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Marcus Hook City Zoning Code

ARTICLE VI

R-4 Planned Residential District

§ 196-26 Purpose.

The purpose of this district is to provide for planned medium-density development in the form of single-family detached, semidetached, and attached dwellings. Sufficient area is provided to construct dwellings with modern conveniences and amenities. Provisions are included to promote innovative features of traditional neighborhood development.

§ 196-27 Development type.

Development in this district shall be on the basis of an overall plan applicable to the tract in question. Development of individual lots shall not be permitted. A development may include more than one permitted residential use.

§ 196-28 Uses permitted by right.

Land, buildings, or premises shall be used by right for only one or more of the following uses:
A. 
Single-family detached dwelling.
B. 
Single-family semidetached dwelling.
C. 
Single-family attached dwelling (townhouse or rowhouse).
D. 
Family-based community residence facility, subject to § 196-112.
E. 
Open space, park, or play area.

§ 196-29 Conditional uses.

The following uses shall be permitted by conditional use permit only, subject to the applicable provisions of Article XVIII, Procedure and Standards for Conditional Uses: none.

§ 196-30 Accessory uses and structures.

A. 
All accessory uses and structures permitted in the R-1 District.
B. 
Any accessory use or structure on the same lot with and customarily incidental to any of the uses permitted above in the R-4 District and not detrimental to the neighborhood.

§ 196-31 Dimensional regulations.

A. 
Area. The overall development shall have an area of not less than three acres.
B. 
Overall development regulations.
(1) 
Density. The maximum net density for the entire development shall not exceed 10 units per acre.
(2) 
Setbacks.
(a) 
From tract boundary: 40 feet.
(b) 
From exterior road: 50 feet.
C. 
Single-family detached dwelling.
(1) 
Lot area: 5,000 square feet.
(2) 
Lot width: 50 feet.
(3) 
Building coverage: 30%, maximum.
(4) 
Impervious surface: 45%, maximum.
(5) 
Front yard: 10 feet.
(6) 
Rear yard: 35 feet.
(7) 
Side yards: 20 feet aggregate and eight feet minimum.
(8) 
Height: three stories or 35 feet, maximum.
D. 
Single-family semidetached dwelling (twin).
(1) 
Lot area: 3,000 square feet.
(2) 
Lot width: 30 feet.
(3) 
Building coverage: 45%, maximum.
(4) 
Impervious surface: 65%, maximum.
(5) 
Front yard: 10 feet.
(6) 
Rear yard: 35 feet.
(7) 
Side yard: 10 feet on one side.
(8) 
Height: three stories or 35 feet, maximum.
E. 
Single-family attached dwelling (townhouse).
(1) 
Lot area: 2,000 square feet.
(2) 
Lot width: 20 feet.
(3) 
Distance between buildings: 40 feet.
(4) 
Units in row: six, maximum.
(5) 
Front yard: 10 feet.
(6) 
Rear yard: 30 feet.
(7) 
Side yard: 15 feet at ends of row.
(8) 
Building coverage: 50%, maximum.
(9) 
Impervious surface: 70%, maximum.
(10) 
Height: 35 feet, maximum.

§ 196-32 Special development regulations.

A. 
Development objectives. The developer shall demonstrate adherence to the following objectives throughout the period of development:
(1) 
An orderly and creative arrangement of uses with respect to each other and the entire community.
(2) 
A planned system of roadways, bicycle paths, and lanes and/or pedestrian walkways.
B. 
Open space.
(1) 
Not less than 35% of a development shall be devoted to common open space. Common open space shall consist of central open space and peripheral open space.
(2) 
Central open space shall consist of a green area at or near the center of the development or along the sides of an entrance road or boulevard and a green area at the entrance to the development.
(3) 
Peripheral open space shall consist of fields, streams, woodlands, and other vegetation at or in the vicinity of the tract boundaries. The preservation of undeveloped open space/woodland in its natural state is encouraged.
(4) 
Where possible, peripheral open space shall be improved as trails devoted to walking, bicycling, jogging, picnicking, and similar recreational activities.
(5) 
The location of structures shall take into account natural and man-made environmental features, including streams and woodlands.
C. 
Bicycle and pedestrian standards.
(1) 
Where possible, pedestrian and bicycle pathways shall link residential areas with public open spaces and other destinations.
(2) 
Bicycle trails shall be not less than six feet wide. Sidewalks and other pedestrian pathways shall be not less than four feet wide.
D. 
Parking.
(1) 
Parking may be permitted in a number of arrangements:
(a) 
In rear yards behind the principal building not more than five feet from the rear lot line.
(b) 
For groupings of townhouses, in specially designated parking areas behind the townhouses.
(c) 
The area between the parking spaces in the rear yard and the principal building shall not be used for parking, storage, or repair of automobiles, trucks, boats, mobile homes, trailers, or similar vehicles or conveyances.
(2) 
On-street.
E. 
Screening. A planted visual screen as defined in Article II shall be placed and maintained between the dwellings and the railroad.
F. 
Landscaping. Applicable provisions of § 196-121 shall apply.
G. 
Buffer. A riparian buffer within which parking, buildings, and storage shall be prohibited shall extend for 100 feet as measured from the center line of Marcus Hook Creek.