§ 4.1. Overlay districts.

A.

Purpose and intent. It is the purpose and intent of this ordinance to establish a uniform procedure for providing for the protection, enhancement, preservation, unity of design, and use of places, sites, buildings, structures, streets, neighborhoods, and landscape features in the community through the enabling of overlay districts that serve to enhance underlying zoning designations. In particular, it is the belief of the Town of St. Francisville that when appropriate, overlay districts may achieve the following:

1.

Promotion of the health, safety, order, prosperity and general welfare of the citizens of St. Francisville through the regulation of design, aesthetics, location, bulk, size of buildings and structures, and the density and distribution of population.

2.

Reduction of congestion on the streets; safety from fire, flood and other dangers; provision of adequate light and open space; protection of the natural environment and cultural resources in order to provide a sustainable community.

3.

Promotion of accepted design principles in areas of new development and redevelopment, to raise the level of community understanding and expectations for quality in the built environment, to protect and enhance local aesthetic and functional qualities, and to stimulate business and promote economic development.

B.

Designation of overlay districts.

1.

Relationship to base districts. Overlay districts are intended to be special districts or zones, where certain additional land use requirements or environmental safeguards are superimposed upon the base zoning district or underlying district where the requirements of the base or underlying district may or may not be altered. Permitted uses in the underlying zoning district shall continue to be subject to compliance with the regulations of the overlay zone or district unless otherwise stated.

2.

Development standards. The development standards, including but not limited to, the yard and setback requirements, height limitations, parking requirements, open space areas, signage and architectural styles shall be established as a function of the process and application to establish an overlay district and subsequent approval of development applications.

C.

Location of overlay districts. Subject to approval by the board of aldermen, an overlay district may be established in any zoning district in the Town of St. Francisville.