(A) Potential. Large scale commercial development has the potential to pose many challenges to a relatively small community such as the town. The development can overwhelm local police services, undermine a current diversified commercial market, strain the character of the local community, cause excessive vehicular congestion, and can be difficult to handle once left vacant. As such, the town finds it necessary to limit the allowable floor area of commercial development in order to ensure that the development is carried out in a manner that is appropriate and consistent with the character of the town.
(B) Commercial development. The building footprint of any structure and any accessory structure in the aggregate to be used for any commercial enterprise shall not be larger than 10,000 square feet in size. The building's footprint shall be construed to mean the perimeter line created by the edge of the roof of any structure and building on a lot in the aggregate. For the purposes of this section, the term commercial development shall include any development intended to be used or potentially used by for-profit enterprises, including manufacturing and industrial developments, except that those uses allowed within the town's Public Service District shall not be considered commercial. It is recognized that in certain circumstances it may be appropriate to allow for a larger building footprint for commercial developments. In order for a commercial structure proposed to have a footprint larger than 10,000 square feet to be constructed, a special use permit shall be obtained prior to the commencement of the development. See §§ 154.082 and 154.083 below for details regarding the issuance of a special use permit for large scale commercial developments.
(C) Residential development. The building footprint of all newly constructed residential developments shall not be larger than 35% of the lot on which the residential development is proposed to be erected.
(D) Public service development. Development to be used for any land use allowed in the town's Public Service (PS) zoning district shall have no limit on the size of the building footprint.
(Ord., Art. IX, § 901, passed - -)