Voluntown City Zoning Code
SECTION 4
ZONING DISTRICTS.
4.1.
The Town of Voluntown is divided into zoning districts as shown on the map entitled, "Zoning Map, Voluntown, Connecticut," which map is a part of these Regulations. Four districts are established, whose purpose are described as follows:
A.
Village District: This District is intended to provide an opportunity for higher residential densities in an area of the Town that can most easily be served by public facilities and services. In addition, it is intended to encourage the further development, and redevelopment, of commercial and service establishments in one area of the Town, as opposed to allowing a scattering of such land uses throughout the entire Town.
B.
Rural District: This district is intended to preserve as much of the Town as possible in a low-density settlement pattern. It is intended both to retain the rural character of the Town and to minimize the need for extending public facilities and services throughout the entire Town.
C.
Major Development District: This district is intended to provide an opportunity for major commercial, industrial, or institutional uses to locate anywhere within the Town of Voluntown, provided certain environmental and site conditions are met. Although no specific zoning districts have been mapped for this category, the Commission may establish such a district after public hearing and after reviewing the proposed major development and its impact on the area of the proposed location. This district is not intended for use in locating small, individual, local-serving retail and business establishments.
D.
Village Commercial Overlay District: (3/15/01) The intent of this district is to allow for the development of light commercial uses that will enhance the Village Center of town and provide economic opportunities and benefits for the town. It is further intended that structures be architecturally designed with site layouts which are typical of a New England Village setting.
4.2.
Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of adoption of these Regulations, the Zoning Board of Appeals may permit, as a variance, the extension of the regulations for either portion of the lot a maximum of 100 feet beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot.
4.3.
Zoning Schedules. The schedules entitled "Schedule of Uses," including any subsequent amendments thereto, is declared to be a part of these Regulations is hereinafter referred to as the "Schedule."
A.
Uses listed in the Schedule are permitted in accordance with the following designation and procedure.
1.
"ZP" means a use permitted in the district as a matter of right after approval of a Zoning Permit from the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
2.
"SP" means a use permitted in the district, subject to approval of a Special Permit/Special Exception by the Voluntown Planning & Zoning Commission in accordance with Section 9 of these Regulations.
3.
"V" means a use permitted in the district, subject to securing a Variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with Section 13 of these Regulations.
4.
If a use is not listed or has a blank space in the Schedule, that use is not allowed in the district.
5.
Notwithstanding other prohibitions in these Regulations, the Commission reserves the right to determine whether a proposed use that is not specifically permitted is substantially similar to another use that is permitted by these Regulations. If the Commission makes that determination, the proposed use may be permitted via a Special Permit procedure.