Business Districts
Yard | Structures (feet) | Parking, Loading and Stacking Areas (feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Front, from right-of-way of a dedicated street | 40 | 30* | |
Side, abutting a nonresidential district | None; or, if separated, a minimum of 10 | 10* | |
Rear, abutting a nonresidential district | 15 | 10* | |
Side and rear, abutting a residential district | 25 | 25* |
*NOTE: Entire area must be landscaped in compliance with § 200-28 of chapter. |
Table 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
Summary of Building and Area Requirements | ||
Building or Area Requirement | Regulation | Reference Standard in § 200-20.1 |
Front yard building setback | 15-30 feet from street right-of-way for nonwaterfront lots 140-170 feet from waterside lot line for waterfront lots | B(2)(a)-(d) |
Side yard building setback | None required for contiguous buildings, otherwise 8 feet minimum or 25 feet minimum where commercial use abuts a residential district or 10 feet minimum where residential use abuts a residential district | B(2)(f) |
Rear yard building setback | 15 feet minimum or 25 feet where lot abuts a residential district | B(2)(g) |
Parking/driveway setback | 10 feet minimum side yards and rear yards or 15 feet minimum side and rear yards where commercial use abuts a residential district | B(8)(f), D(2)a |
Off-street parking requirement | The Planning Board may approve the reduction in the number of off-street parking spaces required in § 200-27 for a site by up to 25% in order to encourage shared parking, minimize the amount of impervious area on a site, promote mixed-use developments, and encourage the walkability of the area | § 200-27 |
Building height | Minimum 2 usable stories; 14 feet minimum height of ground floor for commercial buildings; 40 feet maximum building height to the eave, except 50 feet to the eave is permissible if the portion of the building at this height is set back a minimum of 150 feet from a residential district | F(2)(f), (g), (i) |
Building coverage | Maximum 15,000 gross square feet per story | F(2)(c) |
Building transparency | 40% minimum between 3 feet and 10 feet above grade for first floors | F(3)(c) |
Building use | Residential use is precluded from the ground floor | F(2)(h) |
Pedestrian connections between buildings link retail establishments with parking and public gathering spaces to create a vibrant pedestrian experience. | Figure 5 depicts a multiple-building development with shared parking in the rear. This concept provides a common pedestrian network and plaza space that connects each building entry with the shared parking lot and the front sidewalk along the street. |
The provision of shared entrances (1) rather than individual drives reduces the number of turning movements onto busy corridors and can enhance internal circulation, especially when used in tandem with cross access between adjacent rear parking lots (2). |
The arrows highlight the issues associated with individual access points and a lack of cross access between properties along primary roadways. The numerous turning movements reduce transportation safety, while the constant break in the street line hinders the rhythm of the streetscape and degrades the pedestrian experience. |
Efforts should be made to integrate stormwater management into the numerous small greenspaces within the built environment adjacent to driveways, parking lots, and pedestrian spaces consistent with the most current New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual. | The use of open water detention ponds is not an appropriate stormwater management technique for the WMU District. |
INAPPROPRIATE | APPROPRIATE |
|---|---|
Although this building is constructed to the street line, the loading dock (1) is facing the primary street, presenting visual disruption. | The above detached refuse enclosure is placed at the rear of the building and is composed of like materials as found in the principal structure. |
APPROPRIATE | APPROPRIATE |
|---|---|
Porous pavements are encouraged to further facilitate infiltration and slow stormwater runoff. These materials are especially useful along the periphery of parking areas and/or adjacent to bioretention areas. | Where appropriate, bioretention areas and bioswales similar to the above may be used to promote the infiltration of stormwater. These installations would be appropriate in parking lot medians or in linear strips along drive aisles or behind parking lots in lieu of large, unsightly retention facilities. |
Vehicular parking lots shall be placed in the rear of the structure. In limited instances, side yard parking will also be permitted subject to conditions and approval as determined by the Planning Board [Subsection D(2)(b)]. | Front-loaded parking is not permitted for structures within the WMU District. Projects with multiple structures, some of which may be located in the rear of the lot, may have front-loaded parking on those rear-lot structures only. |
