District design criteria

A.  Landscaping.

1. For Flex Tech uses that abut residential properties or the planned unit development Village Center zoning district, a minimum one hundred fifty-foot open space setback is required.  Landscaping in this open space setback shall include planting elements to ensure an effective visual and audio screen and buffer between residential and non-residential uses, including maintaining existing topographic features and vegetation as a "no cut" buffer, or restoration with native vegetation and earthen berms, where appropriate, to achieve a natural forested buffer zone.

2. As a condition of approval of the change from R-2 to Flex Tech, the area of the proposed Flex Tech Zone that is within a Rhode Island Heritage site, a minimum of a two hundred-foot natural or restored buffer shall be required between the natural edge and any site development.

3. For any permitted use, a minimum of thirty-five percent of the lot shall be undisturbed or maintained as landscaped, or planted open space.

4. No more than twenty-five percent of the landscaped, undisturbed or planted area shall consist of land unsuitable for development as that term is defined in Article III, Section C of the land development and subdivision regulations.

5. Loading areas and areas for outdoor storage shall be screened with native vegetation, and/or earthen berms, and located in the side or rear yards.

6. Tree and shrub plantings 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 from those suggested in the publication titled “Sustainable Trees and Shrubs for Southern New England” by the faculty at the University of Rhode Island and Massachusetts-Cooperative Extension dated 9/19/93, as may, from time to time, be revised, or other recognized treatises.

B.  Architectural Standards.

1. The architectural design of buildings, structures, and site layout shall be visually compatible with a historic New England village in scale and character, including building materials, massing, density, 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 com-monly 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.  For buildings visible from existing town streets outside the Flex Tech zoning district, the architectural design and exterior materials used shall be compatible with a traditional New England village character.

5. Large scale development shall take the form of village-like groupings of small scale buildings, rather than a large individual structure or box-like buildings set back on a large expanse of paved parking.

6. 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.  Mechanical equipment shall be screened through walled units or integrated into architectural features of the buildings.

7. The planning board shall require schematic architectural drawings of the exteriors of all proposed new buildings to be submitted at the preliminary plan stage of review.  The board shall review these drawings for conformity with the design guidelines set forth herein.

C.  Open Space.

1. Design and layout in the Flex Tech district should incorporate elements such as "town greens" and public spaces.  Such public spaces serve as a buffer between the Flex Tech area and the arterial roadway, and highlight the building design when viewed from outside the zone.

2. To promote pedestrian connections and activity, a walkway or trail/path system shall be incorporated between the Flex Tech zone, the Village Center and residential areas.  The path system shall be an active and enjoyable outdoor space that provides linkages throughout the Flex Tech zone and the Village Center.  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 development areas in the Flex Tech zoning district.

3. Design of the pathway system 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.

D.  Utilities.

1. On-site utilities shall be located underground unless the planning board waives or modifies this requirement pursuant to Article VIII of the land development and subdivision regulations.

2. Utility and drainage areas shall be landscaped and incorporated into the natural features of the land and open space network.

E.  Driveways and Access Roads.

1. Driveways and access roads shall be located according to the following schedule (current (1994) AASHTO STANDARDS, as amended):

2. Driveway placement and design shall:

a.   Be in harmony with the internal circulation and parking layout;

b. Accommodate the types and volume of vehicles that are expected to enter during the peak design period;

c.   Be sufficient to minimize vehicular traffic; and

d. Facilitate shared access driveways.

(Ord. dated 11-16-02 (part))