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Lower Saucon Township
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XV

Office and Laboratory District O&L

§ 180-84 Purpose.

The purpose of this District is to recognize the unique and special characteristics of the mountaintop area of the Township. This District acknowledges the benefits of both the preservation of open space and a woodland environment and the appropriate expansion of uses which are compatible with the existing development in adjoining municipalities. This District allows the more intensive development of certain designated areas of the mountaintop but only under circumstances which would further protect and enhance remaining open space and woodlands.

§ 180-85 Permitted uses.

[Amended 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-06]
The following permitted uses and their accessory uses may be permitted by right by the Zoning Officer, provided that the use type, dimensional and all other applicable requirements of this chapter are satisfied.
A. 
All of the following uses require site plan approval in accordance with § 180-102:
(1) 
Planned office and laboratory park (see § 180-106). Note, however, where the requirements of this § 180-85 are more strict than § 180-106, then the more strict regulation shall govern.
(2) 
Service uses:
(a) 
Office, medical and professional.
(b) 
Nursery school or day care (see § 180-127).
(3) 
Commercial uses:
(a) 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection A(3)(a), regarding forestry, was repealed 7-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04.
B. 
The following uses do not require site plan approval unless required by an overlay zone:
(1) 
Service Uses:
(a) 
Nontower commercial communication facilities (see § 180-127.1).
(2) 
Forestry (see § 180-127.2).
[Added 7-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]

§ 180-86 Conditional uses.

The following conditional uses and their accessory uses may be permitted when authorized by the Township Council, provided that the use type, dimensional and all other applicable requirements of this chapter are satisfied. All of the following uses require site plan approval in accordance with § 180-102:
A. 
Cultural uses:
(1) 
Library.
(2) 
Cultural facility.
B. 
Educational uses:
(1) 
Institution, private; public water and sewer required.
(2) 
Trade school; public water and sewer required.
(3) 
Institution, public; public water and sewer required.
C. 
Lodging:
[Amended 7-16-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-09]
(1) 
Bed-and-breakfast home.
(2) 
Hotel; public water and sewer required (see § 180-110).
D. 
Public service uses:
(1) 
Government facility, other.
(2) 
Fire and emergency station.
(3) 
Government facility, Township.
(4) 
Hospital; public water and sewer required (see § 180-121).
E. 
Recreational uses:
(1) 
Club, lodge, or social building, private (see § 180-111).
(2) 
Commercial (indoor); public water and sewer required (see § 180-112).
(3) 
Recreation and park, public.

§ 180-87 Accessory uses.

A. 
Accessory uses are permitted by right. The following accessory uses are permitted in this district, subject to all yard regulations and the applicable provisions of other zoning regulations:
(1) 
Satellite dishes (see § 180-129).
[Amended 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-06]
(2) 
Fences and walls (see § 180-97).
(3) 
Noncommercial pools and tennis courts (see §§ 180-130 and 180-135).
(4) 
Parking spaces (see § 180-98).
(5) 
Signs (See Article XVIA).
[Amended 3-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
(6) 
Solar energy collection equipment (see § 180-129).
(7) 
Temporary stands or offices (see § 180-131).
(8) 
Windmills and other power-generating equipment (see § 180-129).
B. 
Special exception accessory uses. The following special exception accessory uses may be permitted in this district, subject to all applicable provisions of this chapter and other zoning regulations:
(1) 
Underground storage tanks (see § 180-96).

§ 180-88 Lot requirements.

The following dimensional requirements apply to each lot in the O&L District as shown, subject to applicable provisions of this chapter:
A. 
Area: minimum 50 acres.
B. 
Width: minimum 800 feet.
C. 
Coverage: maximum 10%.
D. 
Building coverage: maximum 5%.
E. 
Height: maximum 50 feet (three stories).

§ 180-89 Yard requirements.

The following yard requirements apply to each principal use permitted in this district, subject to further applicable provisions of this chapter:
A. 
Front yard: minimum 75 feet.
B. 
Side yard: minimum 150 feet.*
C. 
Rear yard:  minimum 500 feet.*
* NOTE: If lot is bordered by a public park or private property restricted to open space use, the immediately adjacent applicable rear yard and/or side yard shall be reduced to a minimum of 75 feet.

§ 180-89.1 (Reserved) [1]

[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 180-89.1, Woodland buffer requirements, was repealed 4-6-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-01.

§ 180-89.2 Specific provisions for existing nonconforming lots.

Lots that exist at the time of adoption of this chapter which are less than 50 acres and are not contiguous to other lots in the same ownership may be used for a single-family residential use or any permitted service use allowed in § 180-85B with a maximum coverage of 35% and minimum front and rear yard of 40 feet and minimum side yard of 30 feet.