INTRODUCTION

Thefollwing standadshave beendevelopedto supplementthe ZoningLaw of the Tutn of

Rhinebeck.As such,theyshouldbeusedin conjunaionwith SectionVll ofthe code,"SitePlan
, partsC andD n helpapplicqntsunderstondwhdt is intended
ReviewandApprovalProcedure"
by thestatedcriteia for sitedesign,buildingdesign,landscope
designand lightingd*ign. The
intent is to daifi what k expected,therebysimplifyingand speedingthe site plan opproval
process ftr both applicantsand the PlanningBoard.

The workingcommitteethat producedthesestandardsbeganby lookingat eochaspectofthe

cutent zoningcodewith respectto thePlanningBoatd'sSitePlanReviewprocessThe questions
in eachcasewere 'what doesit say,what doesit mean,dnd how cdn we illustate itl" The
illustrotionsselected,alongwith the explanotorytext,cannotshoweyerypossible
appoachn a
given s,teor condition,but ctreneant to serveas guidelinesin evolvingoppropriated*ign
solutions.The PlonningBoardand theZoningEnftrcamentAffcer are resources ovailableto
applicantsto assistin developingproposals
in advanceofthe firmal application,andshouldbe
consuIted whenever necessaru
Mem b e r s o f t h e T o wn Bo a r d
WilliamW Dowden,l! Supervisor
WilliamCotting
DennisDempster
RobertElliot
JohnHoney

Mem b e r s o f t h e D e s ig n Sta n d a r d s Co r n m itte e

WarrenSmith,Cfrd,,"
MichaelTiimble
SaveriaMazzarella
JohnCriffin
NicholasMcCausland
LouisTi.rrpin
KayVerrilli
StevenPlotnick
JohnClarke
WilliamCotting,LorcontoTirvnEoad

Mem b e r s o f t h e P l a n n in g Bo a r d
PaulLagnoCAarr
JohnGrifin
JohnVarricchio
RiccardoRecchia
NicholasMcCausland
SaraStephenson
Waflen Smith

Aqknowleds.ments

Fundinefor $e developmentand productionofthis brochurewas eenerouslyprovidedby the HudsonRive.

Creenwaymd the Tom of Rhinebeck-Professionaland technicalierviceswere pro\,fidedby the Dutchess
County Departmentof Plannineand Econom;cDevelopment,Warren TempleSmith, Architect, and Stanley
Lichens,Photoc.dpher.Sincerethaoksare otreredto everyonewho contributedn any way to this project,
andto the Rhineb€ckcommunityat largefor its encouragementand support. Specialdrnks to DavidSouers,
OptimusArchitecture, 6. his t]@shttul anaiysisoland propGalsfor Rhinebeck'sGatewayDiskict, \,!fiich
becamethe ;mpetus6r the broaderscopeofths effort.
BACKCROUND
Rhinebeck is a predom;nantly iural town along
the HudsonRiverin northernDutchessCounty.
The community cente. is the Village of
Rhinebeck,locatedaroundthe intersectionof
New YorkStateRoute9 andCountyRoute308.
With agriculturalusesin decline,much of the
outlyinglandis subl'ect
to demandfor residential
subdivisioos.
Thereis alsoan increasingpressure
for new commercialdwelopment, particulady
northofthe VillagealongRoute9.
The'Ibwn adoptedits latestComprehensive Plan
in 1989.The subsequentzoning law update
providedsite plan designcriteria, but the general
nature of the languagedid not providesumcient
guidancebr the PlanningBoardin manysrtuatrons.
ln early 1997 the Town Board appointeda
committeeof town and villageresidentswith
representativesfrom the PlanningBoardandthe
Conservation Advisory Committee among
othersto draft supplemental designstandards
to
be usedduringthe siteplanreviewprocess.The
committeeof volunteersmet many times to
discussspecifrclanguage and, mo.e importantly,
waysto illustratethe designstandards.
The DesignStandards are meantto supplement
the ComprehensivePlanand ZoningLaw of the
lbwn ofRhinebeck.ln particular,theywill ber-rsed
in conjunction with SectionVll ofthe code,"Site
PlanReviewandApprovalProcedure,"partsC and
D, to helpapplicantsunderstandwhat is intended
bythe statedcrite.iafor sitedesign,buildingdesign,
and landscaping. The intent is to clari8/ what rs
expeaedwiti drawingsand photographs, thereby
streamliningthe approval process for both
applicantsandthe PlanningBoard.The ill.rstrations
selected,alongwith the explanatorytext, will not
show every possibleapproachto a given site or
condition,but are meantto serveasguidelinesin
determiningappropriatedesign solutions. The
standardswill apply to commercial,industrial,
institutionaland multi-family residentialproiects
requiringsiteplanapproval.
PURPOSE
DesignStandardsha,,ebeen developedto re'nftrce
tlrc Tor,,nofRhinebecl<C,omprehensive Planard the
-Idtn ofRhinebeck ning Law, aswellas to assistin
the implementationof tiese doclments.
These standardsfoster commlnity valuesidentified
by the Rhinebeck community through surveys,
public hearings, and informational meetings.
Community values have been the foundation of all
Rhinebeckt planning. Rhinebeckhas achieved
national, state, regional and local recognition. It
proudly boasts of its Hudso, River Notional
Iandmo* distia, amongthe most prestigiousin the
nati<,fi,the Rhinebe&.Vl[oge Historic District,t ,e25
Mile NewYorkSate Scmicond CoasmlDistrias, ud
the many New York State and locally designated
scenicroads that meander throughout these higfrly
pnzed areas.
The cultural heritage of Rhinebeck,together with
its richness of resources and significant natjonal,
state and local status, prompts the need for these
design standards. lt is the communjty's desire to
achievethrough use ofthese standardsan outcome
that willr
. respectRhine&ch]shistotic,@hutul ohd
orchhecam! lesacy
a fxter harmonybet*ven the Mtural
nd buib etuircnmentt
,| reinf@e onl inpwe Rhnebeck\ stong
ancl vi6.ant econonic succest
a ftcilitdte senskire,hun@-ffihd
develapmentstfttegi$
a ndintoin Rhnebeck\ Mland scenicchamder
By providing specific examples of valued
architectuaal treatments and preferred site plao
details in advance of development proposals,the
Jbwn intends to encourage higher quality
applicationstiat respect Rhinebeck'shistoric,
cultlral and architectural legacy,reinlbrce its recent
economic success,Gcilitate sensitivedevelopment
strategies, and maintain its rural and seenic
character.The application of these standardswill
assue Rhinebeckt heritageand preserveits quality
of life for trture generations.
 S I TE DE S I C N C R I T E R I A
Vehicular Access

