Leaves and branches of existing trees within the clear sight triangle shall be trimmed away to a height of at least 10 feet above the center line grades of the intersection streets.

Example of clear sight triangle — a right-angle intersection.

Example of a clear sight triangle — a non-right-angle intersection.

In the case of a proposed street, the street right-of-way line, the street classification, and the setback line shall be shown on the subdivision plan.

Any fence located within the front yard shall be a maximum of 36 inches high and be able to be seen through from the street.

No fence shall exceed six feet in height for a residential use.

No fences shall exceed 10 feet in height in a commercial/industrial use. Additional security measures above 10 feet may be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

If public water and sewer facilities are not available, the following requirements shall apply to all lots:

If public water and sewer facilities are available, the following requirements shall apply to all lots:

The minimum lot size, maximum density of development permitted, and maximum lot coverage for any property containing forests is established in accordance with the following requirements.

Removing forests or existing trees to avoid requirements of this chapter is hereby prohibited.

A minimum of 80% of forest area shall be preserved as undisturbed forests, except for removal of dead or diseased trees, and/or except for normal removal of trees for prudent forest management to allow for proper tree growth. This calculation of 80% in both cases shall be made after the lot size criteria of this chapter have been met as listed above. If the preservation of forests (as required by this section) results in less development density and on-lot coverage than otherwise allowed, the more restrictive requirement shall be utilized.

The "forest" definition and delineation shall be determined on the basis of lot lines that exist as of the effective date of this chapter. The delineation of forests shall be made during the preparation of any subdivision or land development plan for approval by the Township, on the basis of the property prior to the creation of building lots in any proposed subdivision. Once the delineation of forests is made, the lot layout for that subdivision and/or development density and coverage for that subdivision and/or land development plan would be based upon the criteria of this section.

In any case, if a lot owner wished to develop a single lot with a single-family detached dwelling, the owner shall be permitted to remove the minimum amount of forest required for construction of his dwelling and grading of his building and normal accessory items (for example: driveway, septic system, pool, shed, etc.).

In the case of property containing both steep slopes and forests, the more restrictive minimum lot size and required maximum lot width shall be applied.

Lake Shorelines. The shorelines of lakes, to a distance of 300 feet from the shorelines, shall contain no more than 10% impervious surfaces. At least 70% shall be permanent open space.

Pond Shorelines. The shorelines of ponds shall, to a distance of 100 feet from the shorelines, contain no more than 10% impervious surfaces. At least 80% shall be permanent open space.

Plant materials used in the screen planting shall be at least four feet high when planted and shall be of such species as will produce a dense visual screen at least eight feet high within four years. In addition, sufficient documentation shall be provided to the Township by the property owner to demonstrate that any proposed buffer planting material is not subject to any active act and/or quarantine pursuant to Federal or Commonwealth regulations governing invasive and/or exotic species.

The screen planting shall be maintained permanently and any plant material which does not live shall be replaced within one year.

The screen planting shall be so placed that at maturity it will be not closer than three feet from any street or property line.

In accordance with the provisions of this chapter, a clear sight triangle shall be maintained at all street intersections and all points where private accessways intersect public streets.

The screen planting shall be broken only at points of vehicular or pedestrian access and required drainage.

The buffer yard may be averaged. The width in Subsection J below is average with the minimum being 60% of the average.

All existing deciduous and coniferous trees above two inches caliper and/or six feet in height shall be preserved in the buffer yard except where clearance is required to ensure sight distances. Any removal should, where feasible, involve relocation rather than clearing.

Buffer width and planting material shall be laid out to respect existing or proposed off-site uses. The minimum width may be used where compatible single-family uses adjoin, or where the property abuts nonbuildable land. The object of planting shall be defined in the plan as visual barrier, noise barrier or to prevent access to hazardous areas.

Generally, a minimum of 25% of plant material shall be evergreen and 10% flowering. Planting shall be adequate in quantity to fully cover the minimum thirty-foot buffer, but may be clumped or grouped for maximum efficiency.

Self-maintaining ground cover or grass shall be planted to the edge of the buffer.

The buffer must produce a dense visual barrier to a height of eight feet within four years.

The screen planting shall be broken only at points of vehicular or pedestrian access and required drainage.

No outdoor processing or manufacturing activity and no outdoor storage of materials shall be so located as to be visible from the adjacent residential properties or residential districts (R, R1, R2 and R3).

Only the front of any proposed building shall be visible from the adjacent residential properties or residential districts (R, R1, R2 and R3).