When a parking lot is located in a side yard or between building and street (waterfront lot), a buffer composed of vegetation or a combination of structural screen (fencing/wall) and vegetation must be installed between the parking lot and public right-of-way. | Buffers between parking and the street may include a formalized structure that matches the character and materials of the primary building, along with vegetation to buffer the negative visual impacts of parked cars. |
A primary characteristic of mixed-use corridors is a staggered peak demand for parking spaces. Where the proper mixture and diversity of tenant and land uses permits, shared parking should be explored to provide a more efficient and effective use of aggregated parking spaces in the area. | The individual assignment and isolation of parking lots complicates internal circulation for both motorists and pedestrians. The sharing of parking facilities potentially reduces the amount of pavement and other infrastructure. The above development would have benefited significantly with a site layout that grouped the buildings close together to enhance the synergy and vitality of pedestrian and outdoor spaces while also sharing parking. [See also § 200-20.1B(3) and Figure 14.] |
The effective use of plant material helps define a sense of enclosure and volume in outdoor spaces. Plant material should not overpower the surrounding landscape or buildings and should be of a similar scale and height to structures within the District at maturity. |
Figure 34 depicts front yard landscaping that reinforces the building's architectural style and directs one's eye toward the entrance. | Plantings that overwhelm the location due to size or habit look unkempt, contribute to a decrease in pedestrian safety and an increase in property maintenance costs. The plantings in Figure 35 are much too large for front yards along the primary corridor. |
This new building embodies a waterfront character, maintains an active storefront, provides visual distinction between the first floor and upper floors, displays a prominent entrance, and incorporates outdoor seating and pedestrian spaces. |
APPROPRIATE Figures 44 and 45 demonstrate the incorporation of a rooftop patio into a pitched roof. | APPROPRIATE |
Structures such as those found in Figures 46 and 47 do not relate to or complement desired waterfront character of the WMU District. Additions such as that depicted in Figure 48 do not relate to the existing building and shall be avoided. The elimination of windows (figure 49) is not appropriate for the adaptive reuse of existing structures. Figure 50 depicts the inclusion of patios and balconies to take advantage of water views. Figure 51 depicts an effective use of architectural details to provide visual distinction between the first floor and upper stories while maintaining transparency. Figure 52 provides an appropriate example of new development that successfully utilizes waterfront-appropriate design cues from Cape Cod and American Colonial architectural styles and differentiates the first floor from upper stories. |
Architectural details such as cornice lines, pilasters, and recessed windows finish a building facade and are extremely important in developing a sense of place and strengthening the identity of the Waterfront Mixed Use District as a vibrant and active community center. | A lack of architectural detail coupled with the improper utilization of building materials and design proportions can reduce the visual appeal and economic value of structures within the Waterfront Mixed Use District. |
The highlighting of the building base (1) anchors the structure to the site and provides visual distinction between the ground plane and the structure. Material selection shall complement the architectural style of the building and the waterfront setting. |
This structure provides a high quality example of building-appropriate window proportions, trim details, building base and solid-to-void ratios. | The wrapping of primary storefront windows around the corner of a building enhances the pedestrian experience and adds a higher level of architectural character and detail to the structure. |
The upper quartile of the structure pictured provides a high level of detail and ornamentation which caps the structure, while the lower quartile of such structure also defines the break between the ground floor and upper stories. | The building in Figure 60 does not provide any meaningful architectural detail at the roofline, nor do the scale and proportion of the existing design elements complement the surroundings. |
Awnings are a high quality design element that define the purpose and volume of outdoor spaces. They also add visual variety and distinction to building facade components. The building pictured also displays a significant amount of transparency and the successful use of a cornice to differentiate the first floor from upper stories. | These structures have continuous cornice and trim lines, and provide a high quality rhythm to the streetscope. |
