Norwalk City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 60
Research and Development Zone
§ 118-600 Research and Development Zone.
[Added effective 5-20-1957; amended effective 12-5-1973; 9-15-1975; 4-14-1977; 4-25-1980]
A.
Purpose and intent.
(1)
It is declared that a need has developed in Norwalk for the provisions of a Research and Development Zone, to be known as an "R-D Zone," which cannot be provided within the scope of the present building zone regulations.
(2)
It is the purpose of this zone to permit a limited number of executive offices, research and development firms, and executive and management educational facilities for use by companies, corporations and organizations for their business use, subject to limitations set forth herein, for use by non-businesses for celebratory events, ceremonies and rituals which may or may not include music, food and liquor services and which will contribute to the economic base of the City and will constitute a harmonious and appropriate part of the physical development of the City. The provisions of this zone are intended to ensure that all permitted uses and structures will be compatible with and will provide protection to adjacent residential areas and will maintain the character of the neighborhood in which they are located.
[Amended effective 7-25-2003; effective 2-27-2009]
B.
Uses and structures.
(1)
Principal uses and structures. Premises and buildings shall be used only pursuant to Special Permit as defined in Subsection B(2), except that if the zoning district existing prior to the amendment of the Zoning Map establishing this zone was a residence zone, the use of premises and buildings shall be permitted in accordance with the requirements of such prior district.
(2)
Special Permit uses and structures. The following uses and structures and no others shall be permitted by Special Permit, in accordance with the provisions of Article 140, § 118-1450, Special Permits, and subject to the additional standards and limitations set forth herein:
[Amended effective 12-26-1986; effective 7-26-1991; effective 1-28-1994; effective 7-25-2003; effective 2-27-2009]
(a)
Office buildings for business and professional establishments other than those primarily providing services to customers or clients on the premises.
(b)
Research and development facilities which involve no production or fabrication of products for sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the manufacture of limited quantities of products solely for research purposes may be permitted as specifically authorized by the Commission.
(c)
Executive and management educational facilities for use by:
[1]
Companies, corporations and organizations for executive or management educational training purposes, or meetings of their officers, directors, shareholders, members, and/or employees, provided that, during any one (1) calendar week, no more than twelve (12) companies, corporations or organizations shall utilize such facilities.
(3)
Uses which are not permitted in Subsection B(1) and (2) above shall not be permitted by variance in a Research and Development Zone.
[Added effective 4-24-1992[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This enactment also provided for the renumbering of former Subsection B(3) and (4) as Subsection B(4) and (5), respectively.
(4)
Additional standards for Special Permit uses.
(a)
The uses permitted by Special Permit in the R-D Zone shall be subject to the following additional standards:
[1]
Environmental impact. No use shall be allowed which would have an adverse effect upon adjacent properties by reason of the emission of smoke, particulate matter, noise, dust, glare, fumes, odor, ionizing radiation, vibration, heat or any other noxious pollutant or waste.
[2]
Storage of materials. All materials stored on the premises shall be in completely enclosed structures.
[3]
Sanitary facilities. Public sewer facilities shall be utilized and adequate provision for storm drainage shall be made as determined by the Commission.
[4]
Location and access. Each parcel shall have direct access on an arterial or collector street, designated upon the Urban Systems Map, as amended, capable of providing safe and adequate access to the site.
[5]
Density.
[a]
Office buildings and research and development facilities. The maximum number of employees permitted on each lot shall not exceed 25 per acre or fraction thereof.
[b]
Executive and management educational facilities.
[Amended effective 7-25-2003; effective 2-27-2009]
[i]
The maximum number of executives or management persons undergoing educational training or attending business meetings and dinners (collectively "core business activities") at any one time together with supporting staff persons shall not exceed a combined total of six (6) per acre or fraction thereof.
[ii]
The maximum number of individuals attending special events and utilizing overnight accommodations in connection therewith, plus the number of individuals described in Subsection B(4)(a)[5][b][i] above plus supporting staff persons shall not, combined at any one time, exceed six (6) per acre or fraction thereof.
