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Township of Lower Gwynedd, PA
Montgomery County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
 
GENERAL REFERENCES
Signs — See Ch. 1292.
Off-street parking and loading — See Ch. 1294.
Nonconforming uses — See Ch. 1296.
In Mixed Residential Development Districts, the following regulations shall apply.
[Ord. 314. Passed 2-21-1995]
A building or combination of buildings may be erected or used and a lot may be used or occupied for an area devoted to the following uses and none other:
(a) 
Single-family detached dwellings.
(b) 
Single-family detached lot-line dwellings.
(c) 
Patio dwellings.
(d) 
Atrium dwellings.
(e) 
Twin dwellings.
(f) 
Twin duplex dwellings.
(g) 
Town home dwellings.
(h) 
Town home duplex dwellings.
(i) 
Multiplex dwellings.
(j) 
Garden apartment dwellings.
(k) 
Playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, etc., for the exclusive use of the residents of the district and their guests.
[Ord. 314. Passed 2-21-1995]
(a) 
The proposed development shall be constructed in accordance with an overall plan and shall be designed as a single architectural scheme with appropriate common landscaping.
(b) 
A street hierarchy shall be established for safe and efficient circulation to serve all dwelling units. No dwelling shall take access from a street or drive with an excess of 400 average daily trips per day.
(c) 
Adequate off-street parking shall be provided for all residents' and visitors' vehicles as required within this chapter. Each vehicle space shall consist of at least 200 square feet of parking space; in addition, adequate ways of ingress and egress and loading and service shall be provided.
(d) 
The developer shall be required where possible to preserve or incorporate natural features such as wood, mature stands of trees, streams and open space areas which add to the overall cohesive development.
(e) 
All dwellings within the district shall be served by public water and sewer.
(f) 
The deed description for each dwelling lot shall describe the specific yard requirements and appropriate setbacks as they may differ from adjoining lots regarding the average front yard, side yard, rear yard or building lot width.
(g) 
An overall trail system shall be provided within the open space to connect the dwellings.
[Ord. 314. Passed 2-21-1995]
(a) 
The minimum site area for such a development shall be 25 acres.
(b) 
The maximum permitted density shall be four dwelling units per acre for the total site area. The total site area shall include all land area within the site as defined in the deed minus all land within any adjacent existing future right-of-way.
(c) 
The minimum open space, excluding all lots, dedicated rights-of-way, and drives shall be 40% of the total site area. A minimum of 25% of the open space shall include land that is suitable for and shall be reserved for active recreational purposes.
(d) 
The maximum impervious surfaces shall be 35% of the total site area. Impervious surfaces shall include all areas which do not absorb rain. All buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks and any areas in concrete, asphalt and packed stone shall be considered impervious surfaces within this definition.
(e) 
There shall remain a minimum buffer of 50 feet between the area of any proposed residential lot and the edge of any future right-of-way line or development property line. The minimum distance between any dwelling unit or accessory building and the future right-of-way or development property line shall be 100 feet. In addition, the cartway of all roads within the development shall not be located within a minimum distance of 75 feet from any development property line adjacent to a residential district.
(f) 
There shall be a minimum of one street tree planted per dwelling unit within the dedicated right-of-way. In addition, there shall be a minimum of two trees planted per dwelling unit to be planted either on the lot or within the group or cluster of dwelling units. The rear yards of all attached and semidetached dwellings shall be either fenced or landscaped to delineate the lot line limits.
(g) 
There shall be required a minimum planted buffer consisting of a continuous private hedge, or approved equal, along all existing rights-of-way and adjacent property lines where there is existing adjacent development. Where no existing tree cover exists, along the buffer there shall be planted an evergreen screen that shall provide a complete six-foot-high visual barrier within three years.
(h) 
The open space shall be improved with the following minimum landscaping:
(1) 
Open areas shall be improved as lawn or meadow and landscaped with shade trees, flowering trees and shrubs where necessary to screen groups or clusters of dwellings.
