Purpose. The business zones are for areas of the Town designated for business and commercial uses. The differences in the zones reflect the diversity of business areas in the Town. The zones are distinguished by the uses allowed and the intensity of development allowed. Some of the zones encourage business areas that are supportive of surrounding residential areas, while other zones allow business areas which have a community or regional market. The regulations promote uses and development which will enhance the economic viability of the specific business district and the Town as a whole.

In general, a wide range of uses is allowed in each zone. Limits on the intensity of uses and the development standards promote the desired character for the commercial area. The development standards are designed to allow a large degree of development flexibility within parameters which support the intent of the specific zone. In addition, the regulations provide certainty to property owners, developers, and neighbors about the limits of what is allowed.

Neighborhood Business Zone. The Neighborhood Business (NB) Zone is intended for small sites in or near dense residential neighborhoods. This zone encourages the provision of small-scale retail and service uses for nearby residential areas. Some uses which are not retail or service in nature are also allowed so that a variety of uses may locate in existing buildings. Uses are restricted in size to promote a local orientation and to limit adverse impacts on nearby residential areas. Development is intended to be pedestrian-oriented and compatible with the scale of surrounding residential areas. Parking areas are restricted, since their appearance is generally out of character with the surrounding residential development and the desired orientation of the uses. In certain situations, this zone is intended for small commercial sites and areas in or near less dense or developing residential neighborhoods. The emphasis of the zone is on uses which will provide services for the nearby residential areas, and on other uses which are small scale and have little impact. Uses are limited in intensity to promote their local orientation and to limit adverse impacts on nearby residential areas.

Village Center District - mixed commercial/residential zone. The Village Center District I, II, III and IV provide for mixed commercial/residential uses within one zone. This zone promotes development that combines commercial and housing uses in a single building and enhances older business areas that have a storefront character. This zone allows increased development on busier streets without fostering a strip commercial appearance. This development type will support transit use, provide a buffer between busy streets and residential neighborhoods, and provide new housing opportunities in the Town. The emphasis of the nonresidential uses is primarily on locally oriented retail, service, and office uses. Other uses are allowed to provide a variety of uses that may locate in existing buildings. Development will consist primarily of businesses on the ground floor with housing on upper stories. Development is intended to be pedestrian-oriented with buildings close to and oriented to the sidewalk, especially at corners. (Please see individual VC Zone information for specific allowable uses and development criteria. This section is located in Article X.)

General Business Zone. The General Business Zone is intended to preserve and enhance older commercial areas that have a storefront character. The zone intends that new development in these areas will be compatible with this desired character. The zone allows a full range of retail, service and business uses with a local and regional market area. The desired character includes areas which are predominantly built-up, with buildings close to and oriented towards the sidewalk, especially at corners. Development is intended to be pedestrian-oriented, and buildings with a storefront character are encouraged.

Highway Business Zone. The Highway Business Zone is intended to allow auto-accommodating commercial development in areas along highways that have already been predominantly built in this manner and in some new highway areas. This zone allows for a range of retail and service businesses with a local or regional market. Due to the size and scope of these businesses, they are not in character with the business zones located within the central business areas of the Town. These businesses are expected to be auto-accommodating. The zone's development standards will promote attractive development and more open and pleasant street appearance. It is hoped that the resulting development will be aesthetically pleasing for motorists, pedestrians and the businesses themselves.

Allowed uses. Uses allowed in the business zones are listed in § 171-54, Table of Use Regulations - Business Zones, with a "Y." These uses are allowed if they comply with the standards and other regulations of this chapter. Being listed as an allowed use does not mean that a proposed use will be permitted if the criteria of this section cannot be met. In addition, a use listed is subject to all other requirements of this chapter. Uses that are allowed may also require site plan approval as indicated in § 171-27.

Special permit uses. Uses allowed by special permit only are designated with an "SP." These uses are subject to the special permit criteria as described in this chapter.

Site plan approval. Uses allowed by site plan approval only are designated with an "SPA." These uses are subject to the site plan approval criteria as described in this chapter.