District design criteria
In the event of a conflict between these design criteria and the Design and Improvement Standards, Article 13, of the Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, these criteria shall govern. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
A. Architectural Standards. The following architectural standards shall only apply to structures within 700 feet of the edge of the Route 138 right of way. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
1. The architectural design of buildings, structures, and site lay out will be visually compatible with a historic New England village in scale and character, including building materials, massing, density, window arrangement, and roof lines.
2. A diversity of roof heights, gable orientations and volumes in new buildings shall be considered. Buildings shall be designed with traditional roof forms that are compatible with the character of the town, including but not limited to gambrel, gable and hipped roofs commonly found in the town and other small New England towns.
3. Architectural elements such as dormers shall be in proportion to the overall building and surrounding buildings. Exaggerated or excessively large architectural elements shall be avoided. Traditional and contemporary architectural detailing that creates variety, interest and texture on new buildings and additions and that is compatible with the character of the town is encouraged.
4. Traditional building materials such as shingles, wood clapboards, brick and stone shall be used for the exterior of new construction and additions on the side that have direct views from existing public streets. Cement board, cement products, and other products providing the appearance of traditional building materials is acceptable. Concrete block exteriors are not acceptable. For buildings visible from existing town streets, the architectural design shall be compatible with a traditional New England village character. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
5. Residential structures shall be clustered in village-like groupings to provide a distinctive neighborhood character. Buildings shall be oriented to the street, with front yards and entryways that provide convenient access to sidewalks and paths.
6. Large-scale development shall take the form of village-like groupings of small-scale buildings, rather than large individual structures or box-like buildings set back on a large expanse of paved parking.
7. Service areas and mechanical equipment shall be placed to the rear or side of buildings in visually unobtrusive locations. Service areas shall be screened through landscaping or structural elements at a minimum of five feet in height, to prevent direct views from adjacent properties or from public or private streets used by the general public.
8. Mechanical equipment shall be screened through walled units or integrated into architectural features of the buildings.
B. Open Space.
1. Design and layout of the district or project shall incorporate landscaping adjacent to Route 138. Such landscaping serves as a buffer between the residential/commercial/retail buildings and Route 138, and highlight the building design when viewed from outside the district or project site. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
2. Additional public greens and common areas may be located in residential areas to provide useable open space and park-like settings in a neighborhood context. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
3. To promote pedestrian connections and activity, a walkway or trail/path system shall be incorporated between the commercial/retail, recreational, and residential areas, where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board. The path system shall be an active and enjoyable outdoor space that provides linkages throughout the district or project. Where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board, the path system shall be designed to provide a safe connection for pedestrians and bicyclists, and also serve as a unifying element between the different accessible areas in the district and project. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
4. Design of the pathway system, where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board, shall also give consideration to creating linkages to adjacent neighborhoods, and to town and statewide trails, bikeways and pedestrian facilities. This pathway system shall be delineated in the open space greenway plan for the development. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
5. An open space buffer of at least seventy-five (75) feet between buildings is required in the planned unit development-Village Center district where an existing or proposed residential use abuts an industrial use. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
6. Tree and shrub planting in open space and recreation areas shall be selected as suitable for their use in the interest of creating an aesthetically pleasing environment, and shown on a landscaping plan by a licensed landscape architect. The plantings selected shall be native, or near native, plants and their cultivars, as documented in the current RI Native Plant Guide. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
C. Utilities.
1. On-site utilities shall be located underground unless the planning board waives or modifies this requirement pursuant to Article 8 of the land development and subdivision regulations.
2. Visible utility and drainage areas shall be landscaped and incorporated into the natural features of the land and open space network to the extent practical. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
D. Circulation Standards.
1. Where feasible, as determined by the Planning Board, access and parking lot entryways shall be aligned to create direct intersections, providing efficiency and safety for vehicles entering and exiting the site. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
2. Roadways and internal vehicle circulation corridors shall be designed to accommodate the type and volume of vehicles that are expected to enter during the peak period.
3. Shared access driveways and parking areas shall be required for nearby uses that have different hours, days, or seasons of peak parking demand. The planning board may waive or modify parking requirements where the applicant can demonstrate that adequate parking is available on a shared basis. The planning board may require written easements or other legal assurances to enforce shared parking arrangements.
4. Design of internal parking and roadways shall be looped rather than dead-ended to allow for efficient circulation. The planning board may waive or modify this requirement. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
5. Parking in residential and commercial areas shall be designed with internal landscaped islands and exterior landscaped buffer areas to soften the visual impacts of parking areas. A landscape plan conforming to Section 13.8.2 of the land development and subdivision regulations shall be submitted for parking areas. The planning board may waive or modify parking construction requirements where the applicant can demonstrate that use of pervious surfaces for overflow parking is feasible. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
6. Parking areas and garages are not permitted in required buffer areas, open space areas or required landscape areas unless for use with a recreational use or otherwise approved by the planning board. Parking areas shall be located in order to protect views from adjacent properties and Route 138. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
7. On-street parking is permitted and on-street parking located adjacent to the frontage of a building may be used to satisfy minimum off-street parking requirements. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
8. A maximum of one off-street parking space shall be required for each residential unit; the applicant may provide additional parking spaces. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
9. A maximum of one-off street parking space shall be required for each 500 square feet of retail and/or commercial floor area; the applicant may provide additional parking spaces. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
10. A maximum of one-off street parking space shall be required for each 2,500 square feet industrial floor area; the applicant may provide additional parking spaces. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
11. Any pedestrian and bicycle circulation networks constructed, shall provide safe access, especially between buildings and parking areas. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
12. Street-trees shall be provided along all pedestrian and bicycle corridors, along with the planting of ground cover. The street tree canopy shall appear tight, formal and planted in clusters at entry areas and plazas. Ground surface materials shall be natural and soft, and remain low, well below sight lines of pedestrians. The planning board shall be allowed to waive this requirement to accommodate construction constraints or for other good cause. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
13. Pedestrian lighting shall be incorporated into the design of parking areas and along pedestrian and bicycle ways. Additional lighting may be used to reinforce architectural edges as well as highlight special elements. Nighttime illumination shall provide for safety and security of residents and visitors. All lighting in residential and commercial areas shall be compatible in appearance with the design and architecture of the district. Where other lighting is deemed necessary, Dark Sky compliant light shall be used. All lights shall be capped and directed away from adjacent properties and roadways. All exterior lights shall comply with Section 13.8.2 of the land development and subdivision regulations. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
14. Parking areas shall include bicycle parking racks in locations that are safely segregated from automobile traffic. Bicycle parking racks shall only be required within 700 feet of Route 138 or with open space and recreational uses. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
15. The planning board may request construction of facilities or improvements outside the project site if the board finds that the proposed development will directly and negatively affect the general health, safety or welfare of the town and off-site improvements will mitigate that specific impact. The board shall identify the need for such improvements based upon the information the applicant has submitted, studies done of the area, knowledge of the impacted area, reports from technical experts, and the comprehensive plan. (Ord. dated 7-21-26)
(Ord. dated 11-19-02 (part); Ord. dated 8-19-08; Ord. dated 2-16-10; Ord. dated 6-5-12; Ord. dated 7-21-26)