Intent and Purpose. It is the intent and purpose of this section to encourage innovation and flexibility in the use of the remaining large tracts of land in Seymour by allowing a mixture of residential, recreational and community uses in a single zoning district. It is the finding of the Planning and Zoning Commission that such uses can exist in harmony with each other and surrounding residential areas with adequate conditions and safeguards. With proper planning, the Planned Development District will result in a more efficient utilization of land and the preservation of greater areas of open space than what would result from conventional development.

16.1

Permitted Uses.

1)

Any use permitted in the R-40 District as specified in Section 8 of these regulations.

2)

Planned Residential/Recreational Community as defined in this section.

3)

Specialized Housing for the Elderly as defined in this section.

4)

Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to the above uses when located on the same lot. Uses accessory to a golf course shall include a clubhouse, which may contain a restaurant and banquet facility, pro shop, instruction programs, health and exercise facilities, swimming pool and tennis courts. Community buildings designed to provide for the physical or social needs of older persons are considered as accessory to a Planned Residential Community.

16.2

Development Standards.

16.2.1

Conventional Single-Family Subdivision. Single-family subdivisions shall be developed in accordance with the subdivision regulations of the Town of Seymour. The following shall apply:

a)

The number of lots permitted in subdivision shall be determined by dividing the adjusted tract area in square feet by forty thousand (40,000). The adjusted tract area is the gross or total tract area minus the open space area required by (b) below, the area of public or private rights-of-way, the area of wetlands and the area of land having a slope of twenty (20) percent or more that has not been designated as open space.

b)

At least twenty-five (25) percent of the gross parcel area shall be dedicated as permanent open space.

c)

Individual lot size, area, setback, and other requirements shall conform to the standards of the R-40 Zoning District.

16.2.2

Planned Residential/Recreational Community.

a)

Required Open Space. At least thirty (30) percent of the total parcel area shall be reserved as permanent open space, which may be a golf course or other land which meets the definition of open space as set forth in C.G.S. 12-107b (3).

b)

Density. Required parcel area per dwelling unit shall be as follows:

1.

21,430 square feet for the first twenty-five (25) acres or part thereof.

2.

35,700 square feet for any parcel area between twenty-five (25) and fifty (50) acres.

3.

57,100 square feet for parcel area more than fifty (50) acres.

This section is intended in part to limit the development of very large parcels to a scale appropriate for the Town of Seymour. It shall not be used to allow a parcel to be divided into twenty-five (25) acre portions by either a present or subsequent owner so that maximum density will result. The Commission shall consider this intent when evaluating a request for a map change to PDD. The permitted density of any parcel subsequently changed to PDD shall be based on the area of the parcel, as it exists as of the effective date of this regulation.

The above sliding scale of density requirements shall apply only to dwelling units containing a single master bedroom and a second subsidiary bedroom. Dwelling units containing two (2) bedrooms of equal or nearly equal size or more than two (2) bedrooms shall be required to have at least fifty seven thousand, one hundred (57,100) square feet of parcel area regardless of total parcel area.

c)

Buildings. Either detached or attached one-family dwellings are permitted. No single structure shall contain more than four (4) dwelling units, and no dwelling unit shall be located above another dwelling unit. At least sixty (60) percent of the total number of dwelling units shall be in detached one-family units. No more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total number of dwelling units shall be in buildings containing four (4) dwelling units.

d)

Buffers. Land dedicated for open space purposes as defined in this section shall be located along the entire perimeter of the parcel area for a depth of at least one hundred (100) feet, except that the following shall apply:

1.

A golf course fairway may be located within this one hundred (100) foot buffer area; however, tees, greens and any parking associated with the golf course shall be set back at least one hundred (100) feet from the perimeter of the project area wherever such perimeter abuts a residential property.

2.

The golf course clubhouse shall be set back at least three hundred (300) feet from the perimeter of the project area. Any other principal building shall be set back at least one hundred (100) feet from the perimeter of the project area.

3.

Buffer area may be included in calculation of required open space. Landscaping as described in Section 22 of these regulations shall be required in the buffer area if it has been disturbed during construction.

e)

Setbacks. Principal and accessory buildings shall meet the following setbacks:

1.

Front: Thirty (30) feet from edge of roadway.

2.

Side: Thirty (30) feet between buildings or a distance equal to the height of the tallest building, whichever is greater.

3.

