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Honey Brook Township
City Zoning Code

PART 18

RC - RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

§ 27-1801 Statement of Intent.

[Ord. No. 196-2018, 9/12/2018]
In accordance with the planning goals of the Honey Brook Township and Borough Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan and the purpose statements and community development objectives set forth in Article I of this Chapter, the RC — Resource Conservation District is established to help protect the Township's areas characterized by the presence of sensitive natural features; support agriculture and forestry; and allow for rural-residential living opportunities. This district includes much of the Township's woodlands and steeply sloped lands, as well as lands permanently protected by conservation easement. The regulations set forth herein are intended to achieve the following specific purposes:
A. 
To minimize incompatible land uses and manage their potential impacts on the district's steeply sloped and forested lands, and high groundwater recharge areas of the Brandywine watershed.
B. 
To provide areas for low-density, rural residential living opportunities without the need for supporting public water or sewer services.
C. 
To ensure new development is designed to be optimally consistent with the sloped and wooded features of the Welsh Mountain and Barren Hills sectors of the Township.
D. 
To support Honey Brook Township's land preservation policies contained within its adopted Land Preservation Plan.
E. 
To enable potential residential development to be transferred to other, more appropriate locations within the Township and Honey Brook Borough through the use of this Chapter's transferable development rights provisions.

§ 27-1802 Use Regulations.

[Ord. No. 196-2018, 9/12/2018; Ord. No. 211-2025, 7/9/2025]
The following uses are permitted within the RC District when in compliance with the provisions of this district, the applicable provisions of Part 9, General Regulations, the applicable provisions of Part 10, Supplemental Use Regulations, and any other applicable provisions of this Chapter.
A. 
Uses Permitted by Right. A building or other structure may be erected, altered, or used, and a lot may be used or occupied, for any one of the following principal uses, together with the permitted accessory uses, by right in accordance with the terms of this Chapter:
(1) 
Agricultural uses.
(2) 
Forestry/timber harvesting.
(3) 
Rural occupation on lots greater than 10 acres.
(4) 
Woodland or game preserve, wildlife sanctuary, or other conservation purpose.
(5) 
Single-family detached dwelling.
(6) 
Accessory dwelling unit.
(7) 
No-impact home occupation.
(8) 
Kennel, boarding kennel, or animal shelter.
(9) 
Municipal use.
(10) 
Non-tower wireless communication facility.
(11) 
The severance of transferable development rights (TDRs) per the requirements of Part 7 of this Chapter.
(12) 
Bed-and-breakfast establishment.
(13) 
Equestrian center.
(14) 
Cemetery, less than five acres in size.
(15) 
Elder cottage housing opportunity (ECHO) dwelling.
B. 
Uses Permitted by Special Exception. The following uses shall be permitted when approved as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board in conformance with Part 14 and any other applicable provisions of this Chapter:
(1) 
Limited-impact home occupation.
(2) 
Cemetery, five acres in size or larger.
(3) 
Church or similar place of worship.
(4) 
Camping ground or camping park.
(5) 
Public utility building or facility.
(6) 
Tower-based wireless communication facility.
(7) 
Short-term rental, subject to standards of § 27-1065.
C. 
Uses Permitted as Conditional Uses. The following uses shall be permitted when approved as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with Part 13 and any other applicable provisions of this Chapter:
(1) 
Quarry.
(2) 
Single-family residential subdivisions filed pursuant to Part 20, Open Space Design Option, of this Chapter.
D. 
Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, provided that they shall be incidental to any of the foregoing permitted uses and where in compliance with all applicable provisions of this Chapter:
(1) 
Manure storage facility.
(2) 
Display and sale of produce or nursery products.
(3) 
Private garage or private parking area.
(4) 
Agricultural and nonagricultural accessory buildings.
(5) 
Noncommercial swimming pool/hot tub and tennis courts.
(6) 
Noncommercial antenna and towers.
(7) 
Renewable energy systems.
(8) 
Garage/yard and private vehicle sales.
(9) 
Keeping of animals.
(10) 
Temporary structure, building, or use.
(11) 
Other customary accessory structures and uses.

§ 27-1803 Area and Bulk Regulations.

[Ord. No. 196-2018, 9/12/2018]
A. 
Single-Family Detached Dwellings.
(1) 
Minimum gross lot area: five acres.
(2) 
Minimum net lot area: 60,000 square feet.
(3) 
Minimum front yard: 60 feet.
(4) 
Minimum side yard: 30 feet.
(5) 
Minimum rear yard: 60 feet.
(6) 
Maximum impervious surface ratio: 8% of the lot area.
(7) 
Minimum lot width at street line: 50 feet.
(8) 
Where a lot of record is determined to be lawful nonconforming as to minimum lot area as of April 9, 2008, such lot shall be permitted to undergo minor plan review procedures, including lot line adjustments and other transfers of acreage, provided such procedures shall not reduce the gross lot area to less than 60,000 square feet in area.
(9) 
Any lot of record determined to be lawful nonconforming as to minimum lot area as of April 9, 2008, shall comply with the minimum yard and lot width requirements as given above, except that such lots shall be permitted a maximum impervious surface ratio of 15% of the lot area.
B. 
Single-family detached dwellings utilizing the open space design option shall be governed by regulations in Part 20.
C. 
Other Uses Permitted in § 27-1802 and Not Otherwise Regulated by this Chapter:
(1) 
Minimum net lot area: two acres.
(2) 
Minimum lot width: 200 feet at the building setback line.
(3) 
Minimum front yard: 60 feet.
(4) 
Minimum side yards: 60 feet each.
(5) 
Minimum rear yard: 75 feet.
(6) 
Maximum impervious surface ratio: 20% of gross lot area.
(7) 
Minimum lot width at street line: 50 feet.
D. 
Maximum Height of Buildings and Structures:
(1) 
Single-family detached dwellings, other permitted uses: 35 feet.
(2) 
General farm buildings and silos: 80 feet.

§ 27-1804 Design Standards.

[Ord. No. 196-2018, 9/12/2018]
A. 
The following design standards shall govern all uses, as applicable, in this zoning district:
(1) 
Lighting, screening and buffering, and outdoor storage shall be in accordance with Part 9, General Regulations.
(2) 
Signage shall be in accordance with Part 9, General Regulations.
(3) 
Parking, loading, access, and interior circulation shall be in accordance with Part 9, General Regulations.

§ 27-1805 Forestry Activities and Future Subdivision or Land Developments.

[Ord. No. 196-2018, 9/12/2018]
If a lot within the RC — Resource Conservation District undergoes a timber harvesting operation that removes all the trees prior to submittal or approval of a subdivision or land development application involving the harvested area, such lot shall not be approved for subdivision or land development for a period of three years.