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Canton City Zoning Code

PART 2

Canton Village Districts Form-Based Design Code

I I IntroductionII II DefinitionsIII III Residential (R) DistrictsIV IV Business and Industrial DistrictsV V Design DistrictsVI VI Other DistrictsVII VII Basic StandardsVIII VIII Special RegulationsIX IX ProceduresX X General ProvisionsXI XI AdministrationXII XII Regulating PlansXIII XIII Building Form StandardsXIV XIV Urban Space StandardsXV XV Architectural StandardsXVI XVI Parking and Loading StandardsXVII XVII Building FunctionXVIII XVIII Village District StandardsXIX XIX DefinitionsXX XX Appendix : Regulating Plans

§ 470-1001 Title.

This Code is known as the Canton Village Districts, Form-Based Design Code.

§ 470-1002 Intent.

A. 
The Town of Canton Plan of Conservation and Development 2014-2024 (adopted December, 2013) identifies Collinsville, the Canton Village District, Harts Corner, and the East Gateway as significant opportunities for protection and enhancement under a Village District designation per General Statutes of Connecticut (C.G.S.) § 8-2j. Village districts, as amended. This Code as amended is intended to meet the goals of the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) by providing strong implementation tools for these areas.
B. 
This Code is designed to foster a setting for economic growth and development in a sustainable mixed-use pattern of diverse neighborhoods, integrating residential with employment, commercial, and recreation uses while preserving the existing neighborhoods and protecting the community character.
C. 
This Code places greatest emphasis on the design, or physical form, over density and uses, as it is of greatest importance when creating the pedestrian-oriented places that attract jobs and economic vitality. Density and uses can be expected to change over time as the districts grow and mature.
D. 
This Code shall be applied to new, and infill development, and redevelopment in the Design Village Districts to achieve the vision set forth by the POCD and to provide a mechanism for implementing the following specific goals:
(1) 
Enable the development of a specific area in accordance with an overall master plan for such area;
(2) 
Result in a development which demonstrates a high regard for a design which is compatible with the historic, cultural, and geographic qualities of Canton;
(3) 
Foster development which is compatible with surrounding areas and which incorporates buffers or transition areas to reduce potentially negative impacts on single-family residential areas;
(4) 
Encourage a mixture of compatible uses and sizes of structures to create a sustainable and attractive environment for a wide variety of businesses and residences;
(5) 
Break up the apparent mass and scale of large structures, as well as large paved areas, to reduce visual impacts and ensure that such development does not detract from Canton's character, scale, and sense of place;
(6) 
Mitigate the impact of large-scale development on its surroundings;
(7) 
Promote and facilitate a safe and comfortable pedestrian scale environment;
(8) 
Be flexible, to allow for innovative design techniques, accommodate unique uses and encourage creative approaches to development issues; and
(9) 
Allow for an organized manner in which applications filed under C.G.S. § 8-30g and under Chapter 124b, § 8-13m-x may be processed.

§ 470-1003 Ordinances and agreements.

A. 
References to "Zoning Regulations" throughout this Code are made to Canton Zoning Regulations, Town of Canton, Connecticut, effective May 12, 2014 and any amendments. [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Part 1 of this chapter.
B. 
All development must comply with federal, state, and Town regulations. Whenever any provision of this Code imposes a greater requirement or a higher standard than is required in any state or federal statute or other Town ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this Code shall govern unless preempted by state or federal law.
C. 
Where conflicts exist between the provisions of this Code and other existing ordinances, regulations, or permits, or by easements, covenants, or agreements, the ZEO shall determine, based on the intent of this Code and the Town's vision, which provisions shall govern.

§ 470-1004 Minimum requirements.

The provisions of this Code are the minimum requirements.

§ 470-1005 Territorial application.

This Code is in effect for that chapter of the Town of Canton, Connecticut, designated on the Zoning Map as the Collinsville Design Village District (CDVD), Harts Corner Design Village District (HCDVD), Canton Village Design Village District (CVDVD), and the East Gateway Design Village District (EGDVD). The Design Village Districts are created as individually designated Village Districts per C.G.S. Title 8, Chapter 124 Zoning, § 8-2j.

§ 470-1006 Severability.

Should any provision of this Code be decided by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, that decision shall not affect the validity of this Code other than the part decided to be unconstitutional or invalid. In the event that a court rules that this Code is invalid in its entirety, the zone for any property located in a Design Village District shall be the district where it was located immediately prior to the enactment of this Code.

§ 470-1007 Components of this code.

A. 
The regulating plan.
(1) 
Article XII, Regulating Plans, is the application key for this Code. It provides a master plan of public space with specific information on development parameters for each parcel within the district.
Design Village Districts
(2) 
The Regulating Plan shows how each lot relates to the public realm or street-space (all streets, squares/civic greens, pedestrian pathways, etc.) and the surrounding neighborhood. The Regulating Plan may also identify additional requirements for lots in specific locations.
B. 
The building form standards.
(1) 
The primary intent of Article XIII, Building Form Standards (BFS), is to define the placement and massing controls on buildings as frames of the public space.
(2) 
The BFS establish basic parameters governing building form, including the buildable envelope (in three dimensions) and certain permitted and/or required elements. The applicable street frontage for a building site is determined by the BFS designated on the Regulating Plan.
C. 
The urban space standards.
(1) 
The purpose of Article XIV, Urban Space Standards, is to ensure coherent street-space and to assist builders and owners with understanding the relationship between the public space of the district and their own building. These standards set the parameters for the placement of street trees and other amenities or furnishings (e.g., benches, signs, streetlights, etc.) within the street-space.
(2) 
The Street Type Recommendations illustrate preferred typical configurations for streets within the districts. They recommend vehicular traffic lane widths, curb radii; sidewalk dimensions tree planting areas, and on-street parking configurations.
D. 
The architectural standards. The goal of Article XV, Architectural Standards, is a coherent and quality building character that reflects and is complementary to the best building traditions of Canton. The architectural standards govern a building's exterior elements (including sidewalks), regardless of its BFS, and set parameters for allowable materials, configurations, and techniques.
E. 
Parking and loading standards. Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards, provide goals and requirements to promote a "park once" environment through shared parking and encourage a pedestrian-friendly district.
F. 
Building functions. Article XVIII, Building Function, provides for the uses allowed on ground floors and in upper floors, correlated with each BFS. Because this Code emphasizes form more than use, it includes fewer, broader categories than those provided in the Canton Zoning Regulations.
G. 
Definitions. Article XIX, Definitions.

§ 470-1101 Applicability; intent.

This article, Article XI, Administration, sets forth the provisions for reviewing and approving applications for Village District certificate of completion (VDCC) and is intended to provide an incentive to property owners and developers to develop in a particular form. This Code is applicable to the Canton Design Village Districts as shown on the official Zoning Map and the Regulating Plans for each district. All elements of the Form-Based Code, the Regulating Plan, the building form standards, the urban space standards, and the architectural standards will be applied during review to ensure that all development occurring is consistent with the provisions of this Code.

§ 470-1102 Code administration.

A. 
Code administration. The Zoning Enforcement Officer is designated by the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), will be responsible for working on the day-to-day administration and enforcement of this Code, and is specifically authorized to review and approve applications for submittal approvals in accordance with § 470-1105, Design plan submittal and review process.
B. 
Delegation of administration. The PZC may designate any planning staff member to represent the ZEO in any function assigned by this Code. The ZEO remains responsible for any final action.
C. 
Delegation of administration. The ZEO, in accordance with § 470-1801B, shall delegate review of the application to the appropriate entity under that section. The ZEO may also refer such review to the PZC or Historic Commission as appropriate, to determine compliance with these regulations.

§ 470-1103 Authority.

A. 
Type I design plan. A Type I design plan, see § 470-1105, Design plan submittal and review process, shall be reviewed and approved by the ZEO in accordance with the procedures and standards of this section prior to issuance of a VDCC.
B. 
Type II design plan. The PZC, in consultation with ZEO, shall review and make a decision on an application for a Type II design plan in accordance with the procedures and standards of § 470-1105, Design plan submittal and review process.

§ 470-1104 Determination; applicability chart.

A. 
Determination.
(1) 
The ZEO will determine whether the project requires a VDCC based on the applicability chart in § 470-1104B.
B. 
Applicability chart.
Canton Design Village Districts Form-Based Code Applicability
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Plan Elements
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Section Elements
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1502C - Clearly visible from the street-space
Article XV, Architectural Standards: §§ 470-1503 to 470-1506
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1505 - Street walls
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1507, Signage and § 470-1508, Lighting and stormwater
Article XIV, Urban Space Standards: §§ 470-1404 to 470-1407
Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards
Article XVII, Building Function
Main, Main Storefront and Town Building Form Standards
New construction
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Any change in use (See § 470-1704B)
X
X
Change of use, or expansion of use in an existing structure over 15% of the building footprint (See §§ 470-1601A and 470-1704B)
X
X
Expansion of building area (cumulative)
0% to 10% expansion of building area - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)(1)(2)
10% to 30% expansion of building area - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations(1)(2)
X
X
X
X
30% to 50% expansion of building area - zoning permit required. Building form and architectural standard apply to new elements only3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - zoning permit required, building form and architectural standards apply to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements.3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Expansion of parking area only (not in conjunction with a use/building) (See § 470-1601A)
0% to 10% - submitted to ZEO for documentation
10% to 50% - items checked apply to additional spaces only(4)
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - items checked apply to all spaces/existing parking area and proposed(4)
X
X
X
X
X
Facade changes5 (percentage of cumulative change) per § 470-1302C
0% to 10% change in facade - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)
10% to 30% change in facade - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations
X
X
30% to 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements only
X
X
X
Greater than 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements, but do not require additional height being added to the elevation being modified
X
X
X
Canton Design Village Districts Form-Based Code Applicability
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Plan Elements
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Section Elements
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1502C - Clearly visible from the street-space
Article XV, Architectural Standards: §§ 470-1503 to 470-1506
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1505 - Street walls
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1507, Signage and § 470-1508, Lighting and stormwater
Article XIV, Urban Space Standards: §§ 470-1404 to 470-1407
Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards
Article XVII, Building Function
Main, Main Storefront and Town Building Form Standards
New construction
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Any change in use (See § 470-1704B)
X
X
Change of use, or expansion of use in an existing structure over 15% of the building footprint (See §§ 470-1601A and 470-1704B)
X
X
Expansion of building area (cumulative)
0% to 10% expansion of building area - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)(1)(2)
10% to 30% expansion of building area - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations(1)(2)
X
X
X
X
30% to 50% expansion of building area - zoning permit required. Building form and architectural standard apply to new elements only3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - zoning permit required, building form and architectural standards apply to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements.3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Expansion of parking area only (not in conjunction with a use/building) (See § 470-1601A)
0% to 10% - submitted to ZEO for documentation
10% to 50% - items checked apply to additional spaces only(4)
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - items checked apply to all spaces/existing parking area and proposed(4)
X
X
X
X
X
Facade changes5 (percentage of cumulative change) per § 470-1302C
0% to 10% change in facade - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)
10% to 30% change in facade - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations
X
X
30% to 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements only
X
X
X
Greater than 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements, but do not require additional height being added to the elevation being modified
X
X
X
Canton Design Village Districts Form-Based Code Applicability
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Plan Elements
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Section Elements
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1502C - Clearly visible from the street-space
Article XV, Architectural Standards: §§ 470-1503 to 470-1506
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1505 - Street walls
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1507, Signage and § 470-1508, Lighting and stormwater
Article XIV, Urban Space Standards: §§ 470-1404 to 470-1407
Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards
Article XVII, Building Function
Main, Main Storefront and Town Building Form Standards
New construction
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Any change in use (See § 470-1704B)
X
X
Change of use, or expansion of use in an existing structure over 15% of the building footprint (See §§ 470-1601A and 470-1704B)
X
X
Expansion of building area (cumulative)
0% to 10% expansion of building area - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)(1)(2)
10% to 30% expansion of building area - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations(1)(2)
X
X
X
X
30% to 50% expansion of building area - zoning permit required. Building form and architectural standard apply to new elements only3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - zoning permit required, building form and architectural standards apply to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements.3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Expansion of parking area only (not in conjunction with a use/building) (See § 470-1601A)
0% to 10% - submitted to ZEO for documentation
10% to 50% - items checked apply to additional spaces only(4)
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - items checked apply to all spaces/existing parking area and proposed(4)
X
X
X
X
X
Facade changes5 (percentage of cumulative change) per § 470-1302C
0% to 10% change in facade - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)
10% to 30% change in facade - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations
X
X
30% to 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements only
X
X
X
Greater than 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements, but do not require additional height being added to the elevation being modified
X
X
X
Canton Design Village Districts Form-Based Code Applicability
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Plan Elements
Article XIII, Building Form Standards: §§ 470-1303, 470-1304, and 470-1305 - Section Elements
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1502C - Clearly visible from the street-space
Article XV, Architectural Standards: §§ 470-1503 to 470-1506
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1505 - Street walls
Article XV, Architectural Standards: § 470-1507, Signage and § 470-1508, Lighting and stormwater
Article XIV, Urban Space Standards: §§ 470-1404 to 470-1407
Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards
Article XVII, Building Function
Main, Main Storefront and Town Building Form Standards
New construction
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Any change in use (See § 470-1704B)
X
X
Change of use, or expansion of use in an existing structure over 15% of the building footprint (See §§ 470-1601A and 470-1704B)
X
X
Expansion of building area (cumulative)
0% to 10% expansion of building area - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)(1)(2)
10% to 30% expansion of building area - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations(1)(2)
X
X
X
X
30% to 50% expansion of building area - zoning permit required. Building form and architectural standard apply to new elements only3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - zoning permit required, building form and architectural standards apply to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements.3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Expansion of parking area only (not in conjunction with a use/building) (See § 470-1601A)
0% to 10% - submitted to ZEO for documentation
10% to 50% - items checked apply to additional spaces only(4)
X
X
X
Greater than 50% - items checked apply to all spaces/existing parking area and proposed(4)
X
X
X
X
X
Facade changes5 (percentage of cumulative change) per § 470-1302C
0% to 10% change in facade - submitted to ZEO for documentation (percentage of cumulative change)
10% to 30% change in facade - zoning permit required per § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations
X
X
30% to 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements only
X
X
X
Greater than 50% change in facade - zoning permit required. Article XV, Architectural Standards, applies to new elements and requires retrofit of existing elements, but do not require additional height being added to the elevation being modified
X
X
X

§ 470-1105 Design plan submittal and review process.

