| COLCHESTER DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS | SUPPLEMENT 49 |
Art. 4: GENERAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
General Development districts provide for residential and compatible commercial uses featuring convenience of required facilities and services. Such mixing occurs either within a shared structure, neighborhood, or zoning district, as prescribed.
4.01 General Development One (GD1)
4.01–A Purpose. To provide for residential and compatible commercial uses in the Colchester Village and Warner’s Corners neighborhoods.
4.01–B Additional Standards.
(1) Multi-unit dwellings shall be subject to Planned Residential Development Review, as per Article 9.
(2) Residential units and commercial uses may be permitted to occupy the same building subject to the Conditional Use and Site Plan criteria and the following standards:
(a) Qualifying commercial uses shall be limited to: convenience stores without gas sales, general merchandise less than 10,000 sq. ft. no drive-up, retail food establishment with store area less than 5,000 sq. ft., automotive accessory sales without installation, general office, medical office less than 10,000 sq. ft., financial institution, personal or business service, artist production studio, cultural facilities less than 500 sq. ft., nursing care home, day-care facilities, or standard restaurants.
(b) The residential units shall have an entrance separate from the proposed commercial use.
(c) Multiple commercial uses within the building may be considered however the commercial uses shall not adversely affect the proposed residential units. Hours of operation of the commercial uses may be restricted to ensure no adverse effect to the residences.
(d) Residential units converted from non-residential square footage in existence prior to January 1, 2004 under this section shall not be subject to Planned Residential Development review.
4.02 General Development Two (GD2)
4.02–A Purpose. To provide a range of commercial, light industry and compatible multi-unit dwellings and related uses for the Fort Ethan Allen neighborhood and vicinity.
4.02–B Additional Standards.
(1) Multi-unit dwellings, in addition to the Planned Residential Development criteria contained in Article 9, shall be subject to the following standards:
(a) Class one properties, or properties with municipal water and municipal sewer, shall have a maximum residential density of ten (10) dwelling units per acre unless otherwise provided through the use of transfer of development rights under Section 7.06 herein.
(b) Class two properties, or properties with municipal water and on-site septic, shall have a maximum residential density of four (4) dwelling units per acre.
(2) Outside storage for any use shall be confined to the rear yard and shall be screened from view from any side by a sufficiently high wall or fence or by appropriate landscaping such as berms, hedges and /or shrubbery.
(3) All equipment maintenance, repair or manufacturing operations shall be within enclosed structures.
4.03 General Development 3 GD3/Severance Corners Form-Based (FB) District
4.03–A Purpose. To facilitate a development pattern and interconnected street network within the Severance Corners Form-Based District that is modeled on traditional New England downtowns. The district shall be characterized by higher-density, mixed-use, multi-story buildings that can accommodate retail, office, commercial, light industrial, civic and residential uses. It shall have buildings set close to the sidewalk with entrances, storefronts and windows facing the street. Streets with curbs, street trees and sidewalks shall define small- to medium-sized blocks.
4.03–B Allowed Uses. Those uses indicated in Table 1 (below) and accessory uses to those uses. Any uses not listed in Table 1 are prohibited. Items that are not customary as accessory uses to those listed in Table 1 are prohibited. Table 1 (below) includes classes of uses (i.e. office); refer to Table A-1: Table of Uses for a detailed list of uses within each class (i.e. general office, research facility or laboratory, medical office).
4.03–C Establishment of Street Types. Development under the form-based code for this district shall be regulated by street type. Three street types are established, in order from highest to lowest: A Streets, B Streets, and C Streets. When the streets intersect, the primary street frontage is the highest order street type. The front of a principal building and its main entrance shall face the primary street frontage.
4.03–D Classification of Streets. U.S. Route 7 & 2, Blakely Road and Severance Road shall be A Streets. The classification of any new public or private streets serving development within this district shall be approved by the Town of Colchester at the time of subdivision or site plan approval. Not more than 50% of the total length of new streets within any development shall be classified as a C Street.
