[Added 9-26-1996 by Ord. No. 199; amended in its entirety 10-26-2000 by Ord. No. 224]
[1]
Editor's Note: This article (originally § 2804.2 of Ch. 27 of the 1995 Code) was renumbered 12-3-2007 by Ord. No. 276 as a new Part 18.
[Added 12-3-2007 by Ord. No. 276]
In addition to the goals and objectives stated in the declaration of legislative intent found in Article I, § 250-3, and the statement of community objectives found in Article I, § 250-5, of this chapter, the intent of this article shall be to:
A. 
Provide flexibility in the laws governing the development of those areas in the Township where large tracts of land exist for development and/or redevelopment to recognize both the changes in design and technology in the building industry and the new demands in the housing market;
B. 
Ensure that the uniform regulations appropriate to previously developed residential neighborhoods do not operate to discourage efficient and imaginative development of said areas;
C. 
Encourage the more efficient allocation and maintenance by private initiative of common open space ancillary to new residential areas;
D. 
Encourage more efficient use of those public facilities required in connection with new residential development;
E. 
Improve pedestrian circulation and safety for people of all abilities by not only requiring new sidewalks of appropriate design but by encouraging pedestrian amenities such as courtyards, seating areas and pocket parks where people may casually meet;
F. 
Reduce traffic congestion and the physical and visual impact of paved parking areas by encouraging alternative means of access such as shared driveways and/or parking and alleys; and
G. 
Provide a framework of reasonable design regulations which permits flexibility for the individual tenant, stimulating the local business environment while at the same time improving the quality of life for all residents of Lower Pottsgrove Township.
In addition to the uses permitted in the underlying zoning districts, any parcel or parcels which together comprise at least 40 acres may be developed as and for a PMD pursuant to the standards and criteria hereinafter provided.
A. 
Any of the following uses shall be permitted in a PMD:
(1) 
Single-family attached dwelling units.
(2) 
Multiple-unit dwellings, subject to the following:
(a) 
Senior age-qualified housing, subject to the requirement that such multifamily housing meets all criteria for housing for older persons as such use is defined in the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder and applicable requirements of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b) 
Building permit applications for senior age-qualified housing must include legally binding covenants restricting the age of residents to 55 or older.
(3) 
Business or professional office, including banks, financial institutions and post offices.
(4) 
Restaurant, cafe or similar establishment serving food or beverage but excluding drive-in or drive-through facilities.
(5) 
Retail sale of dry goods, variety and general merchandise, clothing, food, flowers, beverages, drugs, household supplies or furnishings, jewelry, optical goods or musical, professional or scientific instruments or other similar uses but excluding new and/or used automobile sales and/or leasing, automobile repair shops and gasoline filling stations.
B. 
A combination of at least three uses from Subsection A(1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) above shall be required.
C. 
The following criteria shall apply to the entire site proposed to be developed as a PMD.
(1) 
Maximum impervious coverage: 65%.
(2) 
Maximum building coverage: 30%.
D. 
The following density area and dimensional criteria shall apply to uses within a PMD. Where inconsistent with any other provisions of this chapter or the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (Chapter 215), the provisions of this section shall control.
[Amended 12-3-2007 by Ord. No. 276]
(1) 
Single-family attached dwellings.
(a) 
Maximum density: three units per developable acre.
(b) 
Minimum unit width: 24 feet.
(c) 
Minimum setback from curbline: 20 feet.
(d) 
Minimum setback from property boundary: 35 feet.
(e) 
Minimum distance between buildings: 20 feet.
(f) 
Maximum building height: 35 feet.
(g) 
Maximum building width: 150 feet.
(h) 
Minimum lot size: 2,500 square feet.
(i) 
Parking: 2.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit, including garage. Satellite parking must be provided either in the form of on-street parking or off-street parking bays. If on-street parking is used, the minimum cartway width of a street shall be 28 feet. On-street parking shall be located on one side of the street only. Where on-street parking is not permitted, the minimum cartway width can be reduced to 24 feet. Satellite parking bays must be evenly distributed throughout the townhouse development. Each satellite parking area shall contain no more than 10 spaces.
(2) 
Garden apartments.
(a) 
Maximum density: 2.4 units per developable acre.
(b) 
Maximum building height: 55 feet.
(c) 
Maximum building length: 350 feet.
(d) 
Minimum setback from property line: 60 feet.
(e) 
Minimum setback from curbline: 10 feet.
(f) 
Minimum parking area setback from property line (including drives): 15 feet.
(g) 
Parking: 2.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit, including garage. Satellite parking must be provided either in the form of on-street parking or off-street parking bays. If on-street parking is used, the minimum cartway width of a street shall be 28 feet. On-street parking shall be located on one side of the street only. Where on-street parking is not permitted, the minimum cartway width can be reduced to 24 feet. Satellite parking bays must be evenly distributed throughout the townhouse development. Each satellite parking area shall contain no more than 10 spaces.
(3) 
Business or professional office.
(a) 
Maximum building height: 35 feet.
(b) 
Minimum setback from curbline: 10 feet.
(c) 
Minimum setback from property line: 25 feet.
(d) 
Minimum setback from parking area: 10 feet.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(e) 
Minimum parking area setback from property line: 15 feet.
(f) 
Parking: one space per 250 square feet of leasable floor area.
(4) 
Restaurant, cafe, or similar food and beverage establishment.
(a) 
Minimum setback from curbline: 10 feet.
(b) 
Minimum setback from property line: 30 feet.
(c) 
Minimum setback from parking area: 10 feet.
(d) 
Minimum parking area setback from property line: 15 feet.
(e) 
Maximum building height: 35 feet.
(5) 
Retail sale of dry goods, variety and general merchandise, clothing, food, flowers, beverages, drugs, household supplies or furnishings, jewelry, optical goods or musical, professional or scientific instruments or other similar uses.
(a) 
Minimum setback from curbline: 10 feet.
(b) 
Minimum setback from property line: 30 feet.
(c) 
Minimum setback from parking area: 10 feet.
(d) 
Minimum parking area setback from property line: 15 feet.
(e) 
Maximum building height: 35 feet.
(f) 
Parking: one space per 250 square feet of leasable floor area.
(g) 
The maximum building area for each individual retail use shall be 30,000 square feet.
E. 
Street and parking standards. In lieu of the requirements of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (Chapter 215), the following design standards shall apply to public and private streets in a PMD unless modified by the Board of Commissioners in accordance with Subsection F below.
(1) 
Minimum right-of-way: 40 feet plus five-foot utility easement on each side of right-of-way.
(2) 
Minimum cartway width:
(a) 
Twenty eight feet wherever one-sided on-street parking is provided.
(b) 
Twenty four feet without on-street parking.
(3) 
Section 250-132A, which prohibits parking in the front yard, shall not be applicable to single-family attached dwelling and office/retail/restaurant uses. For senior age-restricted housing, 10% of the total amount of parking shall be permitted within the front yard.
F. 
Public access to open space. Public access easements for open space and walkways shall be provided within the PMD development where required by the Board of Commissioners.