The purpose of the Sandy Hook Design District is to encourage a diversity of compatible uses that will enforce the district as an historic, mixed use hamlet. Land uses which are oriented to the surrounding neighborhood and to visitors to the area are encouraged and are vital to continuing the district's place in Newtown's history and its future as a viable neighborhood commercial hub.
Future development should emphasize the pedestrian scale, historic quality and natural resources found here. It is intended that the district will have infrastructure of sufficient capacity to support efficient use of land and mixed-use developments which places housing convenient to employment, shopping services and related activities. Due to the unique characteristics of the general area and the desire to create an attractive environment, these regulations are intended to be flexible to maximize the benefits to the Town and will improve the human environment by encouraging public walkways, bike paths, shared off-street parking facilities and landscaped public space.
The land and buildings shall be used for the principle uses listed below. Uses that are not listed as permitted by right or by special exception shall not be permitted by variance.
In order to achieve the highest quality of design, the Commission created and adopted the Sandy Hook Design District Guidelines. The guidelines describe the elements of context, scale, site design and amenities that are necessary to achieve a cohesive district consistent with and which reflects the character of a New England Village. It is anticipated that all development within the district will be planned to help achieve the purpose and intent of the district. The Sandy Hook Design District Design Guidelines provide examples of specific design elements that have been found to be important and necessary for ensuring a cohesive and functional district. Proposals for development should incorporate the site design elements described in the guidelines into the project.
One or more of the following principal uses are permitted within a single structure in the SHDD subject to obtaining site development plan approval, if required, in accordance with Article X:
(a) 
Retail: Permanent sales shall be enclosed and no permanent outdoor storage of merchandise.
(b) 
Personal service establishments.
(c) 
Banks.
(d) 
Offices.
(e) 
Restaurants, including outside service but excluding drive-thru facilities and outside entertainment.
(f) 
Museums, galleries and meeting halls.
(g) 
Places of religious worship.
(h) 
Residential dwelling units within a commercial building and above any permitted commercial use. Density of the dwellings shall not exceed 50% of the gross floor area excluding the basement of the building. The individual dwellings units shall be a maximum of 1,200 square feet.
[Amended effective 2-5-2015]
(i) 
Single-family residence.
(j) 
Bed and breakfast.
(k) 
Publishing establishment.
(l) 
Veterinary hospital, for surgery and recovery only, and must be connected to public sewers.
(m) 
Adult day care or child day-care center.
[Amended effective 5-14-2012]
The following principal uses and structures are permitted in the SHDD subject to obtaining a special exception permit in accordance with the standards, criteria, conditions, and procedures set forth in Article XI:
(a) 
Two or more commercial buildings upon a lot containing one or more principal uses as listed in Section 595-6.05.300(a).
(b) 
(Reserved)
[Effective 6-21-1999]
(c) 
Residential dwellings and commercial uses within separate buildings and/or the density of the dwellings exceeds 50% of the gross floor area excluding the basement of all the buildings. The individual dwellings units shall be a maximum of 1,200 square feet.
[Amended effective 2-5-2015]
(d) 
Inn.
(e) 
Any building containing one or more principal uses which has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area.
(f) 
Laundromats and dry cleaners.
(g) 
One residential dwelling and one commercial building, on one lot.
[Added effective 6-18-2012]
(h) 
One residential dwelling and one apartment (maximum size 800 square feet) located in an existing detached building, assessed as an accessory building for seven years prior to application.
[Added effective 5-19-2016]
(i) 
Brew pubs and distilleries.
[Added effective 10-12-2017]
(j) 
Notwithstanding the limitations set forth hereinabove, existing residential dwellings and apartment buildings may be renovated and modified to include the construction of a new apartment building within a maximum lot area of 0.63 acres, containing not more than six, one-, two-bedroom units provided that the total density on the parcel shall not exceed nine residential units.
[Added effective 4-28-2003]
In addition to the accessory uses permitted in business zones pursuant to Article IV, Section 4, the following accessory use will be permitted so long as it remains clearly accessory to the principal use on the lot.
6.05.510 
A farmer's market on lots in off-street areas during weekend days and holidays during day-light hours. No permanent structures shall be permitted.
[Added effective 4-28-2003]
6.05.511 
A Festival conducted by nonprofit Town organizations and/or for-profit businesses in store front and off-street areas, with no permanent structures allowed. Said permit will not be issued until the applicant has made provision for adequate off-street parking as determined by the Zoning Enforcement Officer nor will such permit be issued until the approval of such Town Boards or Agencies as is required by other Town ordinances or regulations is obtained.