A. 
Preapplication conference.
(1) 
Prior to submitting a formal application for a design plan, an applicant is strongly encouraged to schedule a preapplication conference with the ZEO to discuss the requirements of this Code.
(2) 
A request must be accompanied by an application form, preliminary project plans, and additional design information as identified in the checklist found in the Appendix 1 of Zoning.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 470APP, Article 1.
(3) 
The ZEO will determine whether the project requires a VDCC based on § 470-1104, inform the applicant of requirements as they apply to the proposed project, discuss issues of concern that may arise during formal application review, suggest possible modifications to the proposed application, and identify any technical studies that may be necessary for the review process when a formal application is submitted.
(4) 
The design plan type, and therefore the appropriate review process, will be determined at this meeting.
(5) 
Any discussion held is not to be binding on either the applicant or the Town.
(6) 
Modifications to structures within the Collinsville Historic District (CHD) must follow the requirements of this Code. The CHD Commission shall review the design plan application in accordance with the criteria established for exterior architectural features, as defined by Chapter 268, Article II, § 268-14 of the Canton Town Code that are visible from the street space, as defined by this Code.
B. 
Design plan types.
(1) 
Plan sketch for Canton Village Shops
Type I: Projects of building area in aggregate less than or equal to 10,000 total gross square feet and with individual story areas of less than or equal to 4,000 gross square feet shall be able to build as a matter of right when they meet all of the standards of this Code. During the review of the application, the ZEO will forward the application to appropriate Town departments and agencies for review and recommendation as necessary. A VDCC will be issued upon approval of the application by ZEO. Permits will not be issued for building activity until review is completed and a determination made that the proposal is consistent with this Code.
(2) 
Type II: This process will be required for building area over 10,000 gross square feet, or with individual story areas of over 4,000 gross square feet, or parcels large enough to require a new regulating plan, see § 470-1202. Rules for new regulating plans. A review before the PZC is required to address the project's compliance with this Code and to address issues that may not have been contemplated by this Code. Such sites will be required to meet the intent of this Code and will be evaluated in terms of how well they conform to this Code. A VDCC will be issued upon approval of the application by the PZC. Permits will not be issued for building activity until review is completed and a determination made that the proposal is consistent with this Code.
(3) 
Design adjustments. Unless otherwise specified, applications seeking to modify any of the following standards of this Code may request to do so as a Type II design plan.
(a) 
Any increases in maximums as defined by the Regulating Plan and applicable BFS or changes in use up to 15%; or
(b) 
Decreases in required minimum standards as defined by the Regulating Plan and applicable BFS up to 15%; or
(c) 
Increases in building area, building heights, or build-to line variations or applications seeking to deviate from the standards found in Article XII, Regulating Plans and Article XIII, Building Form Standards, up to 15%.
C. 
Application.
(1) 
After the preapplication conference, a design plan application shall be submitted in accordance with Zoning Regulations § 470-901, Site plan application and § 470-909A, Application submittal:
(a) 
For any activity designated in the regulations as requiring a VDCC;
(b) 
For any construction, development, or expansion of a multiple dwelling unit or nonresidential use; or
(c) 
For any demolition or expansion over 50% of the existing building area of a single-family dwelling; or
(d) 
For any site modifications, such as parking, pedestrian or vehicle circulation, public utilities or landscaping in any Design Village District, unless determined to be a minor modification per Zoning Regulations § 470-901A(13).
(2) 
The ZEO may, in accordance with the requirements of these regulations, require the submission of additional information as deemed necessary to make a reasonable review of the application.
(3) 
If a site plan application involves an activity regulated pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 22a-36 to 22a-45, inclusive, the applicant shall submit an application for a permit to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency not later than the day such application is filed with the ZEO.
(4) 
Anything not covered under this section, including but not limited to demolition, minor modifications (§ 470-901A(2) of the Zoning Regulations) and other similar changes will be processed as a zoning permit under Zoning Regulations § 470-908B.
D. 
Type I design plan review criteria.
(1) 
The determination of design plan type will be in accordance with § 470-1105B.
(2) 
The ZEO shall review all applications in accordance with the following:
(a) 
Compliance with this Code;
(b) 
The Canton Design Village Districts Regulating Plans;
(c) 
Review by the CHD Commission as required by § 470-1105A(6);
(d) 
Potential Dowd Avenue Improvements
POCD: Whether the proposed use or activity is in accordance with or facilitates achievement of one or more of the goals, objectives, policies, and recommendations of the POCD, as amended;
(e) 
Compliance with General Zoning, inclusive of but not limited the standards of Article VII, except as modified by this Code.
[1] 
Special permits identified under General Zoning, not otherwise modified by this code, are required.
[2] 
Design district applications under Article V of General Zoning may be submitted within the Design Village Districts regulated by this Code.
[3] 
This Code does not regulate properties located within the Industrial Heritage District.
(f) 
Purposes of regulations. The proposed use or activity is consistent with the purposes of Zoning Regulations and intent of the comprehensive plan of this Code;
(g) 
The Village District Standards of Article XVIII;
(h) 
Adequate utilities and services.
[1] 
The provisions for water supply, sewage disposal, and stormwater drainage shall conform to accepted engineering practices, comply with all standards of the appropriate regulatory authority, and not unduly burden the capacity of such facilities.
[2] 
The proposed use or activity shall provide ready accessibility for fire apparatus and police protection, and be laid out and equipped to further the provision of emergency services.
(3) 
On an application involving an activity regulated pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 22a-36 to 22a-45, inclusive, the ZEO shall:
(a) 
Wait to render a decision until the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency has submitted a report with its final decision; and
(b) 
Consideration any report of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency when making its decision.
(4) 
On an application involving notice to adjoining municipalities under Zoning Regulations § 470-909H or notice to water companies under Zoning Regulations § 470-909J, the ZEO shall consider in association with any such notice, any report or testimony received.
E. 
Type II design plan review criteria.
(1) 
The determination of design plan type will be in accordance with § 470-1105B.
(2) 
All Type I design plan review criteria (see § 470-1105D), shall apply to a Type II design plan in addition to the following standards:
(a) 
The application shall depict the proposed development in a manner sufficient to allow the PZC to make a determination regarding its compatibility with surrounding uses;
(b) 
All improvements must be suitable and appropriate to the neighboring properties and the development of the Design Village District.
(3) 
Review and decision by the PZC.
(a) 
The Commission shall consider, review, and act on a Type II application in accordance with the provisions of Article IX of the Zoning Regulations.
F. 
Conditions of approval. In approving a design plan, the ZEO or the PZC may impose such conditions regarding the location, character, and other features of the proposed design plan as may be deemed necessary to ensure compliance with this Code and to prevent or minimize adverse effects from the proposed design plan. Conditions, where imposed, shall be included as part of the approval.
G. 
Action by the reviewing body.
(1) 
The ZEO or the PZC, by a majority vote of a quorum present, as applicable, shall review the application in accordance with this § 470-1105, and take one of the following actions:
(a) 
Approval of the application as submitted; or
(b) 
Approval of the application with conditions; or
(c) 
Denial of the application.
H. 
Design district compliance certificate.
(1) 
A VDDC shall be issued upon compliance with the provisions of this Code.
(2) 
Issuance of a VDCC allows an applicant to apply for permits and approvals, including but not limited to those permits required by the building code.
(3) 
Following approval and prior to the issuance of building permits, applicants must comply with the requirements of Zoning Regulations § 470-901F and G.

§ 470-1106 Petitions and appeals.

A. 
Petitions.
(1) 
A decision of the ZEO may be submitted in accordance with § 470-905 of the Zoning Regulations.
B. 
Appeals. An applicant may appeal a decision of the PZC on an application for a Type II design plan to the Superior Court and, upon certification for review, to the Appellate Court in the manner provided in C.G.S. Chapter 124 Zoning, § 8-8.

§ 470-1107 Modifications to approved design plans.

A. 
Modifications to approved design plans may be requested by submitting a letter of request and supplemental documents detailing the change and the reason for the modifications for the ZEO.
B. 
The ZEO has the authority to request a meeting with the applicant or refer the application to the PZC for additional review.
C. 
The ZEO has the authority to grant modifications to design plans approved under this Code, via written approval, in accordance with the procedures and standards that governed its original approval.

§ 470-1108 Text amendment.

Any written amendment or change to this Code will be a text amendment that must follow the procedure set forth in Zoning Regulations § 470-903, Regulation amendment application.

§ 470-1109 Map amendment.

Any amendment or change to the Regulating Plan will be a Zoning Map amendment of this Code that must follow the procedure set forth in Zoning Regulations § 470-904, Zone Map change application.

§ 470-1110 Subdivision.

Where subdivision of parcels is desired, without the submission of a design plan as specified in § 470-1202, Rules for new regulating plans, approval of the Subdivision must occur in accordance with Subdivision Regulations of the Town of Canton Connecticut, including amendments through December 7, 2009, as may be amended.
*
Shall follow zoning permit time lines
**
Shall follow site plan time lines
Illustration of Submittal and Review Process, see text for details.

§ 470-1201 Regulating plans.

A. 
Purpose and intent.
(1) 
A regulating plan is the controlling document and principal tool for implementing this Code.
(2) 
The Regulating Plan makes the development standards place-specific, by allocating the BFS; the boundaries for the district; new and existing streets; the build-to line (BTL) and parking setback line (PSL); the recommended street type; and delineating the public spaces.
(3) 
The EGDVD Regulating Plan and the HCDVD Regulating Plan show a build-to zone between the BTL and PSL. Parking may occur in front of the building only in this zone and the building face may occur anywhere in this zone but no further back than the BTL.
(4) 
A regulating plan may identify specific characteristics assigned to a lot or building site and may identify additional regulations (and opportunities) for lots in specific locations.
(5) 
As identified on the Regulating Plans, "existing buildings to be protected" are structures which should be rehabilitated and reused. They represent historic buildings (either national, state, or local) including those not currently in a historic district and structures of local cultural significance or contributing influence.
B. 
Regulating plan/key.
Key
Design District Boundary
Main Storefront Building Form Standard
Existing Buildings to be Protected
Main Building Form Standard
Civic Building
Town Building Form Standard
Existing Lot (property) Line
Detached Building Form Standard
Build-To Line (BTL)
Open Space
Parking Setback Line (PSL)
Collinsville Detached Business

§ 470-1202 Build-to line.

A. 
The BTL represents a forty-eight-inch-deep zone rather than a precise vertical plane.
B. 
In the event that a designated BTL on an approved regulating plan is within an existing travel way, the ZEO and the property owner shall make best efforts to resolve such conflict in order that the development may occur and meet the goals and objectives of the Canton Design Village District Form-Based Code.
C. 
In the event that a designated BTL on an approved regulating plan cannot be achieved and no vehicular access from the fronting street-space is possible due to topography or other constraint, then a planted buffer shall occur on the BTL for a depth of 25 feet. See Zoning Regulations § 470-701D Buffer Yard B for planting requirements. See "build-to line effective" and "primary street facade;" Article XIX, Definitions.
D. 
Any other necessary, not design, adjustments to a designated BTL on an approved regulating plan should follow the procedures of § 470-1105, Design plan submittal and review process.
E. 
When a BTL requirement conflicts with a landscaping requirement under § 470-701D or E of Zoning the BTL shall govern provided full limits of the BTL zone have been expended.

§ 470-1203 Sample regulating plan and information.

For illustrative purposes only, refer to the Town for Regulating Plan information. Reduced regulating plans are available in the appendix, and full size available at the Land Use Office, and on the Town website.
Illustrations: Multiple redevelopment possibilities.
Illustrative redevelopment possibility.
Illustrative redevelopment possibility.

§ 470-1204 Rules for new regulating plans.

