Westport City Zoning Code
§17 OPEN
SPACE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT OSRD
Revised 06-14-10
17-1 Purpose
The purpose of the OSRD Zone is to allow single-family, two-family and/or multi-family residences on a minimum 50 acre site with frontage on or direct access to a major thoroughfare or arterial street. The OSRD provisions are intended to encourage low to moderate density development (less than the PRD and Residence B Zone density) for residential dwellings on large, vacant or under-utilized parcels in areas previously designed for Design Development Districts. It is in the public interest to preserve the residential qualities of Westport, to provide a desirable alternative to presently permitted commercial uses in specific locations, to reduce the potential traffic and drainage impacts on public facilities, and to provide a better layout and design of housing in environmentally sensitive areas. The OSRD can help to achieve these objectives.(813, 03/27/2023)
17-2 Permitted Uses
17-3 Lot Area, Width, Depth & Frontage (see definitions)
17-6 Height
No principal building or other structure shall exceed two (2) stories and a height of thirty (30) feet, except that a pitched roof building may extend up to thirty-five (35) feet in height. No accessory building or structure shall exceed one story and a height of sixteen (16) feet.
17-7 Coverage (see definitions)
The building coverage shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the area of the lot which lies within the OSRD. The total coverage shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the area of the lot which lies within the OSRD.
17-8 Building Area
No one residential building shall contain more than eight (8) dwelling units.
17-9 Building Spacing
17-10 Floor Area
Residential dwellings shall be limited to one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom dwelling units. At least 33% of the total dwelling units on any OSRD lot shall be single-family detached dwellings.
17-11 Usable Open Space (see definitions)
At least 450 square feet of usable open space shall be provided on the lot for each dwelling unit. No usable open space area shall be located more than 750 ft. from the nearest dwelling in the OSRD and shall contain not less than a 75 foot diameter. The land so set aside shall be graded, screened and landscaped and shall be of a passive recreation nature suited to the needs of the residents. Recreation areas shall be designed to provide security and privacy and to prevent the emission of objectionable noise and light onto abutting properties.
17-12 Architectural Design
The architectural design, scale and mass of buildings and other structures, including, among other elements; the exterior building material, color, roof-line, and building elevation shall harmonize and be compatible with the neighborhood, to protect property values in the neighborhood, and to preserve and improve the appearance and beauty of the community.(813, 03/27/2023)
17-14 Parking and Loading
Off-street parking and loading shall be provided in accordance with §34 of the Supplementary Regulations and the following conditions:
17-15 Street Access
Principal access to an OSRD lot shall be provided from an Arterial Street or Major Thoroughfare as designated on the Town Plan of Development.
17-16 Sidewalks
Sidewalks shall be provided between building and parking areas, streets and driveways. All sidewalks within a public right-of-way shall conform to Town or State Standards. All other sidewalks shall have driveway ramps and shall have a minimum paved width of three (3) feet and a maximum gradient of 6%.
17-17 Landscaping, Screening and Buffer Areas
17-2.1 Special Permit Uses
17-4.1 Maximum
The maximum unit density shall not exceed either 1.0 dwelling unit per gross acre or 3.0 bedrooms per gross acre, except as set forth below.
17-4.2 Recreational Bonus
One additional dwelling unit shall be permitted for a tennis court provided on the lot. Two additional dwelling units shall be permitted for an in ground swimming pool on the lot. The total recreation bonus dwellings on the lot shall not exceed either 5 additional units or 2 additional bedrooms for each permitted bonus unit.
17.4.3 Sewer Unit Bonus
An additional unit density not to exceed the following schedule shall be permitted, provided that each dwelling on the lot will be connected to an approved public sanitary sewer system:
| Length in Miles of Sewer Main Extension from existing Manhole to Site Boundary (miles) | Maximum Additional Dwelling Units Per Gross Acre |
|---|---|
| 0.00 to 0.24 | 0.29 |
| 0.25 to 0.49 | 0.58 |
| 0.50 or more | 0.81 |
| Length in Miles of Sewer Main Extension from existing Manhole to Site Boundary (miles) | Maximum Additional Dwelling Units Per Gross Acre |
|---|---|
| 0.00 to 0.24 | 0.29 |
| 0.25 to 0.49 | 0.58 |
| 0.50 or more | 0.81 |
| Length in Miles of Sewer Main Extension from existing Manhole to Site Boundary (miles) | Maximum Additional Dwelling Units Per Gross Acre |
|---|---|
| 0.00 to 0.24 | 0.29 |
| 0.25 to 0.49 | 0.58 |
| 0.50 or more | 0.81 |
| Length in Miles of Sewer Main Extension from existing Manhole to Site Boundary (miles) | Maximum Additional Dwelling Units Per Gross Acre |
|---|---|
| 0.00 to 0.24 | 0.29 |
| 0.25 to 0.49 | 0.58 |
| 0.50 or more | 0.81 |
Calculations resulting in major fractions of 0.5 or greater shall be rounded upward to the next whole number.
17-4.4 Sewer Bedroom Bonus
An additional bedroom density not to exceed an average of four bedrooms for each dwelling unit, including all bonus units, shall be permitted, provided that each dwelling on the lot will be connected to an approved public sanitary sewer system.