(2) 
The existing woods shall be supplemented with evergreen shrubs, such as rhododendrum, azalea or other broad-leafed evergreens.
[Ord. 314. Passed 2-21-1995]
(a) 
Single-family Detached Dwellings. The regulations for single-family detached dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The minimum lot area shall be 15,000 square feet, provided that the average lot area of all such lots within the development shall be a minimum of 18,000 square feet per family for every single-family detached building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part.
(2) 
There shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 30 feet, provided that the average depth of all such yards within the development shall be no less than 40 feet.
(3) 
In the case of a corner lot, the front yard shall be a minimum depth of 50 feet adjacent the higher order street.
(4) 
There shall be two side yards, one on each side of the main building. Neither side yard shall be less than 15 feet wide. The minimum distance between structures shall be 35 feet.
(5) 
There shall be a rear yard the depth of which shall be 30 feet, provided that the average depth of all such yards within the development shall be no less than 40 feet.
(6) 
The building lot width shall be 60 feet at the building setback line of 30 feet, provided that the average lot width, as measured from the street line to the rear lot line, shall be 90 feet.
(7) 
The building area shall not exceed 20% of the lot area.
(8) 
There shall be a minimum of two off-street parking spaces provided for each such dwelling.
(9) 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
(b) 
Single-Family Detached Lot Line Dwellings. The regulations for single-family detached lot line dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The regulations for every single-family detached lot line building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part shall conform with the regulations for single-family detached dwellings, except as provided for side yards.
(2) 
There shall be one side yard which shall be a minimum of 30 feet, provided that one wall of the building shall be placed within six inches of one side property line. The minimum distance between buildings shall be 30 feet.
(3) 
Each such yard shall include side yard maintenance easements for the maintenance of the adjacent building.
(c) 
Patio Dwellings. The regulations for patio dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The minimum lot area shall be 4,000 square feet, provided that the average lot area of all such lots shall be a minimum of 4,500 square feet per family for every such detached or semidetached building hereinafter erected, altered or used whole or in part.
(2) 
There shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 15 feet for all lots where there is no on-lot parking in the front yard, provided that where there is on-lot parking in the front yard there shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet for all accessory and principal structures.
(3) 
In the case of a corner lot, the front yard shall be a minimum depth of 50 feet adjacent the higher order street.
(4) 
There shall be one side yard, the width of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet. The minimum distance between buildings shall be 20 feet.
(5) 
There shall be a rear yard, the width of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet.
(6) 
The minimum lot width shall be 40 feet, provided that the average lot width shall be a minimum of 45 feet.
(7) 
Excluding the front yard, any lot line or part of a lot line not enclosed by a building wall shall be enclosed by a wall with a minimum height of five feet.
(8) 
The patio shall be a minimum of 35% of the lot area.
(9) 
There shall be a minimum of 2.25 parking spaces per each such dwelling.
(10) 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
(d) 
Atrium Dwellings. The regulations for atrium dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The minimum lot area shall be 2,000 square feet, provided that the average lot area of all such lots shall be a minimum of 2,500 square feet per family for each such attached building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part.
(2) 
There shall be no less than three and no greater than six such dwellings attached in a row.
(3) 
There shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 15 feet for all lots where there is no on-lot parking in the front yard, provided that where there is on-lot parking in the front yard there shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet for all accessory principal structures.
(4) 
In the case of a corner lot, the front yard shall be a minimum depth of 50 feet adjacent the higher order street.
(5) 
There shall be two side yards, one on each side of the row of such attached dwellings. Neither side yard shall be less than 10 feet wide. The minimum distance between buildings shall be 35 feet.
(6) 
Excluding the front yard, any lot line or part of a lot line not enclosed by a building wall shall be enclosed by a wall with a minimum height of five feet.
(7) 
A private yard, herein called an atrium, shall be included on each lot. The minimum area of the atrium shall be 35% of the area of the lot.
(8) 
The minimum building lot width shall be 35 feet at the building setback line, provided that the average building lot width of all such dwelling types within the development shall be 40 feet at the building setback line.
