E Business Districts are designed to provide opportunities for shopping, services and other consumer related needs in areas which are accessible from major roads and mass transportation routes. The uses in the districts are intended to serve the shopping and service needs of the Township, while meeting the special requirements set forth herein to ensure compatibility between the district and other types of districts which are adjoining. The E Business District is also designed to provide opportunities for planned business centers where permitted uses are clustered in a unified building or buildings to form a neighborhood shopping or service center, or planned business, medical or professional office centers.
A building may be erected, altered or used and a lot or premises may be used or occupied, subject to Article XIII, for any of the following uses and no other:
A. 
Permitted principal uses.
(1) 
Business, professional, medical offices.
(2) 
Banks, including drive-in banks, or other financial institutions.
(3) 
Shops and stores for the retail sale of such items as antiques, books, bicycles, art and drafting equipment and supplies, furniture, flowers and plants, gifts, garden supplies, hardware, household appliances, jewelry, notions, paint, periodicals, records, shoes, stereos, stationery, tobacco, toys, wearing apparel and other like merchandise.
(4) 
Personal retail service shop, including beauty parlor and barbershop, self-service laundry, excluding tattoo, body piercing and massage studios.
(5) 
Retail dry-cleaning shop (pick-up and drop-off only).
(6) 
General service or repair shop, including such shops as watch or clock repair, jewelry or optical repair, radio or television repair, electrical household appliance repair, shoe repair, tailor, dressmaker, photographer, travel agency and locksmith, provided that each of the foregoing is on a retail basis.
(7) 
Bakery, pastry, candy, confectionery or ice cream shop making goods only for sale on the premises, specifically excluding lunch wagons or other similar vehicles, road stands or booths or any other moveable, transient or temporary structure from which food or food products are sold.
(8) 
Veterinarian, provided that all kennels shall be located within the building and there is no kennel access to the exterior of the building.
(9) 
Private commercial educational institutions offering instruction in dance, music, art, drama and other similar endeavors.
(10) 
Municipal use.
(11) 
Public transit station (exclusive of transit vehicle storage, garage or service areas)
(12) 
Automobile rental, provided that:
(a) 
No garage, auto repairs and maintenance shall be performed exclusive of the cleaning and prepping of vehicles.
(b) 
Parking spaces for vehicle storage, pick up, drop off and preparation areas are in addition to the required off-street parking spaces.
(c) 
The use does not include rental of truck and trailer rental, except as a special exception in accordance § 143-53C.
B. 
Permitted accessory uses.
(1) 
Accessory use on the same lot with and customarily incidental to any of the above-permitted principal uses, except as limited above.
(2) 
Parking in accordance with Article XV.
(3) 
Signs in accordance with Article XVI.
(4) 
Public transit station parking for commuters and transit station employees, provided that such parking area shall not exceed 50,000 square feet nor be created, maintained or otherwise established by any public transit company unless in conjunction with an existing or planned station, and provided further that such parking area is entirely within 500 feet of said station and such parking area and its approaches are surfaced in a manner satisfactory to the Code Enforcement Officer. It shall be the duty of any transit company desiring to create, establish or alter any such parking area to present to the Code Enforcement Officer detailed specifications of the surfacing materials to be used and plans showing the size of the proposed parking area, its distance from the station and the location of the proposed means of ingress and/or egress. No permit shall be issued until the Code Enforcement Officer has determined that the proposed parking area is in conformity with the terms of this ordinance, the Subdivision Regulations, and the Stormwater Management Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 123, Subdivision and Land Development, and Ch. 119, Stormwater Management, respectively.
(5) 
Communications antennas, when mounted on one of the following existing locations: public utility transmission tower; public or municipal structure or public or municipal building; or other building or structure. Proposed locations shall be considered in the order listed. After all viable options for each alternative have been exhausted, the next alternative may be considered. The applicant shall not propose one of the latter locations if a preceding alternative is available within a 1/2 mile radius of the proposed location. Equipment buildings accessory to communications antennas shall be permitted as a Conditional Use and shall be a maximum of 250 square feet in area.
C. 
Uses by special exception.
(1) 
Club or lodge.
(2) 
Movie theater and performing arts center.
(3) 
Hotel, motel or inn.
(4) 
Public garage.