4.03–E Block Standards. No block, which includes an A or B Street, shall exceed a total perimeter length of 1,600 feet. Any block side on an A or B Street longer than 400 feet shall be broken up by a right-of-way allowing, at a minimum, through pedestrian connections.
4.03–F Development Standards. All development in the Severance Corners Form-Based District shall be subject to the standards set forth in Tables 2-6 below.
4.03–G Definitions. Terms specific to this section are defined as follows:
(1) Frontage Buildout. Frontage buildout shall be calculated based on the widest point of a building between the minimum and maximum front setback lines and the width of the lot at the front lot line.
4.03–H Maintenance Structures
(1) Maintenance Structures, as defined herein, may exist as the sole structure on a lot without meeting the street dimensional and architectural standards that would otherwise apply to principal structures.
(2) Maintenance structures shall be clearly intended to service a recreational amenity or serve as a maintenance storage function on the site.
(3) They shall not exceed 3000 square feet in gross floor area, nor twenty-five (25) feet in height and shall be limited to no more than three (3) per Planned Unit Development.
(4) Maintenance structures shall be compatible to adjacent buildings in material, color, and design.
(5) Maintenance structures shall not be located between the street line and the front building line of any principal building and shall be located a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from all lot lines.
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Table 4-2. A Street Dimensional Standards
A Streets are lined with mixed-use, multi-story storefront buildings that are positioned at the front of each lot. The following standards shall apply to all lots and buildings fronting on an A Street:
A Lot width 20 ft min, 180 ft max B Lot depth 80 ft min C Lot coverage 90% max D Frontage buildout 60% min 2.B Building Placement Principal Building E Front setback 5 ft min, 25 ft max1 F Side setback 0 ft min G Rear setback 12 ft min Accessory Building H Front setback 20 ft + principal bldg. setback min I Side setback 3 ft min Figure 4-2. Building Placement and Design Standards Illustrated
2.A Lot Configuration 
4.06 Lakeshore Two LS2
4.06–A Purpose. To foster the development of a small-scale, mixed-use village center on Malletts Bay that will offer residents and visitors access to recreation and entertainment opportunities, community-serving businesses, marine services, and lodging and dining options in a manner that:
(1) Protects and enhances water quality;
(2) Mitigates flood hazards;
(3) Maintains and improves views of the lake from public vantage points;
(4) Is oriented primarily to pedestrian and bicycle traffic and secondarily to vehicular traffic;
(5) Promotes “greening” of lot frontages and parking areas;
(6) Decreases the amount of impervious surface and associated stormwater runoff; and
(7) Reduces the quantity and improves the quality of stormwater flowing into surface waters;
(8) Promotes economic development.
4.06–B Municipal Plan. These regulations hereby implement the relevant provisions of the Town of Colchester adopted municipal plan and are in accord with the policies set forth therein.
4.06–C Permitted Uses. Those uses indicated in Table A-1 and accessory uses to those uses. Any uses not listed in Table A-1 are prohibited. Items that are not customary as accessory uses to those listed in Table A-1 are prohibited. The following additional standards shall apply to the uses indicated in Table A-1:
(1) 1. Inns over 10 rooms in size shall be considered as a conditional use;
4.06–D Conditional Uses. Those uses indicated in Table A-1 and approved pursuant to Article 8, and accessory uses to those uses. Any uses not listed in Table A-1 are prohibited. Items that are not customary as accessory uses to those listed in Table A-1 are prohibited.
(1) Industrial uses lawfully in existence on January 1, 2016 shall be reviewed as a permitted use for expansions or other modifications.
4.06–E Area, Density, and Dimensional Requirements. In the Lakeshore Two District, all requirements of this Section 4.06 and Table A-2 shall apply. Lot coverage may be increased over 40% as listed in Table A-2 in accordance with subsection 4.06F herein. If a project is deemed to comply with subsection 4.06F lot coverage maximums does not apply.
4.06–F Green Infrastructure Requirements.