A. 
Regulating plans.
(1) 
Within the Design Village Districts, subdivision of parcels larger than five acres must follow these regulations, to generate a detailed regulating plan, and the Subdivision Regulations of the Town of Canton where:
(a) 
It contains at least five acres;
(b) 
It complies in all respects with this Code and Canton Zoning Regulations;
(c) 
Each lot shall have a water supply system approved by the Farmington Valley Health District, Connecticut Water Company or other regulatory authority acceptable to the Commission; and
(d) 
Each lot shall have a sewage disposal system approved by the Farmington Valley Health District or plan review approval by the Canton Water Pollution Control Authority.
B. 
Building form standards.
(1) 
General.
(a) 
When creating a regulating plan, the following standards apply.
(b) 
In determining the allocation, and thereby the form and mixed-use character of the district, attention must be paid to both the physical context (what goes next to what) and diversity of allowed/required uses.
(2) 
Consistency of application.
(a) 
Consistent BFS (of a similar intensity) shall face across streets.
(b) 
When separated by an alley (or common access easement), or when fronting different streets (i.e. a corner lot and its adjacent lot), any BFS may sit adjacent to one another.
(c) 
When separated by a civic space or park, BFS shall be no more than one-story in height variation (e.g. two-story and three-story is acceptable but not one-story to three-story).
C. 
Urban standards.
(1) 
Streets.
(a) 
Where new streets (not in existence at the time of the adoption of the Regulating Plan) are shown on the Regulating Plan with an asterisk (*), they shall be considered optional and at the discretion of the property owner(s). Where new streets are designated on the Regulating Plan without an asterisk, they are critical to the working of the larger community and shall be considered mandatory. While the street infrastructure may not be constructed until some point in the future, the BTL, and other regulations of the Regulating Plan shall be respected.
(b) 
New streets shall be designated and designed in accordance with the street type recommendations in Article XIV, Urban Space Standards.
(c) 
New streets shall be public or common access easements.
(d) 
Street types are configured such that in-lane bicycle travel is encouraged and appropriate unless dedicated bike lanes are shown on the Regulating Plan or in the Urban Space Standards.
(e) 
Within neighborhoods, intersections configured as roundabouts are discouraged. They are encouraged at the edges of and between neighborhoods, where their ability to break up and distribute traffic flow is most appropriate and least disruptive to pedestrian comfort.
(f) 
No street-space shall be gated.
(g) 
All lots shall share a frontage line with a street-space.
(h) 
Connectivity of the street grid and intersection alignment throughout is established and regulated by the Regulating Plan and street recommendations shown in Article XIV, Urban Space Standards.
(i) 
Streets that do not connect to other streets, as part of an interconnected network, are not permitted except as below:
[1] 
Where streets are configured with a one-way loop around the perimeter of a central green area, having a maximum depth (perpendicular to the primary street center line) of 75 feet and a minimum width (dimension parallel to the primary street) of 75 feet;
[2] 
Where streets are less than 120 feet long (measured from the street intersection center line) and configured as a stub-out designed for connection to future streets/development;
[3] 
Where streets are less than 120 feet long (measured from the intersection center lines) and connected to alleys or common drives giving rear lot access, and ending at designated conservation lands.
[4] 
Additional streets may be added to the Regulating Plan to create a smaller block pattern.
(2) 
Blocks.
(a) 
No block face shall have a length greater than 300 feet without an alley, common access easement, or pedestrian pathway providing through access to another street-space, alley or common access easement, or conservation restricted land. Individual lots with less than 100 feet of frontage are exempt from the requirement to interrupt the block face; those with over 200 feet of frontage shall meet the requirement within their lot, unless already satisfied within that block face. (See § 470-1503.)
(b) 
Unless otherwise specified on the Regulating Plan, no curb cuts are permitted within 50 feet of another curb cut, intersection, or driveway. Driveways into or from alleys are not restricted by this measure.
(3) 
Alleys.
(a) 
New alleys may be public or private, but public access must be dedicated via a common access easement.
(b) 
Alleys may be incorporated into (rear) parking lots as standard drive aisles. Access to all properties adjacent to the alley shall be maintained. Access between parking lots across property lines is required, see Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards.

§ 470-1301 Purpose and intent.

A. 
Goals.
(1) 
The goal of the BFS is the creation of a consistent public realm through the creation of coherent street-space. The form and function controls on buildings work together while allowing the buildings more flexibility in use.
(2) 
The Regulating Plan identifies the BFS for all parcels within the Design Village Districts.
(3) 
The BFS set the basic parameters governing the building form for development and redevelopment on private lots, unless otherwise indicated on the Regulating Plan, as well as certain required functional elements such as fenestration (windows and doors) and street walls, or permitted elements such as stoops, balconies, or front porches.

§ 470-1302 General provisions.

A. 
Building height.
(1) 
The height of all buildings is measured in stories, with a maximum limit in feet, measured from the average finished grade of the edge of street pavement directly in front of the building to the locations shown in Zoning Regulations § 470-202, Defined terms, "building height" and "story-related terms," unless otherwise designated. The height of all interior buildings shall be measured using Article II of the Zoning Regulations.
(2) 
Dormers are permitted and do not constitute a story (for height measurement purposes) so long as: they do not break the primary eave line, are individually less than 15 feet wide, and are collectively not more than 60% of their BTL facade length.
(3) 
If an individual story exceeds the maximum story clear height (floor to ceiling), it shall be counted against another story, and no individual building height may exceed the specified maximum height (except to allow places of assembly).
(4) 
The prescribed minimum story clear height shall be met by at least 80% of the story's floor area.
(5) 
Mezzanines that have a floor area greater than 40% of the ground story's floor area shall count as an additional full story in the story height measurement.
(6) 
Any portion of a parking structure within 30 feet of a building constructed per this Code shall not exceed that building's primary roof ridge or parapet height.
(7) 
Exception to the maximum allowed height may be allowed by the Commission as a Type II application under § 470-401D(5) of the Zoning Regulations.
B. 
Siting.
(1) 
Buildable area.
(a) 
Buildings must be located within the designated buildable area per the BFS.
(b) 
The private, interior portions of the lots (toward the alley or rear lot lines) are much less controlled to allow commercial operators to utilize these spaces as efficient working environments unseen by the public and allow residents to have private (semi-private for apartment and condominium dwellings) gardens and courtyards.
(c) 
No portion of any building shall be located outside of the buildable area except overhanging eaves, awnings, storefronts, bay windows, stoops, steps, balconies, or handicapped ramps approved by the ZEO. See Zoning Regulations § 470-202, Table 2.1 - Coverage and Yard Setback Applicability.
(d) 
On lots designated Main or Town BFS adjacent to the boundary of Design Village District and adjacent to existing single-family homes, a planted buffer must be provided along the common lot line in accordance with Zoning Regulations § 470-701.
(2) 
Corner lots.
(a) 
Corner lots shall satisfy the BTL requirements for their full/all street frontages, unless otherwise shown on the Regulating Plan.
(b) 
The building facade must occupy the BTL at a block corner for 20 feet minimum in both directions.
(3) 
Street walls (see also Article XV, Architectural Standards).
(a) 
A street wall, two feet minimum and six feet maximum height, shall be required along any BTL frontage that is not otherwise occupied by a building, private drive, or common access easement. The street wall shall be located not more than 12 inches behind the BTL.
(4) 
Garage and parking (see also Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards).
(a) 
The PSL, shown on the Regulating Plan, extends vertically from the ground floor as a plane to the minimum building height specified per BFS. Vehicle parking shall be located behind the PSL, except where parking is provided below grade or above the minimum required story height.
(b) 
Driveways shall be located at least 50 feet away from any block corner or another garage entry on the same block face. These requirements are not applicable along alleys or common access easements.
(5) 
Transitions.
(a) 
On a lot with more than one BFS across the BTL, the property owner has the option, of applying either BFS for a maximum additional distance of 20 feet, in either direction along that BTL.
(b) 
Existing structures located on a lot with more than one BFS across the BTL may use the building use for either BFS designated on the Regulating Plan for the existing structure only.
(c) 
Where any main BFS is adjacent to an existing single-family detached residential lot, any structures shall have a maximum height of 30 feet for a minimum of twenty-foot depth.
(d) 
Where any main BFS abuts an existing single-family residential lot, a street wall or privacy fence up to six feet in height shall be constructed within 12 inches of the common lot line.
(6) 
For proposed interior buildings on a lot with more than one BFS, the interior building shall utilize the BFS applied to the frontage building. If more than one frontage building exists utilizing different BFS, the owner has the option of applying either, provided should the frontage building be improved or replaced the BFS used for the interior building shall be used for the frontage building.
C. 
Facades.
(1) 
Facade changes (increases/decreases/change in fenestration, projections, awnings, per area of facade wall associated with the storefront being modified). If changes are proposed to a facade wall not related to storefront modifications, the percentage changes shall apply to the area of the facade wall. (See Figures 1 and 2.)
(2) 
Changes to existing facades are regulated in accordance with the percentage area changes identified in § 470-1104B.
(3) 
Facade changes greater than 50% require the retrofit of existing architectural elements, but do not require additional height being added to the elevation being modified.
(4) 
Retrofit of existing facades. Retrofit of existing elements within a multitenant/multibuilding complex, including facade walls that are shared by more than one store front must meet the design intent of this code, while maintaining design continuity to the extent practical with the site and architectural motif of the building being modified, in accordance with § 470-1801A and B.
Figure 1-1 Storefront, 1 Facade Wall
Figure 2 - Multiple Storefronts, with Shared Facade Wall

§ 470-1303 Main frontage.

[Amended 9-10-2024]
A. 
Three stories of flexible uses and optional attic story.
Collinsville and Canton Village Design Village Districts.
(1) 
Character for Collinsville and Canton Village Design Village Districts.
(a) 
The Main Building Form Standard is the basic urban street frontage, once common across the United States. The uses are not specific, ranging from commercial to residential, retail to municipal - and combinations of all of the above. The primary form is that of a multistory building placed directly at the sidewalk, with windows across the facade. There could be several buildings lined up shoulder to shoulder, filling out a block, or on smaller blocks, a single building might fill the frontage line.
Good corner building with entrances on both streets.
Three-story commercial
(upper floor residential possible).
For Illustrative Purposes
1.
Commercial or residential use.
7.
Street trees and street lighting in continuous tree lawn or tree grates
2.
Ground floor commercial use - required under main storefront and optional under main BFS
8.
Optional awnings.
3.
Storefront, where required, with larger windows.
9.
Build-to line tight to sidewalk providing limited dooryard
4.
Minimum two story.
10.
Required minimum fenestration; must have windows and doors facing street.
5.
Street wall where buildings do not abut
6.
Rear alley access preferable for parking and loading (service access).
(2) 
BFS for Collinsville and Canton Village (no storefront required) Design Village Districts.
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Property Line
Buildable Area
Private Open Space
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Residential Use
Residential OR Business Use
Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Build-to line
15 feet from curb or edge of paving
(Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
(To top of wall plate)
4 stories/60 feet maximum (Canton)
3 stories/36 feet maximum (Collinsville)
B.
Parking setback line
30 feet behind BTL
K.
Facade height minimum
(To top of wall plate)
2 stories/24 feet minimum
C.
Rear setback
10 feet minimum - Collinsville
20 feet minimum - Canton
L.
Finished ground floor level
Business:
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum
D.
Lot width
40 feet - Collinsville
20 feet - Canton Village
Residential:
at grade minimum/4 feet maximum
M.
Finished floor story clear height
E.
Lot depth
75 feet - Collinsville
100 feet - Canton Village
Business:
12 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
Residential:
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
F.
Side setback
N/A
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
10% of buildable area
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
Private outdoor leisure and recreation area
25 square feet per bedroom
H.
Primary street facade
80% minimum
P.
Clear walkway width
5 feet minimum
Interior buildings are allowed, provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings in Canton Village may be increase by one story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design application
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.
B. 
East Gateway Design Village District.
(1) 
Character for East Gateway Design Village District.
(a) 
The Main Building Form Standard has different examples for the east and west ends of Albany Turnpike. The East Gateway has a character precedent of simple or more modern forms of traditional Connecticut buildings.
East Gateway Design Village District character example
East Gateway Design Village District character example
East Gateway Design Village District character example
(2) 
BFS for East Gateway Design Village District.
[Amended 6-21-2023]
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
KEY
Build-to Line
Build-to Zone
see § 470-1201A(3)
Parking Setback Line
Property Line
Buildable Area
Private Open Space
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Business Use
Business Use
Residential Or Business use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Parking setback line
15 feet from property line (Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
4 stories/60 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Build-to-zone
75 feet depth from property line
C.
Rear setback
20 feet minimum
K.
Facade height minimum
2 stories/24 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
D.
Lot width
70 feet minimum/200 feet maximum
E.
Lot depth
175 feet minimum
L.
Finished ground floor level
F.
Side setback
N/A
Business:
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum*
G.
Private open space
10% of buildable area
M.
Finished floor story clear height
Private outdoor leisure and recreation area
25 square feet per bedroom
H.
Primary street facade
50% minimum
Business:
12 feet minimum/24 feet maximum
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
P.
Clear walkway width
5 feet minimum
*
In the East Gateway, building exteriors must represent a two-story construction from a minimum of three sides. This may be accomplished through the provision of unoccupied/unfinished interior space, facade elements, and other architectural treatments in provided the regards to the upper story, provided the upper story requirements and corresponding facade height is met for 75% of the structure on average. In a connected row of multiple storefronts along a shared block face, the upper story requirement must be met by a minimum of 75% of the connected facades.
**
8'0" min for Residential
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings may be increased by one story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design application.
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.

§ 470-1304 Town frontage.

[Amended 9-10-2024]
A. 
Character descriptions.
(1) 
The Town Building Form Standard is of moderate intensity, often created by a series of smaller attached structures, most commonly single-family residential, but potentially also stacked flats, service commercial, or live-work arrangements. This standard has regular entrances and the character and intensity of this frontage varies (as designated on the Regulating Plan) with the siting/location of the build-to line - the buildings may be placed at the rear of the sidewalk with stoops, or may be arranged with front porches and small dooryards. Similarly, the tree lawns may be found uncovered and continuous or partially covered in the street-space, depending on the street type.
Duplex (2 attached houses) type divided into four apartments
Attached single-family cottages
Architecturally detailed townhouses to articulate the row
Conventional Colonial-style rowhouses
Duplex (2-family) with appearance of single-family detached
For Illustrative Purposes
1.
Residential use
9.
Street trees and street lighting in continuous tree lawn or tree grates
2.
Optional ground floor commercial use
10.
Build-to line behind sidewalk providing dooryard and front yard
3.
Narrow dimension facing primary street
11.
Small multifamily building (rental apartments or for sale condominiums)
4.
Raised finished floor level for ground floor residential use
12.
Individual single-family attached (fee simple townhouses)
5.
Optional stoop or porch
13.
Required minimum fenestration; must have windows and doors facing street
6.
Minimum two story
7.
Street wall where buildings do not abut
8.
Rear alley access preferable for parking and loading (service access)
(2) 
Town BFS for East Gateway, Canton Village, and Harts Corner Design Village Districts.
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Property Line
Buildable Area
Private Open Space
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Residential Use
Residential OR Business Use
Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Build-to line*
30 feet from curb or edge of paving (Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
3 stories/48 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Parking setback line
30 feet behind BTL except along accessways
C.
Rear setback
25 feet minimum
K.
Facade height minimum
2 stories/24 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
D.
Lot width
20 feet minimum
E.
Lot depth
100 feet minimum
L.
Finished ground floor level
F.
Side setback
0 feet minimum/10 feet maximum (both sides)
5 feet maximum (one side)
Business:
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum
Residential:
at grade minimum/4 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
20% of buildable area
M.
Finished floor story clear height
Private outdoor leisure and recreation area
25 square feet per bedroom
H.
Primary street facade
33% minimum
Business:
12 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
I.
Continuous primary street facade frontage (may include multiple facades)
120 feet maximum
Residential:
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
P.
Clear walkway width
5 feet minimum
NOTE:
*
PL becomes the BTL when the measured BTL is in ROW.
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings may be increased by one additional story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design plan application.
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.

