TOWN OF SHARON
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 7:30 PM at the Sharon Town Hall, Lower Level Meeting Room, Sharon, Massachusetts, to review a proposed Amendment to the Zoning By-Laws to revise certain sections of the Zoning By-Laws affecting the so-called “Post Office Square” area.
The proposed amendments are intended to promote Smart Growth, mixed use, compact development, to enhance the business environment, to encourage a pedestrian and community destination, and to increase the vibrancy and architectural integrity of Post Office Square. The majority of the proposed revisions would affect: Business District A, which can generally be described as the Post Office Square area from French Memories/Coriander block continuing down Pond Street (both sides) to East Chestnut and then up South Main Street (both sides) to French Memories/Coriander block; Business District B at Shaw’s Plaza and Heights Plaza; and Business District C at the Wilber School.
The proposed amendment would revise numerous sections of the Zoning By-Law. Key revisions are summarized below:
Amend Section 2213 “Site Plan Approval in Certain Business Districts” to require site plan approval for Business District B projects.
Amend Section 2321 “Permitted Residential Uses” to allow, in Business District A, up to two (2) apartment units when located above a non-residential ground floor use.
Amend Section 2323 “Permitted Commercial Uses” to require a special permit for uses over 5,000 square feet of gross floor area in Business District A; to reduce the number of parking spaces required in Business District A; and to allow artist’s studios or art galleries in Business Districts A and C.
Amend Section 2326 “Uses and Accessory Uses Allowed on Special Permit from the Board of Appeals” to require a special permit for certain uses.
Add a new Section 2412(h) to exempt from Section 2412 those uses in Business District A, unless the property contains a single- or two-family dwelling.
Amend Section 2461 “Minimum Lot Area” to eliminate minimum lot area requirements for uses other than single- or two- family dwellings in Business District A.
Amend Section 2462 “Minimum Lot Frontage and Width” by adding new requirements for Business District A.
Amend Section 2463 “Lot Coverage and Open Space” by increasing maximum lot coverage for multi-family uses and for other uses other than single- and two-family dwellings; by reducing minimum landscaped open space coverage; and to encourage landscaped areas and public seating.
Amend Section 2464 “Building Location” by changing front yard setbacks for uses in the Business Districts A and by requiring front yard setbacks be used for landscaping, public seating, circulation, signage and drives; by allowing for adjoining buildings.
Amend Section 2465 “Maximum Building Height” by changing maximum building stories (but not height) in the Business District A and the maximum building height (but not stories) in Business District C, plus allowing for accessories and architectural features on roofs.
Amend Section 2467 “Residential Buildings” by allowing more than one (1) building used wholly or in part for residence on any one (1) lot in the Business District A.
Amend Sections 3110 and 3111 “Business A and C and Professional District Parking Requirements” and “Number of Parking Spaces Required” by exempting outdoor seating space and certain non-residential nonconforming uses from additional parking requirements and to allow the Planning Board or the Board of Appeals, as applicable, to review and make decisions on parking issues; and to require bicycle parking in Business Districts A and B.
Amend Section 3120 “Business B District Parking Requirements” by deleting it in its entirety.
Add a new Section 4240 “Business District A” that regulates site plan approval by the Planning Board and special permit approval by the Board of Appeals for developments in the Business District A and which includes additional standards for review for affordable housing in Business District A.
Amend Article V “Definitions” by adding new definitions for “Apartment,” “Basement,” “Half Story,” “Mixed Use Building,” “Single Family Dwelling,” “Special Permit Granting Authority,” “Story” and “Two Family Dwelling.”
The full text of the proposed Article is available in the office of the Sharon Town Clerk at 90 South Main Street, in the Engineering and GIS Division office of the Sharon Department of Public Works at 217R South Main Street during normal office hours and at the Sharon Public Library during normal business hours.
All interested parties should attend.
Sharon Planning Board
Susan Price, Chair