Conshohocken City Zoning Code
PART 18
MFD - MULTIFAMILY DWELLING OVERLAY DISTRICT
§ 27-1801 Declaration of Legislative Intent.
[Ord. 6-2001, 10/10/2001; as amended through 12/2005]
In the expansion of the declaration of legislative intent contained in Part 1, the intent of the Multifamily Dwelling Overlay District is to permit modern multifamily apartments in the BR-1 and BR-2 Residential Districts to provide a mix of housing types and options available to Borough residents. It is further the intention of this district to provide specific performance standards designed to enhance this housing type and preserve the neighboring residential properties.
§ 27-1802 Permitted Districts.
§ 27-1803 Performance Standards.
[Ord. 6-2001, 10/10/2001; as amended through 12/2005]
1.
Maximum density: 16 dwelling units per acre.
3.
Maximum building coverage: 30% of lot area.
4.
Maximum impervious coverage: 70% of lot area.
6.
Internal driveway setback: from property line, 10 feet.
7.
Parking lot location: parking shall be to the rear of the building, or in the side yard behind the line of the building's front facade or the minimum front yard building setback line, whichever is greater.
9.
Open space: 10% of new acreage.
A.
Open space in front yard setback or parking and driveway setbacks shall not be counted.
B.
Open space for each building or group of buildings shall be in one contiguous parcel.
C.
Open space must be generally level and well drained and suitable for recreation. Slopes of more than 15% shall not be included in open space.
D.
Stormwater detention basins may be included in the required open space only if designed as usable open space.
10.
Height limit: 35 feet.
11.
Minimum tract area: The minimum tract area shall be two acres.
12.
Minimum unit sizes. Following are the minimum unit sizes for apartments constructed in this district:
Unit Type | Minimum Square Footage (square feet) | |
|---|---|---|
0 to 1 Bedroom | 700 | |
2 Bedrooms | 900 | |
3 Bedrooms | 1,100 |
§ 27-1804 Street Access.
[Ord. 6-2001, 10/10/2001; as amended through 12/2005]
Buildings located on corner lots shall only take their access from the street of the lesser classification, if possible. It shall be the burden of the developer to prove that access from a road of lesser classification is not possible.
§ 27-1805 Conditional Use Standards.
[Ord. 6-2001, 10/10/2001; as amended through 12/2005]
Any proposal shall satisfy the following:
A.
The facade of all principle buildings shall avoid a long, monotonous, uninterrupted wall or roof plane. In keeping with the residential character of the BR-1 and BR-2 Districts, the scale and massing of the facade shall be designed to present a residential appearance. Roof shall be pitched and architectural features such as porches, staggered setbacks, bay windows, and various types of wall facings may be used to achieve an intimate and varied residential design. Similarly, facade roof planes shall be interrupted. Architectural features such as gables, dormers, or chimneys may be used. Borough Council shall determine if the applicant meets the intent of this requirement.
B.
Any principle building that is on a corner lot shall be considered significant because it has at least two visible facades, front and side. The side facade shall be designed to avoid a long, monotonous, uninterrupted wall or roof plane. Also, roofs shall be pitched. However, the side facade need not be designed to mimic the front facade, but rather to provide architectural interest and present a residential scale and appearance. Borough Council shall determine if the applicant has met the intent of this requirement.
C.
Landscaping and Buffering Standards.
(1)
Any development that is adjacent to a residential use shall be screened from the use by landscape material. Such a screen shall not be a continuous buffer but Rather contain planting masses, spaced and grouped, to create a natural appearance. Both deciduous and coniferous shrubs and trees shall be used.
(2)
Street trees shall be provided along all streets. Shade trees shall be provided at a maximum spacing of 40 feet on center and a minimum caliper of 3 1/2 inches.
(3)
Service Areas. All loading docks and trash dumpsters, receptacles, etc. shall be screened from the view of residents, adjoining properties, and streets. Such screening may use landscape materials, opaque fences or combination of both.
(4)
All parking lots shall be screened by a buffer of trees and shrubs from all adjacent properties and streets.
(5)
The use of native plant materials and naturalistic design is encouraged.