Village planned development land development project
(a) Definition and purpose. A village planned development (VPD) is a land development project developed by a single owner or a group of owners that is fully planned and developed as a comprehensive site. Village planned developments allow the developer greater flexibility in terms of the arrangement of buildings on the land while providing the town with a method of directing higher density growth towards existing village areas and providing a continuation of pedestrian circulation within those areas. Growth area number 4 as shown on the accompanying VPD overlay zone map is viewed as an exception to the above, because there is currently no formerly recognized village in this area. However, per the Route 102 development management district overlay zone, a new village is recommended for this area.
(b) Intent. The intent of this article is to encourage development that promotes a harmonious variety of uses within a concentrated area thereby providing developers with development options not ordinarily allowed through conventional zoning. The mix and orientation of the allowed uses in the VPD shall be compatible within the proposed development and compliment adjacent village area neighborhoods. Each VPD shall promote shared services and facilities, the use of public sewer - although individual sewerage disposal systems or other treatment systems may be allowed- public or private water systems, (except in growth area number 4 which will require ISDS and private wells), and the creation of safe, pedestrian-friendly environments to accommodate residential living, shopping and/or working.
(c) Objectives. The objectives of village planned development are:
(1) To allow for compatible mixed uses on a site, which are ordinarily not permitted together through conventional zoning.
(2) To coordinate architectural styles, building forms, and structural/visual relationships in an innovative, aesthetic, and functionally efficient manner.
(3) To provide flexibility of zoning in exchange for creative design and added amenities.
(4) To encourage land development and redevelopment (such as mixed-use developments) within or adjacent to the town village centers that preserves their natural and/or historical features.
(5) To encourage the redevelopment and rehabilitation of deteriorated and/or underutilized historic or nonconforming structures and areas.
(6) To promote pedestrian friendly environments which provide both a safe walking atmosphere and a logical connection of destinations within and adjacent to existing village centers.
(7) To enhance the quality of life for the inhabitants, users, and/or workers who will be utilizing or otherwise benefiting from the provided amenities.
(8) To focus growth within or adjacent to the villages of Pascoag and Harrisville, or in the case of growth area number 4, establish a new village in Nasonville.
(9) To provide areas that allow increased density thereby reducing land cost(s) per building site to encourage affordable housing availability.
(d) Types of village planned developments. The following types of village planned developments may be approved by the planning board only when geographically sited according to the village planned development overlay zone ("VDP overlay zone") map.
(1) Village residential land development project: Predominantly residential VPD that also includes public recreational uses (i.e., playgrounds and town commons) and open space. Examples of predominantly residential VPD's include:
a. Age-restricted housing (e.g. retirement communities) with a clubhouse or other recreation facility or other appropriate service, and useable open space.
The purpose of subsection (d)(1)a. above is to create housing with limited impacts on town services. All village residential land development projects shall utilize varied, architectural housing styles that reflect those within Burrillville's two National Historic Districts of Harrisville and Oakland, (e.g. capes, bungalows (cottages), colonials, mill house duplex(s) etc.) and not exceed two units per building. The Stillwater Mill Complex is exempt from this provision.
(2) Village mixed-use land development project: A mixed-use VPD that includes residential, commercial, retail, recreational, open space preservation, and/or municipal uses, the purpose of which is to promote redevelopment in growth areas 1, 2 and 3.
a. Like subsection (d)(1) above, these projects shall utilize varied, architectural housing styles that reflect those within Burrillville's two National Historic Districts of Harrisville and Oakland, (e.g., capes, bungalows (cottages), colonials, mill house duplex(s) etc.).
b. Commercial and retail gross floor areas within mixed-use buildings must not exceed 4,000 square feet. The Stillwater Mill Complex is exempt from this provision as well as section 30-204 in its entirety.
(3) Village industrial land development project: Predominantly light-industrial VPD that also includes commercial, recreational, governmental, and/or open space preservation uses, the purpose of which is to take advantage of highway access. Industrial VPD's are to be encouraged within growth area number 4. Examples industrial VPD's include:
a. A corporate park that mixes offices with recreation, restaurants, daycare facilities, and other uses that may be considered accessory to the main employment use.
b. A corporate and light industrial park that mixes offices with light manufacturing and/or research and development, and other uses that may be considered accessory to the main employment use.
c. In any industrial VPD, the retail (including restaurant) use shall be accessory to the main employment use, and thus no single retail or restaurant use shall exceed 6,000 square feet of G.F.A., nor shall the total of all retail and restaurant use exceed 30 percent of the G.F.A. of the entire industrial VPD.
(e) Review requirements.
(1) VPD(s) shall be considered major land development projects and subject to review and approval by the planning board according to the standards of the Town of Burrillville Subdivision and Land Development Regulations as adopted June 13, 2001, and as subsequently amended.
(2) In addition to the review requirements set forth in the subdivision and land development regulations, the applicant shall be required to include a statement of appropriateness demonstrating that the proposed development is in conformance with the VPD section objectives and purposes and consistent with the Burrillville Comprehensive Plan.
