Branford Planning and Zoning
Ellsworth McGuigan,
Chairman
Branford Planning and Zoning Commission
Branford Town Hall
1019 Main Street
Branford, CT 06405
(203) 488-1255
bfdpz@saltmeadow.com
Visit the Planning and Zoning
web site for public hearing updates, agendas, regulations and contact
information.
The Branford Zoning Regulations and Town Plan of Conservation and Development
provides protection for historic structures and neighborhoods. Here are
specific Planning and Zoning Regulations that mention Historic Preservation
concerns. Update sites have regulations posted that are most relevant
to those particular projects. Please go to the Regulations site to look
up regulations that may address issues you are concerned about, And if
you find some that may be helpful to a project, let us know!
The Town Plan of Conservation and Development is available for free at the Planning and Zoning office.
SECTION 23 - PURPOSE OF DISTRICTS
23.2 Residence R-1 District: These districts are primarily residential in nature and consist of areas built up in years past with single family, two family and multifamily structures. Their principal location is in the vicinity of Branford Center, where they constitute part of the village concentration around the Center. An important purpose of the standards applicable in these districts is to recognize the relatively high concentration of dwellings and population already present, while preserving existing development from overcrowding and permitting conversion to and construction of dwellings containing three or more families only at standards consistent with preservation of the character of the district. Institutions and similar uses will be necessary and appropriate in these districts but only as special uses upon a finding that development will be compatible with the character of the district.
SECTION 31 - SITE PLANS
31.5.4 Landscaping and Screening.
That the proposed development will protect the environmental quality of the site and will preserve and enhance the adjacent property values. At least the following aspects of the site plan shall be evaluated to determine conformity to these objectives:
(a) Existing large and/or specimen trees shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible particularly within the front landscape and buffer strip areas.
(c) Vehicular parking, loading and service areas shall be screened during all seasons of the year from adjacent residential districts.
(d) The location, height and materials of walls, fences, mounds, berms, hedges and plantings so as to ensure compatibility with the character of adjacent development, screen parking and loading areas, and conceal storage areas, utility installations and other such features.
(f) The preservation of natural attributes and major features of the site such as watercourses, waterbodies, wetlands, highly erodible areas, major trees, historic structures and scenic views both from the site and onto or over the site.
31.5.7 Character and Appearance: That the location, size and design of any proposed building structure or use, as well as the nature and intensity of operations involved in or conducted in connection therewith, their location on the site in relation to streets, parking and adjacent residences and their relationship to the natural terrain, watercourses, waterbodies, wetlands and vegetation, will be compatible and harmonious with the character and appearance of the surrounding neighborhood, and will not be hazardous or otherwise detrimental to the appropriate and orderly development or use of any adjacent land, buildings or structure.
SECTION 35 - PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
35.1.1 To permit tracts of land to be developed, redeveloped and improved as harmonious design units of stable character, consistent with the character of the Town and the long range improvement of the neighborhood and consistent with any comprehensive plan of development adopted by the Commission for the Special Development Area, when such tracts are of sufficient size to accommodate such design units and when another zoning district could not be appropriately established to accomplish such purposes.
35.1.2 To permit the use of land, buildings and other structures for purposes that would be beneficial to and consistent with the character of the Town and the long range improvement of the neighborhood and consistent with any comprehensive plan of development adopted by the Commission for the Special Development Area, when such uses are located on tracts of sufficient size to accommodate harmonious design of buildings, structures and facilities in connection with the use and when another zoning district could not be appropriately established to accomplish such purposes."