Unrestdctedaccesswith multiple drivewaysalong 2. Share Accesswith Neighbors

major roadways leads to trafEc tie-ups, more
accidentscausedby constant turning movements, Adiacent parcels should share a single d.iveway whenever
and the demand for expensive highway feasible. New accessdnves shouldbe placedat the edgesof
the property so tiat entrances can be convenienrly shared
impaovementsto correct safety and congestion
with tuture adjacent uses. Commercid uses should be
problems. The following access standards are clustered and developed in depth around a shared access
designed to keep the frow of traffic moving point, rather than strung out alona the road wir_h multiple
smoothly, increase safety, improve the visual
appearancefrom the roadway, allow convenient
connections between adjacent uses, and avoid
trnnecessaryand costly road wideningprojects.

l. Minimize Site Entrances

Access drives should be limited to one per parcet untessa

trafrc impact analysisor unique circumstancestully justify
additionalcLrb cuts. Excessentrancesshouldbe closedand
ove.ly wid€ clrb openings sholld be narrowed, especially
du.ing any subsequent site plan approval process.

en ne.ti ne adh@nt pa/. els

Conpatibb uchite.t@

Overall guidelines for commercidl deeelopment

Atuupi^s of connerciol uses ih wotkobh .l6t B a^d de@bpnqt in .lepth with .onnoh ac.B .tives ae stftngb tucmMnde.l, rctha
than s'ip @nnerciol stfung out along the ftad ftuntdee with tulhiple qtm^es or.! 8its
Siteswith \ tide open frontages a ow uncontrcled accest, often at
€.P.ssrte spesdlr. Nafowe. eatancp. t*ieet (nMinum 24 feet fol
two way) slot, ttafrc enterins the sne, ptovide tafet and natu
prcdictable turning noeements, ond allw spte fot street ttees oncl
londscopinl alons the f,omore

Parti.ulor uses,likegas stationsansnal l|es, noy needtwo acces

dtives to pmeide rhrough citculotia^, but existine thld a^d ftutth
entance dtues, especiallythose too closeto intercections,should be
clos.d ond the frontuse tondscoped.
Paircd one-\ray @cessdtivesfot e@h leod ta muhiple cuft cuts
^e
toa .lose tasethe. excessi|ebrcaks in side\rdks, lossof landscapihs
oppottu^ities olong the tontoge, ond the needfot unottr@tive o^d
t'epetitive entrunce/ exit signs. Single enhance d.ivet wlh shorcd
exits would help protect the copocir, afthe noin funroge rcod ond
imprcre cnculatiot and safety.

