[Amended 1-6-2014 by Ord. No. 284-2014; 3-16-2015 by Ord. No. 293-2015]
The purpose of the Open Space and Conservation District is to
preserve and/or conserve streams, creeks, drainageways and other vital
waterways, and to protect sensitive natural resources for recreational
and conservation purposes. Limited uses are permitted which are consistent
with the goal of protecting sensitive natural areas and providing
for public recreation and open space.
Permitted-by-right uses shall be as follows:
A.
Any form of agriculture, subject to the requirements of § 135-212, and further provided that the commercial keeping and handling of poultry, livestock and other animals shall not be maintained in tracts of less than 10 acres in size.
B.
Single-family detached dwellings.
F.
Publicly owned recreational facilities.
G.
Municipal uses.
H.
Sporting equipment sales and rental shops, provided that all displays
are limited to the interior of an enclosed building, the floor area
does not exceed 7,500 square feet, and that hours of operation do
not occur between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The sporting
equipment sales and rentals shall be limited to that equipment which
may be used on the Conewago Recreation Trail or nearby Lancaster Conservancy
and/or Township-owned parklands.
J.
Greenhouses, including retail sales that are limited to a roadside produce stand meeting the requirements of § 135-258.
K.
Nature preserves, including hiking, biking and walking trails and
related educational facilities.
L.
Places of worship, which may include an accessory day-care center, in accordance with § 135-251, with a maximum floor area of 20,000 square feet.
M.
Forestry and related uses; provided that the applicant provides copies
of the permits and approvals from the DEP, and/or any other applicable
state or federal permit authorizing such use to occur.
N.
Food service and concession stands or displays may be provided when
clearly secondary and incidental to a municipal use, sporting equipment
sales and rental shops, nature preserves or a park and playground
located on the property. Such facilities shall not be separately identified
on any signage visible from the property lines and freestanding structures
shall not exceed 600 square feet of area.
P.
Accessory structures and uses customarily
incidental to the above-permitted uses.
The following uses are permitted when special exceptions are
granted by written approval of the Zoning Hearing Board. In granting
any special exception, the Board may attach certain conditions to
its approval which it feels are necessary requirements in order to
preserve and protect the character of the district in which the proposed
use would locate. The burden shall be upon the applicant to prove
that the approval of the application will not be detrimental to the
health, safety and general welfare of the community:
(Reserved)
A.
Height. An additional side yard setback of one foot shall be provided
for every two feet, or fraction thereof, increase in height above
35 feet. Buildings devoted to farm use shall be exempt from the height
regulations.
B.
Minimum lot area. The minimum lot area shall be two acres, except:
(1)
Where a larger lot area is specified by another section of this chapter;
(2)
If a principal building will be located on non-man-made slopes of
over 20%, then a three-acre minimum lot area is required; and
(3)
Where a smaller lot area may be permitted under the single-family
cluster option provisions of this chapter.
C.
Minimum lot width. The minimum lot width shall be 150 feet, at the
building setback line.
D.
Minimum lot depth. The minimum lot depth shall be 150 feet.
E.
Front yard minimum depth.
(1)
The minimum front yard building setback line for all single-family detached buildings shall be 35 feet from the ultimate right-of-way as designated in § 135-301. All other buildings shall contain a minimum front yard building setback line of 50 feet from the ultimate street right-of-way.
(2)
In developed areas, the minimum building setback line requirements
may be adjusted by right so that the proposed building may be in proper
relation to adjacent buildings. Under no circumstances shall a building
be permitted to encroach any closer to the ultimate right-of-way than
an adjacent building.
F.
Side yard. There shall be two side yards, neither of which shall
be less than 15 feet.
G.
Rear yards. Rear yards shall be a minimum of 50 feet in depth.
H.
Maximum lot coverage.
(1)
Maximum building coverage. The maximum building coverage shall not
exceed 20%, unless a more restrictive standard is established by another
section of this chapter.
(2)
Maximum impervious coverage. The maximum impervious coverage shall
not exceed 25%, unless a more restrictive standard is established
by another section of this chapter.
(3)
If a nonresidential use occupies more than one lot, the maximum building
and impervious coverage may apply for the total of contiguous lots,
instead of each individual lot.
The following regulations shall apply to unattached buildings
for accessory use:
A.
Maximum height. The maximum height shall be 20 feet, except that
this restriction shall not be applicable to farm buildings and silos.
B.
Front yard minimum depth. The minimum building setback lines for all accessory buildings shall be 50 feet from the ultimate street right-of-way as designated by § 135-301.
C.
Side yard. The minimum distance to any interior side lot line shall
be six feet.
D.
Rear yard. The minimum distance to any rear lot line shall be six
feet.
