It is the purpose of the Rockville Village District Overlay Zone (RVDOZ) to ensure that the unique character of Rockville is maintained and enhanced for present and future generations in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes §8-2j, Village Districts. The provisions of this zone are intended to preserve and enhance the character of Rockville by encouraging the preservation and, when possible, the restoration of sites and buildings of unique historical and architectural value and by assuring that new structures and uses, in their design and layout, will be in keeping with the historical development pattern and character of Rockville.

The RVDOZ is that area depicted on the map entitled, "Rockville Village District, Adopted February 6, 2014," and as depicted on the Vernon Zoning Map.

In administering the provisions of this section the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), and the Local Historic Properties Commission (LHPC) shall give due consideration to the Rockville section in the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).

(Amd. of 7-20-2023)

In administering the provisions of this section the PZC shall give due consideration to the following design guidelines and resources:

24.4.1

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings;

24.4.2

Design Guidelines—A Plan of Appropriateness & Protection, by the Vernon Local Historic Properties Commission, October 2010;

24.4.3

The Rockville Charette Report prepared by the Yale Urban Design Workshop sponsored by the Connecticut Main Street Center, May 14—May 16, 2004.

(Amd. of 7-20-2023)

In the RVDOZ the following uses are permitted, notwithstanding the provisions of section 4.23 Historic District—Downtown Business & Residential Zone:

24.5.1

Retail sale of food, non-alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, clothing, jewelry, hardware, stationery, specialty items, household appliances, and furnishings;

24.5.2

Restaurants, non-full service and full service; the service of alcohol shall be limited to full service restaurants but shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 17.1; drive-up service windows shall not be permitted;

24.5.3

Taverns, pubs, and private clubs with a Club or Café liquor permit; these uses shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 17.1;

24.5.4

Professional or business offices; governmental offices and facilities; clinics; dental, medical and health offices, provided none of the aforementioned uses is to be located on the ground floor of a building, unless a special permit is granted; for purposes of these regulations, "ground floor" shall be defined as the floor of the building that is entered from street level;

24.5.5

Places of worship or religious facilities, provided the same are not to be located on the ground floor of a building, unless the building was originally constructed for such purpose;

24.5.6

Banks or other financial institutions;

24.5.7

Hospitals;

24.5.8

Commercial recreational facilities;

24.5.9

Cultural, arts, crafts and education facilities; libraries; galleries; studios; and workshops;

24.5.10

Personal convenience services limited to barbershops, beauty shops, nail salons, and similar services;

24.5.11

Printing and graphic services;

24.5.12

Indoor movie theatres; performing arts theatres, auditoriums;

24.5.13

Existing single family dwellings; and the rebuilding of these structures (as originally constructed) if destroyed by natural disaster or fire;

24.5.14

Multi-family dwellings; these uses shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4.7.7 and for one bedroom and studio units, section 10.1;

24.5.15

Mixed Non-residential uses (that are allowed in this section) and residential uses upon a single parcel or within a single building shall be allowed. The non-residential uses can be on any floor for the structure while the residential use will be allowed on any floor except the ground floor. Residential use on the ground floor is only allowed by granting of a special permit;

24.5.16

Conversion of residential to non-residential use and conversion of non-residential to residential use; either conversion shall require the granting of a special permit; If granted a special permit Buildings originally constructed as single family or multifamily residences may be occupied by professional offices on all floors including the ground floor;

24.5.17

Bed and Breakfast (B&B); hotels, motels;

24.5.18

Day care establishments when accessory to a permitted non-residential use; by special permit when it is the principal use;

24.5.19

Home based businesses of Minor Type;

24.5.20

Adaptive Re-use per Sections 2.96 & 3.26;

24.5.21

Any uses not listed above but authorized in the underlying zone by special permit shall also be allowed in the RVDOZ by special permit.

Any exterior building construction or modification associated with a proposed development or use in the RVDOZ shall be reviewed in relation to the design guidelines in Subsection 24.8 and the additional design considerations specified in Subsection 24.9.

24.7.1

Applications subject to the provisions of this Section shall be referred to the PZC. The PZC may refer applications to the LHPC for comment.

24.7.2

The application shall be reviewed by the PZC in relation to the design guidelines of this Section.

(Amd. of 7-20-2023)

24.8.1

Lot Size & Lot Coverage.

24.8.1.1

There is no minimum lot size or lot width, provided the proposed lot configuration presents no conflicts with the Building Code and/or Fire Code.

