Mill Conversion District.
§ 255-980. Mill Conversion District.
A. Findings and purpose.
(1) It is determined that throughout the Town there are a number of historic and industrial mill structures that have experienced high vacancy rates and physical deterioration. It is further determined that the Town's Comprehensive Plan encourages infill housing in existing mediumand high-density areas, including industrially zoned areas.
(2) The purpose of this section is to create a Mill Conversion District as a floating zone to allow for the conversion of historic mills while preserving the character of nearby residential and commercial neighborhoods; to encourage the preservation, reuse and renovation of historic mill properties and to promote diversified housing opportunities as mill conversion projects.
B. Definitions.
A MILL CONVERSION PROJECT — The conversion of an existing mill, or portion thereof, to multifamily dwellings, assisted living facility, single-family dwelling units or studio units.
ELIGIBLE MILL — For the purposes of this section, a mill structure that was in existence before 1950.
C. Uses. A mill conversion project is governed by the Zoning Use Regulations in Article VI, Section 600, which such mill conversion project shall be implemented as a floating zone, allowing conversion to residential use no matter the underlying zoning district, and further subject to regulation pursuant to Article XVI, Development Plan Review.
D. Procedure.
(1) A Mill Conversion District shall be considered a floating zone, requiring a zoning map amendment. Application for a Mill Conversion District shall be filed with the Town Clerk in accordance with the requirements and procedures of Article XVIII of this chapter to amend the Zoning Ordinance Map, including those provisions for fees, notice, and application requirements. If the Zoning Map amendment to establish the Mill Conversion District is approved by the Town Council, then any mill conversion project shall adhere to the regulations for development plan review set forth in the Coventry Zoning Ordinance at Article XVI. The floating zone district map amendment shall not become finalized until final development plan approval is received. Conditional approval of a Mill Conversion District as a floating zone map amendment by the Town Council shall not bind the Planning Commission to approving a specific mill conversion project under Article XVI.
(2) The filing of a mill conversion floating zone map amendment petition does not imply its acceptance in whole or in part by the Town Council. The approval of a mill conversion floating zone, including any modifications, conditions, or restrictions thereto, represents a legally binding commitment by the applicant to carry out the mill conversion project as represented to the Town Council and as it may be approved.
E. Intensity regulations and standards for development.
(1) Any mill conversion project that includes residential units shall have a minimum average of 1,000 square feet of living space for each unit in the subject mill. No unit shall have less than 720 square feet of living space. The Planning Commission may approve a plan for development and determine the appropriate dimensional requirements based on each specific and unique mill conversion project.
(2) No additions shall be allowed to the mills for the purpose of gaining additional multifamily units. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to grant permission for additions for essential nonresidential uses.
(3) The applicant shall be required to provide a minimum of two off-street parking spaces per residential unit on or immediately adjacent to the site. If a unit exceeds 2,000 square feet but has two or fewer bedrooms, the Planning Commission, in its sole discretion, may reduce the number of parking spaces for each unit. In no event shall the parking be reduced to less than one space.
(4) If it deems appropriate, the Planning Commission may require the applicant to submit a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment or similar environmental review of the subject parcel.
(5) All other general standards for review and development by the Planning Commission set forth in Article XVI, Development Plan Review, shall apply. Any applicant for a mill conversion project shall strive to renovate the mill structure(s) in a manner consistent with their original style.