§ 85-675. Purpose, intent and objectives.

A. 

Purpose and intent.

(1) 

It is the intent of §§ 85-674 through 85-687 to create and implement herein a Hamlet Center Overlay District ("the District"), consistent with the recommendations of the Route 25A Mount Sinai to Wading River Land Use Plan ("the Plan"). Sections 85-674 through 85-687 are specifically enacted to effect the District, which will cover those portions of the Route 25A Corridor lying between Mount Sinai and Wading River.

(2) 

The Route 25A Hamlet Center Overlay District regulations provide for the economic well being of the Route 25A Corridor from Mount Sinai to Wading River, and provide for and promote orderly development and protection of the corridor's aesthetic and visual character within hamlet centers. These regulations are intended to supplement the regulations of the underlying zoning districts within hamlet centers and to support development which maintains the unique character of each. All development proposed within this overlay district shall be subject to the procedures, standards, and guidelines specified in the following sections, in addition to those standards pertaining to the particular base zoning district in which the development or redevelopment occurs. Where there is a conflict, the standards of §§ 85-674 through 85-687 will apply.

B. 

The specific objectives of the Route 25A Hamlet Center Overlay District are to:

(1) 

Support the continued economic vitality of hamlet centers in the Route 25A Corridor, including the Mount Sinai Commercial Center, Miller Place Commercial Center, Rocky Point Commercial Center, and the Shoreham Rural Center.

(2) 

Prevent future commercial sprawl and ensure in-scale development by limiting the size of large-format retail establishments and restricting their location along the corridor to the Mount Sinai, Miller Place and Rocky Point Commercial Centers.

(3) 

Increase pedestrian and motorist safety by promoting pedestrian-oriented facilities and traffic calming measures in corridor hamlet centers.

(4) 

Strengthen hamlet center identity and attractiveness through improved corridor aesthetics, signage, streetscape, public spaces, architectural design, and landscaping.

(5) 

Support existing and future business development in hamlet centers through provision of attractive, convenient, and pedestrian-friendly on- and off-street parking.

(6) 

Ensure the protection of residential areas adjacent to hamlet centers through improved setbacks, additional landscaping, and improved site planning.