Multifamily garden apartments: 30 feet with no more than 30% of the required open space area (if any) in the buffer yard.

Mobile home park: 50 feet on all property lines.

Golf courses: 50 feet.

Hospital: 12 feet.

Office uses: 25 feet.

Commercial uses: 25 feet.

Industrial uses: 25 feet.

An application for a building permit or a certificate of occupancy for a use shall include a plan or proposed construction and a description of the proposed machinery, operations and products, and specification for the mechanisms and techniques to be used in restricting the emission of any dangerous and objectionable elements listed in this section.

The applicant shall also file with such plans and specifications a statement acknowledging his understanding of the applicable performance standards and stating his agreement to conform to the same at all times.

Fire and Explosion Hazards. All activities involving, and all storage of flammable and explosive materials shall be provided at any point with adequate safety devices against the hazard of fire and explosion and adequate fire fighting and fire suppression equipment and devices standard in the industry. Burning of waste materials in open fires is prohibited at any point. The relevant provisions of State and local laws and regulations shall also apply.

Vibration. No vibration shall be produced which is transmitted through the ground and is discernible without the aid of instruments at or beyond any lot line; nor shall any vibration produced exceed 0.002g peak at up to 50 cps frequency, measured at or beyond the lot line using either seismic or electronic vibration measuring equipment.

Noise. Excessive levels of sound and vibration are detrimental and harmful to the health, comfort, living conditions, welfare and safety of citizens and injurious to their property.

Odor. No emission of noxious odor other than agricultural in nature as perceived by the human olfactory sense at any lot line shall be permitted.

Air Pollution. No fly ash, fume, vapor, gas, or other form of air pollution shall be permitted that exceeds any air pollution standard or air quality criteria established by the Bureau of Air Environmental Protection. Specific standards and regulations are contained in the Bureau's Regulations, as amended.

Glare.

Liquid or Solid Wastes. No discharge shall be permitted at any point into any sewage disposal system, or watercourse, or lake, or into the ground, except in accord with State Health or Environmental Protection Department Standards, Township standards, or other regulating agency standards.

Radioactive or Hazardous Waste. No radioactive or hazardous waste, as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, shall be stored or disposed of in any district.

Storage of Gas, Liquids, and Solids.

All traffic studies shall include the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the peak p.m. hours studied for Route 329 where the proposed use will impact Route 329. In addition, the traffic study shall be performed during the time of year when public school is in session, due to the difference in traffic volumes present during the school year.

Any traffic study involving truck movements shall include a twenty-four-hour weekday projection of incremental traffic (car and truck) generated due to the potential of variable peaks resulting from truck movements.

All traffic studies involving Route 329 shall analyze the proposed use's generated traffic loads and the impact on any proposed and existing traffic signals on Route 329 and provide for the appropriate upgrades and/or retiming of such signals to ensure the existing LOS is not degraded.

The full cost of the traffic study and Township reviews of the study shall be borne by the applicant.

The traffic study shall be reviewed by the Township Engineer or other professional reviewer designated by the Township.

The project manager for any traffic impact report shall be a professional traffic engineer or transportation planner with significant experience in traffic studies.

In place of individual traffic studies, the Board of Supervisors may by resolution establish a fee schedule for traffic studies. The applicant shall then pay such fees which shall be used for a coordinated study of more than one proposed development in an area of the Township.

The Board of Supervisors shall approve the traffic study as complete prior to granting final approval to a land development, subdivision, or conditional use application, unless a specific process for determining any needed traffic improvements is made a condition of such approval.

This landscaping shall be distributed throughout the property to enhance the buildings and parking areas and the property's appearance from surrounding properties and roads.

The property owner is required to maintain this landscaping in a neat and healthy manner, and is required to replace dead and diseased plants.

Every large deciduous tree provided, for example red oak (quercus borealis), green ash (fraxinu lanceolata), and sweetgum (liquidamber styraciflus), shall count as 200 square feet of landscaping credit.

Every medium deciduous tree provided, for example red maple (acer rubrum), callery pear (pyrus calleryana), and golden raintree (koelreuteria paniculatra), shall count as 150 square feet of landscaping credit.

Every small deciduous tree or evergreen provided, for example flowering dogwood (cornus florida), kwanzan cherry (prunus serrulate kwanzan), and white pine (pinus strumbus), shall count as 100 square feet of landscaping credit.