§ 470-1305 Detached frontage.

[Amended 9-10-2024]
A. 
Character for Collinsville and Canton Village Districts.
(1) 
The detached frontage standard is represented by the traditional single-family house with small front, side and rear yards along a tree-lined street. Structures are typically two to 2 1/2 stories in height with pitched roofs and front porches.
Simple, yet well detailed, wood siding
Possible home occupation uses
Small lot (close together) single-family homes
One-story bungalow with local stone
Possible home occupation uses
For Illustrative Purposes
1.
Residential use
8.
On-street parking
2.
Optional business use (Harts Corner/Canton Village)
9.
Street trees and street lighting in continuous tree lawn
3.
Wider dimension facing street
10.
Build-to line set back providing front yard
4.
Optional stoop or porch
11.
Required fenestration; must have windows and doors facing street
5.
Minimum 1 1/2 story
6.
Private open space
7.
Preferable rear alley access preferable for off-street parking
(2) 
BFS for Collinsville and Canton Village Design Village Districts.
[Amended 9-26-2022]
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Property Line
Buildable Area
Private Open Space
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Residential Use or Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Build-to-line
15 feet from property line
(Refer to Regulating Plan)
J.
Facade height maximum
2 1/2 stories/26 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Parking setback line
30 feet behind BTL
K.
Facade height minimum
1 1/2 stories/18 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
C.
Rear setback
25 feet minimum
D.
Lot width*
40 feet minimum
L.
Finished ground floor level
2 feet minimum/4 feet maximum
E.
Lot depth*
100 feet minimum
M.
Finished floor story clear height
F.
Side setback
5 feet minimum
Collinsville:
9 feet minimum 12 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
25% of buildable area
Canton Village:
9 feet minimum/14 feet maximum
Private outdoor leisure and recreation area
25 square feet per bedroom
H.
Optional porch width
33% minimum of facade
N.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/12 feet maximum
I.
Primary street facade
33% minimum
O.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
P.
Optional front porch
6 feet minimum depth
Q.
Accessory building
2 stories maximum/20 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
NOTE:
*
Lot area: 5,000 square feet minimum
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings in Canton Village may be increased by one additional story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design plan application
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.
B. 
Character for Harts Corner Design Village Districts.
(1) 
The Detached Building Form Standard has different examples for the east and west ends of Albany Turnpike. Unlike the typical detached buildings in the other Design Village Districts with residential uses, Harts Corner and East Gateway are permitted to be commercial and have parking fronting the street-space in the build-to zone.
East Gateway Design Village District character example
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
East Gateway Design Village District character example
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
Harts Corner Design Village District character example
(2) 
BFS for Harts Corner Design Village Districts.
PLAN ELEMENTS
SECTION ELEMENTS
KEY
Build-to Line
Build-to Zone
see § 470-1201A(3)
Parking Setback Line
Property Line
Buildable Area
Private Open Space
KEY
Build-to Line
Parking Setback Line
Residential OR Business Use
Business Use
DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS
A.
Parking Setback Line
15 feet from property line
(Refer to Regulating Plan
I.
Facade height maximum
2 1/2 stories/36 feet maximum
To top of wall plate
B.
Build-to zone
75 feet depth
J.
Facade height minimum
1 1/2 stories/18 feet minimum
To top of wall plate
C.
Rear setback
20 feet minimum
D.
Lot width
70 feet minimum/200 feet maximum
K.
Finished ground floor level
at grade minimum/18 inches maximum
E.
Lot depth
175 feet minimum
L.
Finished floor story clear height
9 feet minimum/18 feet maximum
F.
Side setback
10 feet minimum
M.
Upper story clear height
9 feet minimum/14 feet maximum
G.
Private open space
10% of buildable area
N.
Optional attic height
8 feet minimum
Private outdoor leisure and recreation area
25 square feet per bedroom
H.
Primary street facade
50% minimum
O.
Optional front porch
6 feet minimum depth
Interior buildings are allowed provided all section and plan elements are met (excluding build-to line). The maximum number of stories of interior buildings may be increased one story (15 feet) as part of a Type II design application
Accessory buildings are allowed not greater than 25% of the floor area of the principle building.

§ 470-1401 Applicability.

A. 
Street-space.
(1) 
The Urban Space Standards apply to the development of street-space as well as the reconstruction of existing streets and other public (and publicly accessible) spaces.
(2) 
The Urban Space Standards establish the rules and standards for the street-space or public realm (especially streets and sidewalks).

§ 470-1402 Intent.

A. 
Urban space and walkability.
(1) 
Although commonly thought of as just squares, greens, plazas or parks, the urban space includes the complete street-space. The street-space is the public domain between the building facades: the travel lanes between the curbs as well as the sidewalks.
(2) 
The coherent definition of the street-space should be ensured via the Regulating Plan and Building Form Standards to assist residents, building owners, and managers with understanding the relationship between the street-space and their own lots.
(3) 
Walkable Main Street in Collinsville
These are streets - not highways, arterials, or collectors and must be developed as such to create pedestrian-oriented places. "Walkable" streets that are comfortable, efficient, safe, and interesting.
(4) 
Streets must balance the needs of all forms of traffic - auto, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian to maximize mobility and convenience for all Town residents and visitors. The character will vary depending on their location: some streets will carry a large volume of traffic while others provide a more active and intense urban pedestrian experience.
(5) 
Streets should contribute to environmental sustainability. Native trees and plants contribute to privacy, the reduction of noise and air pollution, shade, maintenance of the natural habitat, conservation of water, and rainwater management.
(6) 
Property frontages and facades are part of the public realm, literally forming the walls of the public street-space and are therefore subject to more regulation than the other portions of the private property.

§ 470-1403 Street type recommendations.

A. 
Principles.
(1) 
Overall function, comfort, safety and aesthetics of a street are more important than efficiency alone. To design solely for continuous free-flowing traffic creates situations where vehicles will travel at speeds greater than desirable for pedestrians.
(2) 
Street design should take into consideration what is reasonably foreseeable, not every situation that is conceivably possible. Designing a street to facilitate (rather than accommodate) infrequent users may actually be the wrong design for the frequent users of the space.
(3) 
With appropriate design techniques, drivers will choose slower speeds and less aggressive behavior, not typically achieved through speed limit signage/postings alone. For example, on-street parking slows traffic and acts as a buffer between moving vehicles and pedestrians.
(4) 
An interconnected street network allows traffic capacity to be diffused and maintained across numerous streets.
(5) 
Emergency vehicle access must be maintained, but with an interconnected street network, there will always be at least two routes of access to any lot or parcel.
(6) 
In a pedestrian-oriented area, nonvehicular traffic should be provided with every practical advantage so long as safety is not adversely affected.
(7) 
When the street design creates a conflict between the vehicular and nonvehicular user, it should be resolved in favor of the nonvehicular user unless public safety will be truly jeopardized by the resolution.
B. 
Street types.
(1) 
As existing streets are modified and upgraded, these are the recommended types and configurations within the Design Village Districts:
(a) 
Albany Turnpike/Rt. 44/202.
(b) 
Bridge Street at River Street.
(c) 
Bridge Street at Main Street.
(2) 
New streets added to the existing street network or within new developments should be similar in character to the existing streets and these recommended street sections.
Maple Avenue provides a good example for residential streets.
(a) 
Albany Turnpike/Route 44.
[1] 
Existing conditions.
[2] 
Recommended street section.
(b) 
Bridge Street at River Street.
[1] 
Existing conditions.
[2] 
Recommended street section.
(c) 
Bridge Street at Main Street.
[1] 
Existing conditions.
[2] 
Recommended street section.

§ 470-1404 Streetscape standards.

A. 
General provisions.
(1) 
In addition to the lot, the owner is encouraged to maintain the following areas:
(a) 
The portion of the street-space between their lot line and the back of the curb.
(b) 
The portion of an alley or common access easement between the lot line and the edge of pavement.
(2) 
Mechanical and electrical equipment, including, but not limited to, air compressors, pumps, exterior water heaters, rain barrels, private garbage cans (not including public sidewalk waste bins), and storage tanks may not be stored or located within any street-space. (Not visible water pumps are not included in this prohibition. Temporary placement of private garbage cans within the street-space may be allowed to accommodate scheduled pick-up.)
B. 
Street trees.
(1) 
Each street-space must have street trees planted as shown in the Street Type Recommendations - generally three to 3 1/2 feet from the back of the curb at an average spacing not greater than 30 feet on center (calculated per block face). Where necessary, spacing allowances may be made to accommodate curb cuts, fire hydrants, and other infrastructure elements; however, at no location shall street tree spacing exceed 45 feet on center.
(2) 
At an intersection, street trees must be set back from the perpendicular curb a minimum of 30 feet to maintain vehicular sight lines.
(3) 
Required tree planting area minimum specifications are as follows:
(a) 
Soil surface area shall not be less than 50 square feet per isolated tree or 30 square feet per tree for connected tree lawn situations.
(b) 
No dimension of the soil surface area may be less than five feet.
(c) 
These requirements may be met through the use of bridged slab, structural soil, or other techniques that clearly exceed these standards in the fostering of vital and long-lived street trees.
(4) 
Street tree planting areas shall be at grade or not greater than six inches in height above or below the sidewalk.
(5) 
Street trees must be "limbed up" as they gain appropriate maturity so as to not interfere with pedestrian or truck travel (minimum eight feet clear over the sidewalk and 14 feet over the travel lanes of the street) and to maintain visibility.
(6) 
At planting, street trees shall be at least 2.5 inches in diameter at breast height and at least 10 feet in overall height. Species must be selected from the street tree list (see § 470-1407, Tree lists). Consult with the ZEO for the designated tree species for a particular street-space.
(7) 
Any unpaved ground area shall be planted with ground cover or flowering vegetation not to exceed 12 inches in height.
C. 
Streetscape elements.
(1) 
Streetlights shall be installed on both sides of streets and, unless otherwise designated on the Regulating Plan, at intervals of not more than 80 feet, measured parallel to the street.
(2) 
Streetlights shall be between nine and 15 feet aboveground in height.
(3) 
At the time of development, the developer is encouraged to install streetlights and sidewalks, as illustrated in the street type recommendations and coordinated with the Town, on the side of the street-space being developed.
(4) 
Sidewalks not otherwise designated in the Regulating Plan or Street Type Recommendations shall be a minimum of five feet wide and be constructed to meet all Town, state, and federal specifications.
(5) 
Street furnishings such as trash cans and benches, should be designed into the site plan, not added as an afterthought, and be simple, functional, and durable. Street furnishings may be located in the dooryard area or in alignment with the street trees except in the situation of a continuous tree lawn.
(6) 
On-street bicycle parking shall be provided forward of the dooryard area, preferably in alignment with the street trees except in the situation of a continuous tree lawn. See Zoning Regulations § 470-709D, Bicycle parking design standards.
(7) 
Streets shall be designed to provide safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access. See Zoning Regulations § 470-709, Bicycle, pedestrian, and emergency accommodations.

§ 470-1405 Civic spaces.

A. 
Intent.
(1) 
These standards apply upon development of or redesign/reconfiguration of those open spaces that are either publicly owned or publicly accessible, as designated on the Regulating Plan. This section does not apply to private open space within the buildable area on a lot.
(2) 
Civic spaces, such as greens and plazas, should be situated at prominent locations within each neighborhood and should be dedicated to important events or citizens. The green plants and trees of civic spaces should provide a landscape that complements the surrounding private building architecture.
(3) 
Pervious paving materials (to allow oxygen for tree roots and absorb stormwater run-off) are encouraged in all civic spaces, and the percentage of impervious paving material is limited. (See § 470-1405C, Materials and configurations.)
B. 
Standards.
(1) 
Civic spaces shall have at least 60% of their perimeter fronting rights-of-way and shall be surrounded by street trees. Their dimensions shall be no narrower than a 1:5 ratio and no space width or breadth dimension shall be less than 25 feet.
(2) 
A clear view through the civic space (from two to eight feet in height) is required for visibility and safety.
(3) 
Civic spaces may not include active recreation structures such as ball fields and courts.
C. 
Materials and configurations.
(1) 
The ground surface level elevation should be between zero and 18 inches above the top of the adjacent curb.
(2) 
The maximum slope across any civic space may not exceed 10%.
(3) 
Asphalt is prohibited within a civic space.
(4) 
Surface treatment and materials (excluding any civic use building, public art, or monument footprint) shall be a minimum 50% unpaved pervious surface area.
(5) 
Pedestrian pathways shall be a common access easement or public right-of-way. The easement width for these pathways must not be less than 10 feet with a paved walkway not less than six feet wide and must provide an unobstructed view straight through its entire length, except where otherwise specified on the Regulating Plan.

