Lower Macungie Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 15
ORLIC OFFICE, RESEARCH, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL CENTER
§ 27-1501 Purpose.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The purpose of this district is to provide desirable locations for modern office, research, and light industrial uses that are harmonious with agricultural and other low-intensity surrounding uses. Performance and development standards will ensure that these areas are desirable and will not constitute a hazard or nuisance to the Township.
§ 27-1502 Uses Permitted by Right.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
The following uses available in Exhibit 1: Zoning Use Matrix[1] are permitted by right in this zoning district conditioned on the requirements of Part 24 and provided the use type, dimensional and all other applicable requirements of this chapter (including the provisions of Part 24 where indicated).
[1]
Editor's Note: Said exhibit is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 27-1503 Uses Permitted by Condition.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
The following conditional uses and their accessory uses available in Exhibit 1: Zoning Use Matrix may be permitted following a review and recommendation by the Planning Commission in accordance with the provisions of Part 24, and other applicable provisions listed herein, and approval by the Board of Commissioners.
§ 27-1504 Uses Permitted by Special Exception.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
The following uses and their accessory uses may be permitted when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board, subject to the provisions of Part 24:
A.
Any use of the same general character of those uses permitted by right or condition. Evidence shall be submitted documenting the degree to which the proposed use will emit smoke, dust, odor or other air pollutants, noise, vibration, light, electrical disturbances, water pollutants, increased storm runoff and the additional traffic generated by the proposed facility. Such evidence may include the proposed use of proven special structural or technical innovations.
§ 27-1505 Accessory Uses.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
Accessory uses on the same lot and customarily incidental to the permitted uses are permitted by right. The term "accessory use" may include the following uses which shall comply with all applicable provisions stated for them:
A.
Cafeterias for the use of employees and visitors of the primary use only.
B.
Metal processes such as plating, finishing, anodizing and polishing.
C.
Accessory buildings such as garages and buildings related to the proposed use and meeting the same yard requirements as the existing building.
D.
Financial facilities for the use of employees and visitors of the primary use and located therein.
E.
Temporary structures or uses, as outlined in § 27-1709.1.D.
F.
The storage of crude oil or any of its volatile products or other highly inflammable liquids as an accessory use, provided that no individual tank shall have a capacity greater than 10,000 gallons. Propane liquefied gas may be stored above or below ground.
G.
Fences and walls shall be no closer than three feet to a property line unless there is a letter of consent from the adjacent property owner in which case they may be positioned on the property line. In no case shall any fence or wall be located in the existing street right-of-way or interfere with a clear sight triangle. Additionally:
(1)
For lots with residential uses, fences and walls shall not exceed four feet in height in front yard areas, and eight feet in height in all other yard areas (except tennis court fences which may not exceed 10 feet in height). An exception shall be permitted along the common property lines where there is a common wall for single-family attached dwellings and semidetached dwellings where fences will be permitted within the property boundaries up to the property line.
(2)
For lots with industrial uses, fences shall be no more than eight feet in height; chain link, barbed wire, razor wire are prohibited on any fence in this district.
H.
Heliport.
I.
Amateur radio antennas in accordance with § 27-1709.1.J.
J.
Wind turbine in accordance with § 27-1709.1.L.
K.
Solar panel in accordance with § 27-1709.1.M.
§ 27-1506 Lot Area, Width, Building Coverage, Height Regulations.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The following dimensional requirements in this section and § 27-1507 shall apply to each use permitted in the district by right, by condition and by special exception, subject to further applicable provisions of this chapter. The most restrictive dimensional requirement for each use shall apply. Lot coverage shall not exceed 70%.
Principal Use | Minimum Lot Area (acres) | Minimum Lot Width (feet) | Maximum Building Coverage & Impervious Coverage | Maximum Building and Structure Height Unless Otherwise Specified (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Public utility structures necessary for transmission such as well house, switching station, etc. | No minimum | None | 100% | 35 |
Self-storage facility | 2 | 150 | 40%/70% | 25 |
Hospitals | 5 | 250 | 30%/70% | 50 |
Public and private schools | 4 | 250 | 30%/70% | 35 |
§ 27-1507 Minimum Yard Requirements.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
Principal Use | Front Yard (feet) | Side Yard (feet) | Rear Yard (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
All uses | 50 | 50 | 50 |
§ 27-1508 Additional Standards for Uses in the ORLIC District.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
Coordinated Developments. Two or more uses permitted in the appropriate zone district schedules of this Part may occupy a single parcel provided that the following requirements are met:
A.