[6]
Hours of operation, other limitations.
[a]
Office buildings and research and development facilities. Hours of operation shall be limited to between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., except for maintenance purposes, data and communications processing and research and equipment requiring continuous operation or study.
[b]
Executive and management educational facilities.
[Amended effective 2-27-2009]
[i]
Hours of operation for core business activities shall be limited to between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., except for overnight lodging and boarding purposes, recreational activities and maintenance purposes.
[ii]
For special events the following shall apply:
[A]
Outdoor activities at any event shall be permitted for a period not exceeding two (2) hours and shall end no later than 9:00 p.m.
[B]
Except for a voice microphone on a patio, no outdoor amplification for voice, sound, music, light shows, fireworks or similar sounds shall be permitted at any time.
[C]
Except for covering patios, no tents or temporary structures are permitted.
[D]
Special events attended by 90 or more people shall:
{1} | Be limited to 48 such events during any calendar year and to no more than two (2) such events during a weekend (Friday-Sunday) or three (3) such events during a weekend followed by a Monday holiday; | |
{2} | Have a police officer or security person stationed at each entry/exit to a public road during the period one hour after the scheduled event. | |
{3} | Be allowed on legal holidays on any day during the week (Monday-Thursday). | |
{4} | Provide that music, food and liquor services terminate no later than 11:15 p.m. for those events taking place on a holiday, a Friday, a Saturday or a Sunday that precedes a Monday holiday and 10:00 p.m. on any other day with participants either retiring to their on-premises overnight accommodations or vacating the premises as soon thereafter as reasonable. |
[E]
Special events attended by less than 90 people shall:
{1} | Be allowed on any day including holidays and provide that music, food and liquor services terminate at the same times as set forth above for special events attended by 90 or more people, i.e. either 10:00 p.m. or 11:15 p.m. as the case may be. |
[F]
Annual report. An annual report shall be filed by the owner of the premises within ninety (90) days of the end of a calendar year indicating the number of special events attended by 90 or more people occurring during the prior calendar year and the dates thereof.
[7]
Illumination. Exterior illumination shall be controlled by design or screening so as not to intrude upon adjacent streets and properties.
[8]
Existing buildings and structures. Buildings of historical or architectural significance which exist on the site shall be preserved and adapted for reuse in a manner which maintains the character of the building.
[9]
Landscaping. All areas of a site not used for building, parking, walks and drives shall be suitably landscaped. New construction shall be designed and carried out in a manner which results in the least defacement to the existing landscape features of the site.
(b)
Application for Special Permit shall include plans, drawings and other documentation which the Commission deems necessary for it to evaluate the standards for Special Permit listed under § 118-1450C and the additional standards set forth herein. The Commission may refer such applications to appropriate city agencies and departments for review and recommendations.
(5)
Accessory uses and structures. Accessory uses and structures which are incidental to and customarily associated with the principal use of the premises shall be permitted subject to the setback requirements for the principal use and subject to the following restrictions:
(a)
Office buildings and research and development facilities. Lodging shall be for the temporary accommodation of not more than ten (10) employees or visitors.
(b)
Executive and management educational facilities. Lodging shall be for the temporary accommodation of not more than ten (10) employees or visitors and for the accommodation of not more than four (4) executive or management persons undergoing educational training or individuals attending special events for each acre or fraction thereof within the total site.
[Amended effective 2-27-2009]
(c)
Recreation facilities shall be for the exclusive use of employees and guests.
(d)
Permanent living quarters may be provided solely for a managing director, assistant managing director, custodian, a caretaker or watchman and family of each named position.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(5)(e), added effective 7-25-2003, which immediately followed this subsection and prohibited nonbusiness-related ceremonies and rituals, was repealed effective 2-27-2009.
C.
Lots and building requirements. See Schedule of Commercial and Industrial Uses and all other applicable sections of these regulations. Not withstanding the foregoing, no executive or management educational facility shall be located upon a lot of less than fifty (50) acres.
[Amended effective 7-25-2003]