Necessary structures, facilities and public infrastructure owned by governmental bodies (federal, state, local government, excepting statutory limited purpose entities or entities created by joint agreement of governments) are permitted as land uses within the C-1, C-2, CBD, HPCD [HCPD], M-1, and TND zone with approval of the land use (code) administrator after posting of the property and notice at town hall of review through the development review committee (DRC) process.

Public structures, facilities and infrastructure permitted under this section shall include, but not be limited to the following: necessary buildings, structures, infrastructure (e.g., water, sewer and gas lines), offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, warehouses, equipment storage, vehicles, trailer and equipment parking, storage or staging areas, garages, storage yards, communications towers, assembly areas, utility equipment, transmission lines, transformers, playgrounds, parks, sports fields, dog parks, stormwater management and drainages, flood prevention, acequia and waterway management and operation, well houses, water treatment and transmission facilities, sewage treatment and transmission facilities, National Guard armories, firehouses and firefighting equipment and infrastructure, police stations and substations, sports complexes, golf courses, public transit drop-offs and shelters, bus maintenance and storage, motor vehicle offices, courts, laboratories and research facilities, telephone, cable, cell phone and fiber optic switching, maintenance and transmission facilities and equipment, libraries, museums, tourism and visitor centers, any accessory uses and buildings related to the aforementioned uses, town owned or operated buildings, structures, infrastructure, health and social service facilities, recycling facilities, solid waste collection facilities, auditoriums, arenas, airports, industrial parks, campgrounds, picnic areas, or public works yards.

Public buildings, structures, facilities and infrastructure not permitted under this section shall include the following: public and privately operated psychiatric facilities, in-patient and out-patient drug treatment facilities, homeless shelters, social services, prisons, jails and correctional facilities, research or development facilities dealing with hazardous waste, radiation, [or] explosives, stand-alone fuel depots, or any materials or operations or processes that the town has determined may pose an immediate or potential risk to the health, safety and welfare of the public.

A public building, structure, facility or infrastructure approved under this section as a permitted use shall meet all requirements of the zoning district in which the property is located, and any and all other provisions of the town land use development code, and other town codes or ordinances, as well as all other applicable federal, state and local permitting, safety, environmental, licensing, public hearing and public notice requirements.

All projects administratively approved under this section must meet the town’s architectural design criteria for commercial businesses and large scale development massing criteria for new construction, where applicable.