537 Washington Ave West Haven, CT 06516-4419

20.6.1 Central Business District Supplemental Intent and Purpose Statement. The CBD design guidelines have been implemented to give continuity to the revitalization effort and to insure success of West Haven’s plan for encouraging development and new business in primary commercial areas. The basis for these guidelines is to create a downtown business district with character and a sense of place. The purposes are to:  preserve quality historic structures.  design compatible new infill development. COMMERCIAL DISTRICT REGULATIONS Page 20-3  restore vitality and economic strength to West Haven’s Central Business District.  create special areas within the district which possess a mix of uses integrated by complementary activities. 20.6.2 Design Guidelines for CBD Development. This section provides guida nce to devel - opers, architects, and property owners who seek to redevelop the downtown area. In addition the Planning and Development Department office is available to provide assistance and guidance. The Central Business District of West Haven is one of the older working centers of the city. The Plan of Conservation and Development has targeted this area for mixed-use development combining higher density residential uses mixed with retail commercial and office use. The area is delineated by Elm Street and Court Street to the north and south, and Savin Avenue and Washington Avenue to the west and east (See Map 20.1 Central Business Design District below). Illustration 20.1 Central Business Design District The development guidelines are divided into three sections; building uses and design; traffic circulation and parking provisions, and: streetscape open space design. 1. Continuous ground floor retail, service and entertainment facilities should be incorporated into new development and conversion of existing buildings. Housing is encouraged in the upper floors of the development to enliven business and economic activity throughout the day and week. 2. Buildings should be situated directly on the front property lin e with no at grade setbacks except at building entrances with the exception of landscaped walkways or courtyards given the setback is no more than five (5) feet for walkways and ten (10) feet for courtyards. All structures must be set back five (5) feet above the fourth floor. No building may exceed six (6) stories in this district, and no historic building may be altered to increase its existing height. CENTER STREET COURT STREET SAVIN AVENUE WASHINGTON AVENUE AREA BOUNDED BY ELM STREET (NORTH), COURT STREET (SOUTH), SAVIN AVENUE (WEST), AND