(5) 
Motor vehicle service station, after approval of detailed plans for the proposed use by the Zoning Hearing Board. Such plans shall be drawn to scale and shall show the location and dimensions of the site, together with all buildings and facilities proposed for the site, including pump islands, display racks, signs and accessways. In addition thereto, sufficient space shall be provided on the lot so that a reasonable number of motor vehicles may be parked while waiting to be serviced. All repair work shall be conducted within a building designed for such purposes. Lighting facilities shall be so arranged as to reflect away from abutting properties, and the Zoning Hearing Board may condition any approval upon the installation of fences, trees, shrubbery and other suitable barriers to protect adjacent uses.
(6) 
Funeral home.
(7) 
New automobile, truck, mobile and modular home, boat and recreational vehicle sales and, as accessory uses, used vehicle sales and/or service.
(8) 
Commercial recreation facility for fitness, racquetball, squash, swimming and like activities.
(9) 
Nursery school or day-care center.
(10) 
Restaurant, excluding a fast-food restaurant, which may include outdoor seating, provided that when such seating accommodates more than two tables or four people, whichever is less, such seating:
(a) 
Shall not be permitted within 100 feet of any single-family attached or detached dwelling unit(s).
(b) 
Shall be separated from the street (and from the minimum forty-eight-inch wide clear and usable walk area) by a type of street furnishing that will provide a partial enclosure to the area and help to delineate the area. The separation of spaces shall be accomplished by:
[1] 
Black or dark colored fence made of steel, aluminum or wrought-iron, which shall be 36 to 42 inches in height.
[2] 
Planter boxes made of wood, precast concrete, stone, brick, or other masonry, which shall be 36 to 42 inches in height. Such planter boxes shall be at least 12 inches wide and have drain holes in the bottom. Planter boxes shall contain dwarf evergreen shrubs, or a combination of flowers and vines, which shall be installed prior to opening the outdoor dining area, and shall be continuously maintained. Any plantings that die shall be replaced immediately thereafter.
[3] 
A type of temporary barricade such as a wooden partition wall, or wooden partition fence, that shall be 36 to 42 inches in height, and built to be secure, stable and perpendicular to the sidewalk surface during hours of use.
[4] 
Such fence, planter boxes, temporary barricade or other enclosure shall contain or enclose the outdoor seating area on one to three sides, but shall not enclose it on four sides.
(c) 
No exterior music shall be played on public sidewalks.
(d) 
Outdoor service shall not be permitted after 11:00 p.m.
(11) 
Truck and trailer rental.
(a) 
No garage, auto repairs or maintenance shall be performed, exclusive of the cleaning and preparation of vehicles for rental.
(b) 
Parking spaces for vehicle storage, pick up, drop off and preparation areas are in addition to the required off-street parking spaces.
(c) 
All vehicles and trailer storage shall be located to the rear of the lot.
(12) 
Car wash, provided that parking and vehicle queuing standards are in accordance with Article XV.
D. 
Conditional uses.
(1) 
Pawnshops and check-cashing establishments, provided that:
(a) 
Any of the above uses shall not be located within a four-hundred-foot radius of a residential zoning district or those areas presently used for residential purposes unless a petition requesting waiver of this requirement is received and verified by the Board of Commissioners, signed by 51% of those persons residing within or owning or operating a business within a four-hundred-foot radius of the proposed location, in which case the Board of Commissioners may waive this requirement.
(b) 
Any of the above uses shall not be located within a four-hundred-foot radius of two other such uses, except that such restrictions may be waived by the Board of Commissioners if it is found that:
[1] 
The proposed use will not be contrary to the public interest or injurious to nearby properties and that the spirit and intent of this ordinance will be observed.
[2] 
The establishment of an additional use of this type in the area will not be contrary to any public program of neighborhood conservation or improvement, either residential or nonresidential.
[3] 
All applicable regulations of this ordinance will be observed.
(2) 
Planned business center that includes two or more uses permitted under § 143-53A provided that such development is in conformance with §§ 143-55C(2) and 143-56.
The maximum height of buildings and other structures attached to buildings erected, enlarged or used shall be 35 feet, except:
(1) 
As provided in Article XVII, § 143-104, and Article XIV, § 143-89;
(2) 
A public garage shall not be more than two levels of parking where each level is a maximum of 15 feet in height and in no case shall the public garage be taller than the principal building on the lot.
A. 
Permitted principal uses.
