Township of Peters, PA Residential Districts

Low-density residential neighborhoods are formed as subdivisions and consist entirely of single-family detached homes. Buildings are oriented interior to the site and are typically buffered from surrounding development by transitional uses, topography, or vegetative areas. Many neighborhoods borrow open space from adjacent rural or natural areas, as well as adjacent undeveloped land.

Blocks are typically large and include one or more culs-de-sac. Curvilinear streets are suburban in character and promote automobile travel.

Principal uses. The following is a list of principal uses that are permitted by right, special exception, conditional use or administrative approval:

Figure LD.1 Chart of Permitted Uses in LD Low-Density Residential District

Key: P = Permitted use S = Special exception C = Conditional use A = Approval by administrative review




Residential
	Single-family detached		P
	Group living facility (Type A)		S
Agriculture
	Agricultural operations		P
	Community garden		P
	Farm		P
	Forestry/woodlot		P
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
	Cemetery		S
	Equestrian facility		S
	Place of worship/assembly		S
	Private club		S
	Recreation facility: private		S
	Recreation facility: public		P
	School		S
Services
	Animal kennel		S
	Bed-and-breakfast		S
Public Facilities/Infrastructure
	Commercial wireless communications facility
		New tower on existing building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing tower located on building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing communications tower	A
		Antenna mounted on existing building or tower	A
		New tower in the right-of-way	S
	Emergency services		P
	Essential services		P
	Public works facility		P
	Solar energy system: large		C
Industrial
	Conventional gas drilling		P
Accessory
	Family day care		P
	Home-based business (no-impact)		P
	Home occupation		P
	Keeping of horses and ponies		P
	Limited lodging		P
	Parking lot		P
	Recreation facility: single-family residential		P
	Solar energy system (small)		P
	Wind facility (small)		P
	Other accessory uses customarily incidental to and on the same lot with any permitted use authorized in the district		P

Dimensional requirements.

Figure LD.2 Dimensional Requirements in LD Low-Density Residential District

Dimension		Requirement
Minimum gross lot (square feet)		21,780 (23,780 for corner lot)
Maximum gross dwelling units per acre or lot		1.2
Minimum lot frontage at building line (feet)		100
Minimum principal building setbacks (feet)
	Front	50¹
	Side	15
	Rear	40
Minimum accessory building setbacks (feet)
	Front	50
	Side	15
	Rear	15
	Reduced rear and side for sheds	5²
Maximum building/structure height (feet)		35
Maximum lot coverage		15%
Minimum open space set-aside		0.7 acres for each new lot created

NOTES:
¹	Front porches, covered or uncovered, may extend six feet into the front building setback, provided that they are not enclosed (only applicable with fifty-foot front setback).
²	Reduced rear and side yard setbacks shall not apply to accessory structures larger than 240 square feet, or those with active uses, such as swimming pools, sport courts, play structures, etc. No outdoor storage shall occur behind or beside the shed within reduced setback areas.

§ 440-403.2 WP Woodland Protection District.

Intent.

This district promotes the protection and conservation of open space through flexible requirements that are based on function and are responsive to the unique character of the undeveloped wooded parcels in Peters Township. The district encourages innovative and livable housing environments by offering development options designed to accommodate new growth while preserving sensitive environmental features.

Much of the development in the WP Woodland Protection Residential District has already been developed under the criteria for the R-1B Zoning classification. The new standards and criteria presented herein apply to those structures that are in new WP (R-1B) developments, or in existing structures that are proposing significant change as determined on a case-by-case basis by the Planning Director and/or the Planning Commission.

Principal uses. The following is a list of principal uses that are permitted by right, special exception, conditional use or administrative approval:

Figure WP.1 Permitted Uses in WP Woodland Protection District

Key: P = Permitted use S = Special exception C = Conditional use A = Approval by administrative review




Residential
	Single-family detached		P
Agriculture
	Community garden		P
	Forestry/woodlot		P
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
	Recreation facility: private		S
	Recreation facility: public		P
Public Facilities/Infrastructure
	Commercial wireless communications facility
		New tower on existing building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing tower located on building/structure	A
		Antenna mounted on existing building or tower	A
		New tower in the right-of-way	S
	Emergency services		P
	Essential services		P
	Public works facility		P
Accessory
	Family day care		P
	Home-based business (no-impact)		P
	Home occupation		P
	Keeping of horses and ponies		P
	Limited lodging		P
	Parking lot		P
	Recreation facility: single-family residential		P
	Solar energy system (small)		P
	Wind facility (small)		P
	Other accessory uses customarily incidental to and on the same lot with any permitted use authorized in the district		P

Dimensional requirements.