Any area occupied by shrubs, flower beds and/or foundation plantings shall count as landscaping credit toward this landscaping requirement on a square foot per square foot basis.

Completely detached accessory buildings, up to 10 feet in height, for residential uses shall be set back from a side or rear property line a minimum distance equal to 10% of the required minimum lot width (at the setback line) for that use in that district or a distance of 10 feet, whichever is less.

Since attached structures (such as duplexes and townhouses) have no side yard requirements on their common lot lines, no lot line setbacks or adjacent building setbacks above are applicable for these small accessory buildings.

Number Per Lot. No more than two driveway connections per lot shall be permitted.

Clear Sight Triangle. Driveways shall be located and constructed so that a clear sight triangle or 75 feet as measured along the street center line for local roads, and 100 feet as measured along the street center line for collector or arterial roads, and 10 feet from the travel lane along the driveway center line is maintained; no permanent obstructions over 30 inches high shall be placed within this area.

Access Permits. Driveways shall not be permitted to have direct access to state roads or highways, unless authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation through issuance of a highway occupancy permit, or to Township roads unless a road occupancy permit has been obtained from the Township.

Intersection. Driveways shall intersect streets at right angles, wherever possible.

Grades: Driveway grades shall not exceed the following:

Location. The center line of a driveway at the point of access to a street shall not be located closer to a street intersection than the following distances:

Road Classification. Driveway access shall be provided to the street of lesser classification when there is more than one street classification involved.

Driveway Width. No driveway shall provide a curb cut exceeding 20 feet in width.

Drainage. Driveways shall be constructed in a manner to be consistent with the design, maintenance, and drainage of the street. In addition, any driveways proposed pursuant to this subsection shall be constructed in compliance with Chapter 21 (Opening or Excavating of Streets or Highways), § 21-105 (Drainage), and Chapter 9 (Earth Disturbance) of the Code of the Township of Allen.

Number Per Lot. Except as specified elsewhere, the number of access drives intersecting with a street may not exceed two per lot frontage. The Township Supervisors, during the land development review process, may grant permission for additional access points where necessary to meet specific property circumstances or where frontage of unusual length exists.

Clear Sight Triangle. Access drives shall be located and constructed so that clear sight triangle of 75 feet as measured along the street center line, for local roads, and 100 feet as measured along the street center line for collector or arterial roads, and five feet along the center line of the access drive is maintained; no permanent obstruction over 30 inches high shall be placed within this area.

Access Permits. Access drives shall not be permitted to have direct access to state roads or highways, unless authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation through issuance of a highway occupancy permit, or to Township roads unless a road occupancy permit has been obtained from the Township.

Intersection. Access drives shall intersect streets at right angles, wherever possible.

Grades. Access drive grades shall not exceed the following:

Location. The center line of an access drive at the point of access to a street shall not be located closer to a street intersection than the following distances:

Surfacing. With the exception of farm lanes, all access drives shall be paved with concrete or bituminous paving material, or another dust-free material suitable to the Board of Supervisors.

Access Drive Width and Radius. Entrances and exits shall be limited to three lanes. The width of such entrances and exits, measured at the property line, shall conform to the following schedule:

Such lot is not less than 10,000 square feet.

Lots not served by public water and sewers shall meet all requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The percentage of lot area covered by a single-family dwelling shall not exceed 15% of the area of the lot.

The front and rear yards shall aggregate at least 60% of the total lot depth, but in no case shall either the front yard or the rear yard be less than 20 feet.

The side yards shall aggregate at least 40% of the total of width, but in no case shall either side be less than 15 feet.

The lot has access to a public street or approved private street.

Regulating uses, activities, and development which, acting alone or in combination with other existing or future uses, activities, and development will cause unacceptable increases in flood heights, velocities, and frequencies.

Restricting or prohibiting certain uses, activities, and development from locating within areas subject to flooding.

Requiring all those uses, activities, and developments that do occur in flood-prone areas to be protected and/or floodproofed against flooding and flood damage.

Protecting individuals from buying lands and structures which are unsuited for intended purposes because of flood hazards.

Basis of District. The Floodplain District is defined and established as those areas of the Township subject to flooding as defined in Subsections 1, 2 and 3 of this section. The Floodplain District shall include areas subject to inundation by waters of the one-hundred-year flood. The basis for the delineation of this district shall be the most current Flood Insurance Study for the Township of Allen approved by FEMA and shall be comprised of three areas as follows:

Overlay Concept.

