.
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Recognized as a designated design district adopted by the Newtown
Planning and Zoning Commission so that development within the district
will be reviewed by the Design Advisory Board as provided pursuant
to Newtown Town Ordinances.
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The existing residential and related outbuildings, especially
those of historical and/or architectural significance, with their
landscaped front lawn areas and large trees lining the roadway contribute
to the unique landscape and overall character of South Main Street.
Most of the existing residential dwellings and outbuildings are modest
in scale, are typical of past residential development patterns in
Newtown and combine well with the intermittent commercial and industrial
properties, open fields and forested areas found along the roadway.
The adaptive reuse of existing residential structures is intended
to help the preservation, restoration and maintenance of said structures
provided the nature and conduct of such adaptive use shall:
(a)
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Enhance and preserve the exterior integrity of the structures;
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(b)
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Enhance and preserve the aesthetic appearance of the remainder
of the property; and
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(c)
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Maintain the general character of the neighborhood.
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2.02.510 In addition to the uses already permitted by special exception in the underlying residential zones, the following principal uses are permitted within the Residential and Farming Zones located within the SMVDD Overlay Zone subject to obtaining a special exception approval from the Commission in accordance with the standards, criteria, conditions and procedures set forth in Article
XI hereof and the additional requirements set forth herein:
2.02.511 Any principal use permitted in the Business
and Professional Office (BPO) Zone provided the following parameters
can or will be met. Adaptive reuse of existing residential buildings
shall be permitted if they will:
(a) Result in a residential use appearance that fits
into the context of the immediate area surrounding the property;
(b) Maintain or lower existing traffic levels present
upon the site, or
(c) Complement the unique character of South Main Street.
2.02.512 In conjunction with business or professional
uses, residential apartments may be allowed on upper floors within
the principal building subject to the capacity of the infrastructure
to support residential density of one dwelling unit per one-half acre
(21,780 square feet) of site area.
2.02.513 Any new construction upon a site shall respect
the height, bulk, scale and style of architecture that exists and
materials used shall be of a similar color, scale, texture and style
as that which exists.
2.02.514 Site elements of noteworthy or historical
value such as stone walls, outstanding vegetation and other similar
site features shall be protected from damage, removal or significant
alteration.
2.02.515 Site improvements shall be so designed in
space allocation, orientation, texture, materials, landscaping and
other features to produce an environment of stable and desirable character,
complementing the design and values of the surrounding neighborhood,
Plantings and other site elements (such as lighting, paving, site
furnishings, signage and parking) shall be located and designed to
enhance the "New England" character of the existing structure(s) and
surrounding property.
The purpose of this section is to provide provisions that will
permit flexibility in land use development within the SMVDD where
significant parcels are to be developed or redeveloped as a planned
development containing integrated and harmonious elements, and where
the overall design of such elements is so outstanding as to warrant
modification of the standards contained elsewhere in these regulations.
The intent of this section is to provide a unique opportunity for and guidance in design of development parcels which are likely to have a significant impact upon the South Main Street corridor. To apply for an SDD, please see Article
VI, Section 6.