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| MUNICIPAL
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS
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The
Town of Gorham has established a variety of
standards that guide the development and use
of nonresidential structures. The Town has
also established a site plan review procedure
which requires that proposals for certain
kinds of nonresidential activities be reviewed
and approved by municipal officials prior
to the granting of required permits. It is
the Town's desire to work with applicants
to make this process as simple and quick as
possible.
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| This
section summarizes the Town's site plan review
procedures and various requirements that apply
to nonresidential uses. Copies of the complete
ordinances are available from the Town Clerk's
office in the Municipal Center or from the
Director of Planning and Zoning. Copies of
the Land Use and Development Code can be purchased
in the Code Enforcement Office. The following
summaries are provided for general informational
purposes and should not be relied upon without
consulting the actual ordinance. |
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The
Development Review Process
The Town has established a site plan review
process for activities involving multifamily
residential development and nonresidential
uses.
1. Nonresidential activities subject to
site plan review -The following nonresidential
activities require site plan approval: |
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construction of a new nonresidential building
or structure
expansion of an existing nonresidential
building or structure
conversion of an existing residential
building to nonresidential use
removal of earth materials involving more
than 1,000 cubic yards
construction or expansion of paved areas
in excess of 1,000 square feet
establishment of a new nonresidential
use not involving buildings or structures
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| 2.
Review procedures - The Town has established
a bilevel review system. Smaller projects
go through a simplified review process involving
a staff review committee consisting of the
heads of various municipal departments. New
buildings in an industrial district with less
than 20,000 square feet can take advantage
of this simplified process as can some expansions
of existing buildings. In addition, projects
involving less than 10,000 square feet of
construction in the Rural District or Roadside
Commercial Districts or 2,000 square feet
of construction in the other zoning districts
can also utilize this simplified process.
Larger nonresidential and multifamily residential
projects go through a review process involving
the Gorham Planning Board. This process requires
that the board hold a site walk and public
hearing with respect to the project. |
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3.
Review standards - To receive site plan
approval, the applicant must demonstrate that
the proposed activity complies with general
performance standards relating to the following
elements of the proposed development plan:
- utilization of the site in accordance
with its natural capabilities to
support development
- adequate vehicular access to and into
the site
- appropriate internal circulation
- pedestrian circulation
- stormwater management
- erosion control
- water supply
- sewage disposal
- utilities
- preservation of natural features
- groundwater protection
- exterior lighting
- waste disposal
- landscaping
- shoreland relationship
- technical and financial capacity
- buffering
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4.
Staff assistance - The Town's Director
of Planning and Zoning should be contacted
regarding any questions about the development
review process. She/he is available to assist
you in understanding the requirements and
procedures. The Planning and Zoning Office
is located at the Municipal Center.
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Zoning
Requirements
The Town has adopted the Land Use and Development
Code which divides the Town into zoning districts
and establishes use and development standards
for each district. Industrial and similar
uses are allowed in the Industrial District
and if less than 10,000 square feet in area
in the Roadside Commercial District. Limited
manufacturing uses are also allowed in some
of the contract zones. Retail and service
uses are allowed in a number of districts,
including the Village Centers District, Urban
Commercial District, Commercial/Office District,
and Roadside Commercial District depending
on their size. The Town has also established
a special Narragansett Development District
west of Gorham Village that allows a variety
of industrial, commercial, and office/service
uses. The following table summarizes the nonresidential
uses allowed in each district. For more detailed
information regarding nonresidential zoning,
refer to the Industrial
Park and Commercial
Areas sections.
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Summary of
Allowed Uses
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I
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RC
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UC
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VC
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CO
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OR
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R
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ND
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Retail <7,000
SF
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Retail
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Services
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Business and Professional
Offices
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Light Industrial
Uses
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X
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X
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Auto Businesses
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X
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Manufacturing
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X
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Warehousing/Distribution
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X
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Wholesale
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X
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Agricultural Business
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X
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I
= Industrial District
RC = Roadside Commercial
UC = Urban Commercial
VC = Village Centers
CO = Commercial/Office
OR = Office Residential
R = Rural
ND = Narragansett Development |
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| The
Land Use and Development Code also establishes
standards for each zone such as minimum lot
sizes, setbacks, etc. and performance standards.
The zoning regulations can be found in the
Land Use and Development Code, which is available
from the Town Clerk, the Director of Planning
and Zoning, or the Code Enforcement Office. |
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Building
Code
The Town of Gorham has adopted the Building
Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) Code
for the purpose of regulating the construction
and alteration of all structures and their
related service equipment. All construction
must conform to the requirements of the 1990
Code. The Town is currently using the 11th
edition. Questions about the Building Code
should be directed to the Code Enforcement
Officer. |
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Sprinkler
Ordinance
The Town has adopted a sprinkler ordinance
that imposes more stringent requirements than
the BOCA Code. Under the Code, a permit must
be obtained from the Fire Chief before the
construction and installation of an approved
automatic sprinkler system. Questions about
the Sprinkler Ordinance should be directed
to the Fire Chief. |
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Waste
Water Ordinance
The Town has adopted an ordinance that controls
the Town's sewer system. It establishes standards
that discharges to the public sewer system
must meet. Questions about the Waste Water
Ordinance should be directed to the Town Engineer. |
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Life
Safety and Fire Prevention Codes
The Town has adopted codes from the National
Fire Protection Association. These fire and
safety regulations apply to the interior and
access for all buildings in Gorham. Questions
about these codes or their applicability should
be directed to the Fire Chief.
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Alarm
System Ordinance
The Town of Gorham allows alarm systems to
be monitored by a service or connected directly
to the Town's dispatch center. The Alarm System
Ordinance establishes standards for systems.
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