Crafton City Zoning Code

The Borough will occasionally receive an application for approval of a use that is not expressly listed in the use table. In such instances, the Borough Council shall approve applications upon a recommendation from the Borough Manager or their designee based on the following factors:

If it is determined that a proposed use is similar to a listed use, the regulations governing the similar listed use apply to the unlisted use.

If it is determined that a proposed use is not similar to a listed use, then the proposed use shall be prohibited. The decision of the Borough Manager or their designee is appealable to the Zoning Hearing Board as set forth herein below.

Purpose. The purpose of the Neighborhood Residential Zoning District (NR) is to preserve predominantly residential neighborhoods in the Borough of Crafton which have developed at an urban density; to allow nonconforming uses legally existing at the date of adoption of these regulations to continue to exist and to prohibit further conversion of existing single-family dwellings to multifamily units; to preserve the general character of the area to provide for accessory uses and compatible public and semi-public uses as conditional uses or uses by special exception.

Development pattern. The intended development pattern and building form within the NR District is characterized by maintaining residential structures that are proportional in scale to adjacent buildings, supporting lower-density residential uses by right and permitting conditional institutional and government uses.

Site development standards.

Purpose. The purpose of the Community Residential Zoning District (CR) is to maintain medium-scale residential development and medium-density residential uses, to preserve areas of higher density housing in the Borough of Crafton and allow for multifamily housing in appropriate locations which are located on arterial or collector roads close to shopping and community services and to provide for compatible public, semipublic and accessory uses as conditional uses or uses by special exception.

Development pattern. The intended development pattern and building form within the CR District is designed to accommodate medium-scale residential structures that are in scale with adjacent buildings, promote a variety of housing types and allow for medium-density residential uses with conditional institutional and government uses.

Site development standards.

Purpose. The purpose of the Mixed-Use Zoning District (MU) is to create a vibrant, walkable environment that integrates regional shopping centers with local businesses, neighborhood amenities, and residential uses, while ensuring new developments provide landscaping and pedestrian oriented features.

Development pattern. The intended development pattern and building form within the MU District is to support internal multi-modal connectivity and pedestrian-oriented design, featuring buildings with pedestrian-facing transparency, orientation towards pedestrians, and signage that caters to foot traffic. Development is encouraged to include amenities like canopies, awnings, and outdoor patios, and to focus on infill and parking lot redevelopment to promote mixed-use opportunities and enhance the walkability of the area.

Site development standards.

Purpose. The purpose of the Crafton Transit-Oriented Zoning District (CTOD) is to acknowledge Crafton's transit stations as significant assets and benefits for the Borough, aiming to capitalize on them by fostering a dynamic mixed-use area surrounding each station. Development in proximity to transit encourages the use of public transportation, enhances walkability, and diminishes reliance on cars as well as traffic congestion.

Development pattern. The intended development pattern and building form within the TO District is for vertical buildings of two to five stories, with small or no setbacks and with off-street parking subordinated in structures or in the rear or interior courts of buildings. Buildings are to be oriented to promote pedestrian access to transit stations and surrounding walkable commerce and amenities. Corner buildings shall include commercial uses at the ground level with residential uses above.

Site development standards.

Purpose. The purpose of the Industrial District (I) is to encourage industrial development that will be so located and designed as to constitute a harmonious and appropriate part of the physical development of the Borough, contribute to the soundness of the economic base of the Borough, provide opportunities for local employment close to residential areas and to provide for modern light industrial development in a landscaped setting.

Development pattern. The intended development pattern and building form within the Industrial District (I) is designed to support higher intensity industrial and employment uses, with a flexible scale to accommodate a range of industrial activities while ensuring adequate buffering when adjacent to other zoning districts to mitigate impacts on surrounding areas.

Site development standards.

Purpose. The purpose of the Public Park District (P) is to designate publicly owned lands which are reserved for recreation in public parks and to establish regulations for the use of land for public park purposes.

Development pattern. The intended development pattern for the Public Park District is centered around maintaining largely open spaces, with any built structures thoughtfully oriented to maximize pedestrian connectivity and enhance community interaction within the park environment.

Site development standards.

Purpose. The purpose of the Conservancy Zoning Districts is to encourage the conservation of open space and the preservation of steep slopes and other fragile environmental features such as landslide-prone soils, undermined areas, wetlands, watercourses, natural habitats, trees, woodlands and flood-prone areas.

Development pattern. The intended development pattern and building form for the Conservancy District prioritizes the conservation of open spaces and the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas, such as steep slopes, wetlands, and flood-prone regions. Development within this district, where feasible, is to be smaller in scale, minimizing land alteration and preserving natural greenspaces, vegetation, and hillsides. Permitted uses are mainly focused on parks, recreation, and conservation activities, with conditional allowances for small-scale residential, institutional, and government developments that align with the district's conservation goals.

Site development standards.