Brighton Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
SC-1 Special Conservation District
§ 195-79 Purpose.
The purpose of the SC-1 Special Conservation District is to preserve those land areas within the Township where topography and existing natural amenities will require special planning techniques for development and use. Special consideration is required to ensure that this district's natural amenities and environmental uniqueness will be protected. Erosion, sedimentation and siltation are to be prevented and safeguards are established for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of persons from flooding, mudslides, landslides and other natural dangers to life and property.
§ 195-80 Uses.
[Amended 1-11-1999 by Ord. No. 107; 5-12-2003 by Ord. No. 129; 10-8-2007 by Ord. No. 154; 12-10-2007 by Ord. No. 156; 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 158; 9-13-2010 by Ord. No. 171; 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 176; 10-13-2014 by Ord. No. 189; 2-9-2015 by Ord. No. 191; 8-10-2015 by Ord. No. 198; 8-16-2016 by Ord. No. 204; 8-9-2021 by Ord. No. 228; 8-9-2021 by Ord. No. 229; 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 231; 3-14-2022 by Ord. No. 232; 8-12-2024 by Ord. No. 242; 8-11-2025 by Ord. No. 250]
A lot or parcel may be used and a building or structure may be erected and used for any of the following purposes, subject to the granting of a use by the Township of Brighton Board of Supervisors.
A.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Forestry.
(2)
One single-family detached dwelling per lot.
(3)
Non-tower wireless communications facilities that fall under the Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act. See § 195-135.
(4)
Non-tower wireless communications facilities outside the public rights-of-way that do not fall under the Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act. See § 195-135.
(5)
Public uses, as defined herein. (See § 195-10.)
(6)
Public (noncommercial) recreation uses and facilities, utilizing the natural environment with a minimum amount of alteration of the natural conditions of the site, as defined herein. See § 195-10.
(7)
Non-tower wireless communications facilities inside the public rights-of-way that do not fall under the Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act. See § 195-135.
(8)
Tower-based wireless communications facilities located inside the public rights-of-way. See § 195-135.
(9)
Agriculture operation.
(10)
Farm (agriculture use).
(11)
Horticulture.
B.
Conditional uses.
(1)
[1]Composting facility.
(a)
Said facility shall be a recognized element of a local or countywide waste disposal plan.
(b)
Said facility shall be certified to operate by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
(c)
A traffic impact analysis shall be submitted prior to approval which demonstrates the following:
[1]
The number of vehicle trips expected to be generated.
[2]
The type of vehicles used to deliver the organic material.
[3]
The routes (roadways) used to reach the facility.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(1), regarding recreational uses and facilities, and Subsection B(2), regarding public uses, were repealed 8-16-2016 by Ord. No. 204, which ordinance also redesignated former Subsections B(3) through (9) as Subsections B(1) through (7), respectively. See also now Subsection A(5) and (6).
(2)
Commercial WECS. (See § 195-137.8B.)
(3)
Oil and gas wells. See § 195-137.12.
(4)
Mineral extraction. See § 195-131.
(5)
Non-tower wireless communications facilities inside the public rights-of-way that do not fall under the Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act. See § 195-135.
(6)
Place of worship, subject to the following:[2]
(a)
Minimum setback contiguous to a residential use or residential zoning district: 50 feet.
(b)
Parking and lighting shall be in accordance with §§ 195-104 through 195-108.
(c)
Signs in accordance with §§ 195-109 through 195-117.
(d)
) Buffer yard B for side and rear yards, and buffer yard adjacent to any right-of-way in accordance with § 195-137.1.
(e)
Minimum lot area without both public water and public sewer: one acre.
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(6), regarding tower-based wireless communications facilities, added 8-10-2015 by Ord. No. 198, was repealed 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 231.
(7)
Tower-based wireless communications facilities located outside the public rights-of-way. See § 195-135.
(8)
Principal solar energy systems. (See § 195-137.18.)