These businessan Raute 9 share t n.now entance *ive bet$'een

thebuUi^gs @nsistentsb^e wallsoh^g theftontoge,the bulk
of thepd kinl''ith
to therca\ and a conmonexit *ive onrodn €rist;ns
3.Provide Internal Circulation Between Sitec

Inter.onnected parking lots between adiacen! parcels should

be phased into continuous service roads (preferably to the
_Temporafy
rear), consistent with long range corridof plans-
stub roads can be provided to connect comrnercial or large-
scaleresidentjalprojects 1o adjacen! parcelswhen developed.

li-+i\\['rs,:,
;
\Fftl=.'ffi,',1;V-,*-
llrr r r l \ r r r r l l l i l l
I
ri . r . . . . I-
Rea. acces to @nnon parkins a!'ea behind the Beeknan Arm, in

I;,.iltij,iItl-F ill the Vi ose of Ahinebeck pflt'ides conven;ent and we sdeened

pot*insfa. nlltble brsimtes ond elinituks a<.essiee&ieewors.

' r f r r , r r r r 'l 'i

:L---__'4a--=,1. t

\Hirllliiil\\
ir*
tu;p---ur--\\+f,
-i
f
Larse-scalercsidential srcupinss should be dircctly connected
thtDughsecondarysheett to odjdce^t rcsidenrialor connetcial
developments. Thi. o ows canvenient s'alking, biking ond
dtiving @nnectbnsbetw.en site.oad avoidsfinnellng a traffic
onrc notn rcade,,ats.

Eeata.cessrcad behindAstor Squar. shouldconnectto odja.ent

enreftiol porels. Co.ri se.vicercads.dn beph6ed in ds
'o6o( rcquireth",plan rcv@\rs
odjoi^ingparcdsarc deeelaped

T\ o w iely sp@.dtrofrc sisndsease

trclfc flov) at this busyshoppinccenter

Raar seftice ftad coffiects naarby shtpping cente.s in Hyde Park, olowkg intttml cit.ulatitn
nary odjocent bus;nesesand co$olidotins ex;tsot t|'o widely sp.rcedrnfrc sisnals

4
4. Screen and Reducethe Scale ofPatking Lots

Parkingshouldbe locatedto the sideor prelerablyto the fear

ofbrildings,so that the archtecturersfeatured,notexpanses
of asphalt.Drlve-thruwindowsand loadingareasshouldalso
be sffeenedbehindbuildings.Lafgeparkingareasshouldbe
dividedinto separate,smallerlotswith landscapingandvaried
buildlngfoftns.

5. Eliminate Unnecessary Asphalt

Road\Mddrs,entrancedrives,accessarsles,andparkrngareas
shouldbe the mrnimum necessaryto provide safe access. building and consttucted o row betm to heh tcteen the lat. The
Short corner fadil and na.row drives slow traffic speeds, building is set dose to the rcadr|ay, emphasizinq the ottr@tive
r€ducedevelopmentcosts and site runoff and allow more monument sig^ and architectLtre.
Minimumparkingstandardsshouldbe
room fltrrlandscaprng.
consideredmaximum standardsunlesslarger numbefsare
fully justified.

Typical Commercial lntersection Pref€rr€d Commercial Cluste.

Pa*ins in ftunt, mh sitehasown a.cessb ndin rcad, Po*ins behind buildings,shotedo.xzssto both oads, onple and
ni,inal Md fraementedlandscopinsandgenericarchitecture uniled lanscoping,nore inte/estingarchitectuz

Th; ofre b'itdinc on Route 308, dlixh was conee'Ied ta ofrce

f'on industri.cl use,h6 itsp$k;ng located iithe RTotra side rcad
entrcnca Si$as dad parking dre ttuly acc.ssories in the site plan
ond do not doninate the buildine.

Pa*ias fot atta.hedrcsidentiddustersshouldbedividedkto
sna er lotsandshiddedrothe sidesor rcuadbuild;^es. Thk
residentiolsi?plonfeoturcscenid ge"r6 ond londs.opins,
Mile dispercing parkingba andgatuges b th4ftar 6hets ofttu iitu.
Thepa.kins lotsor sorosedoorsftr nuhi-fdmily housineshoud
not dominatethefiontageo/ c.nta! pottion ofthe site
eipoil. of unattractiee ospholt in fiant to we^theln the public
Major plannng islonds with tees
pr.i,ide shade on paved surfee
atoundpdkins p@ide
Buildinrsctustured
coNienentar'essaN scre?^potkinso@ frcn the road
Larye nunicipol parking bt in the Vitlqge of Rhinebeck is we
scrcenedfron the rcad with sr'eet treet low hedges and
landscaping, and evenbenchzsiatonL Rowsolcarc orc separuted
by lahdscaped islonds wth tees, afeins coolins shade ftt the
pa*ed vehicle, and |isually 6rcoking up th. paled orcd-
Site onenities, detaih & fufliishinss also inpftve scale and
chancter Wood and netdfenc8, stonewdls, low hedsesmd tre.
ws help to brcak dowt scale and add chatdcrer whib defnine
bundatus and ;ntpNv;ttg soeefling. Bd'nN aid m;red dac;didus
@agreen plantings are not a rurd verntaular ofthe rortheast and
PEDESTRIAN AND
BICYCLE CIRCULATION
Almost every shoppe.must be a pedestrianfirst,
even if it is jr:st from the parkinglot to the store.
Unless a community provides an adequate
sidewalkand bicyclesystem,every trip, even short
ones, require a car Overdependence on
automobilesleadsto traflic coflgestion,air quality
problems,and an all-too-expensivespiral of road
building projects. A balanced approach to
transportation,featuringa compact development
pattern connected by convenient bicycle and
pedestrianroutes, providesalternativesto those
who chooseto walk or bikefor exercise,as well as
the 25-30 percent of the populatioowho cannot
drrvebecauseofage, income,or disabrlity.