Figure WP.2 Dimensional Requirements in WP Woodland Protection District

Dimension			Open Space	1/2-Acre	2 Acres
Minimum gross lot (square feet)			10,890	21,780 23,780 (corner lot)	87,120 108,900 (for corner lots)
Maximum density (lots/acres)			1.2/1	1.2/1	1/2
Minimum lot frontage at building line (feet)			80	100	150
Minimum principal building setbacks (feet)
		Front	25¹	50	50
		Side	7.5	15	15
		Rear	20	40	40
Minimum accessory building setbacks (feet)
	Front		25	50	50
	Side		7.5	15	15
	Rear		7.5	15	15
	Reduced rear and side for sheds		5¹	5¹	5¹
Maximum building/structure height (feet)			35	35	35
Maximum lot coverage			22%	15%	10%

NOTE:
¹	Reduced rear and side yard setbacks shall not apply to accessory structures larger than 240 square feet, or those with active uses, such as swimming pools, sport courts, play structures, etc. No outdoor storage shall occur behind or beside the shed within reduced setback areas.

Other requirements.

This district encourages flexibility in designing new residential subdivisions by allowing three development form options:

Open space design option; use by right.

Half-acre design option; use by right.

Two-acre design option; use by right.

All options are intended to minimize impacts on environmental resources (sensitive lands, such as wetlands, steep slopes, floodplains) and disturbance of natural features (such as mature woodlands, hedgerows, critical wildlife habitats).

The following design objectives shall be considered in the review of any proposed subdivision development within the WP Woodland Protection Residential Zoning District:

To provide a more environmentally sensitive residential environment by preserving the natural character of stands of trees, ponds, streams, steep slopes, and similar natural features;

To preserve the rural landscape and protect environmentally sensitive lands from the disruptive effects of traditional subdivision developments;

To allow a more flexible and environmentally sensitive residential layout and street design;

(d)

To encourage a less sprawling form of residential subdivision design;

(e)

To design, construct and maintain all subdivisions so that existing stands of healthy trees and native vegetation of the site are preserved to the maximum extent feasible and are protected by adequate means during construction; and

(f)

To blend the residential living units into the natural setting of the landscape for the enhancement of property values.

Open space design development.

The total number of dwelling units permitted on a parcel when the open space design option is chosen shall be determined by submittal of a half-acre subdivision (as provided for in the underlying zoning district) sketch plan identifying the lots and buildable lands. After the Planning Commission reviews the half-acre subdivision plan, the maximum number of lots for the development will be determined. In no case shall the maximum residential density of 1.2 lots per acre specified for the underlying zoning district be increased.

Open space standards:

Dwelling units shall be grouped so that open space within a development is at least 40% of the total acreage of the tract.

Areas not considered open space. Required open space shall not include areas devoted to public or private streets or rights-of-way, private yards, stormwater management facilities, erosion and sedimentation control facilities, storm and sanitary sewer easements or any utility easement. If plans require such facilities in open space areas, they will not be counted as part of the required open space area. All existing areas in surface water bodies shall not be considered required open space.

Calculating open space. Except as noted above, any undeveloped land area within the boundaries of the parcel may be included as required open space.

(d)

Common open space shall be directly accessible to the largest practicable number of lots within an open space development. To achieve this, one side of each dwelling unit or lot to the maximum extent practicable shall abut common open space to provide direct views and access. Safe and convenient pedestrian access to the open space from all lots not adjoining the open space shall be provided.

(e)

The shape of the open space areas to the maximum practicable shall be reasonably contiguous, coherently configured, and abut existing or potential open space on adjacent properties.

(f)

Ownership and maintenance of open space areas shall be as specified in § 440-406.1, Open space standards and management, under the Conservation Residential Overlay District. (See § 440-406.1.)

Half-acre design development. A tract may be developed utilizing a half-acre subdivision design rather than the open space design option, provided that:

The half-acre development will preserve the rural landscape and protect environmentally sensitive lands. The basic premise of this approach is that lot configuration and street layout shall be determined by an understanding and appreciation of the existing natural features present on the site.

House sites and streets to the maximum extent practicable shall be carefully laid out to avoid specific areas which are environmentally sensitive, particularly scenic, or which possess significant attributes (wildlife habitats, hedgerows, mature tree stands, wetlands, etc.). The applicant shall be required to protect such features from further development or encroachment with appropriate covenants running with the land or as permanently dedicated open space.

The applicant's proposed design achieves the intent of the Woodland Protection District by demonstrating how the design objectives set forth in this subsection are being accomplished.