24.8.1.2

Lot coverage by all impervious surfaces including buildings, structures, parking areas, and access roads shall not exceed 85% of the total lot area. Low Impact Development (LID) practices shall be employed consistent with the Town LID Manual.

24.8.2

Building Setback Requirements & Building Height.

24.8.2.1

Non-residential structures and mixed use structures should be built to the sidewalk (front property) line. Appropriate exceptions could include relief for commercial hardscapes and commercial or public green spaces.

24.8.2.2

Residential structures may have a greater front setback to allow for landscape treatments, porches, bay windows and other architectural embellishments but shall not exceed 8 feet from the sidewalk line.

24.8.2.3

Garages, car ports, and other accessory structures shall be located behind the principal building.

24.8.2.4

There are no side or rear setback requirements, subject to building and fire code regulations.

24.8.2.5

Building height shall be a minimum of two (2) stories or 24 feet and may not exceed forty-eight (48) feet without the granting of a special permit by the PZC. The minimum height requirement shall not apply to accessory structures, such as gazebos and bus shelters.

24.8.3

Property Layout.

Layouts of primary structures, parking structures, and parking lots should be designed with the purpose of deemphasizing the dominance of the automobile and emphasizing the relationship of the primary structure and pedestrian access to the public domain.

24.8.4

Building Fronts & Sides.

The front or side of every building shall face the street. Loading docks, overhead doors, and service entries are prohibited from facing the street.

24.8.5

Placement of Utilities.

All new utilities shall be placed underground in all public streets and in rear service alleys.

24.8.6

Parking:

24.8.6.1

General:

24.8.6.1.1

The intent of these parking regulations is to encourage a balance between compact pedestrian oriented development and necessary car storage. The goal is to construct neither more nor less parking than is needed.

24.8.6.1.2

On-street parking is permitted throughout the district except where posted otherwise. Parking need not be contiguous with the building or the use it serves.

24.8.6.1.3

Minimum parking requirements in the RVDOZ are as follows:

1 space/dwelling unit.

1 space/300 sf of retail.

1 space/300 sf of office.

24.8.6.1.4

Shared parking solutions are encouraged. Required parking minimums can be reduced by up to 50% with a shared parking solution approved by the PZC. The applicant shall provide a parking analysis justifying the proposed shared parking solution.

24.8.6.1.5

Minimum parking space dimensions for head-in or diagonal parking shall be 9'×17' with 10 foot drive lanes (20' for 2 way traffic) and parallel parking spaces shall be 8'x20' minimum with 10 foot drive lanes (20' for 2 way traffic).

24.8.6.1.6

Parking shall be provided as necessary to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

24.8.6.2

On-Street Parking.

The selection of diagonal, head-in, or parallel parking along any section of road shall be determined in consultation with the Town Engineer and Town Planner.

24.8.6.3

Off-Street Surface Parking Lot Placement.

Off-street surface parking lots shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the sidewalk line.

24.8.6.4

Access to Off-Street Parking.

24.8.6.4.1

Alleys may be incorporated into lots as standard drive aisles. Access to all properties adjacent to the alley shall be maintained. Access between parking lots across property lines is also encouraged.

24.8.6.4.2

Circular drives are prohibited except for civic buildings. Where space permits, garage doors shall face the side or the rear property lines, not the front.

24.8.6.4.3

Off-street parking areas in front of new buildings are not permitted. Off-street parking areas in front of existing buildings shall be discouraged wherever alternative parking solutions exist.

24.8.7

Street Trees.

Streets bordering new development or substantial rehabilitation shall be planted with street trees. Trees shall be selected and arranged in consultation with the Planning & Zoning Commission. Street trees should be at least 3" in caliper at chest height.

24.8.8

Street Lighting.

Street lighting shall be provided on all streets bordering new development or substantial rehabilitation. Street light fixtures should be located within 3 feet of the curb and should be provided at consistent regular intervals. Street light fixtures shall be chosen in consultation with the Planning & Zoning Commission.

24.8.9

Street Furniture.

Street furniture includes benches, trash receptacles, street signs and traffic lights. Street furniture shall be chosen in consultation with the Planning & Zoning Commission. Benches and trash receptacles shall be provided on all streets at consistent regular intervals. Street furniture shall be located so as to maintain a clear pedestrian path. Street furniture should be consistent in color and style along both sides of any street. A five foot wide street furniture strip should be set aside and maintained.

24.8.10

Drainage.