(1) Land development that meets the following criteria shall utilize the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Green Infrastructure Simplified Sizing Tool for Small Projects to demonstrate that 90% of annual storm events, or the first inch of rainfall from impervious surfaces, are adequately treated on the site and do not overwhelm off-site drainage areas or otherwise cause erosion:
(a) Constructing or replacing a principal building; or
(b) Increasing the footprint of an existing principal building by more than 25% within a 5-year period; or
(c) Increasing the amount of impervious surface on a lot by 1,000 square feet or more over a 5-year period; or
(d) Disturbing 1,000 square feet or more of soil on a lot within a 5-year period excluding septic work; or
(e) Enlarging a structure within the Floodplain District; or
(f) Increasing lot coverage over 40% or increasing lot coverage by any amount if lot coverage already exceeds 40%.
(2) If any of the following conditions exist on the site that make compliance with Section 4.06F(1) unattainable, as determined by a Professional Engineer, green infrastructure shall be used to the extent feasible on-site to maximize infiltration and minimize off-site run off:
(a) Seasonally high or shallow groundwater as defined in the Vermont Stormwater Management Manual;
(b) Shallow bedrock as defined in the Vermont Stormwater Management Manual;
(c) Soils contaminated with hazardous materials as defined in 10 V.S.A. §6602(16);
(d) A stormwater hot spot as defined in the Vermont Stormwater management Manual; or
(e) Other site conditions prohibitive of on-site infiltration runoff subject to the review and approval of the Development Review Board.
(3) Sites that require a State Stormwater Permit will be deemed to have complied with Section 4.06F(1) herein upon issuance.
4.06–G Building Placement and Design Standards. Applicants shall submit a site plan and elevation drawings for new or expanded principal buildings to demonstrate that:
(1) To the maximum extent feasible, buildings are designed to fit into the natural terrain and to minimize any change in grade on the site.
(2) Buildings are located near the street with at least one entrance readily accessible and connected visually as well as by sidewalk.
(3) Exterior wall surfaces facing a public roadway or parking area, or otherwise publicly visible, should employ windows that offer views into the building interior given the intended function of the interior space.
(4) All sides of a structure shall receive design consideration. The front, sides, and rear of buildings shall be attractively designed and articulated to eliminate large spans of blank exterior wall.
(5) The mass of large buildings is broken up by incorporating visible changes in wall plane and roof form. Traditional roofline types such as gabled, hipped, and gambrel are strongly encouraged. Type, shape, pitch and direction of roofs should be considered in the design. Flat roofs are discouraged.
(6) The building facade includes elements such as porches, awnings, windows, outdoor seating, landscaping and/or similar features that will add visual interest and contribute to creating a pedestrian-oriented environment
(7) The building incorporates architectural features and details including but not limited to cornices, columns, corner trim, porticos, display window, awnings, dormers, or porches shall be considered in every building design. Traditional features and details associated with Vermont’s architectural heritage are strongly encouraged.
(8) The building incorporates different exterior textures, colors and materials that add visual interest. The use of traditional building materials such as granite, brick, fieldstone, wooden clapboard, wooden shingles, etc. is strongly encouraged. Alternatively, contemporary materials that simulate traditional materials, and that have the same visual effect, may be utilized. The use of colors traditionally associated with the building style is encouraged.
(9) All new vehicle use and parking areas are located to the side or rear of principal buildings. Applicants are strongly encouraged to relocate or remove pre-existing parking areas located between the building and the street to the maximum extent feasible.
(10) Any new vehicle or service entrances are located to the side or rear of principal buildings and will be screened as viewed from the lake and the street. Any new trash storage, building equipment, utilities or similar service functions are located to the side or rear of principal buildings and screened as viewed from the lake and the street.
(11) All new or expanded storage areas and structures that will not be fully enclosed will be located outside required setbacks. Applicants are strongly encouraged to relocate or remove pre-existing storage areas located between the building and the street to the maximum extent feasible.
(12) All new or expanded outdoor storage areas will be screened as viewed from the street with a combination of fencing and landscaping. Boat storage areas should prioritize screening of the base or cradles of boats realizing that the size of boat precludes options for full screening.
(13) All new or expanded storage structures that will not be fully enclosed and have any open sides that face the street will be screened from view with a combination of fencing and landscaping.