(9) 
The maximum length of a row of such attached dwellings shall be 170 feet.
(10) 
There shall be a minimum of 2.25 parking spaces per each such dwelling.
(11) 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
(e) 
Twin Dwellings. The regulations for twin dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The minimum lot area shall be 4,000 square feet, provided that the average lot area of all such lots within the development shall be a minimum of 4,500 square feet per family for every such semidetached building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part.
(2) 
There shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 15 feet for all lots where there is no on-lot parking, provided that where there is on-lot parking there shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet for all accessory and principal buildings.
(3) 
In the case of a corner lot, the front yard shall be a minimum depth of 50 feet adjacent the higher order street.
(4) 
There shall be one side yard per attached building, the width of which shall be a minimum of 10 feet.
(5) 
There shall be a rear yard, the depth of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet.
(6) 
The minimum distance between any nonattached dwellings shall be as follows:
A. 
Facing building side to facing building side: 35 feet.
B. 
Facing building side to facing building rear or front: 65 feet.
C. 
Facing building rear to facing building rear: 65 feet.
(7) 
The minimum building width shall be 20 feet, provided that the average building width of such building types within the development shall be a minimum of 25 feet.
(8) 
The building area shall not exceed 35% of the lot area.
(9) 
There shall be a minimum of 2.25 off-street parking spaces provided for each dwelling unit.
(10) 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
(f) 
Twin Duplex Dwellings. The regulations for twin duplex dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The regulations for every twin duplex building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part shall conform with the regulations for twin dwellings, except as provided for the minimum lot area per dwelling.
(2) 
The minimum lot area per each twin duplex dwelling shall be 3,000 square feet per unit.
(g) 
Town Home Dwellings. The dimensional regulations for town home dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The minimum lot area shall be 2,000 square feet, provided that the average lot area of all such lots within the development shall be a minimum of 2,500 square feet per family for every such attached building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part.
(2) 
There shall be no less than four and no greater than six such dwellings attached in a row.
(3) 
There shall be a front yard, the depth of which shall be a minimum of 15 feet for all lots where there is no on-lot parking, provided that where there is on-lot parking there shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet for all accessory and principal buildings.
(4) 
In the case of a corner lot, the front yard shall be a minimum depth of 50 feet adjacent the higher order street.
(5) 
There shall be two side yards, one on each side of the row of such attached dwellings. Neither side yard shall be less than 10 feet wide.
(6) 
There shall be a rear yard, the depth of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet.
(7) 
The minimum distance between any nonattached dwellings shall be as follows:
A. 
Facing building side to facing building side: 35 feet.
B. 
Facing building side to facing building rear or front: 65 feet.
C. 
Facing building rear to facing building rear: 65 feet. [NOTE: Provided that the average minimum distance from building rear to rear shall be no less than 75 feet per each row of buildings.
(8) 
The minimum building width shall be 20 feet, provided that the average building width of all such buildings within the development shall be a minimum of 22 feet.
(9) 
The maximum length of such attached buildings shall be 170 feet.
(10) 
The building area shall not exceed 50% of the lot area.
(11) 
There shall be a minimum of 2.25 parking spaces per each dwelling unit.
(12) 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
(h) 
Town Home Duplex Dwellings. The dimensional regulations for town home duplex dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The regulations for every town home duplex building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part shall conform with the regulations for town home dwellings, except as provided for the minimum lot area per dwelling and the minimum building width.
(2) 
The minimum lot area per each town home duplex dwelling shall be 1,500 square feet per unit.
(3) 
The minimum building width shall be 22 feet, provided that the average building width of all such buildings within the development shall be 25 feet.
(i) 
Multiplex Dwellings. The dimensional regulations for multiplex dwellings shall be as follows:
(1) 
The minimum lot area shall be 2,000 square feet per dwelling unit for every multiplex building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part.
(2) 
There shall be no less than three and no greater than five such dwellings attached in one building.
