Groton City Zoning Code
§ 218-5.5
Performance standards for business and industrial special permit uses in R-B, VCB, NB, GB and I Districts.
[Amended 4-30-2022 ATM by Art. 13]
A.
Objectives. The objectives of these special use regulations are to provide entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for area residents; to focus development at locations occasioning relatively small environmental or community cost; to protect the Town's rural character and natural environment; to promote harmonious future development; and to provide convenient services for Groton residents.
B.
Special permits for business or industrial uses, if consistent with this chapter in all other respects, shall be granted only if the special permit granting authority determines that the proposal's benefits to the Town or vicinity will outweigh any adverse effects, after consideration of the following.
C.
Location.
(1)
The proposal will be located near uses which are similar to the proposed use or, if not, the nearby uses will be ones likely to benefit from rather than be damaged by having the proposed activity nearby.
(2)
Public water supply will be available or will be made available without increased cost to the Town, the Water Department or its current rate payers, and serving this use at this location will pose no problems which are unusual.
(3)
The proposal will not cause environmental stress from erosion, siltation, groundwater or surface water contamination or disturbance to wildlife habitat on the site if the wildlife is officially listed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to 321 CMR 8.00 as endangered, threatened or of special concern.
D.
Activity type and mix.
(1)
The proposed activity will contribute to the diversity of services available to the Town.
(2)
Any retail services will be designed to serve the Town's population rather than a larger region.
(3)
The proposal will add little to traffic congestion, considering the location, the number of trips likely to be attracted and any special access provisions committed (e.g., bike storage facilities or employee ridesharing).
(4)
The proposal will pose no environmental hazard because of use or storage of explosive, flammable, toxic or radioactive materials.
(5)
The proposal will not result in air pollution or excessive noise.
E.
Site design.
(1)
Scenic views from public ways and other developed properties will be considerately treated in the design of the site.
(2)
Topographic change will not result in cuts or fills exceeding seven feet.
(3)
Removal of existing trees or other important natural features will be avoided.
(4)
Pedestrian movement within the site and to other places will be well provided for.
(5)
Vehicular movement within the site will be safe and convenient and arranged so as to not disturb abutting properties.
(6)
Visibility of parking and service areas from public streets will be minimized through facility location and the use of topography and vegetation.
(7)
Potential disturbances such as noise, glare and odors will be effectively confined to the premises through buffering or other means.
(8)
Water quality will be protected through appropriate location and design of disposal facilities in relation to water bodies and site geology.
F.
Facility design.
(1)
Scenic views from public ways and other developed properties will be considerately treated in the design of the buildings.
(2)
Primary exterior materials will match the appearance of materials commonly found on existing buildings within the Town.
(3)
Domestic scale will be maintained in the building's design through massing devices such as breaks in walls and roof planes and through the design of architectural features.