Figure 63 This entrance possesses a sense of importance and draws visitors from the sidewalk into the structure [§ 200-20.1G(5)(a)]. The lack of transparency into the structure is balanced by the level of architectural detail and selection of materials. |
The use of inappropriate materials and finishes diminishes the visual quality of the structure and adjacent buildings. In this example, although the structure has a high quality storefront, the use of vinyl siding above the first story, over what was likely masonry construction, reduces the overall appeal of the building. |
Table 200-20.1A Maximum Building Sign Face Area | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Building Frontage | |||
Maximum sign face (square feet) | Less Than 80 Feet 40 | 80-159 Feet 60 | 160 Feet or Greater 80 |
Table 200-20.1B | ||
|---|---|---|
Maximum Freestanding Sign Face Area | ||
Sign Type | ||
Maximum sign face (square feet) | Post-Mounted 20 | Pedestal 32 |
Appropriate freestanding sign types for the MWU District include post-mounted signs (Figure 75) and pedestal signs (Figure 76). |
The above Figures 77 through 82 represent a collection of acceptable freestanding signs based on style and the quality of design and materials. The signs pictured in § 200-20.1H do not represent a palette of options or a finite selection of alternatives. The standards and pictorial examples are intended to provide guidance and a range of appropriate alternatives for signage applicants. |
Yard | Structures (feet) | Parking, Loading and Stacking Areas (feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Front, from right-of-way of a dedicated street Exception: self-storage facilities | 30 300 | 15 20 | |
Side, abutting a nonresidential district Exception: self-storage facilities | None; or, if separated, a minimum of 10 25 | 10* | |
Rear, abutting a nonresidential district Exception: self-storage facilities | 15 25 | 10* | |
Side and rear, abutting a residential district Exception: self-storage facilities | 25 50 | 25* |
*NOTE: The entire area must be landscaped in compliance with § 200-28 of this chapter. |
Yard | Structures (feet) | Parking, Loading and Stacking Areas (feet) |
|---|---|---|
Front, from right-of-way of a dedicated street | 60 | 20* |
Side and rear, abutting a residential district | 50 | 25* |
Side and rear, abutting a nonresidential district | 25 | 10* |
*NOTE: The entire area must be landscaped in compliance with § 200-28 of this chapter. |
Business Districts
Yard | Structures (feet) | Parking, Loading and Stacking Areas (feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Front, from right-of-way of a dedicated street | 40 | 30* | |
Side, abutting a nonresidential district | None; or, if separated, a minimum of 10 | 10* | |
Rear, abutting a nonresidential district | 15 | 10* | |
Side and rear, abutting a residential district | 25 | 25* |
*NOTE: Entire area must be landscaped in compliance with § 200-28 of chapter. |
Table 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
Summary of Building and Area Requirements | ||
Building or Area Requirement | Regulation | Reference Standard in § 200-20.1 |
Front yard building setback | 15-30 feet from street right-of-way for nonwaterfront lots 140-170 feet from waterside lot line for waterfront lots | B(2)(a)-(d) |
Side yard building setback | None required for contiguous buildings, otherwise 8 feet minimum or 25 feet minimum where commercial use abuts a residential district or 10 feet minimum where residential use abuts a residential district | B(2)(f) |
Rear yard building setback | 15 feet minimum or 25 feet where lot abuts a residential district | B(2)(g) |
Parking/driveway setback | 10 feet minimum side yards and rear yards or 15 feet minimum side and rear yards where commercial use abuts a residential district | B(8)(f), D(2)a |
Off-street parking requirement | The Planning Board may approve the reduction in the number of off-street parking spaces required in § 200-27 for a site by up to 25% in order to encourage shared parking, minimize the amount of impervious area on a site, promote mixed-use developments, and encourage the walkability of the area | § 200-27 |
Building height | Minimum 2 usable stories; 14 feet minimum height of ground floor for commercial buildings; 40 feet maximum building height to the eave, except 50 feet to the eave is permissible if the portion of the building at this height is set back a minimum of 150 feet from a residential district | F(2)(f), (g), (i) |
Building coverage | Maximum 15,000 gross square feet per story | F(2)(c) |
Building transparency | 40% minimum between 3 feet and 10 feet above grade for first floors | F(3)(c) |
Building use | Residential use is precluded from the ground floor | F(2)(h) |
Pedestrian connections between buildings link retail establishments with parking and public gathering spaces to create a vibrant pedestrian experience. | Figure 5 depicts a multiple-building development with shared parking in the rear. This concept provides a common pedestrian network and plaza space that connects each building entry with the shared parking lot and the front sidewalk along the street. |
