To carry out the purpose and provisions of this chapter, the
Township of Shaler is hereby divided into classifications of zoning
districts for the purpose of applying the provisions of this chapter.
These zoning districts are:
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R-1
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Limited One-Family District
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R-2
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One-Family District
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R-3
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Two-Family District
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R-4
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Multifamily Dwelling District
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R-5
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Apartment District
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PRD
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Planned Residential Development
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C
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Cemetery District
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P
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Professional District
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NS
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Neighborhood Shopping District
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GC
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General Commercial District
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I
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Industrial District
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The location of the zoning districts enumerated in this article
and the boundaries of such zoning districts are hereby established
as shown upon the Zoning Map.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file in the Township offices.
The boundaries of districts shall be as shown by heavy dashed
lines on the Zoning Map. A district boundary shown within a street
or way shall be construed to be in the center thereof and shall remain
a boundary if the street or way is vacated unless the boundary is
changed by an amending ordinance. Where a district boundary is not
within a street or way and its location is not precisely indicated
by dimensioned distances from known lines and where the designation
on the Zoning Map indicates that such distance boundary is upon or
approximately upon the boundary line of a recorded lot or separate
parcel of land, the district boundary shall be construed to be said
line or recorded lot or parcel of land. In other cases, its location
shall be determined by the use of the scale of the map.
Shaler Township is hereby divided into a series of overlay districts,
which are listed below and shown on the Zoning District Map.
A.
Stormwater management districts.
(1)
These following districts are established according to the boundaries
of the watersheds designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Preservation in accordance with the Pennsylvania Storm Water Management
Act (Act 167 of 1978, as amended)[1] and the watershed stormwater management plans prepared
pursuant thereto:
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq.
(2)
Certain watersheds may be further subdivided into hydrologic subareas
as shown on the watershed subarea map in the watershed plans and on
the Zoning District Map. Copies of these maps are available in the
municipal offices.
B.
Floodplain management districts. These districts are established
as those areas subject to the one-hundred-year flood as shown in the
federal flood insurance studies. Copies of the studies and maps are
available in the municipal offices.
C.
Riverfront Green Overlay District.
(1)
Authorized uses. Riverfront infill developments shall be authorized
by conditional use in the Riverfront Overlay.
(2)
Compliance. No riverfront development may be finally approved, nor
any structure built, altered, moved or enlarged in any riverfront
development, unless and until the improvements required in connection
therewith have either been constructed or their construction guaranteed,
as herein provided.
(3)
Location of overlay. The Riverfront Overlay is located and bounded
as shown on the Shaler Riverfront Overlay Map on file in the Township
office.
(4)
Concept. The Riverfront Overlay shall be deemed to be an overlay
on any existing or future zoning districts enacted to regulate the
use of land in the Township.
(6)
Riverfront development procedure. Riverfront developments may be
allowed or denied by the Commissioners after recommendation by the
Planning Commission in accordance with this article.
(7)
General riverfront development criteria. A riverfront development
plan for a riverfront development shall be approved if, and only if,
it is found to meet the following criteria:
(a)
Comprehensive Plan. The proposed riverfront development preserves
the community development objectives of this article and is consistent
with the Township Comprehensive Plan and "Allegheny Places," the Allegheny
County Comprehensive Plan.
(b)
Compatibility. The proposed riverfront development physically
integrates with the larger community of which it is a part in the
following ways:
[1]
Physical access is provided throughout the development in order
to connect the community with the riverfront.
(c)
Riverfront. The proposed riverfront development incorporates
plans and means for improving public access to, use of, and enjoyment
of the scenic and other assets of the Allegheny River and furthers
the goals of the Township relative to the use and preservation of
riverfront property.
(d)
Comparable departure. Where the proposed riverfront development
departs from zoning and subdivision and land development regulations
otherwise applicable to the subject property, such departures must
be shown to be in the public interest and promote the health, safety
and general welfare of the public.
(e)
Common open space. The proposals for the maintenance and conservation
of any proposed common open space are reliable, and the amount and
extent of improvements of such common open space are adequate with
respect to the purpose, use and type of development proposed.
(f)
Infrastructure. The physical design of the proposed riverfront
development adequately provides for public services, pedestrian and
vehicle traffic facilities and parking, light, air, recreation and
visual enjoyment.
(g)
Safety. No use or design feature in the proposed riverfront
development shall involve any element or cause any condition or traffic
hazard that may be dangerous, injurious or noxious to any other property
or persons. Consideration of potential traffic hazards shall include,
but not be limited to, the effect of the riverfront development on
traffic congestion on the roads, streets, and highways affected by
the riverfront development.
