Lower Macungie Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 9
VO - VILLAGE OVERLAY DISTRICT
§ 27-901 Purpose.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The purpose of this district is to recognize the special characteristics of the villages of East Macungie and Weilersville/Brookdale. The villages contain a variety of long-existing housing types (that are frequently close to streets and lot lines) and of long-existing lots (that are frequently small, narrow, or deep in comparison with typical contemporary lots). In order to permit appropriate uses and limited expansions, in keeping with the character of the villages, for these existing residences and lots, this Village Overlay District in intended to minimize requests for variances by permitting controlled changes in existing residences as limited by this district.
§ 27-902 Overlay District.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The Village Overlay District shall comprise the several overlay areas, encompassing the villages of East Macungie and Weilersville/Brookdale, superimposed upon certain other zoning districts under this chapter, as particularly set forth by the Official Lower Macungie Township Zoning Map.
§ 27-903 Uses Permitted by Right.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The uses permitted by right in the Village Overlay District are identical to those permitted by right by the zoning districts within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter.
§ 27-904 Uses Permitted by Condition.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The uses permitted in the Village Overlay District by condition approved by the Board of Commissioners as provided in Parts 24 and 26 are identical to those permitted by condition by the zoning district within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter.
§ 27-905 Uses Permitted by Special Exception.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The uses permitted in the Village Overlay District by special exception approved by the Zoning Hearing Board as provided in Parts 24 and 26 are identical to those permitted by condition by the zoning districts within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter.
§ 27-906 Accessory Uses.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The accessory uses permitted in the Village Overlay District are identical to those permitted by condition by the zoning districts within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter.
§ 27-907 Lot Area and Width, Building Coverage, Minimum Yards, and Height Restrictions.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
All new principal buildings within the Village Overlay District shall comply with the lot area, lot width, building coverage, minimum yards, and height restrictions imposed by the zoning districts within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter.
2.
New structures, new accessory buildings, and expansions/extensions of existing buildings or structures, shall, to the extent feasible, comply with the lot area, lot width, building coverage, minimum yards, and height restrictions imposed by the zoning districts within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter.
3.
If a new structure, new accessory building, or expansion/extension of an existing building or structure cannot feasibly comply with the lot area, lot width, building coverage, minimum yards, or height restrictions imposed by the zoning district within which the structure, accessory building, or existing building is otherwise situated under this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall issue a permit for such new structure, new accessory building or expansion/extension of an existing building if all of the following provisions are satisfied:
A.
The new structure, new accessory building, or expansion/extension of an existing building shall occupy a lot of not less than 3,000 square feet in area.
B.
The new structure, new accessory building, or expansion/extension of an existing building shall occupy a lot not less than 20 feet wide.
C.
The new structure, new accessory building, or expansion/extension of an existing building, together with all other buildings and structures on the lot, shall not exceed a building coverage of 65% of the lot area.
D.
The new structure, new accessory building, or expansion/extension of an existing building shall not exceed 35 feet in height.
E.
New structures or new accessory buildings shall comply with the minimum yard requirements of the zoning district within which the village containing the new structure or new accessory building is otherwise situated under this chapter.
F.
An expansion/extension of an existing building shall not extend further into the minimum front, side or rear yard, as required by the zoning district.
G.
A new structure, new accessory building, or expansion/extension of an existing building shall be no more detrimental in its external effects to its neighborhood and surroundings than the existing structures or buildings upon the lot.
§ 27-908 Deemed Conformity.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
All structures and buildings within the Village Overlay District which are in compliance with this Part but which do not comply with the lot area and width, building coverage, minimum yards and height restrictions imposed by the zoning districts within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter shall not be deemed nonconforming structures or buildings, provided the structure or building is in compliance with all other provisions of this chapter.
§ 27-909 Restoration.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
Structures or buildings within the Village Overlay District that were in compliance with this Part but which did not comply with the lot area and width, building coverage, minimum yards, and height restrictions imposed by the zoning districts within which the individual villages are otherwise situated under this chapter and which were destroyed in whole or in part by fire or other causes may be reconstructed within five years of its destruction, provided the reconstructed structure shall not exceed the lot area and width, building coverage, minimum yards, and height restrictions of this Part.