(3) 
There shall be a front yard, the depth of which shall be a minimum of 15 feet for lots where there is on-lot parking, provided that where there is on-lot parking there shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be a minimum of 20 feet for all accessory principal and accessory buildings.
(4) 
In the case of a corner lot, the front yard shall be a minimum depth of 50 feet adjacent the higher order street.
(5) 
There shall be two side yards and a rear yard for the multiplex building; the depth of each shall be a minimum of 20 feet.
(6) 
The minimum distance between any multiplex buildings shall be 50 feet.
(7) 
The minimum lot width at the building setback line shall be 80 feet for any multiplex building.
(8) 
The building area shall not exceed 35% of the lot area.
(9) 
There shall be a minimum of 2.25 parking spaces per each dwelling unit.
(10) 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
(j) 
Garden Apartments. The dimensional regulations for garden apartments shall be as follows:
(1) 
The minimum lot area shall be 2,000 square feet per dwelling unit for every garden apartment building hereinafter erected, altered or used in whole or in part.
(2) 
There shall be no less than six and no greater than 16 such dwellings attached in one building.
(3) 
The following minimum average apartment sizes shall apply:
A. 
Efficiency: 600 square feet.
B. 
One-bedroom: 750 square feet.
C. 
Two-bedroom: 1,050 square feet.
D. 
Three-bedroom: 1,200 square feet.
E. 
Four-bedroom: 1,350 square feet.
(4) 
There shall be a parking setback, the depth of which shall be a minimum of 25 feet from all garden apartment buildings.
(5) 
The front yard shall be a minimum depth of 50 feet adjacent any street.
(6) 
There shall be two side yards and a rear yard for the garden apartment building, the depths of which shall be 75 feet.
(7) 
The minimum distance between garden apartment buildings shall be as follows:
A. 
Facing building side to facing building side: 50 feet.
B. 
Facing building side to facing building side or area: 65 feet.
C. 
Facing building front or rear to facing building front or rear: 75 feet.
(8) 
The minimum lot width at the building setback line shall be 150 feet.
(9) 
The maximum building length shall be 170 feet.
(10) 
The building area shall not exceed 35% of the lot area.
(11) 
There shall be a minimum of two parking spaces per each dwelling unit.
(12) 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
[Ord. 314. Passed 2-21-1995]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) 
Atrium Dwelling. An "atrium dwelling" is a single-family attached dwelling set on an individual lot with two or more of the building walls set on the side and rear property lines with walls set on the remaining side and rear property lines to form a private outdoor enclosure.
(b) 
Garden Apartment Dwelling. A "garden apartment dwelling" is a multifamily attached dwelling within a six-to-sixteen-dwelling building, with one dwelling above the other or side-by-side the other or back-to-back, on an individual lot with yards on all four sides.
(c) 
Multiplex Dwelling. A "multiplex dwelling" is a multifamily attached dwelling within a three-to-five-dwelling building, with one dwelling above, side-by-side the other or back-to-back, on an individual lot with yards on all four sides.
(d) 
Patio Dwelling. A "patio dwelling" is a single-family detached or semidetached dwelling on an individual lot with one of the building walls set on one of the side property lines with walls set on the remaining side and rear property lines to form a private outdoor enclosure.
(e) 
Single-Family Detached Lot Line Dwelling. A "single-family detached lot line dwelling" is a single-family dwelling on an individual lot with the building set within six inches of the side property line.
(f) 
Town Home Duplex Dwelling. A "town home duplex dwelling" is a multifamily attached dwelling within a two-dwelling building, with one dwelling above the other, on an individual lot with two walls in common with other such dwellings.
(g) 
Town Home Dwelling. A "town home dwelling" is a single-family attached dwelling on an individual lot with two walls in common with other such dwellings.
(h) 
Twin Duplex Dwelling. A "twin duplex dwelling" is a multifamily semidetached dwelling within a two-dwelling building, with one dwelling above the other, on an individual lot with only one wall in common with another building.
(i) 
Twin Dwelling. A "twin dwelling" is a single-family semidetached dwelling on an individual lot with only one wall in common with another dwelling unit.