The Business Neighborhood Center District is intended to result in a vibrant diverse neighborhood that is integrated with and central to the whole community. Its
design is to provide aesthetic consistency with the surrounding neighborhoods while contributing to the community's economic vitality. It contains elements such as open space buffers, and lot dimensions that vary from those permitted in other districts as noted in Article
V of this chapter. It is to include current development technologies in the areas of energy efficiency, stormwater management, transportation and building
design and construction.
A. The purposes of the Business Neighborhood Center District are:
(1) To provide flexibility for developers seeking to provide a community environment of mixed uses that includes businesses, certain residential opportunities and civic amenities;
(2) To increase options for a vital mix of land uses;
(3) To provide expeditious construction permitting;
(4) To allow the relatively intensive use of land in an alternative pattern of development while maintaining existing character and by which the following benefits and objectives are likely to be attained, as described in Subsection
B.
B. Benefits and objectives of the Business Neighborhood Center District:
(1) Improved business, employment and residential opportunities in Belchertown.
(2) Economical and efficient street, utility and public facility installation, construction and maintenance through creative design.
(3) Provision of open and civic spaces.
(4) Efficient use of land in harmony with its natural features.
(5) A cohesive sense of community character achieved through mixed uses and design.
(6) Continuation of Belchertown's leadership in implementing improved energy and infrastructure technologies.
Lots and buildings in a Business Neighborhood Center shall meet dimensional standards that are appropriate to establish the desired form, mass, public space, and service needs of the sites, notwithstanding the requirements of Article
V of this chapter. Recommended standards to establish a
design basis are the following:
A. Minimum lot size: 20,000 square feet.
B. Minimum frontage: 100 feet.
C. Maximum lot coverage: 80%.
D. Minimum front setback*: 10 feet.
E. Minimum rear setback*: 20 feet.
F. Minimum side setback* : 15 feet.
G. Minimum lot width: 100 feet.
H. Maximum building height: 60 feet or three stories, with story defined in §
145-2.
Individual dimensional standards may be waived by the Planning Board upon the Planning Board's determination that lesser standards are consistent with the intent of this Business Neighborhood Center bylaw.
* Setbacks may be as low as zero feet if the Planning Board deems such to be appropriate.
Schedule of uses permitted by right within the Business Neighborhood Center District.
A. Retail stores, boutiques.
D. Financial, medical and other professional offices.
E. For-profit, non-profit or ancillary child care facilities.
F. Clinics and health care facilities.
H. Nursing home, elderly day care.
I. Continuing care retirement community.
L. Residential units ancillary to Subsections
G through
K.
O. Inns and small lodging houses.
Q. Hotels and conference centers.
S. Brew pubs, micro-brewery or smaller brewery.
T. Entertainment venues, bars, night clubs.
U. Theatre, concert hall, cinema, except outdoor cinema.
V. Indoor sport, fitness and recreation facilities.
W. Meeting hall, place of assembly, for-profit club.
DD. Parks and recreation facilities.
EE. Public parking area or garage.
FF. Private club, not for profit.
II. Veterinary office/hospital (small animal).
JJ. Laboratory, research facility.
KK. Scientific research, development and manufacturing.
LL. Light manufacturing, fabrication and assembly.
MM. Commercial food processing.
NN. Wholesale business - roofed.
A determination that any specific portion of this Article
XIV is invalid shall not render any other part thereof invalid.