Intent. The intent of the Age-Restricted Housing Overlay District is to permit a residential community designed for active fifty-five-year old and older individuals which contains independent living residential dwelling units, neighborhood commercial uses, nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, health spas, wellness centers, medical facilities, active and passive recreation open space, as well as a community center for social and cultural activities.

Regulations in District. The use, height and area regulations of Section 224-254 to Section 224-255 inclusive, and those regulations set forth elsewhere in this chapter, where applicable to these sections, and the general regulations of Article XVIII are the regulations in the Age-Restricted Housing Overlay District.

Age-restricted independent living dwelling units in multi-story, multi-unit buildings as principal structures.

Age-restricted independent living dwelling units in multi-story, multi-unit buildings with attached ground level parking garages and commercial uses as one principal structure.

Age-restricted independent living dwelling units in townhouse units.

Accessory uses and buildings. Accessory uses and buildings shall be uses and buildings customarily incidental to the principal uses listed as permitted. They shall include but not be limited to:

Minimum lot area: two acres.

Maximum impervious coverage: 80% with the inclusion of affordable housing; 60% without affordable housing.

Minimum front yard setback: 50 feet with the inclusion of affordable housing; 75 feet without affordable housing.

Minimum side yard setback: 35 feet, (70 feet window wall to window wall) with the inclusion of affordable housing; 50 feet (100 feet window wall to window wall) Side Yard without affordable housing.

Minimum rear yard setback: 50 feet, (60 feet window wall to window wall) with the inclusion of affordable housing; 75 feet (80 feet window wall to window wall) Side Yard without affordable housing.

Maximum building height: 65 feet or six stories with the inclusion of affordable housing; 55 feet stories without affordable housing.

Setback exceptions with the inclusion of affordable housing:

Setbacks adjoining railroad right of way exception - Setbacks may be reduced by the Planning Board at the time of Site Plan review to a minimum of 35 feet provided the building is a minimum of 125 feet from the centerline of the existing railroad tracks.

Setbacks adjoining State regulated wetlands exception - Setbacks may be reduced to a minimum of 20 feet from the side or rear property line by the Planning Board at the time of Site Plan review provided the property line adjoins a property with State regulated wetlands with a minimum 50 feet buffer and as a result no other development can be proposed on the adjoining lot.

Lot width: 200 feet minimum.

Buffer strip. Buffer Strip is required along all side and rear lot lines that adjoin an existing use. The purpose of this buffer is to screen the view of automobiles and parking areas, reduce noise and the glare of the automobile headlights. The buffer strip adjoining parking areas shall be at least 25 feet in width as measured from the property line and shall consist of any/or a combination of the following: existing trees and shrubs, and new landscaping. The preservation of natural vegetation as part of the buffer strip is encouraged. Additional plantings of trees and shrubs shall be required to insure an effective buffer. The buffer strip shall have sufficient materials to obscure any glare of automobile headlights year round. The maintenance of the buffer shall be the responsibility of the property owner. The Board may grant a reduction in the twenty-five-foot wide buffer strip provided the applicant can demonstrate to the Board and the Board's landscape architect that the reduced buffer can adequately satisfy the purpose described above.

Parking space perimeter setback. Parking space perimeter setback: 25 feet minimum from property lines.

Pedestrian and vehicle circulation. Pedestrian circulation and vehicle circulation: subject to Planning Board review.

Permitted density. The permitted by-right density shall not exceed 12 dwelling units per acre without the inclusion of affordable housing. With the inclusion of affordable housing, the permitted density is 35 dwelling units per acre for nursing facilities, assisted living facilities or independent living residential units. Independent living units are for fifty-five-year old or older individuals only and shall not exceed three bedrooms per unit. The intensity of the site is controlled by the site coverage, setbacks and building height requirements of this section. The inclusion of one affordable housing unit for each eight market rate units shall be provided or the developer may make a contribution in lieu of the construction of the affordable housing units.

Physical characteristics of buildings. A maximum length of 150 feet per freestanding building shall be permitted. The Planning Board may extend a maximum building length provided building facade includes offsets of at least 10 feet along with the inclusion of affordable housing.

Bedroom count. The applicant shall furnish as part of the project submittal data indicating the proposed mix of bedrooms of structures included within the development. Independent living units shall not exceed three bedrooms.

Space between buildings. No building shall be closer than 30 feet to any other building (windowless wall to windowless wall), 60 feet window wall to window wall.

Floor area of independent living residential units. A studio-efficiency type unit shall contain not less than 600 square feet; one-bedroom design, shall contain not less than 700 square feet; a unit with two bedrooms shall contain not less than 850 square feet and a unit with three bedrooms shall contain not less than 1,100 square feet.

Social and recreational facilities shall reflect, insofar as possible, preferences of the anticipated residents. Indoor facilities shall include hobby or craft facilities, lounging areas which may also be used for meetings and group activities, card rooms, lavatories and a swimming pool, or similar facilities. Outdoor facilities shall include walks, shuffleboard and horseshoe courts, or similar facilities.

The architectural design of all buildings and the site location and recreational facilities must be consistent with the ultimate purpose of achieving independent, self-reliant and pleasant living arrangements and shall take into account the desires and needs of active fifty-five year old and older persons for privacy, participating in social community activities and access to community activities. The architectural design as aforesaid shall be a matter of review by the Planning Board, and failure to comply or provide for the criteria as aforesaid without good and sufficient cause or without proposing acceptable alternatives may be a reason for denial. The use of natural materials, such as wood, brick or stone, is encouraged.

Laundry facilities, either located in individual units or in common areas, shall be provided for the use of residents.