§ 6.2 BASE ZONING DISTRICTS.

   6.2.1   Purpose and intent. The districts enumerated by this section are established to provide a comfortable, healthy, safe, and pleasant environment in which to live, work, or recreate. More specifically, they are intended to:

   (A)   Provide appropriately located lands for residential development that are consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Land Use Plan;

   (B)   Provide appropriately located lands for the full range of nonresidential uses needed by the town’s residents, businesses, and workers, consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Land Use Plan;

   (C)   Provide for residential housing choice and diversity with varying density together with accessory structures, and nonresidential services as may be compatible with such development;

   (D)   Create neighborhoods and preserve existing community character while accommodating new development consistent with the town’s goals and objectives;

   (E)   Minimize any negative impacts of nonresidential development on residential districts and uses; and

   (F)   Create suitable environments for various types of commercial uses, and protect them from the adverse effects of incompatible uses.

   6.2.2   Residential Zoning Districts.

   (A)   Rural Preservation District (RP). The Rural Preservation District (RP) is established to accommodate very low density single-family residential development and to promote the preservation of working farms and forests in environmentally sensitive areas and in areas that have limited or no public services available. To achieve this, the gross density for new residential development in the RP district is limited to one dwelling unit per two acres of land.

   (B)   Rural Residential District (RR). The Rural Residential District (RR) is established to accommodate low density single-family residential development and to promote the preservation of working farms and forests in rural areas which do not have access to public services. To achieve this, the gross density for new residential development in the RR District is limited to one dwelling unit per acre of land.

   (C)   Suburban Residential District (RS). The Suburban Residential District (RS) is established to accommodate low to moderate density single-family residential development, as well as complementary small-scale public and institutional uses which would not detract from the residential character of the district, in suburban areas of the town’s jurisdiction which have access to public services. The gross density of new residential development in this district is limited to three dwelling units per acre.

   (D)   Town Residential District (RT). The Town Residential District (RT) is established to accommodate moderate density single-family residential development, as well as complementary small-scale public and institutional uses which would not detract from the residential character of the district, in core residential areas of the town. The gross density of new residential development in this district is limited to three and one-half dwelling units per acre.

   (E)   Mixed Residential District (RMX). The Mixed Residential District (RMX) is established to accommodate moderate density single-family and duplex residential development, as well as complementary public and institutional uses which would not detract from the residential character of the district, in core areas of the town where development at this density is appropriate. The gross density of new residential development in this district is limited to four dwelling units per acre.

   (F)   Multi-Family Residential District (RMF). The Multi-Family Residential District (RMF) is established to accommodate higher density multi-family residential development in areas within the town’s jurisdiction where such residential density is appropriate and public services are available to serve the development. The gross density of new multi-family development within this district is limited to 12 dwelling units per acre. However, maximum heights may exceed 35 feet and maximum density may exceed 12 dwelling units per acre when located in a conditional zoning district with an approved concept plan that is consistent with the town's adopted comprehensive and/or small area plans.

   6.2.3   Nonresidential Districts.

   (A)   Office and Institutional District (OI). The Office and Institutional District (OI) is established to accommodate a wide range of low to moderate intensity professional, civic, educational, public, and governmental uses. Typically, this district will serve as a transitional district between lower intensity residential uses and higher intensity commercial uses.

   (B)   Neighborhood Business District (NB). The Neighborhood Business District (NB) is established to accommodate low to moderate intensity commercial establishments and professional offices which provide goods and services to residents of an adjacent, or nearby, residential neighborhood.

   (C)   Central Business District (CB). The Central Business District (CB) is established to accommodate moderate intensity commercial development in the core commercial area of the town.

   (D)   Highway Business District (HB). The Highway Business District is established to accommodate moderate to high intensity commercial development along major roadways serving the town.

   (E)   Light Industrial District (LI). The Light Industrial District (LI) is established to accommodate low to moderate intensity manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and wholesaling uses in areas of the town’s jurisdiction where such uses can be operated in a manner which does not infringe on the use or enjoyment of nearby residential or commercial areas. Uses in this district are limited to those which do not create any off-site environmental impacts or nuisances such as light, dust, odor, noise, or emit any airborne pollutants.

   (F)   Heavy Industrial District (HI). The Heavy Industrial District (HI) is established to accommodate moderate to high intensity manufacturing facilities and other complementary uses in areas of the town’s jurisdiction where the establishment of such uses engaged in higher intensity manufacturing processes would not cause detrimental effects to nearby residential or commercial areas.

(Ord. A.23.04, passed 4-6-2023)