24.8.10.1

Stormwater control measures shall be provided for impervious surfaces within the site, either as stipulated below or in other situations as deemed appropriate by the PZC. All storm water control structures shall be reviewed, approved, and inspected by the Town Engineer.

24.8.10.2

All storm drainage for proposed development in which the combined square footage of roofs, paved parking areas and other impervious surfaces exceeds 10,000 square feet shall be designed in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Town LID Manual.

24.8.11

Access & Traffic.

24.8.11.1

The PZC may require the applicant to present a traffic survey conducted by a qualified traffic engineer evaluating the impact of the anticipated traffic on fire safety and congestion of traffic flow on the public roadway, and on pedestrian use in front of the property. The PZC may require such measures as are necessary to ensure pedestrian and vehicular safety and ease of travel, including limiting access to and from the parking area to right turns only, and requiring other measures to enhance visibility for persons exiting from the parking area and for drivers and pedestrians on the public roadways.

24.8.11.2

The PZC may require minimum sight line distances depending on present or anticipated traffic conditions and upon posted speed limits and surveyed average vehicular speeds.

24.8.11.3

Vehicular entrances shall be a maximum of 25 feet wide and shall be clearly defined. Vehicular entrances shall not exceed 30% of the lot frontage. The total number of entrances which can safely be accommodated along the same road will be a consideration for approval or disapproval of a special permit and/or site plan application. Wherever possible, each development shall be limited to one access point per property on the same road. Shared entrances are encouraged.

24.8.11.4

The applicant must demonstrate that the site design makes proper provision for pedestrian access and safety. All site plans shall provide for pedestrian walkways and circulation in and around buildings. Pedestrian pathways allowing access from the sidewalk to the primary building entrances are required.

24.8.12

Civic Sites.

24.8.12.1

Civic buildings include, but are not limited to, municipal buildings, churches, libraries, schools, recreation facilities, and places of assembly. Civic buildings do not include retail buildings, residential buildings, or privately owned office buildings. Traditionally, civic buildings have greater front yard setbacks and building frontage requirements; therefore civic buildings are not subject to set back requirements or building frontage requirements. Civic buildings should be set farther back from the street than non-civic buildings in the district.

(Amd. of 7-20-2023)

The requirements and materials described in this section are intended to provide direction to applicants on the types of syntax the PZC expects to find on new or improved structures.

Alternative materials may be proposed by the applicant and may be approved by the PZC if they meet the purpose and intent of the district.

24.9.1

Details & Acceptable Building Materials.

24.9.1.1

Columns, Arches, Piers, Railings, & Balustrades:

1. General Requirements:

 a. Columns and piers shall be spaced no farther apart than they are tall.

2. Permitted Finish Materials:

 a. Columns:

i. Wood, painted or natural.

ii. Cast iron.

iii. Concrete with smooth finish.

iv. Stone.

 b. Arches:

i. Concrete Masonry Units with Stucco (C.B.S.).

ii. Reinforced concrete with stucco.

iii. Brick.

iv. Wood.

v. Stone.

 c. Piers:

i. Concrete Masonry Units with Stucco (C.B.S.).

ii. Reinforced Concrete with Stucco.

iii. Brick.

iv. Stone.

 d. Railings & Balustrades:

i. Wood (termite resistant), painted or natural.

ii. Wrought iron.

iii. Balustrades shall not be farther apart than 3" minimum or 4" maximum.

3. Permitted Configurations:

 a. Columns:

i. Square, 6" minimum, with or without capitals and bases.

ii. Round, 6" minimum outer diameter, with or without capitals and bases.

iii. Classical orders.

 b. Arches:

i. Semi-circular & segmental.

 c.Piers:

i. 8" minimum dimension.

 d. Porches:

i. Railings 2-¾" minimum diameter.

ii. Balustrades 3" minimum spacing, 4" maximum spacing.

24.9.1.2

Windows & Doors:

1. General Requirements:

 a. Window openings facing streets should be oriented vertically.

 b. Storefront windows should replicate single panes of glass not larger than 8' in height x 6' in width.

 c. For retail uses, windows should cover 75% of the street frontage on the ground floor facing the street.

 d. Storefront windows should begin a maximum of three feet height above the sidewalk.

 e. The following accessories are permitted:

i. Shutters (standard).

ii. Wooden window boxes.

iii. Muntins and mullions.

iv. Awnings.

2. Finish Materials:

 a. Windows & Storefronts:

i. Wood.

ii. Aluminum.

iii. Copper.

iv. Steel.

v. Vinyl clad wood.

 b. Doors:

i. Wood or metal.

ii. Fiberglass.

