Greenwich Homeowners in Conservation Zones
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The Proposed FAR Regulations The Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission approved at its meeting on Nov. 17, 1998 and again proposed on May 7, 2002 the following regulations for Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in every residential building zone in town. FAR is defined as the percentage of floor space area within the exterior walls of a home in relation to the lot area. Finished basements and attics with permanent stairs are included in the FAR calculations, as are garages, barns, guest or pool houses, or any enclosed structure. Zone Existing Regulation New Regulations RA-4 4 acre No Restriction on Size FAR=6.25% of lot size, height same Max Height 3.5 stories or 45 ft. Max Building 10,890 sq. ft. RA-2 2 acre No Restrictions on Size FAR= 9.00% of lot size, height same Max Height 45 ft Max Building 7,840 sq. ft. RA-1 1 acre FAR=15% Max Height 35 ft FAR=13.5% Height same Max Building 6,534 sq. ft. Max Building 5,881 sq. ft. R-20 20000 sq FAR=25% Max Height 35 ft FAR=22.5% Height same Max Building 5,000 sq. ft. Max Building 4,500 sq. ft. R-12 12000 sq FAR=35% Max Height 35 ft FAR=31.5% Height same Max Building 4,200 sq. ft. Max Building 3,780 sq. ft. R-7 7500 sq FAR=40% Max Height 35 ft FAR=36% Height Same Max Building 3,000 sq. ft. Max Building 2,700 sq. ft. R-6 7500 sq FAR=60% Max Height 35 ft FAR=55% Height same Max Building 4,500 sq. ft. Max Building 4,125 sq. ft. These FAR ratios were described as causing between 1 and 3 percent new nonconforming lots in each region. Is this a reliable number? It was discussed at the public hearings by several real estate brokers that the data on the assessors cards is often questionable and especially in the 2 and 4 acre zones that attic and basement data is often not available. This could cause the "created nonconformance" to balloon when houses previously thought to be smaller are found to be over the limit based on the new calculation of FAR.
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