l.Provide Community-Wide Walking and

Biking Systems

The Town shouldimplenrentaplarned networkoftrails, bike

rcutes, and sidewalksthat link housingconcenffarronsto
stores,schools,parks,publicbulldlngs,work placesand orher
cornmunjtydestinations-Every publicprcject, slte plan and
subdivisionshoulclb€ reviewed6r its pedestrianand bicycle
potential, includingthe need fof sidewalksof bike racks.
Compact and close-in residential
development,instead of scatteredor strip forms, creates
more walkable/blkable distances.Adjacentcommercialuses
shouldalwaysbe connectedby sidewalksalongrhe fiontage.

Aslcr Squore protide! excellent wdlk\9dy connectionsbett een the

onrite businetes, but therc Me no sidewalk con
the odjacent bnner.iol prcpertbs oll alans RouteL

SidewoJk@nneds outlt/ing housing an Astot Dti\,e to Vi ase of

Rhinebeck cenkr This sidNalk is tao naffow to conhttably
occonnodate pqstingpedestriais ol Dccdsionalbicyclists.
2: Build SafeSidewalks
Planting strips at least 4 6 ieet wide with street trees prcvide
a protectjve bufer between tramc and sidewdks in vjllage
centerareas. ln outlyingcommerclalareaswalkwayscan be
set back futher from the road, following natural contours,
but should still have protective rees in betlveen and be
careful not to block total visibility from rhe roadway.
Sidewalks should be ive leet wide or more to allow t1/vo
peopleto passor walk sideby side and shouldcomplywith
the Americanswith Disabilities Act. More dLrraoLe concree
or brickpavingmaterlalsare preferredover asphalt.
Five-fpot sidewalA in the Viuage of Rhinebeck albws rcom for
patsing pedestriont dnd couples or gtoups to walk together The
planting strip whh steet teet and on-steet paro el porking afer a
se^seof separorion and safetyfrom the rraffc. The planting sttip
also provides spee ftr snot, stotoge oll the sideu,alk in the winter
and preven$ direway romps fion nbins the sidewdk.
Alonsconmerciolfrontag\ the sidawiks shouu hew;de( to d!.N1
fot nore pedesticnactttny, sttppins b laok in storcftont, inda,,'s,
and zvenoutdaotdisplaysor st*t .afet
3. Make Crosswalks Clear and Convenient
Crosswalks acrcss rcads or accessdrives need to be clearly
marked wrth distjnctive paving or bold bar markngs to warn
motodsts to slow down and watch lor pedestrlans, Crosslng
distancesshouldbe as short as possible-ln somecases,the
sidewalkcan be iared out into the parkinglane or shoulder
area to shorlen the crosswalk,ofer b€tter visibility,and
encourEge drivers to slow down. Short corner radii also
decreasedossing distancesand h€lp slo,^/turning trafnc.
Crosswalks should be frequent enough to discourage
jalv/alking and make convenient connectioosbetween nearby
!ses. On wide highways,refuge islandson center medians
Qiveoedestrrdnqa prorectedp'aceto rerLhall-wayacross
Centet rcfuse hlandt, bald a\tss.ralks. extendectsidewdks, and
yield to pedesttian sisrc dte crorsins rfiis 6l1syroad in Da bury
Aold ffastl,olk mafiincs canbine with erte^ded sidewalhs,
benchet steet beq ald hunat-scde lightine f*ures b. ct eate 6
confottable p.desttidp envircnn.nt 1t Mt- Kisca. Extending
s lewdks into the par,.ing lane dt c'llswdltJ lnorrerr .,lJssirs
distancet slow a.afrc spe.tk, ptoeides bet@r ped8d itn visibiliry,
shelte^ patted cars fnn passing vehida ond leveatt i eeal
grking to.i dose b ift$ections.
SIGNS
An integral component of attractive stte design is
the manner in which a businessis identified. The
sign itself, its relationship to the business it
represents and its compatabilit/ with adjacent
businesses or sitesare key factorsin establishing
an
identity for a business.