(1) 
Lot area. A lot area of not less than 50,000 square feet shall be provided for every principal permitted building erected or used for any permitted use.
(2) 
Lot width at the building line. A lot width at the building line of not less than 150 feet shall be provided.
(3) 
Lot width at the street line. A lot width or lot frontage at the street line of not less than 175 feet shall be provided.
(4) 
Building coverage and impervious surface. Not more than 40% of the total area of any lot shall be occupied by buildings, and not more than 70% of any lot area shall be covered by impervious surfaces.
(5) 
Front yard setback(s). There shall be a setback on each street on which the lot abuts, the depth of which shall be at least 25 feet. Vehicular parking shall not be permitted within 15 feet of any street line.
(6) 
Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard, the depth of which shall be not less than 50 feet. Vehicular parking shall not be permitted within 15 feet of the rear property line.
(7) 
Side yard. There shall be two side yards, one on each side of the building. The aggregate width of the side yards shall not be less than 40 feet, and neither side yard shall be less than 15 feet, except where such use is adjacent to a residential use or district in which case the aggregate width of the side yards shall not be less than 60 feet and neither side yard shall be less than 25 feet. In the case of a corner lot, there shall be one side yard with a minimum width of 25 feet. Vehicular parking shall not be permitted within 10 feet of the side property lines.
(8) 
Perimeter buffer. A perimeter buffer with a minimum width of 15 feet from each street line and rear lot line, and 10 feet from each side lot line shall be devoted to landscaping in accordance with Article XV, §§ 143-98, 143-115 and 143-116. No vehicular parking shall be permitted in this buffer.
B. 
Uses by special exception.
(1) 
The area and bulk regulations for a motor vehicle service station, funeral home and nursery or day-care center shall be in accordance with § 143-55A, provided that the lot can accommodate the area required for off-street parking. If the lot cannot accommodate the area required for off-street parking, then the Zoning Hearing Board shall require a lot area greater than 50,000 square feet.
(2) 
The area and bulk regulations for all other uses by special exception as set forth in § 143-53C shall be as follows:
(a) 
Lot area: two acres or 87,120 square feet minimum.
(b) 
Lot width at building line: 250 feet minimum.
(c) 
Lot width or lot frontage at street line: 250 feet minimum.
(d) 
Building coverage: 30% maximum.
(e) 
Impervious surface: 60% maximum.
(f) 
Front yard: 35 feet minimum, and vehicular parking shall not be permitted within 20 feet of any street line.
(g) 
Rear yard: 75 feet minimum, and vehicular parking shall not be permitted within 20 feet of any rear property line.
(h) 
Side yards: 100 feet minimum aggregate width, and 50 feet minimum each side. Vehicular parking shall not be permitted within 15 feet of any side property line.
(i) 
Perimeter buffer. Except for a Planned Business Center, a perimeter buffer with a minimum width of 20 feet from each street line and rear lot line, and 15 feet from each side lot line shall be devoted to landscaping in accordance with Article XV, §§ 143-98, 143-115 and 143-116. Perimeter Buffers for a Planned Business Center shall be provided in accordance with § 143-56C(2).
C. 
Conditional uses.
(1) 
The area and bulk regulations for any use set forth in § 143-53D(1) shall be in accordance with § 143-55A.
(2) 
The area and bulk regulations for a Planned Business Center shall be in accordance with § 143-55B(2) and the special requirements set forth in § 143-56.
A. 
General standards.
(1) 
The tract of land on which each permitted use is conducted shall be held in single ownership and shall be operated under unified control and management. In the event of multiple ownership, a written agreement between the parties and owners involved shall be submitted to evidence that the development and management will be in accordance with a single plan with common authority and common responsibility.
(2) 
All uses shall be served by public sewer and water.
(3) 
Each permitted use shall provide and maintain attractively landscaped grounds and include screening necessary to buffer adjacent properties in accordance with a landscaping plan approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(4) 
All utility lines servicing the permitted buildings or structures and the lot shall be placed underground within the lot lines of the property on which the use is located.
(5) 
All mechanical equipment which is not enclosed within a building shall be fully and completely screened from view in a manner compatible with the architectural and landscaping style of the overall property.
(6) 
The physical design of the site plan shall provide for adequate control of vehicular traffic, make adequate provisions for public water, public sewer, erosion and sedimentation control, stormwater management, fire protection and other public services, trash, recycling, off-street parking and loading facilities, and further the amenities of light, air and visual enjoyment.