All development shall be in accordance with a unified site plan and architectural scheme approved by the Township Board of Commissioners as a land development per regulations in this section.
B.
It shall not be required that the whole of the development in a single ownership or build and financed by a single party, if satisfactory evidence is given that all parties financially or otherwise concerned in the development are legally bound to conform to the above required unified site plan and architectural scheme.
C.
The aggregate total floor space of all uses shall be used in determining parking requirements. Buildings may either be joined by common walls or separated. If separated, all minimum yard requirements shall be met.
D.
The combined development shall be considered as a single tract for the purposes of determining driveway, access and parking requirements.
2.
There shall be no outdoor storage of materials or supplies, except fuel with standards as follows:
A.
Propane storage tanks for light manufacturing, industrial or other utility use accessory to a building or use's primary function.
B.
Gasoline or diesel tanks for accessory emergency power generation purposes of a building or use.
C.
Other gas or liquid storage tanks which serve as an accessory utility or purpose to a building or use as reviewed and approved by the Township.
3.
No materials or wastes shall be deposited upon a lot in such form or manner that they may be transferred off the lot by natural causes or forces or animals, nor shall any substance which can contaminate a stream or watercourse or otherwise render such stream or watercourse undesirable as a source of water supply or recreation, or which will destroy aquatic life, be allowed to enter any stream or watercourse.
4.
All materials or wastes which might cause fumes or dust or which constitute a fire hazard or which may be edible or otherwise attractive to rodents or insects shall be stored or maintained in containers which are adequate to eliminate such hazards.
5.
Prohibited Activities. No use shall be permitted which emits smoke, dust, fire, fumes, odors, noise, heat, glare, vibrations or radioactivity beyond the boundaries of the property. The requirements of this subsection shall not, however, apply to:
A.
Motor vehicles used by employees, suppliers or customers of primary users.
B.
The environmental impacts of activities customarily incident to the occupancy and operation of buildings and structures including, but not limited to, lighting, climate control and human waste disposal; provided, however, that such environmental impacts comply with applicable Township, state and federal standards.
6.
Prohibited Uses and Processes. Any industrial use or process which (A) involves considerable danger of fire, explosion or other hazards to public health or safety including, but not limited to, such things as the manufacture of fireworks, explosives, toxic chemicals, toxic gasses or (B) cannot be designed to conform to the performance standards with respect to the emission of objectionable emissions into the environment set forth in Township, state or federal environmental regulations shall be prohibited.
7.
Performance Standards Regulating Toxic or Noxious Matter.
A.
For the purpose of this section, the term "toxic or noxious matter" is any solid, liquid or gaseous matter including, but not limited to gases, vapors, dusts, fumes and mists containing properties which by chemical means are:
B.
The emission of toxic or noxious matter, if any, into the environment shall be in accordance with the limits established by the applicable state or federal environmental protection regulations. In addition to such emission limits, the emission of such matter shall be so controlled that no concentration at or beyond the boundary of the property shall be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, comfort or other aspects of the general welfare, or cause damage or injury to property as provided for in the aforesaid environmental protection regulations.
8.
Protection of Surrounding Properties. Adequate facilities and regulations shall be provided to prevent employees', contractors' or visitors' intentional or unintentional use, damage or interferences with adjacent or surrounding properties or activities. All operations, facilities and materials that may be hazardous when misused or when accidental contact is made shall be enclosed by an approved safety fence.
9.
No use shall require or promote the extension of public sewer service into the ORLIC or adjacent zoning districts.
10.
No medical offices, day-care center, school or place of worship shall be located within 1,000 feet of a petroleum storage tank or pumping facility.
11.
A project design companion, including a coordinated set of drawings, reference photographs and notes, shall be prepared for buildings, parking areas, landscape architecture, pedestrian circulation and public spaces within any proposal and shall be binding upon Township approval. The Manual of Design Guidelines shall include, but not be limited to:
12.
Any new land development or subdivisions shall utilize architectural-grade cladding and enhanced architectural features on all newly constructed or renovated buildings.
13.
All roof-mounted or nonresidential HVAC systems or building machinery shall be shielded from view utilizing appropriate screening as displayed in the Lower Macungie Township Design Guidelines.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Design Guidelines are included as an attachment to this chapter.
14.
All new land development or subdivisions shall include illuminated monument entrance signs per this chapter and the Lower Macungie Township Design Guidelines with associated seasonal landscaping beds and plantings.
15.
All new land development or subdivisions shall naturalize all above-ground stormwater management features per this chapter and to the satisfaction of the Township.