17-4.5 Maximum Total
The total number of dwelling units, including all bonus units, shall not exceed 65 dwelling units in any OSRD District not served by public sanitary sewers or 100 dwelling units in any OSRD District served by public sanitary sewers. The total number of bedrooms, including all bonus bedrooms, shall not exceed either 3.0 times the maximum total number of permitted dwelling units in any OSRD District not served by public sanitary sewers or 4.0 times the maximum total number of permitted dwelling units in any OSRD District served by public sanitary sewers.
17-4.6 Maximum Total Aggregate
The total aggregate number of dwelling units permitted on all OSRD Districts within the Town of Westport shall not exceed 180 cumulative dwelling units under these OSRD regulations.
17-4.7 Bedrooms
For the purpose of these OSRD regulations, libraries, dens, studios, studies, lofts and other similar spaces shall be deemed to be bedrooms by the Commission.
17-5.1 Building Setbacks
No principal or accessory building, structure or use in an OSRD shall extend closer than fifty (50) ft. from any Town street line, Zoning District boundary line or front, side or rear lot line. No accessory building or accessory structure for multiple or community use, such as a swimming pool, tennis court, paddle tennis court or other outdoor recreational facility located within an OSRD shall extend closer than 100 feet of any AAA and AA Zoning District boundary.
17-5.2 Street and Road Setbacks
No street, road, driveway, parking area, cul-de-sac, back around area, or part thereof, shall be located within the 50 foot setback area in an OSRD except for access ways or access drives leading directly from the development across the setback area to existing streets.
17-12.1
Residential buildings shall have pitched roofs.
17-12.2
Roof-top mechanical equipment, other than solar energy panels, shall be concealed from all sides.
17-12.3
Dwelling unit facades shall be designed to avoid a barracks or dormitory appearance. Staggered or off-set unit facades and/or varied unit facade materials shall be utilized. Staggered or off-set unit facades shall not be less than 5 ft. in depth.
17-14.1
An unobstructed view of at least two hundred fifty (250) feet along the major traffic artery shall be provided for exiting traffic at all driveway openings, if physically and legally feasible.
17-14.2
At least 30% of the minimum required residential parking spaces shall be provided in garages and carports. At least 10% of the minimum required residential parking spaces shall be provided in parking areas for visitors and guests. Said visitor and guest parking may be required to be located within 150 feet of any community center or recreation area.
17-15.1
The major access roads and collector roads within an OSRD project shall be designed and constructed to Town Road Standards, subject to the approval of the Town Engineer.
17-15.2
The minimum width of the traveled path of all roads within an OSRD project shall be as follows:
- Major access road 26 feet
- Collector road 22 feet
17-15.3
A turnaround or back around area of adequate dimensions to safely maneuver emergency, maintenance or other service vehicles shall be provided at the end of any cul-de-sac or dead-end road.
17-17.1 Road/Recreation Buffer
Any internal perimeter road or accessory structure for multiple or community use, such as a swimming pool, tennis court, paddle tennis court or other outdoor recreational facility located within 200 feet of any Residence AAA or AA Zoning District boundary line, or within 100 feet of any Residence A or B Zoning District boundary line shall include evergreen plantings, mounds, berms, walls, fences or other similar devices or combinations thereof, of a location, type, materials, height, spacing, arrangement and design that will screen the activity, noise or facility on the lot from a neighboring single-family residential area.
17-17.2 Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting shall be provided and maintained by the property owner at all access points to streets, parking areas, building entrances and elsewhere for the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. All exterior lighting shall be low-level except for required street lights and tennis courts. The glare from light sources shall be shielded from roads and abutting properties.
17-17.3 Refuse Areas
Refuse collection areas shall be provided and conveniently located for all buildings. The collection areas shall be screened and supplied with covered receptacles.
17-17.4 Mail Boxes
Mail boxes shall be provided and conveniently located for all buildings. The mail boxes shall be covered from the elements.
17-17.5 Planted Buffer Strip
For any use in a OSRD, the minimum planted buffer strip required under §35 shall be increased in width by ten (10) feet for each additional fifty (50) required off-street parking spaces, or major fraction thereof, over and above the first 100 required off-street parking spaces. No buffer strip shall be required to exceed fifty (50) feet in width.
17-18.1
All utilities and conduits within the site shall be underground.
17-18.2
No Zoning Certificate of Compliance shall be issued for any dwelling unit unless and until such unit has been connected to a public water supply, suitable power supply and either a public sanitary sewer line or an approved private community sewerage system.
17-18.3
Storm drainage facilities shall be provided and shall be designed to achieve at least a zero impact run-off based on a 25-year storm flow. Street culverts and bridges shall be designed for a 100 year storm flow.
17-18.4
All storm drainage facilities and public sanitary sewers shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Town Standards, subject to the approval of the Town Engineer. All private community sewerage systems shall be designed and constructed in accordance with State Standards, subject to the approval of the Connecticut Development of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and WWHD.
17-2.1.1
One-family dwelling, two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings in principal buildings subject to the conditions herein.
17-2.1.2
17-2.1.3
Related accessory buildings, structures and uses, except §11-2.4.6A Home Occupation, Level 1, and §32-21, Home Occupation, Level 2.
17-2.2.1
17-2.2.2
Manager's Office and/or community recreation center.
17-2.2.3
17-2.2.4
Other buildings, structures and uses not listed above, customarily accessory to a permitted principal use, provided that:
- Each such accessory building or structure shall not exceed 300 square feet of gross floor area;
- No such accessory building or structure shall exceed the allowable height; and
- No such accessory building shall be occupied or used as a rooming unit or a dwelling unit.