(3) The planning board may apply such special conditions, restrictions or stipulations to any VPD and make findings of fact, as it may deem necessary to maintain consistency with the comprehensive plan, zoning chapter, and subdivision and land development regulations to maintain harmony with neighboring uses.
(4) Standards for building coverage, building height, access to state and town highways and roads, lots containing wetlands, impervious surfaces, loading, signage, site planning design, streets, sidewalks and bicycle paths, blocks, utilities, erosion and sediment control, landscaping, drainage systems, etc., for VPD(s) shall generally be those as stated in the subdivision and land development regulations.
(5) All parking standards shall be determined by use, and in accordance with ITE Trip Generation Guidelines, as amended, and as approved by the town planner and town engineer, and exempt from section 30-156 in its entirety.
(6) Final plan approvals granted by the planning board and recorded in the Land Evidence Records of the Town of Burrillville shall contain the following statement: "These premises are subject to restrictions and conditions that are contained in instruments recorded contemporaneously with this plan and are incorporated herein by reference."
(f) General requirements.
(1) Village planned developments shall have a minimum of 50 feet frontage on a town-accepted street.
(2) Village residential and village mixed-use land development projects are strongly encouraged within growth areas 1, 2, and 3 and shall be linked to existing village areas through the installation of curbing and sidewalks, walking paths, and useable, public open space. The purpose of this requirement is to promote pedestrian friendly environments and a logical connection of destinations within and adjacent to existing village centers. In order to effectuate this requirement and promote a continuation of traditional block and grid street patterns common to the older villages of Pascoag or Harrisville, cul-de-sacs are not allowed.
(3) Visual connections must be established between the proposed housing units and existing structures found within Burrillville's two National Historic Districts. Such is accomplished through architectural design and the use of historic building materials that are compatible within the National Historic Districts such as: wood or brick, building style and features such as: period lighting and other outdoor fixtures, and native landscaping.
(4) Village residential land development projects shall be allowed in the VPD overlay zone as set forth on the Burrillville Zoning Map as amended in conjunction with this chapter, even if also located in the aquifer overlay district.
(5) Provided proposals comply with the objectives, review requirements and general requirements sections contained herein, the total lot density of any village planned development shall be calculated according to the existing R-12 zone district (i.e., using a minimum area size per dwelling unit of 12,000 square feet).
(6) The planning board shall determine all other flexible dimensional requirements for village planned developments including lot dimensions, internal frontage requirements (if applicable), building setbacks, and buffer zone requirements where different units exist in an effort to maintain historic village design. The basic minimum standards for such flexible dimensional requirements shall be that of the R-12 zone. Pursuant to G.L. 1956, § 45-24-47(b), as amended, the planning board may authorize zoning incentives of up to 50 percent of the R-12 zone dimensional requirements, (excluding minimum lot size) provided that all objectives review requirements and general requirements are met.
(7) Twenty percent of all proposed units must be affordable to those residents within the income range of 30 to 80 percent of area median income as determined by HUD. All units shall be maintained and operated according to either the HUD or Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation federal subsidy program requirements for as long as the proposed use is residential (i.e., all units must be subsidized housing units according to G.L. 1956, § 45-53, section 2, definition 2.23, subsidized housing or affordable, as subsequently amended). Additional covenants and restrictions may be prescribed as necessary by the planning board to ensure affordability.
(8) A letter of eligibility in support of the affordable units from either HUD or RIHMFC must be submitted along with any VPD proposal prior to final approval of any village plan proposal.
(9) Affordability restricted units shall be built and occupied prior to, or simultaneously with the construction of any other units in the approved application.
(10) Provisions shall be made for the guaranteed maintenance and ownership of private infrastructure, through such legal documentation, as required by the planning board and approved by the town solicitor.
(g) Design and improvement standards.
(1) Streets and drainage improvements in VPD's may be either: privately or publicly owned. At the time of final approval, the planning board shall approve the form and content of a document or documents, establishing the method of ownership and providing for the maintenance of the streets and drainage improvements, to be recorded contemporaneously with the final plat.
(2) Streets and appropriate drainage facilities within a VPD shall be designed, constructed and inspected in compliance with the Town of Burrillville Land Development and Subdivisions Regulations. The planning board shall have the authority to require additional improvements in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, if warranted by the characteristics of the land, or if public improvements are to be used by the general public. Any such improvements required shall be shown on a plan certified by a professional engineer, and such plan shall be included in the submission requirements for final plan approval and recorded with the endorsed final plat. No final approved plat shall be endorsed for any property in a village planned development until such required improvements are either completed or bonded.
(3) Streets, drainage, and other improvements within a VPD shall be bonded pursuant to the Town of Burrillville Land Development and Subdivision Regulations.
(h) Aquifer zones and uses. Village planned developments, as described in herein, shall be permitted in aquifer overlay district, however, only within the village planned development overlay zone, if the requirements of this section are met, and that all uses which are prohibited under section 30-202(f) (other than individual wastewater treatment plants for onsite wastewater disposal), shall remain prohibited.
(Ord. of 2-25-04(2))