The C-Commercial District regulations are designed to provide for appropriate development of a modern, well designed, integrated retail hub at the major crossroads of the Township. This is established as one in which the principal use of the land is for commercial and services uses for both the surrounding residential areas and the pass-thru traffic. The regulations are designed to require reasonable standards for individual development, to provide for the public's convenience, and to avoid undue congestion on the roads and to provide for an attractive streetscape.

Consistent with the general purpose of this chapter and in expansion of the legislative intent expressed in § 145-2 of this chapter, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this article with respect to the Commercial District to establish reasonable standards for the height and size of the buildings, the areas of dimensions of yards and open spaces and the provision of facilities for commercial uses; and, further to prohibit noncompatible uses that would interfere with the growth and establishment of a viable commercial hub.

It is further the intent of the Board of Supervisors of Franconia Township to assure a harmonious and beneficial relationship between the commercial hub and the contiguous land and adjacent neighbors.

Attention is also directed to maintaining current service levels of the intersection and roads.

Retail sale of dry goods, variety and general merchandise, clothing, food, flowers, beverages, drugs, household supplies or furnishings, sale or repair of jewelry, watches and clocks, optical goods, computers, communication devices or musical, professional or scientific instruments.

Barbershops, hairdressers, nail salon, cleaning and pressing pickup station only and such other shops for personal service.

Restaurant, coffeehouse, cafe, taproom, confectionery or similar establishment serving food or beverage.

Business or professional office, studio, bank and financial institution, telephone exchange or other public utility office, passenger station for public transportation.

Nonresidential club, fraternal organization, lodge.

Greenhouse, nursery-sales yard.

Indoor theater, bowling alley or billiard room.

(Reserved)

Motor vehicle dealership whether containing one or more than one dealership, as regulated by the provisions of § 145-67.

Medical facility.

Day-care center, as defined in § 145-5, pursuant to the standards of Article XXXI.

The following uses when authorized as a special exception, subject to the provisions of § 145-65 of this chapter:

Group day-care home, as defined in § 145-5, as a conditional use, pursuant to the standards of § 145-223.

Combination convenience store and fuel dispensing, as regulated by the provisions of § 145-68 and as a conditional use, pursuant to the standards of § 145-223.

Lot area. A lot area of not less than 30,000 square feet shall be provided for every principal building erected or used.

Lot width. A lot width of not less than 125 feet shall be provided at the building setback line for every building erected thereon.

Front yard. There shall be a front yard on every lot, the depth of which shall be at least 30 feet.

Side yards. There shall be two side yards on every lot, one on each side of the principal building, neither of which shall be less than 10 feet wide.

Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard on every lot which shall not be less than 20 feet in depth.

Corner lots. The front yard setback shall only apply to street frontage on the major street, as determined by the Township, and all remaining yards shall be treated as side yards.

Building coverage. The maximum building coverage on a lot shall be 25% of the lot area.

Impervious coverage. The maximum lot coverage on a lot shall be 75% of the lot area.

Height restrictions. The maximum height for a building or structure shall be 45 feet, not exceeding three stories.

Lighting. Exterior lighting shall be limited to a height of 14 feet. The source of illumination shall not be visible from off-site and there shall be no spillage onto adjacent properties or streets. All lighting shall be color corrected.

Outdoor display. The outdoor display of merchandise shall be prohibited except for such display area as may be specifically approved as part of a land development review and approval process. The use of trailers, pods or similar movable storage devices shall be prohibited.

Drive-thru windows. The use of drive-thru windows shall be subject to the conditional use process and the provisions of § 145-28.2. The circulation pattern, stacking provisions and overall design shall be subject to the Township Engineer's and/or Township Traffic Engineer's approval.

Utilities. Public sewer and public water shall be provided.

Off-street parking and loading regulations. The requirements of Article XIX shall apply, and all parking areas including parking and loading spaces, areas and driveways serving the spaces shall be to the side or rear of the building, but shall not project into the minimum, required front yard setback except for a driveway used for ingress and/or egress. All parking shall be set back from the property line a minimum of five feet unless common parking facilities are approved at the sole discretion of the Board of Supervisors. Parking areas adjacent to a residentially zoned property must be setback a minimum of 20 feet.

Signs. The requirements of Article XX shall apply.

General provisions. The requirements of Article IV shall apply.

Floodplains. The requirements of Article XXIII shall apply.

Natural resource regulations: in accordance with Article XXVI.

(Reserved)[1]

Landscaping. The regulations in Chapter 122, Subdivision and Land Development, shall apply.

Detention basins. The requirements in Chapter 122, Subdivision and Land Development, and § 145-28.3 of the Zoning Ordinance shall apply.

Dimensional regulations.

Additional regulations.

The use of a property for the combination of take-out food, sales, convenience item sales and fuel dispensing shall be subject to the conditional use procedure and the provisions of § 145-28.2.

The dimensional requirements of § 145-65 shall apply, except that the front yard may exceed 20 feet.

The additional requirements of § 145-66 shall apply.

Traffic. A comprehensive study prepared by a professional traffic engineer shall be submitted for Township review and approval. The study shall address all traffic movements into and out of the site, internal circulation, parking, stacking at the pumps and loading. Improvements shall be made to offset any degradation in traffic services.

District yards. All yards adjacent to a residential zoning district or a residential use shall be increased by 10 feet in order to provide an evergreen buffer. The buffer shall be subject to Township approval.