Darien City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
24 Natural Resource Disruption and Required Mitigation Standards
§ 17.24.010 Compliance required.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)]
For all land uses, disruption to natural resource areas shall comply with the requirements of the subdivision and platting ordinance pertaining to drainage, grading and erosion control. All land uses located within permanently protected green space areas shall comply with the following regulations.
§ 17.24.020 Cultivation.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(a))]
A.
Permitted as a conditional use: (other permanently protected green space areas):
Permitted only if designated on the submitted site plan, and/or the recorded plat or certified survey as an "Area which may be used for cultivation."
§ 17.24.030 Passive outdoor public recreational area.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(b)]
A.
Permitted by right: (all permanently protected green space areas):
1.
Limited to a twenty-foot wide area in permanently protected natural resource areas. Permitted in other permanently protected green space areas without restriction;
2.
Nonnative vegetation shall not be permitted to spread into permanently protected natural resource areas beyond the twenty-foot wide area.
B.
Permitted as a conditional use: not applicable.
§ 17.24.040 Active outdoor public recreational area.
§ 17.24.050 Outdoor institutional.
§ 17.24.060 Lawn care.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(e)]
A.
Permitted by right: (other permanently protected green space areas):
Nonnative ground cover shall not be permitted to spread into permanently protected natural resource areas. Clearance of understory growth shall be permitted.
B.
Permitted as a conditional use (all permanently protected natural resource areas except wetlands):
1.
Only disturbance associated with the care of native vegetation is permitted, with the exception of a twenty-foot wide access path which may be cleared for passive recreation purposes;
2.
Each property abutting a natural resource area shall be limited to one such access path;
3.
Nonnative vegetation (such as domestic lawn grasses) shall not be introduced into natural resource areas beyond the twenty-foot wide access path.
§ 17.24.070 Golf course.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(f)]
A.
Permitted by right: (other permanently protected green space areas except wetlands):
Nonnative vegetation shall not be permitted to spread into permanently protected natural resource areas.
B.
Permitted as a conditional use (all permanently protected natural resource areas):
Only disturbance associated with the care of native vegetation is permitted. Natural resource areas which are located within or adjacent to golf play areas shall be incorporated into the course design as out-of-bounds play hazards, and shall be maintained in their natural state.
§ 17.24.080 Any permitted temporary use.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(g)]
A.
Permitted by right: (other permanently protected green space areas):
Activity shall in no manner encroach upon permanently protected natural resources areas. Party securing the temporary use permit shall be responsible for restoring all such natural resource areas to an undamaged state, or shall be considered in violation of the provisions of this title.
B.
Permitted as a conditional use: not applicable.
§ 17.24.090 Drainage structure.
§ 17.24.100 Filling.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(i)]
A.
Permitted by right: not applicable.
B.
Permitted as a conditional use (all permanently protected green space areas):
1.
Filling in the floodway shall be done only as required by a necessary road, bridge, utility, or other infrastructure facility which has been deemed necessary by the department of public works;
2.
Natural vegetation shall be restored in disturbed areas;
3.
In no instance shall filling raise the base flood elevation.
§ 17.24.110 Individual septic disposal system.
§ 17.24.120 Road and/or bridge.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(k)]
A.
Permitted by right: not applicable.
B.
Permitted as a conditional use (all permanently protected green space areas):
1.
May locate in or across a natural resource areas only in conjunction with a boat landing, or when deemed essential by the department of public works;
2.
May locate in other permanently protected green space areas if designed to provide an essential service to an activity area located within the green space area which cannot be efficiently reached from another point;
3.
In general, road networks shall be designed to circumvent permanently protected green space areas, thereby eliminating the need for intrusions and crossings.
§ 17.24.130 Utility lines and related facilities.
[Prior code § 17.0206(10)(1)]
A.
Permitted by right: not applicable.
B.
Permitted as a conditional use (all permanently protected green space areas):
1.
May locate in or across a natural resource areas only when deemed essential by the department of public works;
2.
May locate in other permanently protected green space areas if designed to provide an essential service to an activity area located within the green space area which cannot be efficiently reached from another point;
3.
In general, utility lines shall be designed to circumvent permanently protected green space areas, thereby eliminating the need for intrusions and crossings.