§ 85-405. Legislative intent.

A. 

The Town Board recognizes the importance of enhancing the character and identity of the various hamlets which comprise the Town of Brookhaven. Major elements of this identity involve the residential uses, architecture and streetscape which have traditionally developed along the major roadways and which serve as scenic gateways to the business districts of these communities.

B. 

The resulting advance of strip commercial development undermines the unique functional and visual role these business districts play in preserving community identity. Such development would add a significant amount of traffic along roadways which are already congested, thereby reducing service and safety.

C. 

The Town Board finds that a transitional business zoning district ensures redevelopment of these properties consistent with the various hamlets' character and identity, thereby ensuring that the such identity would not be undermined through the elimination or significant modification to the residential structure, replacement of front lawn and vegetation with parking, commercial driveways and signage, all of which would destroy the present visual quality of these gateways. The creation of a transitional business district is also consistent with the various hamlets' character and identity limiting the advance of strip commercial development, which also undermines the unique functional and visual role these business districts play in preserving community identity.

D. 

It is the intent of the Town Board to create a transitional business zoning district which would not result in the adverse effects so described, but would be an economically viable alternative to the existing designation, and consistent with the various hamlets' identity and character. The provisions contained in this article are intended to maintain the unique and historic character of the site through the maintenance of the architecture and streetscape, the consolidation of roadway access, the minimization of parking within the front yard and only permitting those uses within the transitional district which are compatible with said restrictions and the transitional nature of these sites.