§ 470-1406 Private open space.

Canton Village Green civic space surrounded by street trees.
At least one tree per 800 square feet of any at-grade required private open space shall be planted in the rear lot area and located no closer than five feet to any common lot line.

§ 470-1407 Street tree list.

The following list contains all approved tree species for use in a design village district. The list includes native and acceptable adapted species. Other species may be used for planting within a private lot. Invasive exotic species may not be used in any location.
Street Trees
Acer buergerianum
Trident Maple
Acer campestre
Hedge Maple
Aesculus octandra (flava)
Yellow Buckeye
Aesculus x carnea
Red Horsechestnut
Betula nigra
River Birch
Celtis occidentalis
Common Hackberry
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Katsura Tree
Corylus colurna
Turkish Filbert
Crataegus 'x lavallei,' 'x mordenensis Toba,' 'phaenopyrum,' ' viridis Winter King'
Hawthorn varietals
Fraxinus americana 'Autumn Purple'
White Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Blue Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Marshall's Seedless', 'Newport', 'Patmore', 'Summit', 'Urbanite'
Green Ash varietals
Ginkgo biloba, 'Fastigiata,' 'Sentry'
Ginkgo, varietals (male only)
Liquidambar styracifolia
Sweetgum
Platanus acerifolia 'Bloodgood'
London Plane tree
Quercus coccinea
Scarlet Oak
Quercus palustris
Pin Oak
Quercus phellos
Willow Oak
Quercus rubra
Red Oak
Quercus robur, 'Concordia,' 'Fastigiata'
English Oak, varietals
Quercus x shumardii
Shumard Oak
Sophora japonica 'Fastigiata'
Fastigiate Scholar Tree
Tilia Americana 'Redmond'
Redmond American Linden
Tilia cordata, 'Chancellor', 'Glenleven', 'Greenspire'
Littleleaf Linden, varietals
Tilia tomentosa
Silver Linden
Tilia x euchlora
Crimean Linden
Ulmus 'Homestead,' 'Pioneer,' 'Urban Elm'
Elm varietals
Ulmus parvifolia
Lacebark Elm
Zelkova serrata, 'Halka,' 'Village Green'
Zelkova, varietals
From http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/homegrnd/htms/32ctttree.htm

§ 470-1501 Intent.

A. 
Town-type (narrow facade) in siding
Character.
(1) 
These architectural standards are intended to preserve the character of Canton as permitted by C.G.S. Title 8, Chapter 124 Zoning, § 8-2j. Village districts which states in part, "(b) The regulations establishing village districts shall protect the distinctive character, landscape and historic structures within such districts and may regulate, on and after the effective date of such regulations, new construction, substantial reconstruction and rehabilitation of properties within such districts and in view from public roadways. . ."
(2) 
Brick Main-type building
The architectural standards serve to establish a coherent character and encourage a high caliber, lasting quality of development that reflect and complement the traditional materials and techniques of the Canton region and Connecticut. Buildings shall be reviewed by the ZEO to verify that they meet the architectural standards (as well as the balance of this Code).
(3) 
In order to establish and maintain a sense of place, these standards specify an architectural aesthetic of load-bearing walls and all building materials shall express their specific properties. For example, stronger and heavier materials (masonry) support lighter materials (wood).

§ 470-1502 General principles.

A. 
Rustic or farm-style in Harts Corner
Intent.
(1) 
Architectural style is restricted to particular historical periods that work within each district - must be determined by the design architect to represent a defined style of the area."
(2) 
Consistency with overall character of the subject district shall apply to all applications and the architectural standards."
(3) 
Historic Greek Revival style
Each Design Village District has variations on architectural character - see building form standards - but the materials and proportions appropriate to the region, as outlined in this article, will be similar.
(4) 
Commercial "franchise," "logo," or "brand name" prototype architecture is strongly discouraged.
(5) 
Buildings, lot elements, fenestration, and other architectural elements shall be designed to be appropriate for the character of each design village district (at a human scale, to have good proportions and relationships within the composition of the entire building), and to relate to the size of other buildings in the surrounding area.
B. 
Equivalent or better.
(1) 
While the materials, techniques, and product types prescribed here are allowed by-right, equivalent or better practices and products are encouraged. Substitutions or alternate materials, techniques, and products may be submitted to the ZEO for review.
(2) 
Additional products may be added to the list through § 470-1108, Text amendment to this Code or may be allowed on a case by case basis through a departure from a design standard approved in accordance with § 470-1105.
C. 
Clearly visible from the street-space.
(1) 
These standards apply in conditions where clearly visible from the street-space. These controls therefore concentrate on the views from the public space and minimize interference in the public realm.

§ 470-1503 Building walls.

A. 
Intent. Building walls fronting on or generally facing a street define the public realm - the street-space. All walls shall express the construction techniques and structural constraints of traditional, long-lasting, building materials. Simple configurations and solid craftsmanship are favored over complexity and ostentation in building form and the articulation of details, creates in the view an appreciation, evokes an emotion, and are applicable where clearly visible from the street-space.
Wood clapboard (horizontal) siding
Brick
Primary material of wood clapboard siding with secondary material cedar shingles
Stone
B. 
Implementation.
(1) 
Glass curtainwall system
Primary materials. The following materials are permitted for 75% to 100% of the building wall surface area - per facade:
(a) 
Clay brick or synthetic equivalent and tile masonry.
(b) 
Natural stone (or synthetic equivalent).
(c) 
Wood - clapboard or shingles (or equivalent)
(d) 
Fiber cement siding (such as Hardie-PlankTM) equivalent or better siding.
(e) 
Glass curtainwall systems (only permitted in the EGDVD).
(f) 
Vertical metal siding (only permitted in HCDVD).
(g) 
Composite siding (such as BoralTM equivalent or better).
(h) 
Vinyl shingles on cellular or PVC clapboard.
(2) 
Split-face concrete block
Secondary materials. The following materials are permitted for a maximum 10% of building wall surface area - per facade:
(a) 
Pre-cast masonry (for trim and cornice elements only).
(b) 
Gypsum reinforced fiber concrete (GFRC - for trim elements only).
(c) 
Metal (for beams, lintels, trim elements and ornamentation only).
(d) 
Molded urethane foam (such as FyponTM) equivalent or better (for trim elements and ornamentation only).
(e) 
Split-faced block (only for piers, foundation walls and chimneys).
(f) 
Glass block (only permitted in the EGDVD).
(g) 
EFIS.
(h) 
PVC trim.
(i) 
Vertical siding permitted as a secondary treatment.
(3) 
Projections.
(a) 
Stoop
Only porches (between eight feet and 10 feet deep with a width not less than 1/3rd of the facade), overhanging eaves, awnings, storefronts, bay windows, stoops (not more than five feet deep and eight feet wide not including steps), steps, balconies, or handicapped ramps approved by the ZEO may project beyond the BTL.
(b) 
Awnings shall maintain a clear height of at least eight feet.
(c) 
Awnings may have supporting columns/posts at their outer edge provided that a minimum of eight feet clear width is maintained between columns, there is a minimum of 24 inches between the columns/posts and the back of curb, and a clear walkway of five feet minimum occurs adjacent and parallel to the awning columns/posts. A minimum eight feet clear height is required.
(d) 
Balconies and stoops shall not project within five feet of a common lot line.
(e) 
Covered sidewalks or arcades shall have a minimum clear height of nine feet (signage or lighting permitted to nine feet clear) and a minimum clear width from BTL to inside column face of 10 feet. The area shall include a minimum five feet of clear walkway.
(f) 
All improvements must comply with the American with Disabilities Act.
(4) 
Configurations and techniques. The following configurations and techniques are permitted.
(a) 
Walls.
[1] 
Building walls visible from the street have windows and doors per § 470-1506.
[2] 
Fenestration and wall openings shall not span vertically more than one story.
[3] 
Fenestration shall correspond to interior space and may not span across building structure, such as the ceiling to floor above thickness required for structure and mechanical systems.
[4] 
Material changes shall be made with construction details typical for each abutting material - as where an addition (of a different material) is built onto the original building.
(b) 
Wood siding and wood simulation materials.
[1] 
Siding shall be in a lap (horizontal or shingle) configuration. East Gateway and Harts Corner Design Village Districts may use vertical siding.
[2] 
Siding shall be smooth or rough-sawn finish.
(c) 
Brick, block, and stone.
[1] 
All masonry shall be detailed in load-bearing configurations - lighter weight material on top e.g., wood siding over masonry base.
[2] 
Please refer to § 475-1204C(2), Blocks.
(d) 
Finish coat siding shall be in a lap same as wood.
Lap wood siding
Loading-bearing configuration
Projecting awnings
Glass block in transom of storefront

§ 470-1504 Roofs and parapets.

A. 
Dormer in asphalt shingle roof
Intent. Roofs and parapets shall demonstrate recognition of the climate by utilizing appropriate pitch, drainage, and materials in order to provide visual coherence to the district and are applicable where clearly visible from the street-space.
(1) 
The roof type is integral to the design of the building and its architectural character.
(2) 
The roof design shall help maintain the balance, setbacks and visual lines of the street-space.
(3) 
Roof types, excluding flat roofs, shall have overhanging eves such as gabled or hipped roofs.
(4) 
Parapets are low guarding walls at the edge of roofs (usually flat) and are formed by extensions of the building facades.
(5) 
Cornices are crowning (trim) projections on a parapet wall. While this Code requires certain horizontal dimensions, these elements shall be designed for the architectural style of the building and proportionate for the dimensions of the facade.
Eaves - projecting from the gable end of the building form - with decorative trim
Projecting cornice at parapet
Standing seam material with snow guards
B. 
Implementation.
(1) 
Materials. Only the following materials are permitted:
(a) 
Clay or concrete (faux clay).
(b) 
Tile (beavertail or flat roman).
(c) 
Slate (or equivalent synthetic or better).
(d) 
Metal (standing seam shingles, equivalent or better).
(e) 
Cedar shingles.
(f) 
Membrane materials meeting state building code for flat roofs.
(g) 
Asphalt shingles in the slate architectural or shale style.
(h) 
Cornices and soffits may be a combination of wood, vinyl, and/or metal.
(i) 
Gutters and Downspouts may be wood, PVC, vinyl, and/or metal.
(2) 
Configurations and techniques.
(a) 
Parapet roofs are allowed on main, main storefront, and Town BFS where the roof material is not visible from any adjacent street-space.
(b) 
Pitched roofs (exclusive of roofs behind parapet walls) are allowed on all building form standards:
[1] 
Simple hip, gable roofs, and dog house dormers, shall be symmetrically pitched between 5:12 and 18:12.
[2] 
Shed roofs, attached to the main structure, shall be pitched between 3:12 and 8:12.
[3] 
Dog house dormers pitched in-between.
(3) 
Overhang requirements.
(a) 
Eaves shall overhang six to 30 inches on the primary structure.
(b) 
Eaves and rakes on accessory buildings, dormers, other similar structures and accessory features may, but are not required to, overhang between zero to 12 inches.
(c) 
Timber eaves and balcony brackets shall be a minimum of four inches by four inches in dimension.
(4) 
Cornices and other features.
(a) 
Buildings without visible roof surfaces and overhanging eaves shall satisfy the overhang requirement with a cornice or similar form projecting from the top of the building wall horizontally between six and 12 inches beyond the building walls on the primary structure.
(b) 
Skylights and roof vents are permitted only on the roof plane opposite the street-space (or BTL), when perpendicular to the street-space or when shielded from street-space view by the building's parapet wall.

§ 470-1505 Street walls.

A. 
Intent.
(1) 
The public space in part is physically defined by buildings, walls, embankments, or fences. Land should be clearly public or private - in public view and under surveillance or private and protected.
(2) 
Street walls establish a clear edge to the street-space where there are no buildings. These requirements include masonry walls, wooden fences, or planted hedges that define outdoor spaces and separate the street- space from the private realm (e.g., parking lots, trash cans, gardens, and equipment). All street walls shall be as carefully designed as the building facade, with the finished side out (i.e., the "better" side facing the street-space).
(3) 
Planted landscape screening shall be equally effective throughout the year.
B. 
Wood fence
Implementation.
(1) 
Materials. The following materials are permitted:
(a) 
Native/regional stone and equivalent imitation stone.
(b) 
Metal (wrought iron, welded steel and/or electro-statically plated black aluminum) - may be used for gates.
(c) 
Metal work may additionally be treated to imitate a copper patina (aged green finish).
(d) 
Stone all with iron railing
Brick.
(e) 
Stucco on concrete block or poured concrete (only when a brick or stone coping on top of the wall is provided).
(f) 
A combination of materials (e.g. stone piers with brick infill panels).
(g) 
Wood (picket fence, no split rails).
(h) 
Hedges.
(i) 
Continuous row of densely planted shrubs.
(j) 
Composite or cellular PVC.
(2) 
Configurations and techniques.
(a) 
Street walls along any unbuilt BTL, or forward line (PSL) of a build-to zone, shall be built to the height and length specified in the building form standards, § 470-1302C(3).
(b) 
Copings shall project between one and four inches from the face of the street wall. Street walls taller than four feet shall be subject to the fenestration requirements of § 470-1506B.
Hedges and dense plantings
Planted embankment and grade change

§ 470-1506 Windows and doors.

