1294 Ware St Palmer, MA 01069-1553

Neighborhood Business Zone. The Neighborhood Business (NB) Zone is intended for small sites in or near dense residential neighborhoods. This zone encourages the provision of small-scale retail and service uses for nearby residential areas. Some uses which are not retail or service in nature are also allowed so that a variety of uses may locate in existing buildings. Uses are restricted in size to promote a local orientation and to limit adverse impacts on nearby residential areas. Development is intended to be pedestrian-oriented and compatible with the scale of surrounding residential areas. Parking areas are restricted, since their appearance is generally out of character with the surrounding residential development and the desired orientation of the uses. In certain situations, this zone is intended for small commercial sites and areas in or near less dense or developing residential neighborhoods. The emphasis of the zone is on uses which will provide services for the nearby residential areas, and on other uses which are small scale and have little impact. Uses are limited in intensity to promote their local orientation and to limit adverse impacts on nearby residential areas. B. Village Center District - mixed commercial/residential zone. The Village Center District I, II, III and IV provide for mixed commercial/residential uses within one zone. This zone promotes development that combines commercial and housing uses in a single building and enhances older business areas that have a storefront character. This zone allows increased development on busier streets without fostering a strip commercial appearance. This development type will support transit use, provide a buffer between busy streets and residential neighborhoods, and provide new housing opportunities in the Town. The emphasis of the nonresidential uses is primarily on locally oriented retail, service, and office uses. Other uses are allowed to provide a variety of uses that may locate in existing buildings. Development will consist primarily of businesses on the ground floor with housing on upper stories. Development is intended to be pedestrian-oriented with buildings close to and oriented to the sidewalk, especially at corners. (Please see individual VC Zone information for specific allowable uses and development criteria. This section is located in Article X .) C. General Business Zone. The General Business Zone is intended to preserve and enhance older commercial areas that have a storefront character.