Purpose. The purpose of the Greenbelt District is to provide for low-density residential uses while retaining the open space quality of the land, to preserve and expand agricultural operations in the Town, to protect historic resources, to protect streams, wetlands and other natural resources, and to integrate natural resources into existing parklands. Large-scale development in the Greenbelt is discouraged.

Existing character. The Greenbelt is defined by topographical and soil features, including rock outcrops, terraces, and wetness, that severely limit development and give it a rural character. Major north-south ridges and valleys segregate the district and impede east-west transportation. The district contains residential parcels of varying sizes as well as large undeveloped lots, including the majority of lands in Agricultural District 20 and public lands such as schools, historic sites and public parks.

Purpose. The purpose of the Waterfront District is to provide for water-dependent and water-enhanced land uses, including agriculture, recreation and tourism, and to provide for low-density residential uses, while retaining the district's open space quality. The district is also intended to preserve the open character and manorial quality of lands along the Hudson River corridor and to protect scenic and environmentally sensitive areas.

Existing character. The district is dominated by steep bluffs to the west that limit access to the Hudson River and constrain development. The Hudson River shoreline, the railway and several significant ecological areas further impede infrastructure development. The district contains sensitive riverine habitats and tidal wetlands, designated historic sites, international tourist destinations, and designated scenic areas of statewide significance. The district encompasses those lands where settlement initially occurred and that continue to define the character of Hyde Park. The district is marked by residential parcels of varying sizes, large federal, state and educational holdings, punctuated by five Hudson-River-oriented commercial areas and interspersed with modest residential uses.

Purpose. The purpose of the Neighborhood Districts is to reinforce the historic pattern of limited mixed-use development in these districts of the Town. Neighborhood Districts are the basic building blocks from which Hamlets may evolve. Neighborhood Districts are intended to provide for a variety of housing opportunities and local services, including pedestrian safety measures to support that housing. Neighborhoods extend up to 1/2 mile from a Neighborhood Core to ensure that central areas are within a walkable distances. The Neighborhood Districts have minimum to moderate constraints on development that can support greater density and are suitable for expansion and infill.

Existing character. Each Neighborhood District encompasses one or more existing residential developments having densities that range from more than two dwelling units per acre to one dwelling unit per acre and an occasional existing nonresidential use or high-density residential use. Existing streets provide vehicular ways but no walkways. Some Neighborhood Districts are served by some infrastructure, generally limited to either a community water supply or a community sanitary sewer facility. Stormwater management facilities, including storm sewers, are minimal. One Neighborhood District is served by both a community water supply and sanitary sewer system.

Purpose. The purpose of the Hamlet Districts is to reinforce historic patterns of limited mixed-use development in these areas of the Town, with higher levels of infrastructure and higher density, scale and intensity of use than in the Neighborhood Districts. These Districts are intended to provide for a variety of housing opportunities and local services to support that housing, and the residents of districts adjacent to the Hamlets as well.

Existing character. A Hamlet encompasses an existing residential development which has a density of two or more dwelling units per acre and some existing nonresidential uses. Vehicular access to a Hamlet exists in the form of local, county and state roads providing circulation to other areas of the Town. Separate pedestrian circulation is minimal to nonexistent.

Purpose. The purpose of the East Park Business Districts is to reinforce the historic pattern of limited mixed-use development in this area of the Town, to encourage further mixed-use development appropriate to the area, to create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, and to provide the necessary infrastructure for future development. The East Park Business Districts are intended to provide varied housing opportunities for Town residents, supported by local and Town-wide services.

Existing character. The East Park Business Districts include those areas that pose minimum environmental constraints to development. The districts encompass existing concentrations of residential and nonresidential uses.

Purpose. The purpose of the Corridor Business District is to permit a mix of uses, including diversified tourism-dependent nonresidential uses that meet tourist needs in areas convenient to major points of interest, including the existing national park/historical sites, and to serve the local shopping, commercial and residential needs of Hyde Park residents in a mixed used environment. This mix of residential and commercial uses will serve to create a more vibrant center with a diversified economy consistent with the needs of a 21st century community.