3. Permitted Configurations:

 a. Windows:

i. Rectangular.

ii. Square.

iii. Round (18" maximum outer diameter).

iv. Semi-circular.

 b. Window Operations:

i. Casement.

ii. Single and double-hung.

iii. Industrial.

iv. Fixed frame.

 c. Door Operations:

i. Casement.

ii. French.

iii. Sliding.

24.9.1.3

Roofs & Gutters:

1. General Requirements:

 a. Permitted Roof Types:

i. Gabled, hipped, flat, and domed.

ii. Down spouts are to match gutters in material and finish.

 2. Permitted Finish Materials:

  a. Metals:

i. Painted galvanized steel.

ii. Copper.

iii. Aluminum.

iv. Zinc-Aluminum.

  b. Shingles:

i. Asphalt or metal, "dimensional" type.

ii. Slate.

iii. Cedar Shake.

  c. Tile:

i. Clay, Terracotta, Concrete.

  d. Gutters:

i. Copper.

ii. Aluminum.

iii. Painted galvanized steel.

  e. Rubber panels and sealed membrane roofs are allowed on flat roofs or low pitched roofs:

 3. Permitted Configurations:

  a. Metals:

i. Standing Seam spacing, panel ends exposed at overhang, 24" maximum.

  b. Shingles:

i. Square, Rectangular, Fishscale, Shield.

  c. Tile:

i. Barrel, Flat, French.

  d. Gutters:

i. Rectangular section.

ii. Square section.

iii. Half-round section.

24.9.1.4

Garden Walls & Fences:

 1. Permitted Materials:

  a. Wood (termite resistant), painted white, left natural, or painted/stained with colors approved by the PZC.

  b. Concrete Masonry Units with Stucco (C.B.S.).

  c. Reinforced Concrete with stucco.

  d. Wrought Iron.

  e. Brick.

  f. Vinyl.

  g. Stone.

2. Permitted Finish:

 a. Wood:

i. Picket Fences: minimum 30% opaque with corner posts.

ii. Other: to match building walls.

 b. Stucco:

i. With texture and color to match building walls.

 c. Wrought Iron:

i. Vertical, ⅝" minimum dimension, 3" to 4" spacing.

3. Chain link fencing is not permitted.

24.9.1.5

Street Walls:

1. Street walls along any unimproved street frontage shall be between 4'-6' above the adjacent ground. The better side of a street wall shall face the street.

2. Building, Façade, Site Design Requirements

a. All spaces and structures and related site improvements visible to the public from public roadways shall be designed to add to the visual amenities of the area in relationship to the proposed development.

b. The color, size, height, location, roof treatments, building materials, landscaping and proportion of openings of any proposed new construction, substantial reconstruction or rehabilitation, and whatever signs and lighting that may be proposed for such uses, shall be evaluated for compatibility with the architecture of existing buildings in the vicinity. The color, size, height, and architectural style of the building shall complement and not compete with other architecturally distinguished buildings in the district. These details shall be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission.

c. Primary colors shall not be used for building walls unless they are muted in tone. Neon colors are not allowed.

d. Trim colors for windows, soffits, cornices, moldings, etc. should be whites or dark saturated cool colors (for example, greens, blues, bronze). Brick and stone may be left their natural color.

e. Roof colors must be natural colors.

f. Entry doors may have greater color latitude.

g. Wherever possible and where site conditions allow the front building plane should be oriented towards the street. Accessory buildings may be exempt.

h. The street elevation of buildings shall have at least one entrance oriented towards the street.

i. Façade materials should be finished with brick, stucco, wood, stone, or appropriate concrete masonry units.

24.9.1.6

Where Clearly Visible From Streets or Public Areas.

1. Design standards generally apply only in conditions WHERE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET OR PUBLIC AREAS. The architectural and façade controls concentrate on the public realm and minimize requirements of private views. For example, an architectural element that is visible only through an opening in a street wall is not clearly visible from the street.

2. The following are prohibited where visible from parks, squares and public streets: Utility boxes and machinery including; but not limited to: backflow devices, electric meters and air conditioning units. Blank walls must not be visible from a public street. The applicant shall propose a site plan that minimizes the view of parking lots, driveways, or garage doors from public view.

24.9.1.7

Building Numbering:

Building numbers shall be located over the primary entrance to the building and shall be visible from the street.

24.9.1.8

Signage:

Signage shall be permitted in accordance with Section 16 of these regulations.

(Amd. of 7-20-2023)