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Douglass Township City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XIII

M-1 Light Industrial District

§ 265-114 Declaration of legislative intent.

The following is an expansion of the Statement of Community Development Objectives contained in Article I of this chapter. It is the intent of this article to provide for non-polluting light industry, research and development, and office uses. Furthermore, it is the intent of this article to:
A. 
Take advantage of the highway access and visibility from Route 100.
B. 
Provide employment centers in close proximity to existing and future higher density residential development to reduce commuting distance for the workforce.
C. 
Prohibit polluting or noxious uses by providing strict industrial performance standards.
D. 
Establish standards which encourage integrated development of industrial parks.
E. 
Provide for flexible lotting practices which permit a diversity of development types and sizes.
F. 
Ensure that residential and institutional development will be buffered against industrial encroachment.

§ 265-115 Permitted uses.

In the M-1 Office and Industrial District, A building or group of buildings may be erected, altered or used, and a lot may be used or occupied for any of the following uses and no other:
A. 
By-right uses.
(1) 
Use E-2: Business/Professional Office.
(2) 
Use E-5: Research Facility.
(3) 
Use H-1: Artisan Manufacturing.
(4) 
Use H-2: Data Center.
(5) 
Use H-5: Light Manufacturing.
(6) 
Use H-10: Contractor Service.
(7) 
Use D-2: Automobile Sales and Rental.
(8) 
Use D-15: Marijuana Dispensary.
(9) 
Use D-16: Microbrewery/Microdistillery/Microwinery.
(10) 
Use F-5: Parkland.
B. 
Special exception uses. The following uses are permitted when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board:
(1) 
Use A-10: Accessory Ground-Mounted Renewable Energy System (special exception approval needed for accessory ground-mounted wind energy systems).
(2) 
Use H-3: Heliport (personal use only).
C. 
Conditional uses. The following uses are permitted only upon the issuance of a conditional use approval by the Township Board of Supervisors:
(1) 
Use D-3: Automobile Repairs and Service.
(2) 
Use B-3: Community Garden.
(3) 
Use H-9: Warehouse/Storage Facility.
D. 
Accessory uses. The following accessory uses are permitted by-right on the same lot and customarily incidental to any of the above permitted uses, which may include:
(1) 
Use A-2: Nonresidential Accessory Structure.
(2) 
Use A-5: Fences and Walls.
(3) 
Use A-8: Outdoor Storage/Display.
(4) 
Use A-9: Accessory Roof-Mounted Solar Energy System.
(5) 
Use A-10: Accessory Ground-Mounted Renewable Energy System (ground-mounted solar energy systems permitted by-right).
(6) 
Use A-12: Communications Antennae.
(7) 
Use A-14: Mobile Food Vendor.
(8) 
Use D-22: Restaurant, Dine-In.

§ 265-116 Performance standards.

Notwithstanding the applicable laws and regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the following performance standards shall be used by the Board of Supervisors, Township Planning Agency and Township Engineer in determining the suitability and possible hazardous impacts of a proposed use within the M-1 Office and Light Industrial District.
A. 
In determining whether a proposed use is or may become noxious, hazardous or offensive, the following standards shall apply. The proposed use shall not:
(1) 
Constitute a nuisance or cause damage to health or property by reason of dissemination of noxious, toxic, or corrosive fumes, smoke, odor, or dust in the immediate surrounding area, or beyond the district boundary line.
(2) 
Result in noise or vibration clearly exceeding the average intensity of noise or vibration occurring from other causes, measured at the property line.
(3) 
Endanger surrounding areas by reason of radiation, fire or explosion.
(4) 
Produce objectionable heat or glare beyond the property line.
(5) 
Result in off-lot electrical disturbance or adversely affect the operation of equipment other than on the property on which the disturbance is located.
(6) 
Require storage of materials and supplies outside the building, except in permanent containment structures or a fenced area that meets the requirements of Use A-8: Outdoor Storage/Display.
(7) 
Discharge any untreated or incompletely treated sewage or industrial waste into any stream or otherwise contribute to the pollution of surface or underground waters.
(8) 
Dump or store waste products, scrap or similar materials outside the building, except in a properly designed and screened pick up area served by frequent, periodic removal.
(9) 
Endanger the underground water level or supply for other properties.
(10) 
Create an objectionable traffic condition on the highway or in an adjacent area; or generate a nuisance to surrounding property by reason of traffic.
(11) 
Create any other objectionable condition in an adjoining area which will endanger public health and safety or be detrimental to the environmental quality of the surrounding area.
B. 
The applicant shall demonstrate to the Township Engineer and the Township Planning Agency that:
(1) 
The proposed use(s) will comply with the standards contained in § 265-116A, herein.
(2) 
Adequate provisions will be made to reduce and minimize any objectionable elements to the degree necessary to ensure that the proposed use(s) will not be noxious, hazardous or offensive as defined in § 265-116A, herein.
(3) 
The Township Engineer or Planning Agency may require, in order to determine that adequate safeguards are provided, that:
(a) 
The applicant submit necessary information, impartial expert judgments, and written assurances.
(b) 
The applicant obtain the advice of appropriate local, state, and federal agencies and of private consultants.
(c) 
The applicant's proposed use(s) comply with such tests or provide such safeguards as are deemed necessary by the Board of Supervisors, upon the advice of the Township Engineer.