Permitted Uses. In the Floodplain District, no development shall be permitted except where any rise in flood heights caused by the proposed development will be fully offset by accompanying improvements which have been approved by all appropriate local and/or state authorities as required above. Further, the following uses and activities are permitted provided that they are in compliance with the provisions of the underlying district and are not prohibited by any other ordinance, and provided that they do not require structures, fill, or storage of materials and equipment:

Uses Permitted by Conditional Use. The following uses and activities may be permitted by conditional use, provided that they are in compliance with the provisions of the underlying district and are not prohibited by any other ordinance.

Prohibited Uses. The following uses shall be specifically prohibited in the Floodplain District:

Application Procedure. The application for a conditional use or variance shall be accompanied by the following:

The Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board may require that recommendations of the County Conservation District be submitted as part of the application for a conditional use or variance in matters concerning or related to the Floodplain District.

The Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board may request review recommendations from the Township Planning Commission, the Township Engineer, and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for review purposes, and the subject recommendations shall become part of the public hearing testimony. The final hearing shall not be held until such recommendations have been received by the Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board.

In rendering a decision, the Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board may impose special measures or conditions as deemed necessary and appropriate for the use to conform to the intent of this chapter.

The effect of the use shall not substantially alter the cross section profile of the stream and floodplains at the location of the proposed use.

Lands abutting the waterway, both upstream and downstream, shall not be unreasonably affected by the proposed use.

The general welfare or public interest of Allen Township or other municipalities in the same watershed shall not be adversely affected.

Any new structure or substantially improved structure permitted by conditional use or variance shall be constructed and placed on the lot so as to offer the minimum obstruction of the flow of water, and shall be designed to have the minimum effect upon the flow and height of flood water. Such structures also shall be elevated so that the lowest floor (including basement) shall be one foot above the base flood elevation.

Any new structure permitted by conditional use or variance shall be floodproofed in compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as outlined in the Elevated Residential Structures Book. In addition, any such structure shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement as evidenced by the design and report of a registered structural or civil engineer. Such structure shall be constructed so as to prevent the entrance of floodwaters into the water supply and waste treatment systems as well as other utility and facility systems.

An affirmative decision shall not be issued by the Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board for an application within the designated floodway unless the effect of such proposed activity on flood heights is fully offset by accompanying stream improvements as evidenced by permits granted by the proper state agency.

The Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board shall notify the applicant in writing over the signatures of the Board that the issuance of a decision to allow construction of a structure below the base flood elevation will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance, such construction below the base flood elevation increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with a record of all decisions as required.

The danger of life and property due to increased flood heights or velocities caused by encroachments. No special exception or variance shall be granted for any proposed uses, development, or activity that will cause any increase in flood levels in the Floodway District.

The danger that materials may be swept on to other lands or downstream to the injury of others.

The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and the ability of these systems to prevent disease, contamination and unsanitary conditions.

The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owners.

The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community.

The requirements of the facility for a waterfront location.

The availability of alternative locations not subject to flooding for the proposed use.

The compatibility of the proposed use with existing development and development anticipated in the foreseeable future.

The relationship of the proposed use to the Comprehensive Plan and Floodplain Management Program for the area.

The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles.

The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the floodwaters expected at the site.

That the creation or establishment of an obstruction has the potential of being a public nuisance and may injure the region served by LVIA;

That it is necessary in the interest of the public health, public safety, and general welfare that the creation or establishment of obstructions that are a hazard to air navigation be prevented; and

That the prevention of these obstructions should be accomplished, to the extent legally possible.

The construction or erection of any structure above a height of 35 feet shall require written approval of the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority.

Regulations Not Retroactive. The regulations prescribed herein shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering or other change or alteration of any structure or tree not conforming to the regulations as of the effective date of this chapter, or otherwise interfere with the continuance of nonconforming use. Nothing contained herein shall require any change in the construction, alteration, or intended use of any structure, the construction or alteration of which was begun prior to the effective date of this chapter, and is diligently prosecuted.

Marketing and Lighting. Notwithstanding the preceding provision of this section, the owner of any existing nonconforming structure or tree is hereby required to permit the installation, operation, and maintenance thereon of such markers and lights as shall be deemed necessary by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority and/or Federal Aviation Administration to indicate to the operators of aircraft in the vicinity of the airport the presence of such airport obstruction.