(4)

Open space shall be provided in accordance with § 385-40C of the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations, Open space land, R-1 single-family developments.

Two-acre (estate lot) design development. A tract may be developed utilizing a two-acre subdivision design option, provided that:

The estate lot development will preserve the rural landscape and protect environmentally sensitive lands. The basic premise of this approach is that the lot configuration and street layout shall be determined by an understanding and appreciation of the existing natural features present on the site.

The applicant's proposed design achieves the intent of the Woodland Protection Zoning District by demonstrating how the design objectives are being accomplished.

§ 440-403.3 CL Single-Family Cluster District.

Intent.

The intent of this district is to provide zoning regulations for existing residential neighborhoods that developed under single-family cluster lot development regulations.

Much of the development in the CL Single-Family Cluster Residential District has already been developed under the criteria for the R-1C zoning classification. The new standards and criteria presented herein apply to those structures that are in new CL (R-1C) developments or in existing structures that are proposing significant change, as determined on a case-by-case basis by the Planning Director and/or the Planning Commission.

Principal uses. The following is a list of principal uses that are permitted by right, special exception, conditional use or administrative approval:

Figure CL.1 Permitted Uses in CL Single-Family Cluster Residential District

Key: P = Permitted use S = Special exception C = Conditional use A = Approval by administrative review




Residential
	Single-family detached		P
Agriculture
	Agricultural operations		P
	Community garden		P
	Forestry/woodlot		P
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
	Place of worship/assembly		S
	Recreation facility: public		P
Public Facilities/Infrastructure
	Commercial wireless communications facility
		New tower on existing building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing tower located on building/structure	A
		Antenna mounted on existing building or tower	A
		New tower in the right-of-way	S
	Emergency services		P
	Essential services		P
	Public works facility		P
Accessory
	Family day care		P
	Home-based business (no-impact)		P
	Home occupation		S
	Keeping of horses and ponies		P
	Limited lodging		P
	Parking lot		P
	Recreation facility: single-family residential		P
	Solar energy system (small)		P
	Wind facility (small)		P
	Other accessory uses customarily incidental to and on the same lot with any permitted use authorized in the district		P

Dimensional requirements.

Figure CL.2 Dimensional Requirements in CL Single-Family Cluster Residential District

Dimension		Requirement
Minimum gross lot (square feet)		10,890
Maximum gross dwelling units per acre or lot		2
Minimum lot frontage at building line (feet)		80
Minimum principal building setbacks (feet)
	Front	25
	Side	7.5
	Rear	20
Minimum accessory building setbacks (feet)
	Front	25
	Side	7.5
	Rear	7.5
	Reduced rear and side for sheds	5¹
Maximum building/structure height (feet)		35
Maximum lot coverage		22%

NOTE:
¹	Reduced rear and side yard setbacks shall not apply to accessory structures larger than 240 square feet, or those with active uses, such as swimming pools, sport courts, play structures, etc. No outdoor storage shall occur behind or beside the shed within reduced setback areas.

§ 440-403.4 MD Medium-Density Residential District.

Intent.

This district provides alternatives to single-family housing to diversify the housing opportunities within Peters Township.

Much of the development in the MD Medium-Density Residential District has already been developed under the criteria for the R-2 zoning classification. The new standards and criteria presented herein apply to those structures that are in new MD (R-2) developments or in existing structures that are proposing significant change, as determined on a case-by-case basis by the Planning Director and/or the Planning Commission.

Principal uses. The following is a list of principal uses that are permitted by right, special exception, conditional use or administrative approval:

Figure MD.1 Permitted Uses in MD Medium-Density Residential District

Key: P = Permitted use S = Special exception C = Conditional use A = Approval by administrative review




Residential
	Single-family detached		P
	Single-family attached		P
	Multifamily		P
	Group living facility (Type A)		S
	Group living facility (Type B)		P
	Transitional facility		C
	Mobile home park		C
Agriculture
	Community garden		P
	Forestry/woodlot		P
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
	Place of worship/assembly		S
	Recreation facility: public		P
	School		S
Services
	Bed-and-breakfast		S
	Nursing care facility/inpatient rehabilitation		C
Public Facilities/Infrastructure
	Commercial wireless communications facility
		New tower on existing building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing tower located on building/structure	A
		Antenna mounted on existing building or tower	A
		New tower in the right-of-way	S
	Emergency services		P
	Essential services		P
	Public works facility		P
Accessory
	Family day care		S
	Home-based business (no-impact)		P
	Home occupation		P
	Keeping of horses and ponies		P
	Limited lodging		P
	Parking lot		P
	Recreation: single-family residential		P
	Solar energy system (small)		P
	Wind facility (small)		P
	Other accessory uses customarily incidental to and on the same lot with any permitted use authorized in the district		P

Dimensional requirements.