§ 265-117 Dimensional standards.

The following tables contain the two categories of dimensional standards applicable to the M-1 District:
Dimensional Standards
Standard Subdivision or Development of Tracts of Less than 25 Acres
Integrated Industrial Park Development Containing a Minimum of 3 Uses on a Total Tract of 25 Acres or More
Minimum lot size
4 acres
2 acre min., 4 acre average lot
Minimum lot width at building line
250 ft.
200 ft.
Maximum building coverage
45%
45%
Maximum impervious coverage
70%
70%
Minimum landscaped area
30%
30%
Maximum building height
50 ft.
50 ft.
Minimum distance between buildings on a lot
25 ft.
25 ft.
Maximum driveway width (not divided by medial island)
30 ft.
30 ft.
Maximum driveway width (divided by median island)
45 ft.
45 ft.
Minimum building setback measured from:
Ultimate right-of-way
75 ft.
50 ft.
Abutting residential or institutional zoning district boundary line
100 ft.
100 ft.
Abutting commercial or industrial zoning district
50 ft.
35 ft.
Any other property line not abutting a zoning district boundary or street
35 ft.
25 ft.
Minimum driveway, parking, loading setback measured from:
Ultimate right-of-way: parking or parallel drive
20 ft.
20 ft.
Ultimate right-of-way: loading
100 ft.
100 ft.
Abutting residential or institutional zoning district boundary line
50 ft.
25 ft.
Abutting commercial or industrial zoning district
25 ft.
10 ft.
Any other property line not abutting a zoning district boundary or street
20 ft.
20 ft.
With shared parking and loading
0 ft.
0 ft.
Street intersection (applies only to driveways, measured between centerlines)
100 ft.
100 ft.

§ 265-118 General regulations.

The following general regulations shall apply for any development proposal within the M-1 Office and Light Industrial District:
A. 
Ownership. The tract of land to be in single ownership, or ownership shall be such that the tract will be developed under a single direction in accordance with an approved plan.
B. 
Sewer and water facilities. All development in the M-1 District shall be served by public sewer and water facilities, subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and appropriate sewer and water authorities.
C. 
Development plan. The application for subdivision or land development shall be accompanied by a plan or plans which shall:
(1) 
Show detailed use of the entire tract.
(2) 
Comply with the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance[1] as well as other applicable ordinances of Douglass Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 230, Subdivision and Land Development.
(3) 
Clearly designate the proposed use(s) of each area of the tract proposed for land development.
(4) 
Architectural renderings shall be submitted with the plans.
D. 
Development stages and permits. The development of the tract may be carried out in either a single phase or in stages. If carried out in stages the development shall be in accordance with a development agreement which shall:
(1) 
Be binding to the overall tract and its development;
(2) 
Be recorded with the final plan;
(3) 
Be acceptable to the Board of Supervisors upon recommendation of the Township Solicitor.
E. 
Other development regulations.
(1) 
Utilities. All utility lines (electrical, telephone, etc.) shall be placed underground.
(2) 
Signs. All signs in the M-1 Office and Light Industrial District shall comply with Article XXIV, including traffic control, directional and street signs.
(3) 
Lighting facilities. Lighting facilities shall be provided in accordance with § 230-66 of the Township's Subdivision and Land Development[2] Ordinance arranged in a manner which will protect streets and neighboring properties from unreasonable glare or hazardous interference of any kind.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 230, Subdivision and Land Development.
(4) 
Trash and refuse areas. Trash and refuse shall either be stored inside the building or within an opaque screened area, which shall be at least six feet high.
(5) 
Landscape planting and buffer requirements. Shade trees and other plant materials satisfactory to the Board of Supervisors shall be provided in accordance with § 230-46 of the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance along the street frontage occupied by M-1 Office and Light Industrial District, in other non-paved areas of the site, and within traffic-barrier islands installed in the parking lot. No shrubs shall be used that will interfere with driver's sight distance at driveway intersections.
F. 
Buffer requirements. Screening and softening buffers shall be provided in compliance with § 230-47 of the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
G. 
Access. Provisions shall be made for safe and efficient ingress and egress to and from public streets and highways serving the M-1 Office and Light Industrial District without causing undue congestion or interference with the normal traffic flow. The Township Planning Agency, with the advice of the Township Engineer, shall satisfy itself as to the adequacy of the thoroughfares and access points intended to accommodate the traffic generated by the proposed development.
H. 
Minimum distance between buildings on one lot. The minimum distance between buildings on one lot shall be 25 feet.

§ 265-119 Plan submission requirements.

All proposals for development within the M-1 Office and Light Industrial District shall comply with the pertinent requirements of the Douglass Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, concerning nonresidential developments.