(h)
Timing. In the case of a riverfront development plan which proposes
development over a period of years, the riverfront development will
provide at each stage of development a proportion of open space, planned
facilities and amenities, and other improvements equal to the stage's
proportion of the entire development. Conditions as required in this
article and as intended to protect the interests of the public and
of the residents of the riverfront development and the integrity of
the riverfront development plan shall also be met.
(8)
Riverfront infill development.
(a)
Procedure. Riverfront infill developments are authorized in
the Township Riverfront Overlay. All riverfront infill developments
shall follow the procedure for conditional use in this chapter.
(b)
Authorized uses. The following uses, and only the following
uses, are authorized in a riverfront infill development, provided
their design, arrangement, landscaping, relationship to adjacent properties
and uses, and construction form a compatible and harmonious group
of uses, afford reasonable protection to adjacent development, and
otherwise meet all requirements set forth in this article:
(c)
Required improvements. The following improvements shall be completed in connection with every riverfront infill development, and such improvements will be in conformance with such standards as may be specified and required in Chapter 195, Subdivision of Land, or other Township, county or state law.
[1]
Off-street parking spaces and off-street loading spaces shall
be provided in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The
Commissioners may approve alternate design standards for off-street
parking in response to specific site conditions, such as attendant
parking, indoor parking, interaction between abutting uses, accessibility
to mass transit, bike and pedestrian systems, river transportation,
or a clearly documented difference between expected parking load and
required parking spaces.
[2]
Parking lots having an area of 4,000 square feet or more shall
be landscaped with trees, shrubs and other plantings appropriate in
hardiness to their location, in accordance with the following:
[a]
The lot's perimeter shall be bordered with a landscaped
border not less than five feet in width, and the lot shall be screened
from every adjacent residential use.
[b]
A landscaped island of not less than 100 square
feet shall be installed to separate long rows of parking stalls into
groups of 10 or less stalls. Each island shall contain at least two
three-and-one-half-inch-caliper trees and shall be planted in grass
or other ground cover.
[c]
Parking areas which abut a street, structure or
open space may be required to provide a landscaped hedgerow, low wall
or similar landscaping device to adequately screen parked cars from
view of the street or adjacent use.
[3]
Streetlights shall be provided by the developer throughout the riverfront infill development. Lighting standards for pedestrian areas and walkways shall not be higher than 12 feet above ground level; lighting standards for parking areas and streets shall not be higher than 18 feet above ground level; all lighting shall conform to § 225-50. Streetlights shall be located to ensure adequate illumination in order to protect the safety of the visitors and residents of the riverfront development.
[4]
Streets shall be related to street plans or parts thereof as
have been officially adopted by the Township. Proposed streets shall
conform to the requirements herein as well as to any other plans,
statute, ordinance, law or regulation applicable thereto. Streets
shall be logically related to the topography in order that usable
sites and reasonable grades shall be produced. Provisions will be
required to accommodate traffic from adjacent areas, but minor streets
should be laid out so as to discourage through traffic.
[5]
Where a riverfront development abuts or contains an existing
or proposed major street, the Commissioners may require marginal access
streets, rear service alleys, reverse frontage lots or such other
treatment as will provide protection for abutting properties, reduction
in the number of intersections with major streets, and separation
of local and through traffic.
[6]
Drainage structures, culverts, storm sewers, ditches and related
installations shall be provided to ensure adequate drainage of all
points along the streets.
[7]
Stormwater management facilities should be installed according
to the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual.
[8]
Pedestrian walks shall be required to assist circulation or
provide access throughout the development and its open space, along
the riverfront and to community facilities. Walkways shall either
be provided between the river and any structure located beside the
river or in a convenient and attractive location. Walkways shall have
a paved width of not less than four feet and be so improved as to
assure accessibility to handicapped persons.
[9]
A multiuse/purpose trail shall be provided along the riverfront.
This trail shall connect with adjacent trails and form a continuous
trail along the riverfront.
[10]
Bikeways, where provided, shall meet the requirements
of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Highway Design
Manual (Publication 13M) Chapter 16.
[11]
Erosion and sedimentation control. When topsoil
has been removed from the surface on a slope where erosion may cause
a displacement of loose material, the area shall be seeded or otherwise
treated as soon as possible to prevent damage to adjacent property
or streets.
[12]
Utilities located within a riverfront development
shall all be located underground.
D.
The provisions
for the overlay districts shall supplement the requirements for the
underlying zoning districts contained in this chapter.