Existing Uses. No zoning permit shall be granted that would allow the establishment or creation of an obstruction or permit a nonconforming use, structure, or tree to become a greater hazard to air navigation than it was on the effective date of this chapter of any amendments thereto, or than it is when the application for a zoning permit is made.

Nonconforming Uses Abandoned or Destroyed. Whenever the Allen Township Zoning Officer determines that a nonconforming tree or structure has been abandoned or more than 80% torn down, physically deteriorated or decayed, no zoning permit shall be granted that would allow such structure or tree to exceed the applicable height limit or otherwise deviate from the zoning regulations.

Variances. Any person desiring to erect or increase the height of any structure, or permit the growth of any tree, or use property, not in accordance with the regulations prescribed in this chapter, may apply to the Zoning Hearing Board for a variance from such regulations. The application for variance shall be accompanied by a determination from the Federal Aviation Administration and/or Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority as to the effect of the proposal on the operation of air navigation facilities and the safe, efficient use of navigable airspace. Such variances shall be allowed where it is duly found that a liberal application or enforcement of the regulations will result in unnecessary hardship and relief granted, will not be contrary to the public interest, will not create a hazard to air navigation, will do substantial justice, and will be in accordance with the spirit of this chapter. Additionally, no application for variance to the requirements of this chapter may be considered by the Zoning Hearing Board unless a copy of the application has been furnished to the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority and/or Federal Aviation Administration for advice as to the aeronautical effects of the variance. If the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority and/or the Federal Aviation Administration do not respond to the application within 15 days after receipt, the Zoning Hearing Board may act on its own to grant or deny said application.

Obstruction Marking and Lighting. Any permit or variance granted may, if such action is deemed advisable to effectuate the purpose of this chapter and be reasonable in the circumstances, be so conditioned as to require the owner of the structure or tree in question to install, operate, and maintain, at the owner's expense, such markings and lights as may be necessary and/or required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

All commercial uses shall have access and egress directly to a collector or nonresidential local road. Direct access to an arterial road is permitted only if the Board of Supervisors determines that no other means of access is physically possible and the applicant has performed all traffic upgrades, the Board of Supervisors has determined is necessary.

All vehicle access and egress shall be controlled by the use of a landscape strip constructed parallel to the highway.

All access and egress points shall be located not less than 200 feet from the intersection of any street right-of-way lines.

Access and egress points must be separated from other access and egress points by two-hundred-foot minimums.

Outbound traffic control shall be controlled so that vehicles move in defined traffic lanes. Physical barriers to prevent cutting across parking areas may be required by the Township.

The land shall be in single ownership or under a guaranteed unified management control.

The total building coverage shall not exceed 25%.

All industrial uses shall have access and egress directly to a collector or nonresidential local road. Direct access to an arterial road is permitted only if the Board of Supervisors determines that no other means of access is physically possible and the applicant has performed all traffic upgrades, the Board of Supervisors has determined is necessary.

All vehicle access and egress shall be controlled by the use of a landscape strip constructed parallel to the highway.

All access and egress points shall be located not less than 200 feet from the intersection of any street or right-of-way lines.

Access and egress points must be separated from other access and egress points by a two-hundred-foot minimum.

Outbound traffic control shall be controlled so that vehicles move in defined traffic lanes. Physical barriers to prevent cutting across parking areas may be required by the Township.

No outdoor storage is permitted in the front yard.

Outdoor storage is permitted in side and rear yards (outside of any required screen) a minimum of 20 feet from any property line.

Outdoor storage shall not be visible from any street, existing residential property, or residential zoning district.

Whenever a building is constructed or a new use established;

Whenever the use of an existing building is changed to a use requiring more parking and/or loading facilities; and

Whenever an existing building is altered or enlarged so as to increase the amount of parking and/or loading spaces required under this chapter.

Parking Space. An open or enclosed area accessible from a street for parking of motor vehicles of owners, occupants, employees, visitors, customers, or tenants of the main building or use. Each parking space shall be not less than 10 feet wide and not less than 20 feet long, exclusive of all drives, curbs and turning space. The number of spaces shall be determined from an accurate plan of the area.

Loading Space. An off-street area not less than 12 feet wide and 55 feet long and having a clear minimum height of 15 feet, exclusive of access drives, for the parking of one vehicle during the loading or unloading of merchandise and/or materials. Such spaces shall not be located on any right-of-way nor upon any required parking lot.

Floor Area. The total area of all the floors measured from the exterior faces of the building (except the floor area used for storage may be excluded), or, where set forth in the schedule, only the floor area used by a specific use.

