[Amended 5-8-2023 ATM by Art. 23; 5-8-2023 ATM by Art. 26]
The Town of Belchertown is hereby divided into the following classes of zoning districts:
AG-A | Primary Agricultural |
VR | Village Residential |
AG-B | Rural Residential |
LR | Lakes Residential |
MDR | Multiple-Dwelling Residential |
MHP | Mobile Home Park Residential |
B1 | Limited Business |
B2 | General Business |
I | Industrial |
AVA | Agricultural Value-Added |
The following overlay districts are hereby established:
WP | Wetland Protection |
FP | Floodplain |
AP | Aquifer Protection |
HVP | Historic Village Protection |
For the purposes of interpretation, it shall be assumed that:
A. Boundaries that appear to follow public and private ways, railroads or watercourses shall coincide with the center line thereof.
B. Where the boundary lines are shown upon the Zoning Map approximately on the location of property or lot lines and the exact location of property, lot or boundary lines is not indicated by means of dimensions shown in figures, then the property or lot lines shall be the boundary lines.
C. Boundary lines which appear to run parallel to the side lines of public and private ways shall be regarded as parallel to such side lines, with dimensions shown in figures placed upon the Zoning Map to specify the distance between the boundary line and such side lines, such distances being measured at right angles to such side lines, unless otherwise indicated.
D. Boundary lines dependent on contour lines shall be based on United States Geological Survey mean sea level datum.
Where a zoning district boundary line divides a lot or parcel of land of the same ownership of record at the time such line is established at adoption or amendment of this chapter, the regulations and provisions applicable to each of the different portions of said lot shall be those pertaining to the district in which each portion is located.
The Zoning Districts established in this article have the following intent and characteristics:
A. Residential.
(1) Village Residential (VR). These are neighborhoods located in the town's water and sewer service area and located on smaller lots.
(2) Agricultural-B (AG-B). These are neighborhoods which are characterized by their relatively quiet atmosphere and the exclusion of nonresidential use.
(3) Lakes Residential (LR). Historically a resort area of town, these neighborhoods surround the small lakes and are environmentally sensitive.
(4) Multiple-Dwelling Residential (MDR). These are areas which are suitable to meet the needs of more intensive residential use.
(5) Mobile Home Park Residential (MHP). These are areas best suited for mobile home parks.
B. Open.
(1) Agricultural-A (AG-A). These areas containing prime farm soils and/or active farm and forest operations are best suited to the land uses and activities common in the less developed areas of a rural town, particularly farm and farm-related uses.
C. Business.
(1) Limited Business (B-1). These are areas in which primarily retail and professional activities will be encouraged while large businesses and industrial-type developments will be restricted.
(2) General Business (B-2). These are areas suitable for concentrated commercial use and serve areas larger than the immediate neighborhood.
D. Industrial.
(2) Industrial (I). These are areas suited for manufacturing and other business uses which require large expanses of land, convenient access by truck rail and/or isolation from residential areas.