Purpose. The intent of the B-1 Historic Village Business Zone is to provide for a mix of residential and small-scale neighborhood and family-oriented business and service uses compatible with the historic, compact, and pedestrian-friendly village development pattern that is characteristic of New Vernon Village. The entire B-1 Historic Village Business Zone is included in the New Vernon Historic District and the designated New Vernon Redevelopment Area. There is no public water supply or public wastewater disposal (sewer) system in New Vernon Village. All uses must rely on private wells and must meet on-site wastewater disposal (septic system) requirements approved by the Harding Township Board of Health. The requirements and limitations stipulated herein are intended to carry out the policies and standards set forth in the New Vernon Village Redevelopment Plan, adopted by Ordinance 6-03, as may be supplemented from time to time.[1] It is also the intent of this article that, to the extent feasible, the integrity of historic or contributing buildings listed in the Historic Survey for the New Vernon Historic District be retained in their historic setting and that new development be undertaken in a manner compatible with the character of the New Vernon Historic District.

Encouraging redevelopment. The Township of Harding encourages redevelopment within the B-1 Historic Village Business Zone. Applicants are requested to contact the Township Administration for assistance and to participate in the Township's small business initiative.

Residential uses:

Nonresidential uses:

Accessory uses, buildings, and structures. Electric vehicle supply/service equipment, make-ready parking space and other accessory uses, buildings, and structures that are incidental to the principal use(s) shall be permitted. All accessory buildings and structures, including garages, sheds and storage buildings, shall comply with yard setbacks, floor area ratio limitations and buffer requirements. With the exception of electric vehicle supply/service equipment, make-ready parking space, HVAC and energy-related structures or generators, no accessory building or structure shall be located closer than 10 feet to any other structure. No accessory building or structure shall exceed 25 feet in height.

Mixed uses. Mixed uses (residential and nonresidential uses) are encouraged, but not mandated, and shall be permitted in the same building or on the same lot in order to encourage the retention and development of residential uses within the B-1 Historic Village Business Zone.

Multiple uses/buildings on a lot. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 225-116C of this chapter, multiple uses and multiple buildings shall be permitted on the same lot, provided that all of the requirements of this article are met.

Storage of vehicles. No lot or parcel of land shall be used as a storage area for commercial vehicles, except in connection with a permitted use, and provided it is clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the property and does not provide a means of advertising or signage.

Storage of products. The storage of products within a building in connection with a permitted use shall be allowed, provided that such storage is clearly subordinate and incidental to the primary permitted use.

Hours of operation for nonresidential uses. The daily hours of operation for any nonresidential use in the B-1 Historic Village Business Zone shall not be prior to 6:00 a.m. or later than 9:00 p.m. Delicatessens, coffee shops and restaurants shall cease food service by 9:00 p.m., but may remain open until 10:00 p.m.

Franchised fast-food restaurants shall be prohibited.

No drive-thru facility, window service, or service to patrons in a motor vehicle shall be permitted in connection with any business. The limitations of this section, however, shall not be construed so as to prohibit the installation of a banking institution's ATM machine, provided that such ATM machine shall only be accessible to pedestrians, and, further, that the installation of an ATM machine meets all of the other applicable requirements of this article, including the limitation on hours of operation stipulated above.

No warehousing shall be permitted, except that the enclosed storage, as an accessory use, of products sold on the premises shall be permitted in accordance with § 225-141G above.

No outdoor storage shall be permitted.

The outdoor display of goods shall be limited to the front porch or attached patio in accordance with applicable safety considerations.

No flea markets shall be permitted.

Minimum lot size: 9,000 square feet.

Minimum lot width: 65 feet.

Height of principal buildings.

Front yard. All structures must be set back at least 20 feet from any front lot line or road line.

Side yards. The width of each side yard must be at least six feet, and the aggregate width of both side yards must be at least 20% of the lot width. All side yards shall remain unimproved with structures or paved surfaces but shall be fully landscaped with evergreen plantings of nursery stock on average at least five feet in height so as to serve as a buffer to adjoining properties. Whenever parking spaces adjoin the minimum side yard, the minimum side yard dimension shall be increased to eight feet to accommodate any vehicle overhang. A satisfactory surface treatment for the vehicle overhang area shall be provided so as to minimize any adverse impact on the landscaped area. Where a side lot line abuts a residence zone or Public Land Zone, the side yard area shall be increased consistent with the buffer requirements set forth in this article.

Rear yard: a minimum depth of 10% of the lot depth or 15 feet, whichever is greater, from any rear lot line or road line.

Minimum lot frontage: 65 feet.

Floor area ratio. Except as indicated below, the maximum permitted floor area ratio for all uses shall be 15%.

Building area. The maximum permitted building area for all uses shall be 15%.

Maximum total lot coverage: 50%.

Buffers. Wherever a lot abuts a residential zone or Public Land Zone, a minimum fifteen-foot-wide landscaped buffer shall be provided along the lot line adjoining such zone. The buffer shall remain unimproved, except that said buffer shall be fully landscaped with evergreen plantings of nursery stock quality averaging at least five feet in height throughout the area. This requirement may be waived or modified by the Board where satisfactory evidence is provided to demonstrate that existing vegetation adequately serves as a buffer. This requirement shall apply only to nonresidential uses.

Off-street parking requirements. All off-street parking areas shall be placed behind the front setback line or front elevation of the building located closest to the road, whichever is located a greater distance from the road line. Off-street parking on individual sites shall be provided for various uses as follows:

Shared parking arrangements. The Board may waive some or all of the parking otherwise required by Subsection A above where an applicant can demonstrate that adequate parking is available in a shared parking arrangement with other uses or in connection with municipally sponsored parking. The Board shall take into consideration, among other factors, the nature of the business activity, the projected vehicular trip generation of the proposed use(s), the physical proximity and relationship of the shared parking arrangement to the proposed use(s), the current usage of the alternative parking site, and whether it is reasonably accessible to pedestrians in relation to the proposed business.

Loading and delivery facilities. Adequate provision shall be made for loading areas for nonresidential uses where needed in connection with business operations. No permanent space devoted to a loading area shall be located within the front yard or in front of the building façade located closest to the street, and all loading areas shall be screened from view from the public street and from adjoining residential uses. The Board may require fencing, landscaping, or sound-abatement techniques to minimize the transmission of noise. There shall be no loading or delivery activities undertaken at any business establishment prior to 6:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

Pedestrian pathways. Pedestrian pathways may be constructed and maintained on each lot within the B-1 Historic Village Business Zone in accordance with the adopted New Vernon Village Redevelopment Plan, as amended and/or supplemented by ordinance.

Lighting. Exterior lighting shall be shielded such that it will not create glare or shine on adjoining properties. For nonresidential uses, after 9:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. for food service establishments), only that lighting deemed by the Board to be necessary for security and emergency purposes shall be permitted to remain on.

Waste disposal. All refuse disposal and recycling areas, generators, air-conditioning units, and any other special utilities or equipment related to any buildings on the site shall be placed behind the front facade of the principal building or, in the case of multiple principal buildings, the building located closest to the street, and all shall be appropriately screened from view. Refuse disposal and recycling areas shall be enclosed with a solid wood fence at least six feet in height but not higher than eight feet. The Board may, at its sole discretion, approve landscaping in lieu of or in addition to fencing to satisfy the screening requirement for refuse disposal areas.