[Added 1-15-2004 by Ord. No. 984]
The purpose of this article is to protect, maintain and preserve the existing medium-high density residential development in the district; to provide for adequate standards and open spaces to assure that proposed development will produce a desirable living environment and not create excessive traffic; and to provide for continued development with a variety of uses, including townhouses, two-family and multifamily dwellings.
In the R-4 Residential District, land, building or premises shall be used by right only for one or more of the following uses:
A. 
All uses permitted by right in the R-3 Residential District.
B. 
Multifamily dwelling (apartments), more than four units per building.
C. 
Above listed permitted uses, used as a community residence facility, mentally retarded.
The following uses shall be permitted as a special exception when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board. All special exceptions are subject to the provisions of Article XVII of this chapter.
A. 
All special exception uses as provided in § 311-25 in the R-3 Residential District.
The following accessory uses shall be permitted:
A. 
All the accessory uses as provided in § 311-26 in the R-3 Residential District.
A. 
Single-family detached dwellings: as provided in § 311-27A in the R-3 Residential District.
B. 
Single-family semidetached dwellings (twins): as provided in § 311-27B in the R-3 Residential District.
C. 
Two-family detached dwellings (duplexes): as provided in § 311-27C in the R-3 Residential District.
D. 
Multifamily dwellings (apartments), maximum of four units per building: as provided in § 311-27D in the R-3 Residential District.
E. 
Single-family attached dwellings (townhouses): as provided in § 311-27B in the R-3 Residential District.
F. 
Multifamily dwellings (apartments), more than four units per building.
(1) 
Lot area. A lot area of at least 1,750 square feet shall be provided for each of the first four units in a multifamily building or development. An additional area of 1,500 square feet for each additional two-bedroom unit and an area of 1,250 square feet for each additional one-bedroom unit also shall be provided. Where a building or development contains one- and two-bedroom units, the one-bedroom units shall be counted first in calculating lot area.
(2) 
Lot width. No lot shall have a width at the building line of less than 100 feet.
(3) 
Minimum yard requirements.
(a) 
Front yard. There shall be a front yard the depth of which shall be not less than 25 feet.
(b) 
Side yards. There shall be two side yards with an aggregate of 55 feet, one on either side of the building, both of which shall be at least 25 feet wide.
(c) 
Distance between buildings. In cases where there is more than one multifamily building on a lot, the distance between buildings shall be at least 40 feet.
(d) 
Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard which shall be not less than 25 feet in depth.
(e) 
Corner lot setbacks. In the case of a corner lot, there shall be a setback of not less than 25 feet from the front street line and a setback of not less than 25 feet from the side street line.
(4) 
Building coverage. The aggregate area of all building on a lot shall not exceed 35% of the lot area.
(5) 
Minimum floor area per unit. In accordance with § 311-27D(6) of this chapter.
(6) 
Height regulation. No building shall have a height exceeding 55 feet above grade, provided that the entire building contains fire sprinklers in accordance with any and all ordinances. Any structure that is greater than 35 feet in height shall be required to contain fire sprinklers. Fire sprinklers shall comply with any and all ordinances. All Code-approved fire protection and fire suppression systems shall be operable and in working condition at all times.
[Amended 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 995]
(7) 
Off-street parking. As required by Article XIII of this chapter.
(8) 
Accessory structures. As required by § 311-63 of this chapter.
(9) 
Common open space. At least 20% of the lot shall be reserved for common open space for the exclusive use of the residents of the multifamily building(s) and shall be maintained by the owner(s) of the building(s).
(10) 
Special requirements.
(a) 
The design of driveways and parking areas shall be such so as not to impede fire-fighting or other emergency vehicles and equipment.
(b) 
The owner(s) or developer(s) shall be responsible for the removal of trash, snow removal from the sidewalks, driveways and parking areas and for the cutting of grass. All refuse shall be placed in metal containers which shall be effectively screened from view of the residents.
(c) 
The proposed multifamily building or development shall be designed so as to provide a desirable and harmonious addition to the general environment of the neighborhood, and each group of multifamily buildings on a single lot shall constitute a single architectural scheme.
(d) 
Each multifamily building or group of buildings shall be designed and operated as a single management and maintenance unit, with common yards, open spaces and parking areas. In the event multifamily dwellings are converted or developed as condominiums, such condominiums shall be owned and operated in accordance with the Pennsylvania Unit Property Act of 1963, as amended. No subsequent subdivision of the property into single- or two-family dwellings shall be permitted.
(e) 
Not more than three bedrooms shall be permitted in any one dwelling unit.
(f) 
Multifamily units shall be permitted only on a floor which is completely above grade at one exterior wall.
(11) 
Impervious surface requirements. Not more than 45% of any lot area shall be covered by impervious surfaces.
[Added 5-15-2008 by Ord. No. 1047]