A. 
Main entrance door with sidelights and a covered stoop
Intent. The placement, type, and size of windows and doors on the facade largely establish the scale and vitality of the street-space. The types and numbers of windows (divided by multiple panes of glass) and doors that define the facade and maintain a design and spacing of the fenestration along the street-space appropriate for the character description of the district. For commercial buildings, windows and doors allow interplay between the shop interiors and the street-space. Restaurants and retail establishments benefit from exposure to the passers-by and the street-space benefits from the visual activity. For residences, windows form the "eyes on the street" surveillance, which provides for the security and safety for the area.
B. 
Implementation.
(1) 
Minimum fenestration requirement:
(a) 
Store front: 50% to 90%.
(b) 
Ground floor: 35% to 70%.
(c) 
Upper story: 20% to 70% (not required for existing facade walls in the East Gateway greater than 24 feet in height, measured to the bottom of the roof soffit or equivalent feature where no roof soffit exists).
(2) 
Materials.
(a) 
Window frames shall be of metal, wood, clad wood, vinyl, steel or fiberglass.
(b) 
Window glass shall be clear, with light transmission at least 72%.
(c) 
Untinted Low-E coatings are permitted.
(d) 
Nontransparent specialty windows, such as round or oval or hexagonal, limited to one per facade, may utilize stained or opalescent glass or other material approved by the ZEO.
(e) 
Window screen frames shall match the window frame material, or be dark in color (anodized or painted).
(f) 
Doors shall be of wood, clad wood or metal and may include glass panes or fiberglass.
(g) 
Shutter materials shall be painted wood, clad wood, composite or cellular PVC.
Storefront
12-over-12 divided lights
(3) 
Configurations and techniques.
(a) 
All windows.
[1] 
The horizontal dimension of the pane shall not exceed the vertical dimension except where otherwise prescribed in this Code (no more squat than square), excluding transom and auxiliary windows.
[2] 
Windows may be ganged horizontally if each grouping (maximum five per group) is separated by a mullion, column, pier or wall section that is at least four inches wide.
[3] 
No ground floor window may face or direct views toward a common lot line within 10 feet unless:
[a] 
That view is contained within the lot (e.g., by a privacy fence/street wall); or
[b] 
The sill is at least six feet above the finished floor level.
[4] 
Double-hung with storm windows
Bay windows shall not project more than 36 inches beyond the BTL; must have a five-foot clear walkway; shall have a minimum interior clear width at the facade of four feet; walls and windows shall be between 90° (perpendicular) and 0° (parallel) relative to the primary building wall from which they project.
[5] 
Exterior shutters, if applied, shall be sized the full height and 1/2 the width of the window opening and mounted at the edge of the window opening, over the trim if it exists, even if inoperable.
[6] 
§ 470-1506B(3)(a)[6]
Windows with multiple panes shall represent divided lites or simulated true, profited or grill in between the glass. Removable muntins or grills are allowed.
(b) 
Upper-story windows.
[1] 
Windows shall be double-hung, single-hung, awning, or casement windows.
[2] 
Fixed windows are permitted only as a component of a system including operable windows within a single wall opening. Per § 470-1303, in the East Gateway, upper story windows are not required to be operable if the upper story is accomplished through the provision of unoccupied/unfinished interior space, facade elements, and other architectural features allowed in that district.
[3] 
Residential buildings/floors: panes of glass no larger than 36 inches vertical by 30 inches horizontal.
[4] 
The maximum pane size for office uses is 48 inches vertical by 42 inches horizontal.
[5] 
Egress windows shall be installed according to the appropriate building code.
[6] 
§ 470-1506B(3)(b)[6]
On the BTL side of the roof-pitch, attic stories may have windows only via dormers and windows in gable-ends.
(c) 
Storefront windows.
[1] 
Single panes of glass shall not be permitted larger than eight feet in height.
[2] 
Ground story windows shall not be made opaque by window treatments (excepting operable sunscreen devices within the conditioned space). (See § 470-1507, Signage.)
[3] 
A minimum of 75% of the window surface shall allow a view into the building.
[4] 
Storefronts may extend up to 24 inches beyond the facade or BTL into the street-space.
(d) 
Doors.
[1] 
At least one functioning entry door shall be provided along each ground story facade at intervals not greater than 60 feet, and must be utilized as an entrance. (This requirement shall be satisfied for large footprint uses, such as groceries and street front parking garages, through the use of liner shops.)
[2] 
Double-height entryways (those that span more than one story) shall not be permitted.
[3] 
A door shall not be recessed more than three feet behind its facade or storefront and, in any case, shall have a clear view and path to a 45° angle past the perpendicular from each side of the door.
§ 470-1506B(3)(c)[3]
§ 470-1506B(3)(d)[3]
§ 470-1506B(3)(c)[1]

§ 470-1507 Signage.

A. 
Pedestrian-scaled street lamps
Intent.
(1) 
Appropriate lighting is desirable for nighttime visibility, crime deterrence, and decoration. However, lighting that is too bright or intense creates glare, hinders night vision, and creates light pollution. Every attempt should be made to preserve the ambiance of the night by applying the appropriate fixtures in the correct locations - street lights are pedestrian - scaled and should occur along all streets but "cobra-head" highway fixtures should only occur at intersections if absolutely necessary. All materials and equipment chosen for lighting fixtures should be durable to age well without demanding maintenance requirements.
(2) 
Mechanical equipment is generally any Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) or electrical machinery but also includes air compressors, hoods, mechanical pumps, exterior water heaters, water softeners, utility and telephone company transformers, meters or boxes, garbage cans, storage tanks, and similar elements. These elements shall not be located in any public visible areas or be visible from the public street. Mechanical equipment should not detract or interfere with the pedestrian space or block the sight triangle.
(3) 
The illustrations below are examples of mechanical equipment arrangements that are only acceptable away from and/or not visible from a street-space (e.g. within an alley or hidden from view).
No highway fixtures (except Route 44)
No electrical equipment on front facade
No unscreened dumpsters
B. 
Implementation.
(1) 
Stormwater management.
(a) 
See Zoning Regulations § 470-713, Stormwater management.
(2) 
Lighting.
(a) 
See Zoning Regulations § 470-704, Outdoor lighting.
(b) 
Lighting standards should be developed to meet the minimum standards of the Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), with the design criteria giving equal weight to the lighting of the pedestrian areas and the automobile areas.
(c) 
Streetlights shall be located and specified per § 470-1404C, Streetscape elements.
(d) 
When mounted to the front of the building, exterior lights shall be located between six feet and 15 feet above the adjacent grade.
(e) 
Lighting elements shall be specified to include LED, metal halide, or halogen elements with a spectrum of light in the daylight range. Low-pressure sodium lamps are prohibited. High-intensity discharge (HID) or fluorescent lights (excepting compact fluorescent bulbs that screw into standard sockets) shall not be used on the exterior of buildings. These standards may be updated as technologies advance and produce additional equivalent or better elements.
(f) 
Floodlights or directional lights (maximum 100-watt bulbs) may be used to illuminate alleys, common access easements, parking garages and working (maintenance) areas, but shall be fully shielded.
(g) 
Lighting for parking garages shall consider general crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) intent and guidelines.
(h) 
Flood or uplighting may not be used to illuminate private building walls. Accent lighting may be permitted on civic use buildings, historic or locally significant buildings, or monuments to highlight architectural features (such as church steeples or courthouse domes).
(i) 
Site lighting shall be of a design similar to and a height no taller than the streetlights and be located so as to illuminate only the lot - shielded or aimed in such a way that they do not shine into other lots or the street-space. An exterior lighting plan may be required and be approved as consistent with these standards by the ZEO.
(j) 
See also § 470-1507, Signage.
(3) 
Mechanical equipment.
(a) 
The following shall be placed behind and away from any BTL, may not be stored or located within any street-space, and shall be screened from view from the street-space: air compressors, mechanical pumps, exterior water heaters, water softeners, utility and telephone company transformers, meters or boxes, garbage cans, storage tanks, and similar equipment.
(b) 
Roof-mounted equipment shall be placed behind and away from any BTL and be screened from view from the street-space.
(4) 
Solar energy equipment.
(a) 
Location. Solar energy equipment may be located on the roof of a principal structure or an accessory structure, on the side of such structures, on a pole, or on the ground, subject to the building form standards.
(b) 
Height: The system shall comply with the maximum height standards for the design village district in which it is located, provided that a roof-mounted system shall not extend more than five feet above the roofline of the structure on which it is mounted.
(c) 
Nonconforming structure-height. Where an existing structure exceeds the applicable height limit, a solar energy collection system may be located on its roof irrespective of applicable height standards, provided the system extends no more than five feet above the roof surface.
(d) 
Area. The area of the system shall not exceed 1/2 the footprint of the principal structure or 600 square feet, whichever is greater.
(e) 
The property owner shall be responsible for negotiating with other landowners in the vicinity to establish any solar easement designed to protect solar access for the solar energy collection system.
Rain garden for stormwater infiltration

§ 470-1601 Required parking spaces.

A. 
Space requirements.
(1) 
Parking requirements shall be determined from § 470-702 of the Zoning Regulations.
(2) 
Increases or decreases in accordance with § 470-1604A(3) shall be processed as a Type II application. A public hearing shall be required for modifications under § 470-1604A(3).
(3) 
Area of the Collinsville Business District Overlay is excluded from these requirements.
B. 
Shared parking. Shared parking shall be allowed in conformance with Zoning Regulations § 470-702 of Zoning, Parking Standards, notwithstanding § 470-702C(6). When shared parking is provided it shall comply with the following:
(1) 
Shared parking shall be designated on the approved plan and may be field designated by signage and pavement markings for public use.
(2) 
A minimum of 1/4 parking space per residential unit shall be provided as shared parking. There are no maximum limits on shared parking.
(3) 
A minimum of 1 1/4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of the required nonresidential gross floor area shall be provided as shared parking. There are no set maximum limits on shared parking.
(4) 
New on-street parking spaces created in conjunction with the development, which did not previously exist, may be counted toward the minimum requirement for shared parking.
(5) 
Any limitations on the shared parking (time limits or hours of the day) shall be subject to approval by the ZEO which shall be given upon a finding that at least 12 hours of public parking are provided in any twenty-four-hour period. At least eight of those hours shall be provided during either business or nighttime hours depending on whether the ZEO determines that the primary public use will be for commercial or residential uses.
(6) 
If shared or other off-site parking is used to meet the required parking provided, and reserved parking is utilized, then the number of nonreserved spaces on-site must be equal to or greater than the number of off-site parking spaces included. Reserved parking includes surface and structured parking spaces that may be reserved for a specific tenant or unit.
C. 
Bicycle parking. The bicycle parking facilities shall not encroach on any area in the public right-of-way intended for use by pedestrians, nor shall they encroach on any required fire egress. See § 470-1404C(6) and Zoning Regulations § 470-709D, Bicycle parking design standards.
D. 
Existing parking. Required off-street parking and loading facilities in existence on the effective date of this Code and located on the same lot as the building, or use served, or located elsewhere shall not hereafter be reduced below or, if already less than, shall not be further reduced below the requirements for a similar new building or use under the provisions of this Code.

§ 470-1602 Special parking standards.

A. 
On-street parking.
(1) 
A parking space located on a public street may be included in the calculation of parking requirements if it is adjacent to the building site (where more than 50% of the space is fronting).
(2) 
Each on-street parking space may only be counted for one use, except that an on-street parking space may be used to reduce the combined total parking requirement of a project with a mix of multiple uses. (For example: if a property has three spaces and is mixed-use, those three spaces can count only to one use, e.g., the commercial use but not the residential above.)
B. 
Access management (see also Article XII, Regulating Plans).
(1) 
Where surface parking areas lie within 50 feet of one another on abutting sites, a request shall be made of the neighbor as part of the application process to create connecting drive aisles at the common lot line, provided a mutual access easement acceptable to the ZEO has been executed.
(2) 
Applicants shall agree to a condition that grants access easements to adjoining property owners in the future in the event that a neighbor creates a parking area or common access easement that should be connected according to Subsection B(1).
(3) 
The access management agreement may be included with a shared parking agreement.
(4) 
The agreement must ensure that maneuvering space for required parking spaces in both parking areas is preserved.
C. 
Off-site parking.
(1) 
Off-site parking must be located within a walking distance of 800 feet from the site served by the off-site parking.
(2) 
The off-site parking shall be located within the same design village district as the use it serves.
(3) 
The off-site parking must be the subject of a long-term lease approved as to form by the Town Attorney, or permanently dedicated for off-site parking use.
D. 
Drive-through facilities.
(1) 
Where permitted under § 470-1704, drive-through facilities, as part of a Type II application, must demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Zoning Regulation § 470-401C(3)(a)[1] to [3] in addition to the requirements of this code.
(2) 
Drive-through facilities, parking areas shall be screened from the frontage by a building or landscaping screen.
(3) 
Drive-through facilities shall be located generally to the rear of the building.
(4) 
If located on a corner with more than one frontage the frontage with the higher average daily vehicle trips must be screened.
Figure 3 - Pharmacy with Drive-Through, East Gateway
E. 
Gasoline filling stations.
(1) 
Where permitted under § 470-1704, gasoline filling stations, as part of a Type II application, must demonstrate compliance with this code. The following images are offered to provide direction on siting and location of building, and filling islands.
(2) 
Gasoline service islands shall be screened from the frontage by a building or landscaping screen.
(3) 
Gasoline service islands shall be located generally to the rear of the building.
(4) 
If located on a corner with more than one frontage the frontage with the higher average daily vehicle trips must be screened.
Figure 4 - Gas station building location to the front and pump island to the rear, entrances on more than one building face, FBC § 470-1201

§ 470-1603 Private outdoor leisure and recreation area

[Added 9-10-2024]
A. 
Intent - Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Area - The intent of Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas is to provide outdoor spaces for the benefit and enjoyment of residents (and their guests) for Design Plans for Residential Projects.
B. 
Minimum required areas are designated in each Building Form Standard (§ 470-1300), subject to the standards of this section. Two categories of Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas are recognized, Softscape and Hardscape.
C. 
Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas Standards.
(1) 
No more than 30% of area provided as Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas shall be Hardscape.
(2) 
At least 20%, or 200 square feet, whichever is greater, of the ground cover for Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas shall be lawn grass or garden. This area shall be:
(a) 
Uniformly graded for the intended purposes, with a slope no greater than 10%;
(b) 
Accessible to all residents of the development;
(c) 
Not be less than 15 feet in any dimension;
(d) 
Connected to the curtilage of proposed residential buildings, and/or an existing street or internal driveway, sidewalk, path, or greenway.
(3) 
Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas not included under Subsection C(1) and (2) may be landscaped or left in its natural state.
(4) 
Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas shall not be for parking, utility, stormwater, energy, or trash collection,
(a) 
Some infrastructure may be located within such area provided it does not interfere with the purpose of the area.
(5) 
Such areas shall be generally open to the sky, except for balconies, tree canopies, and general amenities such as open gazebos, pavilions, or similar features.
(6) 
Such areas may be located on the roof of a building, provided that a five-foot buffer is provided between any such area, and any mechanical, or other similar, equipment.
(7) 
The percentage of Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Area required by § 470-1603 shall not be required if all dwelling units within the development will be located within 1/8th mile of a public park, publicly accessible open space (whether publicly or privately owned), or greenway as measured along the street, or when present, an unobstructed accessible walking route.
(8) 
The total area of Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas required may be reduced by special permit provided such area is dedicated into a permanent conservation easement and the dedication protects one or more natural or cultural resources, wildlife or natural resource corridors, or complement existing parks or areas of preserved open space.
(9) 
Any development on a lot that is reusing buildings existing as of September 10, 2024, is exempt from the Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas requirement, provided that the cumulative building area envelope of any additions or expansions of any building on the lot does not exceed 15% of the building envelope area of the subject building as of September 10, 2024.