The provision of shared entrances (1) rather than individual drives reduces the number of turning movements onto busy corridors and can enhance internal circulation, especially when used in tandem with cross access between adjacent rear parking lots (2). |
The arrows highlight the issues associated with individual access points and a lack of cross access between properties along primary roadways. The numerous turning movements reduce transportation safety, while the constant break in the street line hinders the rhythm of the streetscape and degrades the pedestrian experience. |
Efforts should be made to integrate stormwater management into the numerous small greenspaces within the built environment adjacent to driveways, parking lots, and pedestrian spaces consistent with the most current New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual. | The use of open water detention ponds is not an appropriate stormwater management technique for the WMU District. |
INAPPROPRIATE | APPROPRIATE |
|---|---|
Although this building is constructed to the street line, the loading dock (1) is facing the primary street, presenting visual disruption. | The above detached refuse enclosure is placed at the rear of the building and is composed of like materials as found in the principal structure. |
APPROPRIATE | APPROPRIATE |
|---|---|
Porous pavements are encouraged to further facilitate infiltration and slow stormwater runoff. These materials are especially useful along the periphery of parking areas and/or adjacent to bioretention areas. | Where appropriate, bioretention areas and bioswales similar to the above may be used to promote the infiltration of stormwater. These installations would be appropriate in parking lot medians or in linear strips along drive aisles or behind parking lots in lieu of large, unsightly retention facilities. |
Vehicular parking lots shall be placed in the rear of the structure. In limited instances, side yard parking will also be permitted subject to conditions and approval as determined by the Planning Board [Subsection D(2)(b)]. | Front-loaded parking is not permitted for structures within the WMU District. Projects with multiple structures, some of which may be located in the rear of the lot, may have front-loaded parking on those rear-lot structures only. |
When a parking lot is located in a side yard or between building and street (waterfront lot), a buffer composed of vegetation or a combination of structural screen (fencing/wall) and vegetation must be installed between the parking lot and public right-of-way. | Buffers between parking and the street may include a formalized structure that matches the character and materials of the primary building, along with vegetation to buffer the negative visual impacts of parked cars. |
A primary characteristic of mixed-use corridors is a staggered peak demand for parking spaces. Where the proper mixture and diversity of tenant and land uses permits, shared parking should be explored to provide a more efficient and effective use of aggregated parking spaces in the area. | The individual assignment and isolation of parking lots complicates internal circulation for both motorists and pedestrians. The sharing of parking facilities potentially reduces the amount of pavement and other infrastructure. The above development would have benefited significantly with a site layout that grouped the buildings close together to enhance the synergy and vitality of pedestrian and outdoor spaces while also sharing parking. [See also § 200-20.1B(3) and Figure 14.] |
The effective use of plant material helps define a sense of enclosure and volume in outdoor spaces. Plant material should not overpower the surrounding landscape or buildings and should be of a similar scale and height to structures within the District at maturity. |
Figure 34 depicts front yard landscaping that reinforces the building's architectural style and directs one's eye toward the entrance. | Plantings that overwhelm the location due to size or habit look unkempt, contribute to a decrease in pedestrian safety and an increase in property maintenance costs. The plantings in Figure 35 are much too large for front yards along the primary corridor. |
This new building embodies a waterfront character, maintains an active storefront, provides visual distinction between the first floor and upper floors, displays a prominent entrance, and incorporates outdoor seating and pedestrian spaces. |
APPROPRIATE Figures 44 and 45 demonstrate the incorporation of a rooftop patio into a pitched roof. | APPROPRIATE |