ln the Jdwn of Rhinebeck,the rural characterof

the commericaldistrictsprovidesthe opportunity
to create attractive settings for signs which may
includeberms, plantings,rocks and sculptureand
enables signage in those districts to be of a
moderatesize,mounted closeto eye level,and of
materials and colors which reflect the historic
natureofthe town.

l. The businessdistrict ofthe hamlet of Rhinecliff

requiresspecialsmallscalesignage,with provisions
for wallmounted signs which allow for
uninte.ruptedviews to the river and to the nearby
residentialdistrict.

2. Signsin the Cateway district must be designed

so that it is not only a welcomeintroductionto the
activitieswithin the district but sets the scenefor
the historicnatureofthe villagebeyond.

3. In general,wall signsshould complementthe A standordcorpora? lago signcdn easilt conpb with the bcal
architectureof the buildingson which they are standaldsifextqnoly i uninated afld rcnderedin wood.
mounted, while free-standing signs should be
integ.atedioto the landscape,

,{. When buildingsare locatedcloseto the road,

freestandingsigns are not necessary;attractive
buildingsare their own signs.

5. Monument signsintegratewith the su.rounding

than pole srgns.
landscapemore successfully

6. White or light coloredcopy on a blackor dark

backroundis generallyeasierto read and visually
more appealingthan color copy on a white or light
colored backround

Anothe. ubiquitous loeq agoin endeled in wood and of a ede

suited to ttu b.al ewnonnznL
Thit tienus€sa beorqead drouelDutthebutin'lel eft{,hictnoterids. The contextof the Vi ageis ,espectedby thk reeatonding sign,
A bdd ald ffiiqueer hdpsit stundoutv;&outbeiry sa/'$. whilethelieely gfaphid suegastthe pu.poseof theb siness.

A norument sign, complete with stone wdl and fow.rt .leo y Thisfree4tandins\rood siennakes itsprcsenceknovn though the
ma*s this oooulor locd destinatbn- us. ofon inturcstingshape,sbnnscttu dndincised,sildedletteins.

Atbtha nemoftble ,oodtide ttgn tlhbh he.o,nes por? of tte A rig, hansinsfion a butldtnEwTkt *en *hd d britd;rs;s .los?
sraphicapragrtm ofth. b@i.esr, h.e a phrta.sraphb rtudi.t

l0
BUILDING DESICN CRITE RIA

The standardslistedbeloware intendedto establish l. Building Form and Massing:

an appropriate contextual character for all new
commercial,industrial,and multifamily residential Two story buildings are preferred, wlrh one story wings if
developrnent within the Town of Rhinebeck, i€quired. Buildinglengthalongp.incipal(strcet)t'acadeshould
includingmodificationand/or expansionof existrng not exceed60 feet withost a change1nplaneofthe facaile and
buildingsand uses. It should be noted thai the iDof To satisf,/this rcquirement,the lacademay be interrupted
with other elements,such as prbjectrngporches,recessed
creatronof an arlrficralhrslorrcalcharacterrs not wings, etc. Vernacularbdldrng forms that accommodatelarger
desired: Rhinebeckalreadyhasa genuineand rich buildingvolumes includebarnsandlarm clusters, greenhouses,
history of its own, and new buildingsare simply and wings linkedby a cenfal block or tower
expectedto .espectand complementthat tradltion.
However sincenot everyapplicantis equallyversed
in the localarchitecturalvernaculatthesestandards
spellout some of the basiccharacte.rstics of the
community.

The applicantwill be expectedduringthe Planning

Board'ssite plan review and approvalprocessto
demonstrate the appropriatenessof the specinc
designand materialelementsselectedto conform
to thesedesignguideInes. le^gth, rcducing the

Thi fom compl,.r includes sohbd dnd ednbret rcafs, toofop

ventiloto\, ond t o silos.

, /,' | 4 d !F

Theseinte ocking gabled bans featurc brccketed etes dmrctiee The sane btns fian daother a^gle display o sh.d toofed oddttian
quanefoils ond a cupolo. to a gabled stucturc, with nore shedsand gambrck berond.

