[Added 4-6-2006 by Ord. No. 811]
This article shall be known, cited, and referred to as the "Conservation Design Overlay District Standards Ordinance" of Whitemarsh Township.
A. 
List of resources to be conserved. During the development review process, the applicant shall satisfy the Township that the applicant has incorporated the following resources into the common open space to the fullest extent practicable. The priority or significance of each resource shall be determined by the Township on a case-by-case basis.
(1) 
Stream channels, floodplains, wet soils, swales, springs and other lowland areas, including adjacent buffer areas which may be required to insure their protection.
(2) 
Significant natural areas of species listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern, such as those listed in the Statewide Natural Diversity Inventory.
(3) 
Moderate to steep slopes, particularly those adjoining watercourses and ponds where disturbance and resulting soil erosion and sedimentation could be detrimental to water quality.
(4) 
Healthy woodlands, particularly those performing important ecological functions such as soil stabilization and protection of streams, wetlands and wildlife habitats. In incorporating woodlands into the common open space, the applicant shall further comply with Chapter 55, Tree Protection Standards, of the Code of Whitemarsh Township.
(5) 
Areas where precipitation is most likely to recharge local groundwater resources because of topographic and soil conditions affording high rates of infiltration and percolation.
(6) 
Hedgerows, groups of trees, large individual trees of botanic significance, and other vegetation features representing the site's rural past.
(7) 
Class I, II and III agricultural soils as defined by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.
(8) 
Historic structures and sites.
(9) 
Visually prominent topographic features, such as knolls, hilltops, and ridges, and scenic viewsheds as seen from public roads (particularly those historic features).
(10) 
Existing trails connecting the tract to other locations in the Township.
B. 
Other design considerations. The configuration of common open space areas shall comply with the following standards:
(1) 
They shall be free of all structures except historic buildings, old stone walls, and structures related to greenway uses. The Board of Supervisors may grant approval of structures and improvements required for storm drainage, water supply and sewage treatment within the common open space, provided that such facilities would not be detrimental to the common open space (and that the acreage of lands required for such uses is not credited towards minimum common open space acreage requirements for the tract, unless the land they occupy is appropriate for passive recreational use).
(2) 
They shall generally not include tracts smaller than three acres, have a length-to-width ratio of less than 4:1, or be less than 75 feet in width, except for such lands specifically designed as neighborhood greens, playing fields or trail links.
(3) 
They shall be directly accessible to the largest practicable number of lots within the subdivision. Nonadjoining lots shall be provided with safe and convenient pedestrian access to common open space land.
(4) 
They shall be suitable for active recreational uses to the extent deemed necessary by the Board of Supervisors, without interfering with adjacent dwellings units, parking, driveways and roads.
(5) 
They shall be interconnected wherever possible to provide a continuous network of common open space land within and adjoining the subdivision.
(6) 
They shall provide buffers to adjoining parks, preserves or other protected lands.
(7) 
Except in those cases where part of the common open space is located within private house lots, they shall provide for pedestrian pathways for use by the residents of the subdivision. Consideration shall be given to providing for public access on such trails if they are linked to other publicly accessible pathway systems within the Township. Provisions should be made for access to the common open space, as required for land management and emergency purposes.
(8) 
They shall be undivided by public or private streets, except where necessary for proper traffic circulation.
(9) 
They shall be suitably landscaped either by retaining existing natural cover and wooded areas and/or according to a landscaping plan to protect common open space.
(10) 
They shall be made subject to such agreement with the Township and such conservation easements duly recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of Deeds for Montgomery County as may be required by the Board of Supervisors for the purpose of preserving the common open space for such uses.
(11) 
They shall be consistent with the Township's Comprehensive Plan and its open space plan.
C. 
Common greens.
(1) 
A portion of the common open space shall be in the form of common greens. A common green is between 5,000 and 20,000 square feet in area, with a maximum area of 32,000 square feet, and shall be located internal to the developed areas. The minimum percent of the common open space in greens shall be determined as follows:
(a) 
Two percent of the required common open space when the average lot size is 15,000 square feet or more.
(b) 
Three percent of the required common open space when the average lot size is less than 15,000 square feet.
(2) 
A common green shall be created and maintained as the open space around which dwellings are arranged, often surrounding roads. Dwellings shall face the common green with the front facade of the dwelling.