Structures such as those found in Figures 46 and 47 do not relate to or complement desired waterfront character of the WMU District. Additions such as that depicted in Figure 48 do not relate to the existing building and shall be avoided. The elimination of windows (figure 49) is not appropriate for the adaptive reuse of existing structures. Figure 50 depicts the inclusion of patios and balconies to take advantage of water views. Figure 51 depicts an effective use of architectural details to provide visual distinction between the first floor and upper stories while maintaining transparency. Figure 52 provides an appropriate example of new development that successfully utilizes waterfront-appropriate design cues from Cape Cod and American Colonial architectural styles and differentiates the first floor from upper stories. |
Architectural details such as cornice lines, pilasters, and recessed windows finish a building facade and are extremely important in developing a sense of place and strengthening the identity of the Waterfront Mixed Use District as a vibrant and active community center. | A lack of architectural detail coupled with the improper utilization of building materials and design proportions can reduce the visual appeal and economic value of structures within the Waterfront Mixed Use District. |
The highlighting of the building base (1) anchors the structure to the site and provides visual distinction between the ground plane and the structure. Material selection shall complement the architectural style of the building and the waterfront setting. |
This structure provides a high quality example of building-appropriate window proportions, trim details, building base and solid-to-void ratios. | The wrapping of primary storefront windows around the corner of a building enhances the pedestrian experience and adds a higher level of architectural character and detail to the structure. |
The upper quartile of the structure pictured provides a high level of detail and ornamentation which caps the structure, while the lower quartile of such structure also defines the break between the ground floor and upper stories. | The building in Figure 60 does not provide any meaningful architectural detail at the roofline, nor do the scale and proportion of the existing design elements complement the surroundings. |
Awnings are a high quality design element that define the purpose and volume of outdoor spaces. They also add visual variety and distinction to building facade components. The building pictured also displays a significant amount of transparency and the successful use of a cornice to differentiate the first floor from upper stories. | These structures have continuous cornice and trim lines, and provide a high quality rhythm to the streetscope. |
Figure 63 This entrance possesses a sense of importance and draws visitors from the sidewalk into the structure [§ 200-20.1G(5)(a)]. The lack of transparency into the structure is balanced by the level of architectural detail and selection of materials. |
The use of inappropriate materials and finishes diminishes the visual quality of the structure and adjacent buildings. In this example, although the structure has a high quality storefront, the use of vinyl siding above the first story, over what was likely masonry construction, reduces the overall appeal of the building. |
Table 200-20.1A Maximum Building Sign Face Area | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Building Frontage | |||
Maximum sign face (square feet) | Less Than 80 Feet 40 | 80-159 Feet 60 | 160 Feet or Greater 80 |
Table 200-20.1B | ||
|---|---|---|
Maximum Freestanding Sign Face Area | ||
Sign Type | ||
Maximum sign face (square feet) | Post-Mounted 20 | Pedestal 32 |
Appropriate freestanding sign types for the MWU District include post-mounted signs (Figure 75) and pedestal signs (Figure 76). |
The above Figures 77 through 82 represent a collection of acceptable freestanding signs based on style and the quality of design and materials. The signs pictured in § 200-20.1H do not represent a palette of options or a finite selection of alternatives. The standards and pictorial examples are intended to provide guidance and a range of appropriate alternatives for signage applicants. |
Yard | Structures (feet) | Parking, Loading and Stacking Areas (feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Front, from right-of-way of a dedicated street Exception: self-storage facilities | 30 300 | 15 20 | |
Side, abutting a nonresidential district Exception: self-storage facilities | None; or, if separated, a minimum of 10 25 | 10* | |
Rear, abutting a nonresidential district Exception: self-storage facilities | 15 25 | 10* | |
Side and rear, abutting a residential district Exception: self-storage facilities | 25 50 | 25* |
*NOTE: The entire area must be landscaped in compliance with § 200-28 of this chapter. |
Yard | Structures (feet) | Parking, Loading and Stacking Areas (feet) |
|---|---|---|
Front, from right-of-way of a dedicated street | 60 | 20* |
Side and rear, abutting a residential district | 50 | 25* |
Side and rear, abutting a nonresidential district | 25 | 10* |
*NOTE: The entire area must be landscaped in compliance with § 200-28 of this chapter. |