ll
2. RoofShape:
Principal(main)foof! shouldhavea pitch dependenton the
type of .oof used, as appropdatelor the local clirnate.
Appfopdateprincipalroof types include:
t Cable:min. 6112
a Hip: min. 5:12
I Cambrel:3:l2- 8:12upperslopeil8:1220:12lowerslope
a Mansard:slopesin nlm protrudingeavesto rldge,
max.offset2'in. max. 8'height
T@ intefsecting gables roaftllis simple ttr,tture.
Th;s hipped roof buidine featrres hipped domerc 6 |9ell,
with a tw story pofch-
t2
La€e4 more complex buildingsmay requhe combinations
with secondaryrcoftypes. Flat.oofs a.e acceptablewhere
they are not visiblefr.omany public flght of way or where
they are completelyscreenedby other buildinglorms which
are rnaccordancewith the pfovisionsabove. Secondaryroof
types Include smalleror lower versionsof the roof types
aboveas well as shedroofadditions. Shedroofsshouldhave
a minimumpitch of 3:12, and shouldbe used only jn
conjunction with the other types listed above. Roof
mountedskylightsareacceptableifnotvisiblefrom the public
right of-way.
The nanso incoryorotes goble and
nonsard dorners plus a cupala.
A rypicol sonb el'rcofed bon.
3. Roof Featuresl

Featuressuch as a cupola (windowedor louvered),belfly,

\ enLialor,lowero- s'niar 9t'LcLUre canoccupya nd\i'rLur')
of I 0% of the roof area, where such featurc is an Hstorically
accuratearchitecturalelement. Dormersmay take gable,hip
or shed form, should consist primarily of windows, and
clmllativeiy not exceed I/3 of the overall foof lengrh.
Cornices,brackets,and overhanging eavesare encouragedif
appropriateto the style ol the proposeddesign-

Roof Materials:

Where vjsible, roofs should be covered in shingle (slat€,

wood, asphalt/fiberglass)or metal (standing seam), as
appropriateto the designand characterof the building.

Anea y chu/chboas.to bvrersunountedbya stek of.upolafttm.

*: *:
:_:i :"

A be$y topsthk fomer school-hous

LDcol schoolroof includesattic ventilaton. A Grcek Revivd ti aee church incoryorctes a turreted to\ter

t3
4. Facade Materials:

Acceptablematerialsincludefieldstone,brick (jn a radltlonal

palateof localvernacularcolors),stucco,wood clapboard,or
verticalboardandbatten,with appropr;ate wood trin, alone
or in harmoniouscombinatronwith eacholher Meral siding
may be consideredif the result will ciosely resemblea
traditional board and batten appearance. No vinyl or
aluminumsidingshouldbe used unlessin combinationwitl-l
wood tdm. Actualsamplesofallproposedn-raterials must be
pr€sentedto the PlannjngBoardlor fi nal approval.

Colorsl

Shouldbe appropriateto the local vernacularfor florthern

clinrates.Carishorfruorescentcolorsare not acceptable.
4a.ot b toloaiol hone ;s . tod ;n J;eldstone
and.lopbootd.

Anothe/ famar schoolhaTe hos hood ond batten sidi,g

l4
5, Windows: 6. Doors:
Shape,size,and detailsshouldbe apprcpriateto the building Raisedor recessedpanel, vertical tongue in g.oove board
design, with proportions rnore vertical than horizontal- style, or glazed, with size, proportion and detail apFopriate
Multiple panes divided by muntins are encouraged,in to the characterolthe building.
accofdancewith the style of the building (smallpanesfor
colonial, large panes for Vctorian, etc.). Clear glass is
preferr€dt smokedor reflectiveglassis not pernritted.

A tadltional born doot slidesopen to reveal a pab af Frcnch doors

at the entance to this ban adaptedfot rcus, os an antiques shap.

Diamond pane.o\ene t wind'ws andftet*prk tin conplement

thb Vbtoriansttle buildins.

Morc comice elabofttian ahove ,inple doulb hung \9indows mwn

this Queen Anne stylestructure.

Thi, pdneled door, enhanc.d hy windo\', and decotatire

sidelights, sets a ttdition4l and gracious tone at the entrulce to

hacket: and dendls line the cornice aboee ofthed head 2 ,rvet 2
douhle-hun{ windows.

l5
7. Porchesr

Stronglyencouraged,wrth postsapprcprjatelyproportioned
to the spanand visualweight tney carry (the talterthe porch
o. wider the span,the thickerthe post or columnshouldbe).

