Freetown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE III
Zoning Districts
§ 300-3.1 Establishment of districts.
[Amended 3-24-1997 STM; 5-7-2001 ATM; 10-27-2008 STM; 6-7-2010 ATM]
A.
Types of districts. For the purpose of this bylaw, the Town of Freetown is hereby divided into the following types of use districts:
R - Residential |
I - Industrial |
I/2 - Industrial/2 |
B - Business |
G - General Use |
Open Space and Recreation |
VR - Village Residential |
VB - Village Business |
B.
Location of districts. The sections of the Town to which this bylaw is applicable and the boundaries of the districts above referred to are hereby established as shown on the map entitled "Zoning Map Town of Freetown," dated September 17, 2008, and on file with the Town Clerk, which accompanies and is hereby declared to be a part of this bylaw.
§ 300-3.2 Industrial Districts (I), (I/2).
In an Industrial District, buildings and structures may be constructed, altered, enlarged, reconstructed and used and land may be used for manufacturing, processing, fabrication, assembling, research and development and biotechnology activities, information and information processing, data collection and data storage, recordkeeping, instructional and training facilities, telecommunications, public distribution and maintenance facilities not otherwise prohibited by law or ordinance and uses ancillary thereto, excluding research or use of radioactive, biohazardous or explosive materials. Retail sale shall not be permitted, except that retail sales of products manufactured on the premises are permitted but shall be limited to an area which is 5% of the gross floor space, or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. The uses permitted under this section are subject to the following provisions:
A.
All operations are conducted and all materials used in such operations or held in storage are contained within enclosed buildings or enclosed by a solid wall, fence or planting of such nature and height as to conceal such operation or materials from view from any public way or area or neighboring premises.
B.
Waste materials produced by such operations are either disposed of, stored in buildings or enclosed as specified in Subsection A above.
C.
Dust, smoke, fumes, gas, glare, noxious odors, noise and vibrations are limited so as not to be injurious to the public health or to the use of neighboring property as provided by the laws of the commonwealth.
D.
No more than 80% of the lot is covered by "improvements," meaning buildings, parking areas, driveways and access roads, and outside storage and assembly areas.
E.
Buildings housing manufacturing operations shall be set back at least 50 feet from any street and side lot line and at least 40 feet from any rear lot line. The setback areas shall be left in a natural, unimpaired state or landscaped.
F.
Structures greater than three floors or 40 feet in height shall maintain a setback of at least 200 feet from the nearest street or from any General or Residential Districts.
G.
Adequate provision is made for the off-street accommodation of all vehicles, including those of employers, employees, customers and visitors.
H.
Illumination of buildings, yards and signs shall not constitute a hazard to auto drivers and the light sources of such illumination shall be shielded from adjacent residential districts and streets. Flashing, moving or intermittent illumination shall not be permitted.
§ 300-3.3 Village Residential (VR) and Village Business (VB) Districts.
A.
Purpose. It is the intent of the Village Residential District and the Village Business District to preserve the architectural and historic character of Assonet Village and East Freetown Village. A mix of limited commercial and residential uses is permitted to allow development keeping with the look and feel of Freetown's historic villages. Additionally, the Town of Freetown's intent for the Village Residential District and Village Business District is:
(1)
To encourage rehabilitation of existing structures and development of new buildings with high architectural standards that are compatible with the historic development pattern that gives Assonet Village and East Freetown Village their special character. New development/redevelopment in Assonet Village and East Freetown Village should meet the following design guidelines: Any extension, alteration or reconstruction of existing buildings should reflect the original design insofar as practical. New construction should reinforce the architectural style of existing buildings in terms of building design, siding, material and texture, color and bulk, and should result in a harmonious blend of the new and old. Use of brick, clapboard, shingle, masonry or nonreflective materials is encouraged. Sheet metal, reflective materials or similar siding lacking texture is strongly discouraged.
(2)
Uses allowed by right and by special permit are encouraged, but not required, to meet these policy goals:
(a)
To maintain the historic village scale and mix of residential, commercial, and community land uses in Assonet Village and East Freetown Village.
(b)
To attract new investment and help create new jobs in Assonet Village and East Freetown Village.
(c)
To improve the safety and comfort for pedestrians in Assonet Village and East Freetown Village.
(d)
To encourage village commercial uses that will primarily serve the needs of the people of Freetown and the surrounding communities and, secondarily attract visitors to utilize these villages.
B.
Density regulations.
(1)
The lot requirements for the Village Residential District shall be the same as the Residential District; the lot requirements for newly created lots in the Village Business District shall be the same as the Business District. No lot shall be developed or redeveloped under this bylaw unless it meets the state's Title 5[1] septic requirements or connects to a public sewer system.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 310 CMR 15.00.
(2)
No more than one principal building shall be located on a lot.
C.
Uses permitted by right, by special permit and prohibited are delineated in § 300-5.1, Table of Use Regulations. Development that does not require a special permit within a village should meet the following performance standards:
(1)
Design guidelines. The design guidelines listed in § 300-3.3A(1) have been met to the greatest extent feasible.
(2)
Nuisance. The proposed use(s) will not create a noise, dust, odor or vibration nuisance to abutting properties.
(3)
Parking. The number of parking spaces to be provided shall be as noted in Section 4, Off Street Parking and Loading Requirements, of the Rules and Regulations of the Planning Board as special permit granting authority.
(4)
Pedestrian access. Provision for safe and convenient pedestrian access shall be incorporated into plans for new construction and redevelopment of buildings and parking areas. New construction should improve pedestrian access to building, sidewalks and parking areas and should be completed with considerations of pedestrian safety, handicapped access and visual quality.
(5)
Landscaping.
(a)
A landscaped buffer strip may be required adjacent to adjoining residential uses. This buffer strip shall be planted with a combination of grass, appropriate shrubs and shade trees.
(b)
Exposed storage areas, machinery, garbage dumpsters, service areas, truck loading areas, utility buildings and structures shall be screened from the view of abutting properties and streets using plantings, fences and other methods compatible with the goals of this regulation.