(7) 
All buildings and structures shall be designed and sited to reflect a sensitivity to existing natural features, to be responsive to solar orientation, wind exposure and energy efficiency and to relate to similar buildings on adjoining tracts in terms of size and scale.
(8) 
Any development or redevelopment proposed in a TND Overlay District shall be in accordance with Article XIV.
(9) 
In the case where a Planned Business Center is to be constructed in phases, the proposed development shall be constructed in accordance with the overall approved plan and shall be designed as a single architectural scheme with common landscaping. All landscaping, including planting strips and fences shall be installed in the initial phase. Parking constructed in each phase shall be sufficient to meet the proposed development in that phase.
B. 
Dimensional standards.
(1) 
The minimum distance between buildings on a lot shall be 40 feet to allow for a twenty-foot fire department access lane and 10 feet for foundation plantings around each building. The minimum distance may be increased, but in no case shall the maximum distance between buildings exceed 125 feet.
C. 
Buffer requirements.
(1) 
In each case where any portion of a lot abuts a more restrictive zoning district, there shall be a buffer planting strip along the district boundary line with the E Business District for a depth of 15 feet, except as provided below. The buffer planting strip shall be used for no purpose other than planting and screening in strict conformance with Article XVII, §§ 143-115 and 143-116, and in accordance with a landscaping plan approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(2) 
In the case of a planned business center, a buffer planting strip of not less than 20 feet shall be provided around the entire perimeter of the property except for accessways from streets. The buffer planting strip shall be used for no purpose other than planting and screening in strict conformance with Article XVII, §§ 143-115 and 143-116, and in accordance with a landscaping plan approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.
D. 
Vehicular access and traffic considerations.
(1) 
Access barrier. Access to the public highway or street shall be controlled in the interest of public safety. Each building or group of buildings erected in the E Business District and the parking, loading/unloading and service areas shall be physically separated from any street by a curb and planting strip, or other suitable barrier against unchanneled ingress or egress by motor vehicles except for accessways as authorized by Subsection D(2) below.
(2) 
Accessways. Each separate grouping of attached buildings or grouping of uses permitted as part of a single integrated project shall have no more than two accessways to any one public street. Neither of such accessways shall be more than 50 feet in width. On urban principal arterials, adequate acceleration and deceleration lanes shall be provided. The intent of this provision is to encourage the use of common accessways by two or more permitted uses or lots in order to reduce the number and spacing of access points along the highway.
(3) 
Traffic control devices and acceleration and deceleration lanes shall be provided at the expense of the owner.
(4) 
All traffic controls shall be in accordance with Article XVII, § 143-113H.
E. 
Off-street parking and loading/unloading. Adequate off-street parking and loading/unloading areas shall be provided in accordance with Article XV.
F. 
Environmental controls.
(1) 
No building may be erected, altered or used, and no lot or premises may be used for any trade, industry or business that is noxious or offensive by reason of odor, dust, smoke, gas or noise or that is dangerous to public health or safety or is in violation of any of the environmental controls of Article XVII, § 143-113.
(2) 
No internal-combustion engine shall be used unless objectionable noise and vibration are eliminated or it is equipped and supplied with an effective muffler or silencer which is in conformity with the noise control provisions referenced in Article XVII, § 143-113C.
(3) 
Disposal requirements. All trash, garbage, recycling, rubbish and debris of every kind and nature shall be stored within the building in fireproofed rooms and shall be collected and disposed of, as often as may be necessary under the particular circumstances, by private collectors and at no cost to the Township. If dumpster-type containers are used, said containers must be located to the rear or side of the lot, screened from view in accordance with § 143-98 and in conformance with the Fire Code.[1] Where multiple uses are permitted in the E District, one central collection area shall be provided for all users in each building.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 45, Fire Prevention.
G. 
Architectural character.
(1) 
In the case of a planned business center, all buildings shall be designed and built in harmony with one another relative to size, scale, proportion and materials.
(2) 
All signs, lighting, benches and other like structures shall be designed and built in keeping with the architectural character and theme of the principal use and/or planned business center.
H. 
Fencing. A six-foot-high opaque fence shall be required along rear and/or side property lines that abut any residential use or zoning district.
Approvals shall be in accordance with § 143-128.