SPD-Special Planning Overlay District/Special Management District for Route 3 and Sandy Bottom Road.
§ 255-530. SPD-Special Planning Overlay District/Special Management District for Route 3 and Sandy Bottom Road.
A. Conformity with the Comprehensive Plan. All development along the Tiogue Avenue/Nooseneck Hill Road (Route 3) and Sandy Bottom Road corridors shall conform to the policies and guidelines as set forth in the Town's Comprehensive Community Plan. In order to demonstrate such conformity, the owners, applicants or developers, as applicable, must provide appropriate landscape, streetscape, on-site lighting, building and redevelopment activities and improvements to comport with the goals and intents of said plan.
B. Purpose. The purpose of this "Special Management District" is to revitalize and develop Tiogue Avenue/Nooseneck Hill Road and Sandy Bottom Road so as to dramatically improve the functioning and appearance of this arterial corridor, create redevelopment opportunities and create jobs as well as enhance the Town's economic tax base.
C. Applicability. This section shall apply to all real estate and buildings thereon situated on or adjacent to Tiogue Avenue and Nooseneck Hill Road and Sandy Bottom Road that are in a General Business (GB) Zoning District.
D. Procedure for approval. All new commercial uses, changes in commercial uses or expansion of commercial uses shall be subject to the provisions of this article in addition to any other applicable zoning, subdivision and land use regulations. Such uses shall be reviewed by the Planning Department and/or Planning Commission as appropriate.
E. Architectural standards.
(1) General. The architectural design of buildings, structures and site layout shall be visually compatible with the traditional historic character of Coventry and the surrounding area, including building materials, scale and roof line.
(2) Specific.
(a) New buildings shall be designed with traditional roof forms that are compatible with other traditional New England towns such as gabled, lipped, and pitched roofs. Flat roofs shall be avoided.
(b) Architectural elements to include dormers, columns, facades, awnings, canopies, etc., shall be in proportion with the dimensions and design of the overall building. Exaggerated or excessively large architectural elements shall be avoided.
(c) Traditional building materials such as shingles, wood clapboards, stucco, brick and stone should be used for the exterior sheathing of additions and new construction.
(d) The construction of buildings which are designed primarily according to themes or architectural styles associated with chain stores or restaurants shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission and may be modified or prohibited if found inconsistent with the Town's Comprehensive Community Plan or this chapter.
(e) For new retail or commercial establishments which will exceed 10,000 gross square feet of floor area or additions which will increase their floor area in excess of 50%, the following minimum standards shall apply:
[1] There shall be no blank, windowless uninterrupted facade in excess of 60 feet in length. Lengthy facades shall be interrupted by recesses, projections, windows, awnings or similar measures.
[2] Smaller retail stores that are a portion of a larger store or principal building shall have display windows and separate outside entrances.
[3] Roof lines shall be varied so as to break up lengthy, monotonous facades and exteriors.
F. Colors and materials. To ensure higher quality development, new or renovated buildings in the special management district shall meet the following "colors and materials" standards:
(1) Exterior materials shall be of high quality such as wood, brick, stucco, sandstone, or nature stone;
(2) Facade colors shall be low-reflective, subtle, neutral or earth-tone colors;
(3) High-intensity or metallic colors on the exterior of buildings are prohibited;
(4) Neon tubing as an accent material is prohibited.
G. Relationship to surrounding community. To ensure that all buildings with 10,000 square feet or more of gross floor area are compatible with surrounding streets, commercial and residential uses, all new buildings in excess of 10,000 square feet gross floor area or existing buildings which propose to increase their gross floor area in excess of 50% shall:
(1) Install or provide all facades that are visible from adjoining properties and/or public streets which encourage community integration by featuring characteristics of the front facade;
(2) All sides of a principal building which directly faces abutting streets shall include at least one customer entrance;
(3) Evergreen trees must be installed on all sides of a building which abuts or faces a residential zoning district;
(4) Landscape features shall be incorporated into all plans which shield loading docks, trash collection, and outdoor storage from public view;
(5) Every effort shall be made to incorporate community and public spaces such as water fountains, water features, clock towers, and/or patio seating areas in plans.
H. General Business design guidelines. Those techniques and measures set forth in the "Town of Coventry, Special Management District, General Business Guidelines" prepared by the Town of Coventry Planning Department and dated July 2007 are incorporated herein (NOTE: street lighting should be coordinated through the local fire district).