Browse another municipality →
Town of Johnston
Town of Johnston Zoning Ordinance
Read in full Download
§ 340-91

Performance standards

[Added 9-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-15]

  • A. Architectural form and appearance. Where buildings are proposed which are visible from Hartford Avenue, the following criteria shall apply:
    • (1) Buildings shall follow in the spirit and character of a town center design and shall be located with specific regard to the height, size, and style of other structures in the immediate vicinity.
    • (2) Structure(s) shall be harmonious and blend with the existing nearby built and natural landscape.
    • (3) The Planning Board shall have final approval over the exterior architectural styling and facades of buildings and the overall project proposal in terms of height, size, style and harmonious compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods.
  • B. Open space requirements.
    • (1) At least 20% of the gross area in a development with residential, exclusive of land devoted to roads or easements, shall be set aside as open land for public or common use.
    • (2) Buildings or other uses for noncommercial, recreational or cultural purposes compatible with open land objectives may be permitted only after approval by the Planning Board.
    • (3) Common open land may be in one or more parcels of a size and shape appropriate for its intended use as determined by the Board.
    • (4) Access shall be created at least 25 feet wide to each parcel of such common open land from one or more streets in the planned district, depending on the size of the development and the surrounding land uses, as determined by the Board.
    • (5) A maximum of 20% of the common open land may be devoted to paved areas and structures used for or accessory to active outdoor recreation.
    • (6) All open land provided by land development projects for public or common use shall be conveyed to and maintained by either of the following with the approval of the Board:
      • (a) A corporation or trust owned or to be owned by the owners of lots or units within the development;
      • (b) Owners of shares within a cooperative development. If such a corporation or trust is used, ownership shall pass with conveyances of the lots or units;
      • (c) A nonprofit organization, the principal purpose of which is the conservation of open space; or
      • (d) The Town of Johnston for park, open space, agricultural, or other specified use or uses and open to unrestricted public use.
    • (7) A restriction or conservation easement on open space/open land, enforceable by the Town, shall be recorded, providing that the land shall be kept in the authorized condition and not be built upon or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway. Said conservation easement shall restrict the area against any future building or use except as is consistent with that of providing landscaped open space for aesthetic and recreational satisfaction of the surrounding residences.
    • (8) An operations and maintenance plan shall be developed for the open space.
  • C. Signs. Signs shall conform to the regulations set forth in Article VIII of this chapter.
  • D. Streets. The circulation system shall provide functional links and shall be connected to existing and proposed external development. The circulation system shall provide adequate traffic capacity and promote safe and efficient mobility.
    • (1) Streets proposed to be dedicated for public use shall be constructed and approved in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.
    • (2) Streets proposed to be private may be approved by the Board and will not be dedicated for public use. This approval may be contingent upon the developer constructing the streets in conformance with the provisions of the regulations. This determination shall be in accordance with and consideration of the proposed uses for the site while insuring the health, safety, and welfare of the targeted population and adequate accessibility for emergency vehicles.
    • (3) The intent is to limit access onto existing public rights-of-way to strategically placed locations. In addition, the location(s) shall be designed to effectively allow for the efficient and safe movement of vehicular traffic in and out of the development. The following shall apply to new and existing uses:
      • (a) New uses. All new uses constructed after the effective date of this section shall be provided with vehicular access to a common internal street(s) or frontage road(s) that shall intersect with a public right-of-way at a location(s) approved by the Board.
      • (b) Expanded existing uses. In reviewing applications for expanded existing uses having existing driveway access on an existing public right-of-way, the Board shall determine if such access to the expanded use would be safe, attractive and otherwise consistent with the intent and purpose of the planned district and shall make its findings in writing. Based on these findings, the Board may permit the expanded use(s) to utilize existing access.
      • (c) Existing uses. All existing uses with direct vehicular access to a public right-of-way shall be permitted to retain such access. Change of existing uses to other permitted uses or additions or enlargements which do not involve significant expansion of a structure shall not require new access.

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 340-91, Location. See now § 340-91.1.