Attached to the bu;lding, nrade of canvas or other

woven mateflal, and appropflate in color and scaleto the
buildingand sur.oundings

Stockedparches enhance thisfne coloniai erc buildks

A single ttory wrap orcund porch complements

this nonsorded Victotian

Ii

A low-hippedporch vl/aps the centd block of this lgth @tuty hone.

t6
LANDSCAPE DESICN CRITERIA
Landscaping, buffering, and site treatment

The natural features of a site, inc'udingexisting
topography, watercourses, rock formations,
hedgerows and matu.e trees should be
incorporatedinto the site design. 'Tothis end, and
as part of the Planning Board's site visit, the
existing landscapewill be assessed,and design
parameterssuggestedby the site's natuial features
willbe identified. Consultationbetweenthe Board
and the applicant during the sketch plan
conferenceand subsequentmeetingswill facilitate
applicationof thesestandards.
B, Outside the retail district describedabove,new prclects
should (i) incorporate setbacks sufrciently large to ensure
preservation of e\isting woodlands and that will effectrvely
screen the project from the adjacent highways, or (ii)
incorporatesetbackssufncientto preserveexistingroadside
meadows and fields. ln the event option (ii) is most
appropriate for a given site, the prcject's buildings should be
scrEenedfiom view by the use of evergreen and hardwood
trees set closeto the structures.

l. To preservethe visual traits of a rural sewrng,prolecrs

unde€oing site plan review will b€ consideredseparately
dependingon whether they are locatedin tie existingretail
districtssouthofthe villageand Route9 North (that is,from
the villageto Weys Corner) or outsidethis zone (e.g.,Route
9C north ofthe commefcialdistrict).

A. For new prolectswithin the existingretail area defined

above,where setbacksare limitedand intensivecommercial
developmentalreadyexists,street trees plantedon 30'-40'
spacingand as near to tbe highway right-of-way as possible,
should be used to make the transition from the rural town
landscapeto the more r.rrbanfaits of the villqge via a tree-
linedcommercialcorridor.Within a slowerspeedcontext, a The prcservarionof an exitting woodedbufet screes this lieht
closerspacingof20'-30' is more appropriate. industtidloa* flom thetudd.

A line of marurestreetheesd.fn the edceof the road, n@*inc prcseftation ofatl open neadow at thefiont of a sitecontinues
thetoEttion fitn rud landtcape' to tilose center the bcal rurdl trddition while ollo dny pernitted use to occur
'i4q
behind the s$eenof eesbeyond.

17
2. Where butrers are designedwith berms, the berms shall
emulate.atural land forms of local ierm;n, and shallbe as
wide as the mature branch spreadof the tree speciesplanted
5. Flower beds,walkway pavers,pedestrian height site lights
along walks, bencl,es, use of natural or Fadjtional materials
such as grass, gravel, brjck, stone and wood all add color,
texture and chamcter to newly developed sites. However
these materials must be used with sensitivrty appropriate to
th€ site and situatron

Thi, landIcopad betn hdps sctee^ tt& pd.kins bt b.hind n.

3, Tiailsshouldbe designedto follow tie naturaltefrain ofa

site, linkingup with similarfeatufesof adjoiningprbpeft€s. Theneighboringpnpe@ is ptovidedvisualsepo.atbnby a screen

A. The useofnative plantmaterialisstfonglyfecommended

as a meansto reduce malntenance and create plantings that
willblendwith the rural landscape
ofthe'Town3openspaces.
Where streettrees are used,nativeand sall tolerantspecies
shouldbe selected.

B. reduce the likelihoodof damage to plant material

adiacentto highways,planl material should be protected
againstthe reach of highway hazards.Setbacks,naturally
scaled berms, archrtecturally compatible fencing, and
appropriatespeciesselecdoncan all be used to achieve

Trcib shorld rc.pect.ritting tees rdther thdn dispktai.g,hem.

4, The landscapingof a site must lessenthe negatrveirnpact

ofa prolectupon its neighborsby either blendingin with the
pr?vaillngscale,appearanceand use of its neighborc,or by
effectively sc.eeo;ogit from its neighbors. Ideally the
landscaping shouldbe seento corrplementandenhance,not
srmply rcmedy or screen unappealingbuildings.Effect|e
bufers include the use of plant material, natural appearing
topographical features, ftncing, or a combination of the
three. The integration ot attractive landscaping and
architecturewith neighboringsites is preGrfed, and the
prcseruation aod use of characteristic stone walls to mark
and bordera siteis stronglyencouraged.