Rear: Sixty (60) feet between buildings.

f)

Private yards. Each dwelling unit shall have at least four hundred (400) contiguous square feet of private yard for its exclusive use.

g)

Interior Roadways. All interior roadways shall be constructed to the standards specified in Section 4.5.2, Figure 1, of the Seymour Subdivision Regulations, except for width of pavement and right-of-way. Roadways shall have a paved travel lane at least twelve (12) feet in width for each direction of travel. Horizontal and vertical alignment shall be based on design speed and sound engineering practice, but in no event shall the horizontal curve radius at the centerline be less than thirty-five (35) feet. The maximum road grade shall be twelve (12) percent except that grades of up to fourteen (14) percent may be permitted for distances of one hundred (100) feet or less.

h)

Roadway Ownership and Maintenance. All interior roadways shall remain private in perpetuity, and town maintenance services shall stop at the perimeter boundaries of the project. The owner shall, by formal agreement with the Board of Selectpersons, always agree to keep all roadways open and passable for town emergency services such as police, fire, and ambulance.

i)

Utilities. The community shall be served by the municipal sanitary sewer system and a public water supply. Electric power, telephone, and similar utility lines shall be underground.

j)

Access. Each group of fifty (50) or more dwelling units shall have a secondary accessway to a town road in addition to the principal accessway. The second access may be for emergency use only.

16.2.3

Signs. The following signs are permitted:

1.

One freestanding sign, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet, identifying the development at each entrance onto town roads.

2.

One (1) sign per building, not to exceed five (5) square feet, identifying internal community uses.

3.

Golf course and clubhouse signs, not to exceed ten (10) square feet, at internal road entrances.

4.

Street name and directional signs as required. All other signs are prohibited.

16.2.4

Specialized Housing for the Elderly. Development standards for specialized housing for the elderly are as specified in Section 11.1.5 of the Seymour Zoning Regulations, except that the following open space, density, and setback requirements shall apply:

a)

At least twenty-five (25) percent of the total parcel area shall be dedicated as permanent open space. The density standards set forth in b) and c) below shall be based on parcel area after deducting twenty-five (25) percent for required open space.

b)

At least five thousand (5,000) square feet of parcel area shall be provided for each bed in a nursing home, convalescent home or similar building.

c)

At least twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) square feet of lot area shall be provided for each complete dwelling unit in a congregate living, assisted living or similar facility.

d)

Principal buildings shall be set back at least one hundred (100) feet from the perimeter of the project area where such perimeter abuts a residential lot.

16.3

Application Procedures and Requirements.

16.3.1

Planned Residential/Recreational Community.

1.

Composite Development Plan. A Composite Development Plan illustrating the proposed development of the entire tract shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission for its review. The plan shall illustrate the basic elements of the development such as number and location of dwelling units, circulation and parking, golf course layout or location and character of alternate open space, location and character of community buildings and other accessory uses. The plan shall be of a sufficient scale and degree of detail for the Planning and Zoning Commission to evaluate the above elements.

2.

Supporting Plans and Studies. The following plans and studies shall be submitted with the Composite Development Plan:

a)

Conceptual architectural elevations and floor plans of all buildings.

b)

A description of the homeowner's association or other organization that will be responsible for providing long-term maintenance of roads, maintenance of any land in common interest ownership and provision on any community facilities or services designed to meet the physical and social needs of those ages fifty-five (55) or older.

c)

Narrative describing qualification as fifty-five (55) or older housing exemption under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and age verification procedures.

d)

An environmental impact study including such topics as the effect of the proposed development on the wetland and watercourse's capacity to support fish and wildlife, to prevent flooding, to protect surface and ground waters, to facilitate drainage and to retain nutrients and control sediment.

e)

A traffic analysis evaluating the adequacy of existing roadways to serve the proposed development, including intersection capacity. If a drop in level of service or any other traffic problem is projected to result from the development, this report shall include a description of the way this problem is to be corrected.

f)

A phasing plan and tentative construction timetable shall be submitted if the development is to be constructed in more than one phase. Phase boundaries shall be shown on the composite development plan.

3.

Action on a Composite Development Plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission may approve, modify, and approve or disapprove the Composite Development Plan. Any approval represents the Commission's acceptance of the basic elements of the Plan but does not constitute final zoning approval.

4.

Site Plan Approval. An application for Site Plan approval of either the entire project or an individual phase shall be submitted as specified in Section 10 of the Seymour Zoning Regulations. Where there is a conflict between the requirements of Section 10 and this section, the requirements of this section shall apply. It is recognized that minor changes may be necessary following detailed project planning; however, no Site Plan shall be approved unless it conforms to the Composite Development Plan, as approved or modified and approved with respect to its basic elements as set forth above. Site Plan approval shall represent final zoning approval.

16.3.3

Specialized Housing for the Elderly. An application for Site Plan approval as specified in Section 10 of these regulations shall be submitted. Where there is a conflict between the requirements of Section 10 and this section, the requirements of this section shall apply.

16.3.4

Other Permitted Uses. Application procedures for other permitted uses shall be as required by the Seymour Zoning and/or Subdivision Regulations.