Planning Board Notice of Public Hearing March 30, 2017-House Size Petition
TOWN OF TRURO
PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Truro Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Truro Town Hall located at 24 Town Hall Road, Truro to take comments on a proposed amendments to the following sections of the Town of Truro Zoning Bylaw: Section 10.4, Definitions, and Section 50, Area and Height Regulations, by adding a new Section 50.2, as follows.
In Section 10.4 Definitions, insert the following new definition:
Residential and Seashore Districts, Total Gross Floor Area. The aggregate gross floor area of the dwelling and accessory structures on a lot within the Residential District and the Seashore District, shall consist of the sum of the horizontal areas of the floor(s) of a building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls of the building, without deduction for hallways, stairs, closets, and thickness of walls, columns or other features used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, sanitation, cooking or eating purposes, excluding cellar and basement floor area, garage, porches, decks, attics, barns, greenhouses, sheds, and agricultural buildings.
For the purposes of computing floor area, any portion of the floor area measuring less than five feet from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be included in the computation of floor area.
Section 50.2 Building Gross Floor Area
- Purpose: This Section regulates the size of residential buildings on lots within the Residential District and the Seashore District by establishing a relationship between building volume and lot size that is consistent with Truro’s historical development and character, as described in the Truro Local Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 1—A Vision for Truro, and Chapter 2—Land Use.
B. Applicability and Exceptions
- Residential and Seashore District Total Gross Floor Area Allowed by Right: Subject to the exceptions provided for in subsections 50.2.B.2 and below, building permits for new construction or for projects that seek to increase the Residential and Seashore District Gross Floor Area of buildings that exist on lots as of April 25, 2017, shall only be issued where, on completion of the project, the Total Gross Floor Area meets the ratios set forth in the table that follows, plus 200 square feet for each additional contiguous acre.
Gross Floor Area Proportional to Lot Size Allowed by Right
Lot Size Acres | Lot Size Sq. Ft. | Limit GFA; %Lot Coverage |
.5 | 21,780 | 3,100 14.0% |
.75 | 32,670 | 3,150 9.6% |
1 | 43,560 | 3,200 7.0% |
3 | 130,680 | 3,600 2.7% |
6 | 261,300 | 4,200 1.6% |
10 | 435,600 | 5,000 1.1% |
- Special Permit to exceed the Residential and Seashore District Total Gross Floor Area limit: The Residential and Seashore District Total Gross Floor Area for a dwelling established in subsection B.1 and the table above may be exceeded, by special permit, as provided in the remaining provisions of this Bylaw.
Illustrative Limits on Total Gross Floor Area Proportional to Lot Size that may be Possible with Special Permit
Lot Size Acres | Lot Size Sq. Ft. | GFA; %Lot Coverage
Coverag |
.5 | 21,780 | 4,100 18.8% |
.75 | 32,670 | 4,150 12.7% |
1 | 43,560 | 4,200 9.6% |
3 | 130,680 | 4,600 3.5% |
6 | 261,300 | 5,200 1.9% |
10 | 435,600 | 6,000 1.3% |
C. Procedures for Special Permit Review and Approval: Upon receipt of an application for a building permit the Building Commissioner shall make an initial determination as to whether any alteration, construction or reconstruction of a building or structure would result in the Residential and Seashore District Total Gross Floor Area exceeding the limitations set out in Section 50.2.B.1. If the Building Commissioner determines that the applicant cannot proceed without a Special Permit, the applicant must apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Special Permit. No building permit shall be issued hereunder unless the Zoning Board of Appeals has granted a Special Permit according to procedures as defined elsewhere in this Bylaw.
D. When required, an application for a Special Permit shall be made to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Notice shall be given of all applications for a Special Permit hereunder in accordance with Section 60.4 (Notice Requirements) of these bylaws. A Special Permit may be granted where the Zoning Board of Appeals finds that the proposed construction is consistent with the criteria found in Section 30.8 (Special Permits) of the bylaws. In making this determination the Zoning Board of Appeals shall consider the size of neighboring buildings and the surroundings in which construction is proposed.
Steven Sollog, Chair
Truro Planning Board