Norwalk City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 76
Commercial Planned Residential Developments 1
§ 118-760 Commercial planned residential developments.
A.
Purpose and intent. The purpose of this regulation is to encourage multifamily dwellings as an alternative to commercial development within the Executive Office Zone. Such multifamily dwellings are intended to increase Norwalk's housing supply and to help meet the housing needs of small households. Further, multifamily dwellings are intended to interrupt strip commercial development and to moderate traffic generation. This regulation is designed to create a suitable residential environment and to ensure compatibility with adjacent uses.
B.
Regulations for commercial planned residential development. Commercial planned residential development shall be permitted by special permit in accordance with the provisions of Article 140, § 118-1450, Special Permits, and shall comply with the additional standards set forth herein:
(1)
In commercial planned residential development, premises shall be used and buildings shall be erected which are used or intended to be used for multifamily dwellings.
(2)
The entire commercial planned residential development shall be located in the Executive Office Zone in the City of Norwalk and no other.
C.
Additional standards for commercial planned residential developments. Commercial planned residential developments shall be subject to the following additional standards:
(1)
No main building shall be nearer to any other main building than 20 feet; provided, however, that if the overlapping wall of two main buildings is not greater than 10 feet, the distance between buildings at this point need not be greater than 10 feet.
(2)
Recreation area may include balconies, courtyards, indoor recreational facilities, landscaped roofs and outdoor recreation areas. Open space and recreational facilities shall be dispersed in such a way as to ensure the health, safety and convenience of the residents for whose use it is intended.
(3)
Open space shall include natural and landscaped areas, pedestrian plazas, courtyards, walkways, recreation areas and the like. Open space on the roof of a structure shall be permitted, provided that the minimum open space requirement extends neither more than 10 feet nor more than and one story above the center-line elevation of the street.
(4)
Pedestrian walkways, a minimum of three feet in width, shall be provided between buildings and between buildings and public highways so as to discourage the use of driveways for pedestrian use.
(5)
Public sewer facilities shall be utilized, and adequate provision for storm drainage shall be made.
(6)
Where provided, outdoor refuse areas or containers shall be screened from view from adjacent streets and properties.
D.
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 approval by the Commission.
E.
Lot and building requirements. See Schedule Limiting Height and Bulk of Buildings and size of lot, commercial and industrial uses and all other applicable sections of these regulations.
F.
Off-street parking and driveways.
(1)
(a)
In addition, the principal use and structure of the property shall be located between the front yard and the street wall of a parking structure which is more than three feet above the center-line elevation of the street, for a minimum of 50% of the length of the parking structure. This provision shall not be applicable to parking structures which are located more than 110 feet from the center-line elevation of the street (subject to § 118-1000B) and separated from the street by a wetland or watercourse. Any portion of a parking structure which is more than three feet above the center-line elevation of the street and which extends to the front yard shall be effectively screened.