Greenwich Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE III
Zoning Districts; Zoning Map; District Boundaries; Use and Area Regulations
§ 190-6 Establishment of zoning districts.
For the purpose of this chapter the Town of Greenwich is hereby divided into the following districts:
A.
Rural Agricultural District (RAD).
(1)
The Rural Agricultural District is the largest district in the Town. It includes the active agricultural uses in the Town. It also includes low-density residential uses that are compatible with and integrated into the agricultural uses. Home occupations and small businesses are also encouraged where they can be shown to be compatible with the low-density residential and agricultural uses. It also includes the wetlands, streams, rivers, fallow fields and forests. The intent of this district is to provide an area in which the mixture of agricultural, residential and small business uses can exist in relative harmony with the natural, environmental and open space character of the area.
(2)
The preservation not only of agricultural and open space but also the social and cultural character of the area is critical to maintaining Greenwich as a rural community, a primary goal of the Town's Comprehensive Plan.
(3)
The further purpose of the Rural Agricultural District is to maintain the mixture of farmland and open space resources of the Town of Greenwich, while providing opportunities for small-scale, low-intensity housing and businesses that coexist with the rural nature of the Town. Large-scale residential development, especially that which would convert farm or open space, is discouraged in this district.
B.
Residential District (RD). The purpose of the Residential District is to protect and encourage moderate-density residential development as well as a limited number of compatible uses. This district is located next to the Village of Greenwich, the Hamlet of Clarks Mills and Cossayuna Lake and provides the best location for residential development, especially where utilities are present.
C.
Hamlet/Mixed-Use District (HMUD). The Hamlet/Mixed-Use District encompasses the Town's historic hamlets, which are scattered throughout the Town. Some of these hamlets still contain commercial uses, while others are more residential in character. All contain a higher density of development than is found in the surrounding rural areas. The intent of this district is to encourage higher-density, mixed-use development providing small-scale services to the surrounding community. Development that occurs in these hamlets should be at a scale with the existing development and which is compatible with the historic qualities of these neighborhoods and respects the integrity of surrounding open space and agriculture lands.
D.
Commercial District (CD). The purpose of the Commercial District is to provide for high-density commercial development along Route 29 and adjacent to the Village of Greenwich. This district encompasses and expands the Town's historic commercial core. Design guidelines associated with this district are intended to provide for the long-term transformation of the commercial district into a pedestrian-friendly, Village-scale area for living, shopping and working.
E.
Industrial District (ID). The purpose of the Industrial District is to allow for the continued operation and expansion of the Town's paper mills, as well as to provide locations for new, potentially intensive, manufacturing and industry. This district also provides opportunities for sand and gravel mining.
§ 190-7 Establishment of Zoning Map.
The zoning districts are defined and shown on the Town of Greenwich Zoning Map, which by act of the Town Board is made part of this chapter.[1] The Official Zoning Map shall be filed in the Town Hall and shall be available for public inspection.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Zoning Map is included at the end of this chapter.
§ 190-8 Interpretation of district boundaries.
A.
Where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundary of any district as shown on the Town of Greenwich Official Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
(1)
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately following the center lines or right-of-way lines of streets, highways, railroads or public utility line easements or actual or projected Town boundary lines or property lines, said boundaries shall be construed as being coincident with such lines.
(2)
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately parallel to the center lines or right-of-way lines of streets, highways, railroads or public utility line easements or actual or projected Town boundary lines or property lines, said boundaries shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at such distances as are indicated on the Official Zoning Map or as shall be determined by the scale shown on the Official Zoning Map.
(3)
The official duly appointed by the Town Board of Greenwich to administer this chapter shall interpret the location of district boundary lines with respect to specific properties, who may solicit the advice of the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Planning Board. The official's interpretation may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
(4)
Where a boundary is shown as following a certain distance from a road, the boundary shall be measured from the center line of the road.
B.
Where a district boundary line divides a lot, the regulations for either portion may be extended not more than 30 feet into the other portion.
C.
Where a structure is located on a lot that is located in two districts, the area requirements for the district in which the majority of the structure is located shall apply.
§ 190-9 District use and area regulations.
The use and area requirements for each zoning district are found in Tables 1 and 2.[1] A use that is not shown as a principal permitted use or a use permitted by site plan review and/or special use permit shall not be allowed.
[1]
Editor's Note: Tables 1 and 2 are included at the end of this chapter.