Elmer City Zoning Code
§ 25-15.3
Justification and Intent of District Categories, Locations and Regulations.
[Ord. No. 79-4 § 3.3; Ord. No. 93-6 § 5; Ord. No. 2006-8 § 5; Ord. No. 2009-11 § 5]
The zoning district categories, locations, and regulations have been based upon the Borough Land Use Policy established in the Elmer Borough Land Use Plan (December 1978). The justification and intent of each zoning district as expressed in the adopted plan are summarized below:
a.
CONS Conservation District. The Conservation District has been delineated to include any wet areas surrounding the branch of Muddy Run which crosses the Borough. Because of the flood potential, the unsuitability of the soils for development, and the area's environmental value, the intent of this district is to discourage most forms of development.
b.
LR-1 Low Density Residential District 1. This low density residential district includes the generally undeveloped area in the southwest corner of the Borough. The intent of this zoning district is to restrict the magnitude and concentration of development in this area because of the soils' limited capability to accommodate septic effluent.
c.
LR-2 Low Density Residential District 2. This low density residential district has a justification and intent similar to the other low density residential district (LR1) noted above. This district has the additional purpose of permitting the carefully controlled development of health-related support facilities, since the hospital is located within this district.
d.
LM Low-Medium Density Residential District. The Low-Medium Density Residential District includes two areas in the western and southern edges of the Borough which are generally undeveloped. The intent of these zoning districts is to permit higher densities than the LR Districts because of better soil characteristics, while also providing a transition from the higher permitted densities of the MR District.
e.
MR Medium Density Residential District. The Medium Density Residential District includes the existing residential areas of the Borough and some adjoining areas. The intent of this zoning district is to encourage residential development in these areas because of good soil capabilities and the existing land use pattern.
f.
RP Residential Professional. The residential-professional district has been delineated to encourage the location of professional offices and health related support facilities because of the character of existing development in this area and the proximity of the hospital.
g.
LC Limited Commercial District. The limited commercial district includes an area along Front Street in the western portion of the Borough. The intent of this district is to encourage mixed commercial and light industry uses, thus permitting economic development compatible with the current land use pattern.
h.
HB Highway Business District. The Highway Business District includes an area along Route 40 in the western edge of the Borough. The purpose of this district is to provide a location for highway oriented commercial uses which may be inappropriate for the central business area (CB District).
i.
C/LI Commercial and Light Industry District. The Commercial - Light Industry District includes the area adjacent to the business district which has existing warehouses and other facilities related to the rail line. The intent of this district is to encourage mixed commercial and light industry uses, thus permitting economic development compatible with the current land use pattern.
j.
LI Light Industry District. The Light Industry district includes a vacant area along the rail line in the northern section of the Borough. The purpose of this district is to provide sufficient land for new light industry and distribution uses so as to broaden the economic base of the community in a manner consistent with other planning objectives of the Borough.