(9)
Retreat facility or retreat center. See § 195-137.20.
C.
[3]Accessory uses.
(1)
Private garage or private parking area (accessory to a single-family detached residential dwelling).
(2)
Other accessory uses customarily incidental to a principal or conditional use including private swimming pools.
(3)
Signs as provided for in § 195-87 of this article.
(4)
Antenna support structures.
(5)
No-impact home-based business.
(6)
Home occupation.
(7)
Accessory WECS. (See § 195-137.8A.)
(8)
Private dog kennels (see § 195-137.9A).
(9)
The keeping of chickens. (See § 195-137.11.)
(10)
Private stable located on a minimum lot of five acres and a minimum of 200 linear feet from any dwelling unit and 100 feet from the closest property line. The pasture area shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from the closest property line, unless the adjacent property closest to the subject property has been established for agricultural or pasturage use or is forested in a natural state or undeveloped, in which case no fifty-foot separation shall be required.
(11)
Agritourism. (See § 195-137.19.)
(12)
Accessory solar energy systems. (See § 195-137.18.)
(13)
Private greenhouse.
[3]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C, regarding the extraction of oil or natural gas, was repealed 12-12-2011 by Ord. No. 178. This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of former Subsection D as Subsection C.
§ 195-81 Review procedures.
[Amended 8-16-2016 by Ord. No. 204]
A.
In order to assure the preservation of land areas within the SC-1 Special Conservation District, all land development applications and building permits shall be submitted for review and approval by the Township.
B.
Existing site topography by two-foot contours and all existing drainage patterns. Final site grading plans shall show proposed finished grade elevations with two-foot contours, methods of soil and erosion control as per Township ordinance requirements and any existing or proposed stormwater drainage facilities.
§ 195-82 Lot area and lot width regulations.
A.
Minimum lot area requirements.
(1)
Permitted uses: two acres per dwelling unit.
(2)
Conditional uses: five acres per unit or use.
(3)
Special exceptions: five acres.
B.
Minimum lot width requirements.
(1)
Single-family detached residential dwelling: 200 feet.
(2)
Other principal conditional uses: 300 feet.
§ 195-83 Yard regulations.
A.
Front yard requirements for permitted uses.
[Amended 5-12-2003 by Ord. No. 129]
(1)
Permitted uses:
(a)
Minimum 40 feet from the right-of-way line of collector or arterial roadways.
(b)
Minimum 30 feet from the right-of-way line of local streets.
(2)
Conditional uses: 50 feet from the right-of-way line of roadways.
B.
Minimum side yard requirements.
(1)
Permitted residential dwelling: 20 feet per side yard.
(2)
Conditional uses: 25 feet per side yard.
(3)
Accessory uses: 10 feet.
C.
Minimum rear yard requirements.
(1)
Permitted uses: 30 feet.
(2)
Conditional uses: 40 feet.
(3)
Accessory uses: 10 feet.
D.
Uses by special exception. Minimum yards shall be determined by the Zoning Hearing Board.
§ 195-84 Lot coverage regulations.
The total area of all buildings, including accessory buildings, shall not cover more than 20% of the total lot area.
§ 195-85 Height regulations.
The maximum building height for uses, building and structures, are as follows:
A.
Permitted and conditional uses: 35 feet.
B.
Accessory uses: 20 feet.
§ 195-86 Off-street parking requirements.
A minimum of two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit shall be provided in accordance with Article XIII, Off-Street Parking, Loading and Unloading Regulations. All parking requirements for principal uses listed in this article shall conform to requirements listed in Article XIII.
§ 195-87 Signs.
A.
Signs may be erected and maintained in an SC-1 Special Conservation District in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV, Signs, for those uses specified.
B.
Signs for conditional uses in the SC-1 District shall conform to the provisions for permitted signs in the R-2 Agricultural Residential District (see Article XIV).
