North Greenbush City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXII
Commercial District
§ 197-108 District boundaries.
§ 197-109 Purpose of District.
This District encompasses developable lands in the area of the intersection of Routes 4 and 43, both major travel corridors in the Town. The purpose of this District is to provide for integrated, large-scale commercial and office development of these parcels. Development of these parcels shall be governed by design guidelines contained in Chapter 155 of the Town Code (Site Plan Review) and design requirements located in this Zoning Law, the intent of both being to govern the form, appearance and impact of development. It is the intent of this District that necessary traffic improvements be constructed concurrent with new development in order to provide adequate capacity on area roadways.
§ 197-110 Permitted uses.
The permitted uses in this District shall be set forth in Zoning Law Table 1, "Schedule of Use Regulations."[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 197-111 Area requirements.
A.
Minimum lot size: five acres.
B.
Minimum width at setback: 400 feet.
C.
Minimum front setback: 50 feet.
D.
Minimum side setback: 50 feet.
E.
Minimum rear setback: 50 feet.
F.
Maximum lot coverage: 75%.
G.
Minimum greenspace: 25% (inclusive of interior and exterior parking lot landscaping).
H.
Maximum building height: three stories/45 feet.
§ 197-112 Parking requirements.
The parking requirements in this District shall be set forth in Zoning Law Table 3, "Schedule of Parking and Loading Regulations."[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 197-113 Design requirements and design guidelines.
Development within the District is subject to both objective and subjective requirements. The objective requirements are those that are readily measurable or quantifiable. These requirements are located in this Zoning Ordinance and are denominated "design requirements." The subjective requirements, known as "design guidelines" are those that regulate nonmeasurable matters and are located in the Site Plan Review Ordinance[1] and are to be applied by the Planning Board during the site plan review process.
A.
District characterization. This District is located astride two busy state highways with steadily growing traffic volumes. It is a desirable area for commercial or office development. Residential neighborhoods adjoin the District primarily to the east. These neighborhoods are affected by increasing traffic volumes and could, in the future, be affected by other aspects of retail or office development. The District presently lacks cohesion and architectural focus. Existing new commercial development is characterized by large parking lots located in front of big box stores. Presently there are few internal connections between developments. There are no sidewalks, and the District presently is unfriendly to pedestrians.
B.
District objectives.
(1)
Provide a landscaped edge and pedestrian accessibility to both sides of the Route 4 and 43 corridor, restoring the highway as a desirable and attractive feature.
(2)
Provide for a unity of architectural expression at the Route 4/43 intersection in order to create a focal point and a hamlet center.
(3)
Provide adequate buffering and other protection for adjoining residential uses.
(4)
Provide for connection between parcels wherever practical.
(5)
Reduce signage clutter.
(6)
Minimize the adverse impacts of parking.
C.
The design requirements are as follows:
(1)
Street edge. Provide a landscaped street edge along Route 4 and 43. Provide street trees of at least 2.5-inch caliper (as that term is defined by the American Association of Nurserymen) 35 feet on center.
(2)
Interior parking lot landscaping.[2] Interior parking areas shall be landscaped in addition to the required landscaped street edge, Trees must be provided in each parking lot at a minimum average density of one shade tree (2.5-inch caliper) for each 15 parking spaces, or any fraction thereof. Additionally, interior parking lot landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the following table:
Total Parking Area (square feet) | Interior Landscaped Area |
|---|---|
Less than 24,999 | 5% |
25,000 to 49,999 | 8% |
50,000 or larger | 10% |
[2]
Editor's Note: The greenspace requirements of § 197-113C(1) through (4) are part of the overall greenspace requirement of 25% set forth in § 197-111G and not in addition to § 197-111G.
(3)
Exterior parking lot landscaping.[3] A landscaped strip shall be provided around the perimeter of the site exclusive of driveways. The landscaped strip shall be a minimum of five-feet-wide for sites 10,000 square feet or greater and three-feet-wide for sites less than 10,000 square feet, except for any area abutting Route 4 or 43, in which case the requirements of Subsection C(1) (Street edge) above shall apply. Within the perimeter landscaped strip, one shade tree (2.5-inch caliper minimum) shall be provided per every 250 square feet, or any portion thereof, of landscaped strip.
[3]
Editor's Note: The greenspace requirements of § 197-113C(1) through (4) are part of the overall greenspace requirement of 25% set forth in § 197-111G and not in addition to § 197-111G.
(4)
Parking lot landscaping requirements.[4]
(a)
To calculate the total parking area and the subsequent percentage of required interior lot landscaping, total the square footage of parking spaces, planting islands, curbed areas, and all interior driveways and aisles, except those with no parking spaces located on either side. Landscaped areas located outside the parking lot may not be used to meet the interior landscape requirement.
(b)
All landscaped areas, including permeable areas and drip lines around trees and planting beds used for visual screening, which abut any parking lot or vehicular travel area shall be protected with curbs, parking blocks, or similar barriers sufficient to protect them from vehicular intrusion. Such areas shall have a minimum pervious area of 60% if they are for the purpose of housing landscaping including trees and 25% if they house landscaping other than trees. Landscaped islands will be a minimum five feet in dimension and must be a minimum of nine feet wide when adjacent to parking spaces where a car door would open into the island.
[4]
Editor's Note: The greenspace requirements of § 197-113C(1) through (4) are part of the overall greenspace requirement of 25% set forth in § 197-111G and not in addition to § 97-111G.
(5)
Pedestrian walkways. Pedestrian walkways are to be provided from parking lots in excess of 100 cars to all buildings. Such walkways shall be a minimum of five feet in width and must be landscaped for their entire length. Crosswalks are to be marked by a change in materials distinguished by color or materials.
(6)
Parking orientation. Parking of cars shall be oriented such that vehicles are parallel to buildings so that pedestrians move down rather than across rows of vehicles.
(7)
Buffers. All parcels shall maintain an undisturbed buffer of 100 feet from any adjoining parcel that is zoned residential and improved with a residence. Subject to review by the Planning Board, access roadways, landscaping, screening, berms and stormwater management facilities may be located in this buffer, but parking lots and structures may not.
(8)
Lighting. Parking lot lights may not exceed 20 feet in height. All lights, whether pole or building mounted, shall be shielded such that light is directed downwards.
(9)
Focal points. Buildings in excess of 40,000 square feet shall have a focal point. A focal point may be:
(10)
Public amenities. Public amenities shall be provided for all parcels in excess of 10,000 square feet at a ratio of two square feet per parking space. A public amenity, in the discretion of the Planning Board, may qualify as a focal point. A public amenity shall be accessible to pedestrians from both streets and parking lots. A public amenity is: