[Ord. No. 2020-01, 1/6/2020]
A.
Purpose. In conformance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code, as amended, the purposes of this Part are as follows:
(1)
To conserve open space and preserve and protect natural and
historic resources such as woodlands, steep slopes, streams, floodplains,
and wetlands, by minimizing development on such resources.
(2)
To promote flexibility in the design and development of single-family
residential developments in siting the services and infrastructure,
including the opportunity to reduce the length of roads and utility
runs and the amount of impervious surfaces required for residential
developments, and to locate buildings and infrastructure away from
environmentally sensitive areas.
(3)
To require designation and permanent preservation of open space
and agricultural land, as part of the design and development of a
property.
(4)
To reduce erosion and sedimentation by retaining existing vegetation
and minimizing the development of steep slopes.
(5)
To protect areas of the Township with prime and/or productive
agricultural soils for continued or future agricultural use by conserving
blocks of land large enough to allow for viable and efficient agricultural
operations.
(6)
To create neighborhoods with direct visual access to open space;
to conserve scenic views and the Township's rural character and to
lessen the perception of higher-density development by minimizing
the views of new residential developments from existing roads.
(7)
To guide the location of future development and establish developmental
standards in such a way that does not adversely impact the rural character
of Williams Township.
B.
Applicability. Unless otherwise stated below, the provisions of this
Part shall apply to all parcels within the Agricultural Zoning District
(A District) and the Low Density Residential Zoning District (LDR
District). Conservation development is permitted but not required
in both of these zoning districts.
[Ord. No. 2020-01, 1/6/2020]
A.
Density. The maximum density permitted for a conservation development subdivision or land development is one dwelling unit per two acres subject to the provisions of Part 15 of this chapter.
C.
Minimum Lot Size. The minimum lot size shall be one acre.
D.
Separation Between Dwelling Units.
(1)
The minimum distance between dwelling units shall be 40 feet,
except for the front yard setback. The minimum front yard setback
shall be 45 feet from the centerline of a new road and 100 feet from
the centerline of an existing road. For the purposes of this Part,
an "existing road" is a road or street in existence at the time this
chapter becomes effective. Any road or street proposed or constructed
after the effective date of this chapter shall be considered a "new"
road for the purposes of this Part. This provision supersedes any
applicable setback provisions in this chapter.
(2)
An accessory structure shall be located a minimum of 15 feet
from any neighboring dwelling unit.
F.
Conservation Easement. The open space shall be subject to permanent
conservation easements prohibiting future development.
G.
Uses Permitted in Open Space.
(1)
Open land in its natural state.
(2)
Conservancy lots, each consisting of at least 10 acres, and
in total cannot occupy more than 80% of the open space.
(3)
Agriculture or Horticulture. Concentrated animal operations (as defined and described Chapter 5 of the Agriculture Code, 3 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.) shall be excluded. Subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors, a limited number of additional structures are permitted in support of and subordinate to agricultural uses, but in no case may these proposed new structures exceed a cumulative total of 5,000 square feet in area.
(4)
Pastureland for Horses Used for Recreational Purposes. Equestrian
facilities are permitted, but shall not compromise more than 50% of
the minimum required open space.
(5)
Forestry, in keeping with established best management practices
for selective harvesting and sustained yield forestry.
(6)
Open spaces such as neighborhood greens, commons, picnic areas,
trails, and other similar recreational uses. Motorized off-road vehicles
and firearm shooting ranges are specifically prohibited.
(7)
Active noncommercial recreation areas such as playfields, playgrounds,
sport courts, and bikeways. Such areas shall not compromise more than
50% of the required open space and shall not be located closer than
100 feet to adjacent residential dwelling units.
(8)
Easements for drainage, access, and stormwater management facilities
shall be permitted.
(9)
Underground utility rights-of-way. Street rights-of-way may
cross the open space, but do count towards the requisite 50%.
H.
On-Lot Water and Sewer.
(1)
The lots in a conservation development shall be served by on-lot
wells and on-lot sewage disposal.
(2)
Septic drain fields (not septic tanks) may be located in the
open space if approved by the Williams Township Sewage Enforcement
Officer.
(3)
Alternatively, a community septic system approved by the Williams
Township Sewage Enforcement Officer may be used if constructed and
paid for by the developer with the on-going costs and maintenance
of said system shall be borne by the homeowners' association of the
conservation design community.
[Ord. No. 2020-01, 1/6/2020]
A.
All conservation design communities shall have a HOA which shall
be comprised of 100% of all the homeowners within the community.
B.
The developer shall be initially be responsible for the setting up
and administration of the HOA. Once 75% of the total tracts in the
development are sold, the developer may pass the administration of
the HOA to a board of administrators comprised of landowners elected
by the landowners who will then oversee and administer the HOA.
C.
The HOA shall have bylaws, tenets, covens by which the community
is governed.
D.
All agreements need to approved by the Williams Township Engineer
and Solicitor.