[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 841]

Figure MD.2 Dimensional Requirements in MD Medium-Density Residential District

Dimension		Requirement
Minimum gross lot		5 acres for development¹
Maximum gross dwelling units per acre or lot		7 gross
Minimum lot frontage at building line (feet)		N/A
Minimum principal building setbacks (feet)
	Front	25
	Side	7.5
	Rear	25
Minimum accessory building setbacks (feet)
	Front	25
	Side	7.5
	Rear	15
	Reduced rear and side for sheds	5²
Maximum building/structure height (feet)		45
Maximum lot coverage		35%

NOTES:
¹	Units can be on individual lots or condominium; no minimum lot size for individual lots.
²	Reduced rear and side yard setbacks shall not apply to accessory structures larger than 240 square feet, or those with active uses, such as swimming pools, sport courts, play structures, etc. No outdoor storage shall occur behind or beside the shed within reduced setback areas.

§ 440-403.5 RR Rural Residential District.

Intent.

This district allows for low-density rural residential development consistent with the Township's rural heritage and promotes the preservation of environmental quality. This area provides connections to agriculture, proximity to natural areas and scenic views and the opportunity to enjoy living in a natural setting.

Homes are oriented interior to the site and typically buffered from surrounding development as a result of the large lot size.

Principal uses. The following is a list of principal uses that are permitted by right, special exception, conditional use or administrative approval:

Figure RR.1 Permitted Uses in RR Rural Residential District

Key: P = Permitted use S = Special exception C = Conditional use A = Approval by administrative review




Residential
	Single-family detached		P
Agriculture
	Agricultural operations		P
	Community garden		P
	Farm		P
	Forestry/woodlot		P
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
	Equestrian facility		S
	Recreation facility: public		P
Services
	Animal kennel		S
Public Facilities/Infrastructure
	Commercial wireless communications facility
		New tower on existing building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing tower located on building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing communications tower	A
		Antenna mounted on existing building or tower	A
		New tower in the right-of-way	S
	Emergency services		P
	Essential services		P
	Public works facility		P
Accessory
	Family day care		P
	Home-based business (no-impact)		P
	Home occupation		P
	Keeping of horses and ponies		P
	Limited lodging		P
	Parking lot		P
	Recreation facility: single-family residential		P
	Solar energy system (small)		P
	Wind facility (small)		P
	Other accessory uses customarily incidental to and on the same lot with any permitted use authorized in the district		P

Dimensional requirements.

Figure RR.2 Dimensional Requirements in RR Rural Residential District

Dimension		Requirement
Minimum gross lot area (acres)		5
Maximum gross dwelling units/acre or lot		1/5 (minimum)
Minimum lot frontage at building line (feet)		200
Minimum principal building setbacks (feet)
	Front	50
	Side	25
	Rear	50
Minimum accessory building setbacks (feet)
	Front	50
	Side	25
	Rear	25
Maximum building/structure height (feet)		35
Maximum lot coverage		15%

§ 440-403.6 VR Village Residential District.

Intent. The intent of this district is to provide zoning regulations in the Hackett area of Peters Township to promote, encourage, and preserve the unique character of the area.

Create a residential village character that complements existing village development.

Accommodate a variety of housing types and discourage one housing type from dominating the streetscape.

Promote pedestrian orientation of streets and buildings.

(4)

Develop streets and homes that promote social interaction as well as privacy.

(5)

Alleviate the perceived impact of higher-density development, such as townhouses, by requiring them to be of a pedestrian scale, bulk, and orientation.

(6)

Give priority to pedestrian movement and access to buildings, open spaces, and streets and discourage design that gives priority to vehicular convenience only.

(7)

Create a street circulation system that provides safe and convenient access but discourages fast or heavy traffic that is incompatible with a residential neighborhood.

(8)

Use scale, building orientation, and landscaping to establish community identity.

(9)

Use open and recreational spaces as a community focal point.

(10)

Provide recreational opportunities.

(11)

Ensure that new development is compatible with the existing neighborhood.

