Newtown City Zoning Code
§ B70-12.03
Application for approval.
A.
An application for Village District approval shall be submitted on a form to be provided by the Commission and shall contain such information as will allow the Commission to make a reasoned decision on each of the following design criteria, in addition to criteria set forth in the Zoning Regulations relating to uses and buildings permitted in Business and Professional zones, including, but not limited to the following:
(1)
Proposed buildings and modifications to existing buildings shall be constructed with appropriate materials and of building designs appropriate for a scenic and rural New England town, recognizing architectural scale, rhythm and proportion, and shall avoid large monolithic building forms.
(2)
Proposed buildings or modifications to existing buildings shall be harmoniously related to their surroundings, the terrain in the district and to the use, scale and architecture of existing buildings in the district that have a functional or visual relationship to the proposed building or modification.
(3)
All spaces, structures and related site improvements visible from public roadways shall be designed to be compatible with the elements of the area of the village district in and around the proposed building or modification.
(4)
The color, size, height, location, proportion of openings, roof treatments, building materials and landscaping of the property that is to be improved and any proposed signs and lighting shall be evaluated for compatibility with the local architectural motif and the maintenance of views, historic buildings, monuments and landscaping, and
(5)
The removal or disruption of historic, traditional or significant structures or architectural elements shall be minimized.
B.
All development in the Village District shall be designed to achieve the following compatibility objectives:
(1)
The building and layout of buildings and included site improvements shall reinforce a rural New England village theme in its buildings and streetscape patterns and the placement of buildings and included site improvements shall assure there is no adverse impact on the district:
(a)
Proposed streets shall be connected to the existing District road network, wherever possible;
(b)
Open spaces within the proposed development shall reinforce open space patterns of the district, in form and siting;
(c)
Locally significant features of the site such as distinctive buildings or sight lines of vistas from within the District, shall be integrated into the site design;
(d)
The landscape design shall complement the District's landscape patterns; and
(e)
The exterior signs, site lighting and accessory structures shall support a rural New England village architectural theme.
(f)
The scale, proportions, massing and detailing of any proposed building shall be in proportion to the scale, proportion, massing and detailing in the District.