§ 470-1701 General provisions.

A. 
Permitted uses.
(1) 
In order to regulate use, categories of uses have been established. Use categories provide a systematic basis for assigning land uses to appropriate category with other, similar uses. Use categories classify land uses and activities based on common functional, product, or physical characteristics, and the likely impact on surrounding properties, site conditions and site conditions.
(a) 
Principal and accessory uses are grouped into categories by BFS (frontage type) and are shown in the use tables in § 470-1705.
(b) 
See also Canton Zoning Regulations for uses and requirements.
B. 
Use determination.
(1) 
Administrator responsibility. The ZEO is responsible for categorizing all uses. If a proposed use is not listed in a use category, but is similar to a listed use, the ZEO shall treat the proposed use as a use under that category. If a proposed use is not listed in a use category, and is not similar to any other listed use, the use shall be prohibited.
(2) 
Uses not specifically listed. When determining whether a proposed use is similar to a use listed in § 470-1705 the ZEO may consider the following criteria:
(a) 
The actual or projected characteristics of the proposed activity in relationship to the stated characteristics of each use.
(b) 
The relative amount of site area or floor space and equipment devoted to the activity.
(c) 
Relative amounts of sales from each activity.
(d) 
The customer type for each activity.
(e) 
The relative number of employees in each activity.
(f) 
Hours of operation.
(g) 
Building and site arrangement.
(h) 
Types of vehicles used and their parking requirements.
(i) 
The relative number of vehicle trips generated.
(j) 
Signs.
(k) 
How the use is advertised.
(l) 
The likely impact on surrounding properties.
(m) 
Whether the activity is likely to be found independent of the other activities on the site.
(3) 
For proposed interior buildings on a lot with more than one BFS, the interior building shall utilize the uses allowed to the frontage building. If more than one frontage building exists utilizing different BFS than the owner has the option of applying either, provided should the frontage building be improved or replaced the BFS used for the interior building shall be used for the frontage building.

§ 470-1702 Adaptive reuse.

A. 
Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to foster the renovation and reuse of structures that have significant historical, architectural or cultural value to the Town of Canton. This section recognizes that many existing structures within the CDVD and CVDVD will not conform to all of the standards and guidelines in this Code.
B. 
Applicability. The redevelopment and reuse of buildings that pre-date 1963 and have qualities of significance and integrity consistent with criteria used to evaluate inclusion on the National Register shall be encouraged. Among the buildings that the National Register Criteria for Evaluation recognizes are those which have made a significant contribution to history, are associated with significant persons, or embody distinctive characteristics. Applicants who feel that a building, that does not meet this Code's dimensional criteria, merits consideration under this section should set a preapplication meeting with the ZEO to determine the appropriate submittal process.
C. 
Development standards.
(1) 
BFS shall not apply to existing buildings, but shall apply to building additions.
(2) 
Parking.
(a) 
If a change in use results in more spaces being required than already exist, no additional parking spaces are required.
(b) 
If a change in use results in fewer spaces being required than already exist, then only the number of spaces necessary to fulfill the requirements need to be maintained.
(c) 
Existing parking in excess of the limits set forth in Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards, may remain and be used for on-site or off-site parking purposes for other property owners, subject to an agreement between the property owners.
(d) 
On-site parking shall be provided, according to the Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards, for all building additions, and calculated based on newly constructed gross area.
(3) 
On-site loading.
(a) 
Residential uses are not required to have on-site loading spaces.
(b) 
Nonresidential uses shall retain existing on-site loading spaces unless the number of on-site loading spaces exceeds the requirements in Article XVI, Parking and Loading Standards.
(4) 
Mezzanines. New construction to add a mezzanine level space in an existing story is permitted, provided that the mezzanine area does not exceed 40% of the floor area of the space below, and the space meets all applicable building codes.
(5) 
Building facades. Facades must maintain the architectural integrity of an existing building. If a building facade is replaced or significantly modified, as defined by § 470-1104B, Applicability Chart, it must satisfy the requirements set forth in Article XI, Administration.

§ 470-1703 Accessory dwelling units.

A. 
Purpose and intent. These regulations are intended to encourage the development of below-market-rate dwelling units within the Town of Canton. Accessory dwellings afford an opportunity for the development of small rental units designed to meet the special housing needs of single persons, persons with fixed or limited income, and relatives of families who live or desire to live in the Town. Accessory dwellings provide a degree of flexibility for single-family homeowners (not multifamily, apartments, or condominiums), within detached and Town BFS only, with changing economic conditions and/or family structure, while providing a reasonable degree of protection for existing property values. In addition, these provisions are provided to recognize formally previously established dwellings and provide for improved safety and physical appearance.
B. 
General limitations.
(1) 
In all Design Village Districts (excluding East Gateway), accessory dwelling units are permitted under separate billing.
(2) 
Accessory buildings, structures, and uses shall be located on the same lot as the principal building, structure, or use to which they are accessory.
(3) 
Accessory buildings, structures, and uses shall not be located on a lot without the establishment of a permitted principal use, nor shall any new lot be created that has an accessory building, structure or use without a principal use.
(4) 
Accessory uses and structures are permitted as provided in this section, provided that the coverage and yard setbacks comply with the appropriate BFS.
C. 
Attached accessory dwelling. One accessory dwelling unit within or attached to the main dwelling unit, provided that it conforms to all of the following requirements:
(1) 
The area devoted to the accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 30% of the area of the principal dwelling, exclusive of garage, attic, and basement;
(2) 
The accessory dwelling unit shall not be located in a basement or story below the first floor unless more than 25% of the perimeter of the accessory dwelling unit opens to grade and the ceiling is more than five feet above that grade;
(3) 
Only one accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted for each lot;
(4) 
No accessory dwelling unit shall be approved as part of a multiple dwelling unit or a multifamily development;
(5) 
The principal dwelling unit and the accessory dwelling unit shall comply with the building code and health and safety regulations;
(6) 
Upon establishment of the accessory dwelling unit, the building shall:
(a) 
Maintain the exterior appearance and style (roof line, roof pitch, building materials, window style and spacing, etc.) of a single-family residence;
(b) 
Have any secondary entrance incorporated into the principal residence to reflect the architectural style of a single-family unit; and
(c) 
Share access from the public right-of-way and parking facilities shall serve both the principal and accessory units.
D. 
Detached accessory dwelling. One accessory dwelling unit detached from the main dwelling unit, provided that:
(1) 
The owner of the lot shall occupy either the principal dwelling unit or the accessory dwelling unit;
(2) 
The detached accessory dwelling unit shall be located on the same lot with the primary dwelling unit to which it is accessory;
(3) 
No detached accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted within any accessory buildings that is located in the front yard or that does not meet the minimum yard requirements of Zoning Regulations § 470-304E;
(4) 
When a detached accessory dwelling unit is proposed within a local historic district, the building containing the detached accessory dwelling unit shall have received a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission before being issued a zoning permit; and
(5) 
There shall be approval by the Farmington Valley Health District, Canton WPCA, and or Water Company, of adequate provision of water supply and sewage disposal.

§ 470-1704 Use table.

A. 
Applicability. The use tables on the following pages identify the uses allowed in the respective BFS for each design village district.
B. 
Change of uses.
(1) 
Allowed uses may be added to properties via the submission of a zoning permit application to the ZEO in accordance with § 470-908B of the Zoning Regulations.
(2) 
Zoning permits for allowed uses may be issued by the ZEO, provided it is demonstrated that the parking and loading standards of § 470-702 of the Zoning Regulations are met.
(3) 
When a change of use triggers a change in the required parking per § 470-702, an existing improvement location plan prepared by a professional surveyor (equivalent to an as-built) shall be provided by the applicant documenting the existing improvements of the lot and any changes proposed to accommodate the sought after use.
Permitted Uses in Design Village Districts
Residential
[Amended 7-15-2022; 9-20-2023; 11-15-2023; 1-10-2024; 8-21-2024; 1-21-2026]
Canton Village
Collinsville
East Gateway
Harts Corner
Use
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Single-family detached dwelling units8
P2
P2
P
Single-family attached dwelling units8
P1
P1
P
Two-family dwellings (duplex)8
P1
P
P
Accessory dwellings8
P1
P
P
P
P1
P
P4
P
P1
Multifamily dwellings8
P1
P1
P1
P5,6
P1
P6,7
P4
P4
P
P1
Boarding house
P
P
P
P1
Group child care homes and family child care homes
P
P
P
P1
Special needs housing and affordable housing
P1
P1
P1
P4
P
P1
Minor/major home-based business
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3,4
P3,4
P3
P3
Bed-and-breakfast
P
P
P
P
P
P
P4
P
P
Short-term rentals as may be permitted under §§ 470-302A(3) and 470-303D(3)
Accessory uses and structures in accordance with § 470-303 of the Zoning Regulations
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Adult day-care services under § 470-303D(6)
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9
Permitted Uses in Design Village Districts
Residential
[Amended 7-15-2022; 9-20-2023; 11-15-2023; 1-10-2024; 8-21-2024; 1-21-2026]
Canton Village
Collinsville
East Gateway
Harts Corner
Use
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Single-family detached dwelling units8
P2
P2
P
Single-family attached dwelling units8
P1
P1
P
Two-family dwellings (duplex)8
P1
P
P
Accessory dwellings8
P1
P
P
P
P1
P
P4
P
P1
Multifamily dwellings8
P1
P1
P1
P5,6
P1
P6,7
P4
P4
P
P1
Boarding house
P
P
P
P1
Group child care homes and family child care homes
P
P
P
P1
Special needs housing and affordable housing
P1
P1
P1
P4
P
P1
Minor/major home-based business
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3,4
P3,4
P3
P3
Bed-and-breakfast
P
P
P
P
P
P
P4
P
P
Short-term rentals as may be permitted under §§ 470-302A(3) and 470-303D(3)
Accessory uses and structures in accordance with § 470-303 of the Zoning Regulations
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Adult day-care services under § 470-303D(6)
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9
Permitted Uses in Design Village Districts
Residential
[Amended 7-15-2022; 9-20-2023; 11-15-2023; 1-10-2024; 8-21-2024; 1-21-2026]
Canton Village
Collinsville
East Gateway
Harts Corner
Use
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Single-family detached dwelling units8
P2
P2
P
Single-family attached dwelling units8
P1
P1
P
Two-family dwellings (duplex)8
P1
P
P
Accessory dwellings8
P1
P
P
P
P1
P
P4
P
P1
Multifamily dwellings8
P1
P1
P1
P5,6
P1
P6,7
P4
P4
P
P1
Boarding house
P
P
P
P1
Group child care homes and family child care homes
P
P
P
P1
Special needs housing and affordable housing
P1
P1
P1
P4
P
P1
Minor/major home-based business
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3,4
P3,4
P3
P3
Bed-and-breakfast
P
P
P
P
P
P
P4
P
P
Short-term rentals as may be permitted under §§ 470-302A(3) and 470-303D(3)
Accessory uses and structures in accordance with § 470-303 of the Zoning Regulations
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Adult day-care services under § 470-303D(6)
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9
Permitted Uses in Design Village Districts
Residential
[Amended 7-15-2022; 9-20-2023; 11-15-2023; 1-10-2024; 8-21-2024; 1-21-2026]
Canton Village
Collinsville
East Gateway
Harts Corner
Use
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Main
Storefront
Town
Detached
Single-family detached dwelling units8
P2
P2
P
Single-family attached dwelling units8
P1
P1
P
Two-family dwellings (duplex)8
P1
P
P
Accessory dwellings8
P1
P
P
P
P1
P
P4
P
P1
Multifamily dwellings8
P1
P1
P1
P5,6
P1
P6,7
P4
P4
P
P1
Boarding house
P
P
P
P1
Group child care homes and family child care homes
P
P
P
P1
Special needs housing and affordable housing
P1
P1
P1
P4
P
P1
Minor/major home-based business
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3
P3,4
P3,4
P3
P3
Bed-and-breakfast
P
P
P
P
P
P
P4
P
P
Short-term rentals as may be permitted under §§ 470-302A(3) and 470-303D(3)
Accessory uses and structures in accordance with § 470-303 of the Zoning Regulations
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Adult day-care services under § 470-303D(6)
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9
P9

§ 470-1801 Village districts.

