search icon

Darien City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

48 CC Central Commercial District

§ 17.48.010 Description and purpose.

[Prior code § 17.0313(1)]
This district is intended to permit both large and small scale downtown commercial development at an intensity which provides significant incentives for infill development, redevelopment, and the continued economic viability of existing development. To accomplish this effect, the minimum landscape surface ratio (LSR) permitted in this district is much lower than that allowed in the neighborhood or suburban commercial districts. A wide range of office, retail, and lodging land uses are permitted within this district. In order to ensure a minimum of disruption to residential development, no development within this district shall take direct access to a local residential street or a residential collector street. No requirements for on site landscaping or parking are required in this district. This district is strictly limited to the central city locations.
Rationale. This district intended to provide an alternative, primarily infill development, designation for commercial activity to the SC and NC districts, is designed to assist in maintaining the long-term viability of the downtown district.

§ 17.48.020 List of allowable land uses.

[Prior code § 17.0313(2)]
A. 
Land uses permitted by right:
Selective cutting (per Section 17.08.060).
Passive outdoor public recreation (per Section 17.10.010).
Office (per Section 17.12.010).
Personal or professional services (per Section 17.12.020).
Indoor sales or service (per Section 17.12.030).
Indoor maintenance service (per Section 17.12.050).
B. 
Land uses permitted as special use:
Cultivation (per Section 17.08.010).
Active outdoor public recreation (per Section 17.020).
Indoor institutional (per Section 17.10.030).
Public services and utilities (per Section 17.10.050).
Off-site parking lot (per Section 17.16.010).
C. 
Land uses permitted as conditional use:
Apartment: 3,600 square feet per du (up to 12 units).
Institutional residential, 1,980 square feet per du (per Section 17.10.060).
Clear cutting (per Section 17.08.070).
Outdoor institutional (per Section 17.10.040).
In-vehicle sales or service (per Section 17.12.070).
Indoor commercial entertainment (per Section 17.12.080).
Commercial indoor lodging (per Section 17.12.110).
Bed and breakfast establishments (per Section 17.12.120).
Group day care center (nine or more children) (per Section 17.12.130).
Boarding house (per Section 17.12.150).
Light industrial (per Section 17.18.010).
D. 
Land Uses Permitted as Accessory Uses.
1. 
Land uses permitted by right:
Commercial apartment (per Section 17.20.020).
Farm residence (per Section 17.20.030).
Detached garage or shed (per Section 17.20.040).
Company cafeteria (per Section 17.20.050).
2. 
Land uses permitted as special use:
Company provided on-site recreation (per Section 17.20.060).
Home occupation (per Section 17.20.110).
3. 
Land uses permitted as conditional use:
Company provided on-site recreation (per Section 17.20.060).
In-vehicle sales and service (per Section 17.20.080).
Light industrial incidental to indoor sales (per Section 17.20.100).
E. 
Land uses permitted as temporary uses: General temporary outdoor sales (per Section 17.22.010).
Outdoor assembly (per Section 17.22.020).
Seasonal outdoor sales of products (per Section 17.22.040).

§ 17.48.030 Regulations applicable to institutional residential uses.

[Prior code § 17.0313(3)]
A. 
Residential Density and Intensity Requirements.
Institutional residential development:
Maximum gross density (MGD): up to 22.00 per the conditional use permit.
Minimum zoning district area: 11,000 square feet.
Minimum lot area: 11,000 square feet.
Minimum landscape surface ratio (LSR): 0%.
Maximum building coverage: 100%.
B. 
Residential bulk requirements: see the NC district.
C. 
Residential landscaping requirements: not applicable for single-family. See nonresidential landscaping requirements for two- and multifamily residential.
D. 
Residential performance standards: (see Chapter 17.66).
E. 
Residential signage regulations: (see Chapter 17.62).

§ 17.48.040 Regulations applicable to nonresidential uses.

[Prior code § 17.0313(4)]
A. 
Nonresidential Density and Intensity Requirements.
Minimum zoning district area: 18,000 square feet.
Minimum landscape surface ratio (LSR): 0%.
Maximum building size (MBS): na.
B. 
Nonresidential Bulk Requirements.
1. 
Minimum lot area: 3,600 square feet.
2. 
Minimum lot width: 40 feet.
3. 
Minimum street frontage: 50 feet.
4. 
Minimum setbacks: (Note Subsection (B)(5) of this section, along zoning district boundaries).
a. 
Building to front or street side lot line: zero feet.*
b. 
Building to residential side lot line: zero feet.*
c. 
Building to residential rear lot line: 25 feet.
d. 
Building to nonresidential side lot line: zero feet.*
e. 
Building to nonresidential rear lot line: 25 feet.
5. 
Peripheral setback: See Section 17.68.100(D). Table B along zoning district boundary.
6. 
Minimum paved surface setback: zero feet.*
7. 
Minimum building separation: zero feet.
8. 
Maximum building height: 45 feet, minimum: 20 feet, except per Plan Commission.
9. 
Minimum number of off-street parking spaces required on the lot: see parking lot requirements per specific land use in Chapters 17.06 through 17.24.
C. 
Nonresidential Landscaping Requirements (Nonresidential, Two- and Multifamily).
1. 
Zero landscaping points per 100 linear feet of building foundation.
2. 
Zero landscaping points per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area.
3. 
Zero landscaping points per 100 linear feet of street frontage.
4. 
Twenty landscaping points per 10,000 square feet paved area/20 stalls.
D. 
Nonresidential performance standards: (see Chapter 17.66).
E. 
Nonresidential signage regulations: (see Chapter 17.62).
NOTE:
*
Maximum permitted setback of zero feet, except where permitted by the Plan Commission as an essential component of site design.