Existing character. The district includes those existing commercial areas that pose minimum physical and environmental constraints to development. The district encompasses existing concentrations of nonresidential uses as well as several important national historic sites.

Purpose. The Neighborhood Business Districts are intended to serve as accessories to the Town's residential neighborhoods. They are intended to promote and accommodate a mix of commercial, residential and other uses, all within a short distance of existing neighborhoods. In addition to other uses permitted throughout the Greenbelt, Waterfront, Neighborhood and Hamlet Districts, the Neighborhood Business Districts permit business retail and lower-impacting neighborhood-scale nonresidential uses. They also provide for assembly uses such as dining, entertaining, and social functions.

Existing character. The Neighborhood Business Districts include those existing smaller-scale nonresidential areas that pose minimum physical and environmental constraints to development and that have already developed in the outlying crossroads areas of Town. The districts encompass several existing concentrations of neighborhood-scale nonresidential uses which have served adjoining residential neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Business Districts are adequately served by a mix of local, county and state roadways. Limited public utility infrastructure exists in some of the Neighborhood Business Districts.

Purpose. The intent of the St. Andrews District is to recognize the special circumstances of educational institutions and to accommodate the orderly growth of an educational campus in a manner that both promotes the educational objectives of the institution and preserves the presence of an educational campus as presently existing and as projected in its conceptual Campus Master Plan. The Culinary Institute has an international reputation and draws students and visitors from all over the world. The district regulations shall also facilitate visits to the campus and the Town.

Existing character. The Culinary Institute of America occupies the lands associated with the St. Andrews District as currently defined. The campus area is used primarily for an educational institution that serves a local, regional, national and international student body. The campus maintains several large buildings used for educational purposes as well as student housing. By the nature of the district's location, it also serves as a primary gateway to southern Hyde Park.

Purpose. The purpose of the Landing Districts is to encourage water-dependent and water-enhanced residential and nonresidential uses that will increase access to the scenic, economic and recreational uses of the Hudson River.

Existing character. The Landing Districts front on the Hudson River and generally do not include sensitive riverine habitats or tidal wetlands, are within designated areas of scenic significance and identified viewpoints. All Landing Districts have one or more existing water-dependent, nonresidential uses. The Landing Districts serve as existing water-dependent service cores for the Town and public access to the Hudson River. The Landing Districts generally are isolated on the waterfront, having little or no direct connection to the principal land use forms of the Town. Vehicular access to the Landing Districts exists to a limited degree across the railroad right-of-way but needs to be protected and improved to ensure safe vehicular and pedestrian access to the shoreline of the Hudson River.

Purpose. The Core is the mixed-use heart of the settlement, designed to accommodate a mix of commercial, light industrial, residential and other uses, all within walking distance. In addition to other uses permitted throughout the Neighborhood and Hamlet Districts, the Core in each case permits business, retail and light industrial uses. It also provides for assembly uses such as dining, entertaining and social functions.

Existing character. The Cores are a more densely developed portion of the surrounding district. The purposes of the Core are best served by having a central public space that augments the corridors and provides a focal point. Streets within existing Cores suffer from congestion and lack of pedestrian conveniences. This has caused the service facilities to gravitate to locations along and adjacent to state and county highways. Facilities that provide community services, such as churches, day-care centers, libraries and community centers, exist in some Cores, but not to the extent desired.

Purpose. Planned development is needed to ensure that the district is developed in a way that preserves the natural beauty of the land, promotes tourism, supports the existing business district in the Town Center and sensitively expands the Town Center with planned mixed-use development. The provisions of this district are intended to streamline permitting and allow greater use flexibility.

Existing character. The district is the largest area of potential development in the southern end of the Town with excellent access from Routes 9 and 9G and St. Andrews Road. North of St. Andrews Road, the land generally lies behind existing development along Route 9. South of St. Andrews Road, the District abuts Route 9 and is virtually unbroken green space. Its planned development must be sensitive to the fact that Teller Hill serves as the southern gateway to the Town Center.