[Added 12-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-27]
The intent and purpose of the BO Business Overlay District is to encourage downtown business development within the Historic Waterfront Business District adopted in 2021 as part of the Neighborhood Preservation Program ("NPP") Implementation Plan. The intent of the BO District is to provide incoming businesses with more options for potential locations, as Belvidere does not have vacant properties to build upon, thereby generating activity, economic growth, and small business development. The BO District is intended to allow for single-family dwellings to be converted to mixed-use by allowing for limited commercial uses on the ground floor of the existing residential structures. The BO District encompasses the R-75 (Single-Family Residential), LM (Light Manufacturing), and CH (Courthouse) Districts within the Historic Waterfront Business District boundaries. Property owners may continue to develop their properties in accordance with the underlying zoning. Optionally, the BO District permits mixed-use conversions of structures originally constructed for single-family residential as a conditional use, subject to compliance with certain conditional use standards.
Within the Business Overlay District (BO), the following conditional uses shall be permitted subject to approval by the Belvidere Planning Board:
A. 
Mixed-use. Structures originally constructed for and occupied as single-family dwellings shall be permitted to convert the ground floor space for one of the following commercial uses, subject to compliance with § 505-39:
(1) 
Retail store.
(2) 
Office.
(3) 
Personal service store or studio.
(4) 
Restaurant or cafe without drive-through.
(5) 
Bed-and-breakfast residences. An owner-occupied, single-family residence that provides overnight lodging for transient guests, subject to compliance with the standards outlined in § 505-70F.
A. 
Within any BO, lot area bulk conditions must comply with the standards established in the underlying zone. Any deviation from these conditions shall require a conditional use variance approval pursuant the N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10d3.
B. 
Location:
(1) 
Businesses shall be limited to the ground floor of any structure, with residential uses required on upper floors.
(2) 
Cellar and basement spaces may be used for business purposes or storage for either residential or commercial use, as further regulated by other regulating codes, including but not limited to, fire and construction.
C. 
Hours of operation:
(1) 
Business hours shall be limited to 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
D. 
Parking:
(1) 
No additional parking is required for businesses occupying 2,500 square feet or less of floor area.
(2) 
Businesses occupying greater than 2,500 square feet of floor area must provide parking on-site at a rate of one space for the first 2,500 square feet and additional parking as required pursuant to § 505-91 of the code.
(3) 
Parking for residential uses, whether existing or proposed, shall comply with Article XIX of this code.
The following standards for the BO zone shall be regulated as bulk requirements, where noncompliance is subject to bulk variance consideration pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70c.
A. 
Building expansion:
(1) 
No building expansions for commercial uses shall be allowed at the front of the building.
(2) 
Any side or rear expansions for commercial use shall be limited to no greater than 10% of the existing ground floor area.
B. 
Signage:
(1) 
Facade signs. Signs mounted directly to a building wall.
(a) 
Maximum number: one per business.
(b) 
Maximum sign area: six square feet.
(c) 
Wall signs may be externally illuminated using down lights/gooseneck lights, backlights/halo lights, or uplights. Internal illumination is prohibited.
(d) 
Electronic signs and backlit signs are prohibited. Message cannot automatically change.
(2) 
Window signs.
(a) 
A maximum of one window sign per glass window and/or door shall be permitted for each business establishment or use located in a building.
(b) 
Window signs may be painted, vinyl or installed as a hung sign behind the glass. Paper signs are prohibited.
(c) 
Window signs may not exceed 25% of the window surface area.
(d) 
Window signs shall not by internally illuminated.
(e) 
Sign lighting where the light source is directly exposed to view, including, but not limited to, ionized inert gas tubing and light emitting diodes (LED), is prohibited.
(f) 
Electronic signs and backlit signs are prohibited. Message cannot automatically change.
(3) 
Awning signs:
(a) 
Awning signs are permitted only where aesthetically appropriate, subject to Planning Board approval.
(b) 
While awnings may be installed above each storefront window, signage on such awnings shall be limited to one per storefront.
(c) 
Awnings must be installed at the top of the storefront opening or at the transom.
(d) 
Plastic awnings are prohibited.
(e) 
Waterfall design awnings are prohibited.
(f) 
Awnings may not be illuminated.
(g) 
Signage is permitted on an awning valence only.
(h) 
Signage is prohibited on the awning's face or endcaps. Signage is limited to business identification and street address.
(i) 
Maximum sign area: 50% of valance surface area.
(4) 
All signage shall adhere to § 505-97 of this code.
(5) 
No internal illumination shall be permitted.
(6) 
Maximum one identification sign permitted per business.
C. 
Lighting:
(1) 
Standard residential lighting, such as porch lighting, is permitted.
(2) 
External sign lighting shall not be turned on outside of permitted business hours.
D. 
Building facades:
(1) 
Upper floor facades and rooflines shall not be modified as part of a ground floor conversion.
(2) 
Ground floor facade modifications shall be minimal. Enlarged window openings may be permitted to accommodate the new use. However, architectural features including porches, ornamentation, facade materials and the like shall be preserved so as not to impact the residential appearance of the building.