Montour Township Columbia County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 5
DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
§ 27-500 Compliance.
[Ord. 5/9/1972, § 500; as amended by Ord. 12/12/1991B, § 10]
1.
The regulations for each district pertaining to minimum lot size, minimum lot width, maximum lot coverage, maximum height and minimum yard space shall be as specified in the "Table of Dimensional Requirements" included in this section,[1] except as may be approved by the Township for a cluster development as permitted in § 27-402(2)(H). All uses and activities established after the effective date of this chapter shall provide for the minimum and not exceed the maximum dimensions specified, except as may be approved by the Township for a cluster development as permitted in § 27-402(2)(H). Innovative design of subdivisions or land developments, including cluster development, which serves the purposes of this chapter and the Township Comprehensive Plan and is determined by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission, to be in the public interest is to be encouraged and may be permitted. Cluster design for residential development is to be encouraged in zoning districts as permitted in § 27-402(2)(H).
[Amended 9/13/2007]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Dimensional Heights is included as an attachment to this chapter.
2.
Where the proposed innovative design is determined not to be generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, one of the following conditions must be found to exist in order for the Township to approve the innovative design:
A.
The Comprehensive Plan must be found to be not applicable in that particular instance.
B.
The Comprehensive Plan did not address the issues raised in the proposed design and which, by virtue of new technology or contemporary design practice, will result in an improved quality of development without adverse effect upon the community or the environment.
4.
Regulations applying to lots, buildings and uses in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter, or relevant amendments thereto, shall be governed by Part 9.
5.
In cases where the site location, site characteristics, proposed use or intensity of use, or other factors warrant the Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, or Board of Township Supervisors having appropriate jurisdiction may establish requirements or standards and regulate the siting, density and design as it may deem necessary to protect the public health and safety, to provide for reliable, safe and adequate water supplies, to preserve natural, scenic and historic values, to protect the environment, and to preserve forests, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.
§ 27-501 Special Provisions.
[Ord. 5/9/1972; as amended by Ord. 5/13/1982, § 4; by Ord. 12/15/1987; and by Ord. 12/12/1991B, § 11]
1.
Height Exceptions. The height limitations of this chapter shall not apply to church spires, belfries, cupolas, monuments, silos and domes not used for human occupancy nor to chimneys, ventilators, skylights, water tanks, bulkheads, similar features and necessary mechanical appurtenances normally built above the roof level. Such features, however, shall be erected only to such height as necessary to accomplish the purpose they are to serve and shall not exceed in cross-sectional area 20% of the ground floor area of the building. Wind towers and wind turbines, meteorological towers and related appurtenances for large-scale commercial wind farms and for small wind energy systems shall be exempt from its height limitations of this chapter so long as the height for such wind turbines shall be no higher than necessary to serve their intended purpose.
[Amended 5/13/2010]
2.
Special Front Yard Requirements.
A.
Exceptions. If the alignment of two or more existing buildings on each side of a lot within a distance of 50 feet of the proposed building and fronting on the same side of the same street in the same block is nearer to the street than the required front yard depth, the average of such existing alignment within that distance shall be the required front yard. Yard setback requirements may be adjusted during the subdivision or land development plan stage by the Township Planning Commission for a cluster design development. In cases where such setbacks are adjusted, the Township Planning Commission shall specifically document the particular setback and location which was adjusted and clearly communicate in a timely manner said adjustment to the Township Zoning Officer, Township Supervisors, Township Engineer and Township Solicitor.
[Amended 9/13/2007]
B.
Additional Setbacks.[1] For those properties fronting on arterial and collector highways identified in the Comprehensive Plan and as listed herein, minimum front yards shall be 50 feet in all districts, measured from the future right-of-way. Future rights-of-way shall be 100 feet for minor arterial highways, 80 feet for major collector highways, and 60 feet for minor collector highways, measured equally from the center line of the existing right-of-way.
3.
Traffic Visibility; Clear Sight Triangle. In all districts, no structure, fence, planting or other structure shall be maintained between a plane two feet above curb level and a plane seven feet above curb level so as to interfere with traffic visibility across any corner created by the intersection of two or more streets or a street and driveway(s) within that part of the required front or side yard which is within a triangle bounded by the front and side lot lines and a straight line drawn between points on each such lot line 20 feet from the intersection of said lot lines or extension thereof.
4.
Permitted Uses in Yards.
A.
Projections. Ground story terraces and unenclosed porches may project into any required yard not more than 1/2 its required dimension and not more than 10 feet in any case. Chimneys, flues, columns, sills and ornamental features may project not more than two feet into a required yard.
B.
Fences. Subject to § 27-501(3), yard provisions shall not apply to hedges, fences or walls less than six feet high above the natural grade.
C.
Accessory Buildings. Completely detached accessory buildings may in no case occupy required front yards or side yard space directly adjacent to the principal building; but, in the case of rear yards, completely detached accessory buildings may extend into the rear yard a distance of 1/2 the normal rear yard requirement. Accessory buildings which are attached to the principal building may extend into the side or rear yard a distance of 1/2 the normal required yard but may in no case project into the front yard.
D.
Outdoor Storage and Off-Street Parking. Outdoor storage and off-street parking may project into any side or rear yard a distance of not more than 1/2 its required dimension.
5.
Multiple Frontage Lots. On corner or double-frontage lots, each side of a lot having a street frontage shall meet the required front yard setback for that lot.
6.
Spacing of Nonresidential Buildings. Where two or more main buildings for nonresidential uses are proposed to be built upon a property in one ownership, front, side and rear yards are required only at lot lines abutting other properties.