t8

6. Landscaped islands within paved areas must hav€
suficient unpaved surface arca to both insure healthy root
development and prevent mechanicalinjury from snow
removal and other maintenance operations. Parking lot
islandsshould be at least 6 feet in width, and the plant
material Lrsedshould be compatlble with the growing
conditionsotreredby the islands.
This we -d.sienedpa*ine tot fdtur.! hldnd' with rlea tD brqk
up the expanseof asphaltand prcvidewelconeshadefor vehicles-
7. Screeningof serviceyards,reluse containers,and othef
placesthat tend to be unsightlyshallbe accompllshed by use
of walls, fencing,plantingof combinationsofthese, with all
such enclosuresbeing compatiblern material,texture and
colorwith the pr;ficrpalbuildrdgorbuildingson the site.
l9
Eeological eoneiderations
E. The naiural features of a site, includingtopographical
variations, natural watercources, rock formations, and
mature hardwood and evergreen trees should be
incorpo.atedinto the sitedesign.
9. Sites found to possesssignificantecologicalproperdes
suchas aquifers,groundwaterrechalgezones,et al, whose
degradationwould negativelyellect adjoiningprcperties,
should be developedin a manner which will efectively
pfeventthe posslbilityofsuch degradation.
Drcinosefu rhk condoniniumconplexfeedsa pond ftmins an
otttactiyefeodire ofthe siteas i)el as a rcfugefor wotefo\rl.
Drainage
10, The designof dralnagefeaturessuch as catch basins,
swales,and collectionpondsshallbe treatedas elementsof
planand modeledupon the charactensncs
the site'slandscape
of naturallyoccufringponds and streamsitrund throughout
the town. Native plant material suited to pond and stream
ba.k envlftrnmentsshallbeusedto controlercson.
LICHTING DESIGN CRITERIA
The "Idwn of Rhinebeckhas developedoutdoor 4. Maximum permitted height lof lightine
lQhtingstandards
for the followingreasons: standads;s fifleen (i5) feet.

5. Prohibited light sources:

a Glare
Poodydesignedor installedlightingcan causea greatamount of
g{are$fii?h canse}eret hamperdre visionofpedestrians,cychsts
and drir€rs, creatinga hazad rad€r dran increadngsafetla
+ Light Tiecpass
Poor outdoor lighting shines directly inro neighboring
proF€rties and into bedroom windows, reducing privacy,
interfering with sleep and creating an unattractive
appearancefor the area.
t Energy Waete
Much ofour outdoorllghtingwastesene€y becauseit is not
_fhis
welldesigned. waste resultsin highop€ratingcostsand
increasedpollutionfaom the extra power generationneeds.
Over a billion dollarsa year is wasted in the United States
lightingup the sky at night.
a) Mercury vapor and Quar? halogen larnps
b) Lasersourcelight - the useoflasersourcelight or
any similar high intensity light for outdoor adve.tising,
when projected above tbe horjzontal, is not permitted
c) Searchlights - the operationofsearchlightsfor
advertising is not permitted;
6. Color: White metal halideprefefled in pedestrianareas,
high pressurEsodiumacceptablealongoutlyinghighways.
Z. Outdoo. signs:Outdoor iight fixturas usedto illuminate
an outdoor sign shal{ be moudt€d on the top of the sign
8. Exemptions:Fossiltuel light - All outdoor lighr fixtures
producinglight directly by the comblstion ofnatlral gas,oil
or othei 6ssil fuels are exempt from all reqlirementslisted

i Skyglow
A large&actionofpoor lightingshinesupwards, 9. SpecialPermitrAlternativeoutdoor light fixtures may be
creating
the
skyglowthat washesout our view of the starrynightsky, allowed by specialpermrt if it can be demonslrated thatr (a)
damagingan importantnaturalresource. the fixture's design and appearance a"e superior, (b)
significantlight pollutronwill not b€ c.eated, and (c) light
trespassandglareare minimal.

Standards
Examplee
The lbwn of Rhinebeckhas adopted the following
guidelinesfor all new outdoor lightingrequi.ingsite
The illustrations of acceptable and
pranapprovar : unacceptableLghting on the following page
should help applicants comply with these
|. The useof tullyshielded
lighting
fixrufes
thatcontrolthe outdoor lightlngrequirements:
light output in order to keep the light in the lntended area.
Fully shieldedmeansthat all light is projecteddownward.
Low intensitylight sourcesemirting1800lumensor less,and
spot or flood lightsemitting 900 lumensor lessare exempt
frcm the tully shieldedrequhement.ffherefore, a 75 watt
incandescent flood light, for example, is exempt from the
shieldingrequirements.)

2. Lighting ixtures shall be ;nstaliedto maximize tieir

effectiveness on the targeted plperty, and minimize their
adverseimpact beyondlhe propertybordeN

3. Lighting fixtures shall p.ovide adequare lighting lor the

intended task, but not over light- The llluminaring
Engineering Society of North America (leSNA) has
psrab|shedrecommendedhghtinglevetsfor \arious pLrrposes me nighttin2 ;Iuninatbn at th;s se^'ice stution is .eesred in the
canow dM dire.ted down, yotidins a we -lit orea while
which should be refe.enced fbr guidance: nhhnizine gla,"eb, psias n oraris5 n d r,cighbors
20
LI G HT I NG F I X T U R E S M o d if ic a t io n s

U n a cce p tab le A c ceptabl e Unacceptable AcceptaSle

Tap-tuo!nted
billbootdloodtiehts
Gotefuttt facu*d anto
bi boatd)

Postatyl. lanp
(hore than IE00 tunenc) (lanp setin apoquetap)

Ared faad lisht with haad

2l