A. 
Development. Development within the Design Village Districts shall comply with the following:
(1) 
Are consistent with the compatibility objectives of C.G.S. § 8-2j, more specifically:
(a) 
The building and layout of buildings and included site improvements shall reinforce existing buildings and streetscape patterns and the placement of buildings and included site improvements shall assure there is no adverse impact on the district;
(b) 
Proposed streets shall be connected to the existing district road network, wherever possible;
(c) 
Open spaces within the proposed development shall reinforce open space patterns of the district, in form and siting;
(d) 
Locally significant features of the site such as distinctive buildings or sight lines of vistas from within the district, shall be integrated into the site design;
(e) 
The landscape design shall complement the district's landscape patterns;
(f) 
The exterior signs, site lighting and accessory structures shall support a uniform architectural theme if such a theme exists and be compatible with their surroundings; and
(g) 
The scale, proportions, massing and detailing of any proposed building shall be in proportion to the scale, proportion, massing and detailing in the district.
(2) 
The proposed design is consistent with and protects the distinctive character, landscape and historic structures as identified within the Design Village Districts, including but not limited to design, relationship and compatibility of structures, plantings, signs, roadways, street hardware and other objects in public view.
(3) 
The exterior of structures or sites located with a historic district shall be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings," revised through 1990, as amended.
(4) 
The exterior of structures or sites shall be consistent with the distinctive characteristics of the district identified in the POCD.
(5) 
Proposed buildings or modifications to existing buildings shall be related to their surroundings, and the terrain in the district and to the use, scale and architecture of existing buildings in the district that have a functional or visual relationship to a proposed building or modification.
(6) 
All spaces, structures and related site improvements visible from public roadways shall be designed to be compatible with the elements of the area of the village district in and around the proposed building or modification.
(7) 
The color, size, height, location, proportion of openings, roof treatments, building materials and landscaping of property and any proposed signs and lighting shall be compatible with the local architectural motif and the maintenance of views, historic buildings, monuments and landscaping.
(8) 
The removal or disruption of historic traditional or significant structures or architectural elements is strongly discouraged.
B. 
In accordance with C.G.S. § 8-2j(d)-(e)(d).
(1) 
Applications for new construction and substantial reconstruction within the district and in view from public roadways shall be subject to review and recommendation by an architect or architectural firm, landscape architect, or planner who is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners selected and contracted by the Commission and designated as the village district consultant for such application. The village district consultant shall review an application and report to the commission within 35 days of receipt of the application. Such report and recommendation shall be entered into the public record if there is a public hearing or in the public interest and considered by the Commission in making its decision. Failure of the village district consultant to report within the specified time shall not alter or delay any other time limit imposed by the regulations.
(2) 
The Commission/ZEO may seek the recommendations of any Town agency or regional council or outside specialist, with which it consults, including, but not limited to the Collinsville Historic District Commission, the regional council of governments, the municipality's historical society, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and The University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Any reports or recommendations from such councils or organizations shall be entered into the public record.
C. 
Denial. If the Commission/ZEO grants or denies an application, it shall state upon the record the reasons for its decision. If the Commission/ZEO denies an application, the reason for the denial shall cite the specific regulations under which the application was denied. Notice of the decision shall be published in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the municipality. An approval shall become effective in accordance with subsection (b) of C.G.S. § 8-3c.
D. 
Approvals. No approval of the Commission under this section shall be effective until a copy thereof, signed by the Chairman on a signature block approved by the Commission, containing the name of the owner of record, a description of the premises to which it relates and specifying the reasons for its decision, is recorded in the land records with the Town Clerk.

§ 470-1901 Terms defined.

[Amended 8-21-2024]
As used in these regulations, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALLEY
See "common access easement."
ARCADE
See "covered sidewalk."
AWNING
Fixed or movable roof-like coverings, usually of canvas or metal, attached to the building wall providing a cantilevered, projected, or suspended cover over the sidewalk portion of the street-space to provide protection from sun and rain.
BALCONY
An exterior platform attached to and projecting from the upper floors of the building facade (forward of the BTL) and enclosed by a railing.
BAY WINDOW
Generally, an enclosure extending the interior space of the building outward of the exterior building wall/BTL.
BLOCK
An increment of land comprised of lots, alleys and tracts circumscribed and not traversed by streets (pedestrian pathways accepted).
BLOCK FACE
A block face is the frontage lot lines (in most cases this is the BTL).
BUILD-TO LINE (BTL)
A line or plane indicated on the Regulating Plan, defining the street frontage which extends vertically and generally parallel to the street, at which the building shall be placed. The facade shall occur on the BTL. The minimum length and height of frontage that is required at the BTL is shown on the appropriate BFS. See "primary street facade." Additional buildings may be placed to the rear once the minimum primary street facade is established.
BUILD-TO LINE, EFFECTIVE
If the placement of the primary street facade is constrained by existing site conditions such as ledge, wetlands, steep slopes, easements, or other constraints, the applicant may request, as part of a Type II design plan, for the BTL to be removed from these areas. If the Commission approves a reduction of the BTL, the area removed from the BTL shall no longer require placement of the primary street facade. Such area removed from the BTL shall be deemed nonbuildable and may not be used for any other site improvement. As part of any such reduction of the BTL the Commission may, once the primary building facade requirement has been met, require vegetative screening over the area deemed nonbuildable prior to the construction of any interior building on the site. (For the use of these regulations use of the term BTL shall be synonymous with effective BTL.)
BUILD-TO ZONE
A continuous area parallel to the street in which the facade must be located. The front of the building may not be situated further back on the lot than the BTL or further forward than the PSL as indicated on the Regulating Plan. Parking may occur in front of the building only in this zone designated on the EGDVD Regulating Plan and the HCDVD Regulating Plan.
BUILDABLE AREA
The area of the lot that building(s) and parking may occupy, which includes the area of the lot at and behind the BTL as designated by the BFS plan diagrams. The buildable area sets the limits of the building footprint now and in the future. Any additions shall be within the specified buildable area.
BUILDING AREA
The area encompassed by a building's outer wall multiplied by the individual number of story areas.
BUILDING FACE
See "facade."
CIVIC SPACE
A public open space, green or square or plaza, designated on the Regulating Plan. See the urban space standards for the specific controls.
CIVIC USE BUILDINGS
Those buildings that house strictly civic uses located on sites designated on the Regulating Plan. Civic use buildings and publicly owned public art. See also "use, civic."
CLEAR WALKWAY
An area within the sidewalk that must allow public passage and remain clear of obstructions. The clear walkway width is designated in the street type recommendations.
COMMON ACCESS EASEMENT
The public right-of-way or easement for vehicles and pedestrians within a block that provides access to the rear or side of properties, vehicle parking (e.g., garages), utility meters, recycling containers, and garbage bins.
COMMON LOT LINES
Lot lines shared by adjacent private lots.
COVERED SIDEWALK (ARCADE)
Roofed or built structures attached to the facade and extending beyond the BTL and over the sidewalk or square, open to the street-space except for supporting columns, piers, or arches. See BFS for complete specifications.
DOORYARD
The area within the street-space between the facade of the building (generally the BTL) and the clear walkway area of the sidewalk. Stoops, balconies, bay windows and, for appropriate commercial uses, outdoor displays or cafe seating, and other encroachments as specified by the ZEO may be placed within the dooryard area. The dooryard dimension is designated in the street type recommendations.
DORMERS
Roofed ancillary structures with windows providing light and air to habitable space within the roof attic story.
EAVE HEIGHT
Eave height shall be measured at the bottom of the top layer of roofing material at its outermost point from the building wall.
EQUIVALENT OR BETTER
A building material or construction technique that has been determined, by the ZEO, to be at least equal to, in appearance, durability, etc., or surpassing those expressly permitted herein.
EXISTING BUILDINGS TO BE PROTECTED
Structures of local historical or cultural significance which provide contributing influence to the architectural character of the Design Village District or the Town of Canton.
FACADE (BUILDING FACE)
The building elevation facing the street-space or BTL. Building walls facing private open space, common lot lines, and alleys are not facades.
FENESTRATION
Openings in the building wall, including windows and doors, allowing light and views between interior (private realm) and exterior (public realm). Fenestration is measured as glass area (excluding mullions and similar window frame elements with a dimension greater than one inch) and/or as open space.
FLOOR AREA
The amount of area (measured as square feet) taken up between the exterior walls of a building or part of a building.
GROUND STORY (FIRST FLOOR)
The first habitable level of a building at or above grade.
INDIVIDUAL STORY AREA
See "floor area."
MEZZANINE
A low ceiling height partial story between two others in a building, typically between the ground and first floors.
NON-RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
Any Design Plan proposing only the development of uses other than single-family detached, single-family attached, two-family, and multi-family dwelling units.
PARKING SETBACK LINE (PSL)
A line indicated on the Regulating Plan and BFS which extends vertically as a plane (unless otherwise noted) and is generally parallel to the BTL. All parking shall be set-back behind this line and may be placed anywhere within the lot behind this line, excepting where it is below grade or otherwise specified in this Code.
PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY
An interconnecting paved way that provides pedestrian and bicycle passage through blocks running from a street-space to another street-space, an alley or an interior block parking area.
PRIMARY STREET FACADE
The minimum portion of a proposed building, measured along its widest line, which must be placed at the BTL or effective BTL. The primary street facade required by each BFS must be met in full prior to the construction of any interior building on the site.
PRIVACY FENCE
An opaque fence made of wood or masonry (not chain link, barbed, or electrified, or any other type of rolled fence) along alleys and common lot lines. See the BFS for height specifications.
PRIVATE OPEN SPACE
The portion of a Design Plan that meets the criteria of § 470-1603 required by Dimension G for Non-Residential Projects. Private Open Space areas are areas on grade within the buildable area and behind the PSL, accessible only to occupants of the building or site, and open to the sky. Additional specifications for the private open space may be included in each BFS. Private open space shall not be built-upon, used to satisfy minimum stormwater BMP area, parked or driven upon (except for emergency access).
PRIVATE OUTDOOR LEISURE AND RECREATION AREA
The portion of a Design Plan that meets the criteria of § 470-1603 required by Dimension G in §§ 470-1301 through 1305 for Residential Projects. Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas are intended for residents (and their guests) located within the buildable area of any Design Plan that includes seven or more dwelling units. There is no requirement that such areas be open or visible to members of the public other than residents (or their guests). Minimum required areas are designated in each Building Form Standard, subject to the standards of § 470-1603. Two categories of Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Areas are recognized, Softscape and Hardscape.
(1) 
SOFTSCAPE
Has a ground or equivalent surface that is generally appropriately vegetated or otherwise surfaced with appropriate soft yielding material such as sand, wood chips, or playground surfacing material, and is intended for use for typical lawn/yard activities. Representative activities include sitting or reclining (in chairs, hammocks or on the ground, etc.), activities one might undertake at an appropriate table (whether at a table or on the ground) including eating, writing, playing table games, etc., small space exercising (stretching, yoga, calisthenics, etc.), and erecting a temporary open-sided lawn tent, gardening, playing lawn/yard games, etc.
(2) 
HARDSCAPE
Has a ground or equivalent surface that is generally hard, impervious, or abrasive. Representative examples include concrete, asphalt, brick or other unit pavers, gravel, stones, wood plank, tile or similar surface, athletic court surfaces, or manufactured surfaces that are intended to mimic or function similar to such surfaces. Balconies and enclosed patio areas intended to serve individual residential units are considered hardscape Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Area. Sidewalks and access paths not otherwise serving a Private Outdoor Leisure and Recreation Area shall not be counted towards meeting the requirements of this section.
RESIDENTIAL PROJECT
Any Design Plan proposing the development of single-family detached, single-family attached, two-family, and multi-family dwelling units, without regard to whether such Design Plan also contains non-residential elements.
STOOP
An entry platform and steps on the facade of a building. Roofed exterior landings shall not be enclosed. (See BFS for specifications.)
STOREFRONT
A room or area at the ground story of a building, usually with display windows, designed for use as a retail store.
STREET FRONTAGE
That portion of the lot or building that is coincident with the BTL as required by this Code. In the case of a corner lot, frontage shall be measured along both front lot lines.
STREETLIGHT
A pedestrian-scaled luminaire installed on both sides of the street-space as designated in the street type recommendations or on the Regulating Plan. A fixture, such as cobra-head types, expressly for the purpose of illuminating highways does not constitute a streetlight.
STREET WALL
A wall, fence, or hedge along a BTL, property line, or delineating a private area, constructed of the materials listed in § 470-1505B(1), where there is no building. (For height and gate specifications, see the BFS.)
STREET-SPACE
All space between fronting BTL and edge of roadway improvements.
TREE LAWN
A continuous strip of soil area typically covered with grass, other vegetation, bridging pavement, or sometimes porous pavers located between the back of curb and the sidewalk, and used for planting street trees and configured to foster healthy street tree root systems. Tree lawn dimensions are shown in the street type recommendations.
USE, CIVIC
Community uses including: meeting halls; libraries; schools; police and fire stations; post offices (retail operations only, no primary distribution facilities); places of worship; museums; cultural, visual and performing art centers; transit centers; government functions open to the public; and, other similar uses.
USE, COMMERCIAL
Commercial uses shall be considered to encompass all of the by-right and special uses included in the B Zoning Districts and retail service/sales as defined in the Town of Canton Zoning Ordinance.[1]
USE, RESIDENTIAL
Residential uses shall be considered to encompass all of the uses allowed by-right and with a special use permit in the residential zoning districts as defined in the Town of Canton Zoning Ordinance.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 470-202.

§ 470-2001 Regulating plans.

A. 
Collinsville Design Village District.
B. 
Canton Village Design Village District Regulating Plan.
C. 
East Gateway Design Village District.
D. 
Harts Corner Design Village District.