In determining the adequate number of parking spaces required, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may consider the greatest number of persons likely to arrive per car. Said parking spaces may be provided by the applicant on a lot off the lot on which the permitted activity is to be conducted provided that the owner thereof joins the applicant in applying for the special permit to use the premises in question for parking. Said permit shall be effective for a period of not more than 10 days.
[Added effective 4-16-2012]
Article VII Area, Height and Yard Requirements and all other applicable sections of these regulations apply, and in addition:
(a) 
All lots which are adjacent to a residential zone shall maintain a twenty-five-foot wide planted buffer along such boundary.
(b) 
Rear and side yard requirements and the buffer as required in Subsection (a) above and Article VII may be waived or modified by the Commission subject to the following conditions:
1. 
The overall design of the project is appropriate to the site and contributes to the improvement of Sandy Hook Design District.
2. 
The overall design of the project is consistent with the Sandy Hook Design District Guidelines.
3. 
The design will enhance or maximize public enjoyment of the property or such a modification will enhance traffic or pedestrian circulation patterns in the SHDD.
4. 
The waiver is considered to be consistent with the purpose and intent of the SHDD.
5. 
That a public accessway may be located within the buffer area provided a planted area of approximately 10 feet is maintained and/or an appropriate screen is installed along the boundary. Such public accessways shall be in the form of landscaped walks, esplanades, boardwalks or other suitable design to encourage active use by the public and shall be dedicated as such in the deed to the property.
Proposed sign regulations modifications in the Sandy Hook Design District temporary A-frames signs (effective 10-31-2011 through 10-31-2013.) Also extended to shopping centers as they are defined in the Town of Newtown Zoning Regulations.
[Amended effective 10-29-2012]
(a)
All temporary A-frame signs shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(b)
Signs shall not be illuminated.
(c)
For profit businesses are allowed signs only at the business location.
(d)
Signs must be a temporary nature. Signs cannot be permanently installed in the ground.
(e)
Signs must be self-supporting/portable. They cannot be attached to an immovable object such as a utility pole, etc.
(f)
Signs must be located on premises. Signs located either off site or in a public right of way are not eligible.
(g)
Signs must not interfere with pedestrian traffic or block sight lines for drivers.
(h)
Only one sign per tenant per property shall be permitted which may be displayed during business hours.
(i)
No per event/use permit required. SHOP will purchase a yearly permit for $100.
(j)
SHOP will limit the permitted uses of temporary signs to sales, promotions, or events.
(k)
SHOP will obtain uniform frames for consistent design and ease of conforming to existing sign standards.
(l)
SHOP will advise users as to the proper placement of signs, that they are displayed only during business hours, and that the current seven days per event and 45 days per grand opening time limits are acknowledged.
(m)
SHOP will police the signs, but violators will be handled by the ZEO.
The Sandy Hook Design District Design Guidelines and all applicable general provisions of the sign regulations, Article VIII, Sections 595-8.01.100 and 595-8.01.200, shall apply with the following exceptions:
(a)
Wall signs attached flush against or hanging perpendicular to the front building wall is permitted.
[Amended effective 5-14-2012]
(b)
A wall sign attached perpendicular to the front building wall shall be limited to a thirty-inch projection.
[Amended effective 5-14-2012]
(c)
Roadside signs as permitted in Section 595-8.01.522 may be located up to the street line, only if the sign does not obstruct motorists and pedestrian lines of sight.
[Added effective 5-14-2012]
(d)
All signs in the Sandy Hook Design District shall conform to those permitted by Section 595-8.01.600.
(e)
No sign shall advertise the availability of alcoholic beverages, by product name or otherwise, within 300 feet of the nearest property line of land occupied by any school or church.
Article VIII, Section 3, and all applicable sections of these regulations shall apply to the Sandy Hook Design District with the following exceptions:
(a) 
Parking shall be located to the rear or to the side of buildings which are along the street frontage so as to maintain the street wall and character of the SHDD.
(b) 
Parking may be located on a different lot from the principal use provided that the following criteria are met:
[Amended effective 3-4-2013]
1. 
That the off-site parking facility is within 300 feet of the building containing the use being served.
2. 
That a long term instrument acceptable to the Commission will ensure that the use of such off-site parking remains available to the user. Such instrument shall be filed on the land records.
(c) 
Wherever possible, vehicle access to parking lots should be shared with adjacent properties and shall utilize a minimum of curb cuts.
(d) 
All parking lots shall be arranged to promote orderly circulation of vehicles and pedestrians.
Article VIII, Supplemental Regulations, including, but not limited to, signs, access management, parking, landscaping, lighting and all other applicable sections of these regulations apply.