Seat. The number of seating units installed or indicated, or each 24 linear inches of benches, pews, or space for loose chairs or similar seating facilities; spacing of rows shall be 30 inches on center.

Required Minimum Parking Spaces. The minimum number of spaces required by applying the schedule to a specific building or group of buildings.

Parking areas shall be designed to permit each vehicle to proceed to and from the parking space provided for it without requiring the moving of any other motor vehicles.

Required off-street parking shall be on the same lot with the use served; or where this requirement cannot be met, within 300 feet of the same lot.

Off-street Parking Standard. Except as may be agreed to by the Board of Supervisors during site or land development plan review, the building types and uses listed in Subsection 4 shall have the minimum number of off-street parking spaces shown adjacent to the building type or use per unit of measurement listed.

Landscaped Strip. When a parking lot is located in a yard which abuts a street, a landscaped strip shall be provided on the property along the entire street line. If there is no building or other structure on the property, the parking lot shall still be separated from the street by the landscaped strip. This strip shall be measured from street line. The strips may be located within any other landscaped strip required to be located along a street.

Interior Landscaping. In any parking lot containing 20 or more parking spaces (except a parking garage), 5% of the total area of the lot shall be devoted to interior landscaping. Such interior landscaping shall be used at the end of parking space rows and to break up rows of parking spaces at least every 20 parking spaces. Landscaped areas situated outside of the parking lot, such as peripheral areas and areas surrounding buildings shall not constitute interior landscaping. For the purpose of computing the total area of any parking lot, all areas within the perimeter of the parking lot shall be counted, including all parking spaces and access drives, aisles, islands, and curbed areas. Ground cover alone is not sufficient to meet this requirement. Trees, shrubs, or other approved materials shall be provided. This landscaping may be used to satisfy the "general site landscaping" requirements of this chapter. Parked vehicles may not overhang interior landscaped areas more than two feet. Where necessary, wheel stops or curbing shall be provided to ensure no greater overhang. If a parking lot of fewer than 20 spaces is built without interior landscaping, and later additional spaces are added so that the total is 20 or more, the interior landscaping shall be provided for the entire parking lot.

Screening. When a parking lot is located on property which adjoins land in a residential zone, or which contains an existing residential dwelling, the parking lot shall be screened from the adjoining residential property.

Location. Except as provided elsewhere, a ground-level loading area may be located in any side or rear yard. No exterior portion of an off-street loading facility (including access drives) shall be located within 50 feet of any land within a residential zone. Where possible, off-street loading facilities shall be located on the face of a building not facing any adjoining land in a residential zone, nor public street.

Separation from Streets, Sidewalks, and Parking Lots. Off-street loading spaces shall be designed so that there will be no need for service vehicles to back over streets or sidewalks. Furthermore, off-street loading spaces shall not interfere with off-street parking lots.

Landscaping and Screening Requirements. Unless otherwise indicated, all off-street loading facilities shall be surrounded by a fifteen-foot-wide landscape strip. All off-street loading facilities shall also be screened from adjoining residentially zoned properties and/or adjoining public streets.

Lawn. A grass area with or without trees which may be used by the residents for a variety of purposes and which shall be mowed regularly to insure a neat and tidy appearance.

Natural Area. An area of natural vegetation undisturbed during construction or replanted. Such areas may contain pathways. Meadows shall be maintained as such and not left to become weed-infested. Maintenance may be minimal, but shall prevent the proliferation of weeds and undesirable plants such as honeysuckle and poison ivy. Litter, dead trees, and brush shall be removed, and streams shall be kept in free-flowing condition.

Recreation Area. An area designated for a specific recreation use, including but not limited to tennis, swimming, shuffleboard, playfield, and tot lot. Such areas shall be maintained so as to avoid creating a hazard or nuisance, and shall perpetuate the proposed use.

Agricultural Area. An area designated for family vegetable plots or to be leased or sold for an agricultural use as specified in this chapter.

Dedication of fee-simple to the Township of Allen. The Township may, but shall not be required to, accept any portion or portions of the nonagricultural open space, provided:

By conveying title (including beneficial ownership) to a corporation, association, funded community trust, condominium, or other legal entity.

Development Rights, Easement, or Other Device. The state or county under the provisions of Act 442 of 1968, the Conservation and Land Development Act, may acquire and resell any interest in the land for the purpose of agricultural or open space preservation. Subject to Township approval, this may be considered a suitable means of preserving open space.