It is recognized by this ordinance that the principal use of certain open areas within the township is to preserve and manage development of the natural resource base within the community. In order that this resource may be maintained, this ordinance has established, based upon a well-considered plan, a zoning district designed to regulate the location of buildings and structures and the use of parcels and lots in order to protect the natural resources, natural habitats of wildlife, waterways and water bodies, agricultural capabilities, and public and private recreation areas in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. In addition, limited development on larger parcels may occur based upon a plan to protect these resources.

The following buildings and structures, and uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures are permitted in this district:

a.

Public and private conservation areas for the development, protection and conservation of open space, watersheds, water, soil, forest and wildlife resources.

b.

A parcel may be used for general and specialized farming and agricultural activities, including, but not limited to, the raising or growing or crops, livestock, poultry and other farm animals, products and foodstuffs and any building or structure may be located thereon and used for the day-to-day operation of such activities for the quartering, storage or preservation of said crops, livestock, poultry, or other animals, products and foodstuffs raised on said lot or in said structure and subject to the requirements of paragraph c. of this section.

c.

A parcel may be used and a building or structure may be located thereon for a riding academy or stable for the raising or keeping of horses, cattle, hogs, ponies, goats or other similar livestock whether for profit or pleasure; provided that the following building requirements are met:

1.

Building and fenced enclosures used for the quartering of said animals shall be located a minimum distance of 100 feet from the principal dwelling located on said parcel and principal dwelling on adjacent properties.

d.

A sign, only in accordance with the regulations specified in article 8 of this ordinance.

The following buildings and structures, and uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures are permitted in this district, subject to obtaining a special use permit as provided in article 10:

a.

Public or private forest preserve, game refuge, golf course, park, camping grounds, playground, or other recreation purpose.

b.

The growing, stripping and removal of sod, provided that said lot or portion thereof shall be seeded after stripping by fall of the same year in which it was stripped as to reduce the actual or potential erosion of soil by water or wind.

c.

Country clubhouse, swimming pool, bath house and the sale of food, beverages and recreation equipment which is incidental and accessory to a recreation use.

d.

Single-family dwellings, subject to verification that the site development will not occur in a designated floodplain and sufficient protection of the waterbody or natural resource can be documented.

e.

All buildings and structures accessory and incidental to permitted uses in this district.

f.

Community and governmental buildings.

(Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, 11-14-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, adopted Nov. 14, 2024, amended the title of § 18.03 to read as herein set out. The former § 18.03 title pertained to conditional uses.

The following regulations shall apply in all "OC"—open space and waterbody conservation districts:

a.

Lot area. No building or structure shall be established on any lot less than five acres in area.

b.

Lot width. The minimum lot width shall be 300 feet.

c.

Lot coverage. The maximum lot coverage shall not exceed ten percent.

d.

Yard and setback requirements.

1.

Front yard. No less than 60 feet from the right-of-way line.

2.

Side yards. Least width of either yard shall not be less than 30 feet, except in the case of a corner lot or parcel where the side yard on the road or street shall not be less than 60 feet.

3.

Rear yard. Not less than 50 feet.

4.

The above requirements shall apply to every lot, building or structure.

e.

Height. The following height requirements shall apply in this district:

1.

No building or structure shall exceed three stories or 40 feet.

f.

Required off-street parking. As required in article 9.

g.

Preservation of environmental quality and floodplains. In a floodplain, the construction or location of bridges, bleachers or other outdoor equipment or appurtenances and the storage of materials and equipment is prohibited unless same would not cause any significant obstruction to the flow of or reduction in the impoundment capacity of the floodplain.