Principal uses. The following is a list of principal uses that are permitted by right, special exception, conditional use or administrative approval:

Figure VR.1 Permitted Uses in VR Village Residential District

Key: P = Permitted use S = Special exception C = Conditional use A = Approval by administrative review




Residential
	Single-family detached		P
	Single-family attached		P
Agriculture
	Community garden		P
	Forestry/woodlot		P
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
	Place of worship/assembly		P
	Recreation facility: public		P
	Recreation facility: private		P
Public Facilities/Infrastructure
	Commercial wireless communications facility
		New tower on existing building/structure	A
		Co-location on existing tower located on building/structure	A
		Antenna mounted on existing building or tower	A
		New tower in the right-of-way	S
	Emergency services		P
	Essential services		P
	Public works facility		P
Accessory
	Family day care		S
	Home-based business (no-impact)		P
	Home occupation		P
	Limited lodging		P
	Parking lot		P
	Recreation: single-family residential		P
	Solar energy system (small)		P
	Wind facility (small)		P
	Other accessory uses customarily incidental to and on the same lot with any permitted use authorized in the district		P

Dimensional requirements.

[Amended 1-22-2018 by Ord. No. 827; 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 841]

Figure VR.2 Dimensional Requirements in VR Village Residential District

Dimension		Requirement
Minimum gross lot		No minimum lot size
Maximum gross dwelling units/lot
	Single-family detached	1/lot
	Single-family attached	6/unit (24 feet/unit maximum)
Minimum lot frontage at building line (feet)		30
Minimum principal building setbacks (feet)
	Front (local/internal streets)	20 minimum/25 maximum to right-of-way
	Front (along Venetia Road)	30 minimum/45 maximum
	Side	7.5
	Rear	10
Minimum accessory building setbacks (feet)
	Front	20
	Side	7.5
	Rear	10
	Reduced rear and side for sheds	5^{1, 2}
Maximum building/structure height (feet)		32 (2 stories) (average ground level to average roof height)
Maximum lot coverage		35%
Roof		Pitched roof
Minimum required open space		25% of gross tract acreage

NOTES:
¹	No outdoor storage shall occur behind or beside the shed.
²	Reduced rear and side yard setbacks shall not apply to accessory structures larger than 240 square feet, or have active uses, such as swimming pools, sport courts, etc.

Generalized standards for VR Village Residential development.

Figure VR.3

Example of Potential VR Development

The VR Village Residential District is a slight name change and clarification of the former R-3 Zoning District (the Village Residential area of Hackett). It is designed to preserve the existing village character of this area. A few key elements of this zoning district are listed below:

Predominately residential uses, but other compatible uses are permitted.

New development will be predominately single-family detached and attached infill that complements the character of the existing Hackett neighborhood.

Linkages to the nearby VM Village Mixed Use Neighborhood and the VC Village Commercial area.

(d)

Create a mixed residential village character that complements existing village development.

(e)

Discourage one housing type from dominating the streetscape.

(f)

Develop streets and homes that promote social interaction as well as privacy.

(g)

Give priority to pedestrian movement and access to buildings, open spaces, and streets and discourage design that gives priority to vehicular convenience only.

(h)

Further establish a street circulation system that provides safe and convenient access but discourages fast or heavy traffic that is incompatible with a residential neighborhood.

(i)

Use the existing scale, building orientation, and landscaping to reinforce community identity.

(j)

Provide recreational opportunities.

(k)

Ensure that new development is compatible with existing neighborhoods.

Building design standards.

All dwelling units must have at least one primary entrance in the front facade.

All residential buildings shall have pitched roofs (4/12) covering at least 80% of the building.

Access and circulation.

Local residential street cross section.

Local street cross section: generalized.


Private Zone	Residential Unit	This zone is characterized by residential land uses in styles associated with a village, with direct access via driveways, alleys or service roads; ▪ On-site parking should be sufficient to allow most cars to be parked off-street ▪ Front porches are considered to be part of the built structure and shall be a maximum of 10 feet deep


	Front Yard	▪ This area is the traditional front yard, appropriately landscaped, but still allowing for neighborhood socialization ▪ Street trees, optimally, should be placed in this area; and ▪ The tree canopy in the neighborhoods helps provide traffic calming and building shade


Right-of-Way	Sidewalk/ Pedestrian Zone	Crucial for safe, walkable neighborhoods, this zone includes sidewalks of adequate width for two adults to comfortably pass one another
	Planting Strip/Green Zone	▪ Very important for pedestrian comfort and neighborhood livability. This zone may include grass and landscaping ▪ This area should also be a part of the on-site stormwater management system ▪ Lighting, if appropriate, of the curb and sidewalk may also be appropriately placed in this area


	Vehicular and Parking Zone	This zone sets the tone for the street's multiple objectives of allowing mobility and access for both motorized vehicles and bicycles, while maintaining low volumes and speeds, and thereby contributing to overall neighborhood livability and quality of life ▪ Local parking should primarily be on-site ▪ Visitor parking is best accommodated in parking bays, located off-street, in proximity to the residential units