Clementon City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIA
PO/R Professional Office/Residential Zone
§ 298-31 Professional Office/Residential (PO/R) District uses and standards.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this district is to permit conversions of residential dwellings to offices that are compatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods along key corridors within the Borough and to encourage new office development that is of a residential scale and character in these areas, where it is anticipated that traffic will increase as a result of development within the Borough and in the surrounding municipalities. The intent is to maintain the residential character of the neighborhoods and provide opportunities for office uses where adequate parking, lot size and buffering requirements are met. Site plan approval is required prior to any proposed conversion or construction.
B.
Permitted principal uses.
(2)
Professional office uses such as physician, dentist, lawyer, or architect.
(3)
Commercial office uses such as administrative, insurance office, travel agent, or realtor, except that training facilities are not permitted.
(4)
Home occupations as part of a continued existing residential use may occur subject to the standards set forth in § 298-78.
C.
Permitted accessory uses.
(1)
Parking areas.
(2)
Private garages for the storage of not more than three vehicles.
(3)
Storage buildings (sheds) not to exceed 200 square feet for tools and equipment for maintenance of the grounds.
(4)
Stormwater management facilities.
(5)
Other customary accessory uses which are clearly incidental to the principal structure and use.
D.
Bulk and area regulations.
(1)
Minimum lot area: 10,000 square feet. For residential development, the bulk and area requirements of § 298-11 apply.
(2)
Minimum lot width: 75 feet.
(3)
Minimum lot depth: 100 feet.
(5)
Maximum impervious coverage: 50%.
(6)
Maximum building footprint: 4,000 square feet.
(7)
Maximum building height: 35 feet or 2.5 stories.
(8)
Minimum parking lot setback: 25 feet from side* and rear, 50 feet from front. * Side yard parking setback may be reduced to 10 feet if there will be cross access with the adjacent property.
E.
Design standards.
(1)
The conversion of an existing residential structure to any nonresidential use is only permitted when the character of the existing structure is maintained; or if altered it reflects a traditional residential architectural style.
(2)
Applicants must submit architectural elevations to demonstrate consistency with this section. The Land Use Board will consider the architecture, color and design of proposed buildings. All buildings shall have a unified architectural treatment, whether constructed new, as an addition to an existing structure, or as a renovation. Buildings shall relate in scale and design to any surrounding buildings, showing respect for the local context and a compatibility with residential character. Continuity with surrounding uses should be considered in determining front yard setbacks. Front porches are recommended.
(3)
Architecture and site planning should be designed with a cohesive design scheme. Building details and ornamentation such as indentations, variations in rooflines, cornices, offsets and overhangs are encouraged.
(4)
Primary facade materials shall be wood, aluminum or vinyl clapboard siding, smooth stucco, stone or brick. Where walls are constructed of more than one material, the differentiation shall be along a horizontal line.
(5)
The facade treatment of side and rear walls shall be similar to the treatment of the front facade. Buildings on corner lots shall be considered significant structures, since they have at least two facades visibly exposed to the street. Such buildings may be designed with additional height and/or architectural features to emphasize their location.
(6)
Exterior mechanical equipment shall be architecturally screened and hidden from public view.
(7)
Parking lots are only to be permitted within the front yard area if the applicant demonstrates that placing the parking at the side or rear is not possible due to the specific site characteristics. It is the applicant's responsibility to prove that locating parking at the side or rear is not possible, it is not sufficient to say it is not convenient.
(8)
A landscaped buffer strip 25 feet in width including a double row of evergreen trees is required along the side and rear property lines within the buffer required by § 298-58.
(9)
Parking lots may be constructed of stone at the discretion of the Planning Board with a driveway constructed in accordance with § 298-55 and paved for a minimum distance of 30 feet from the right-of-way into the property; and handicapped parking stalls that are paved in accordance with current code standards.
(10)
Curbing or curb stops shall be provided in all parking areas and along all accessways.
(11)
Where possible, parking areas should be interconnected with those of adjacent office or commercial uses with cross-access agreements to minimize curb cuts and improve site circulation, or provide the potential for future connections where an adjacent use is not yet operational. Common driveway access is encouraged, and must be addressed by each applicant. Access to the site may not be from a neighborhood street.
(12)
Signage. Signs are intended to identify the site and should be designed to enhance and be visually compatible with the surrounding area.
(a)
A freestanding monument/ground or hanging style sign may be installed to identify the business, set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line, outside of sight triangles.
(b)
The maximum sign area is 12 square feet in area and six feet in height.
(c)
Signs may be illuminated, but must be shielded and turned off no later than 10:00 p.m.
(d)
Signs should be constructed of materials to enhance a "rustic" appearance, such as carved high-density urethane, sandblasted or painted wood, carved metals, or other material that complements the building architecture and overall site.