Mount Holly City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XII
Design Standards
§ 149-82 Establishment; modification.
A.
The following design standards are hereby established except where the Zoning Ordinance provides for design standards which are of a higher quality than those established in this article.
B.
The reviewing Board may modify the design standards when it is in the best interest of the community to do so.
§ 149-83 Parking and loading.
[Amended 1-5-1981 by Ord. No. 1980-19; 10-15-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-13; 9-25-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-15; 5-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-6]
A.
Parking spaces for various uses shall be provided in accordance with the following ratio of parking spaces to gross floor area (GFA). For proposed uses not specifically enumerated herein, the ratio for that use most similar to the proposed use shall be utilized.
MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS | |
|---|---|
Type of Use | Number of Spaces |
Assembly operation | 1 per 800 square feet GFA |
Auto sales | 1 per 300 square feet showroom area and sales office |
Bar | 1 per 2 seats or people |
Bowling alley | 4 per alley |
Car wash | 10 per washing lane |
Church | 1 per 3 seats or people |
Dwelling unit | 2 |
Financial institution | 1 per 250 square feet GFA |
Finishing operation | 1 per 800 square feet GFA |
Hospital | 1.5 per bed |
Industrial | 1 per 800 square feet GFA |
Manufacturing | 1 per 800 square feet GFA |
Medical center | 1 per 150 square feet GFA; minimum of 10 |
Mortuary | 10 per viewing room and chapel; minimum of 30 |
Neighborhood convenience center | Same as shopping center |
Nightclub | 1 per 2 seats or people |
Office | 1 per 275 square feet GFA |
Receiving | 1 per 1,000 square feet GFA |
Research | 1 per 1,000 square feet GFA |
Restaurant | 1 per 3 seats; 1 per 30 square feet GFA in quick food establishments |
Retail store | 1 per 200 square feet GFA |
Service station | 4 per bay and work area |
Shipping | 1 per 5,000 square feet GFA |
Shopping center | 5.5 per 1,000 square feet GFA,* excluding theater |
Storage | 1 per 5,000 square feet GFA |
Tennis court | 3 per court |
Theater | 1 per 3 seats; 1 per 4 seats in shopping center |
Veterinarian hospital | 6 per examination room or doctor, whichever is greater |
Utility | 1 |
Warehouse | 1 per 5,000 square feet GFA |
NOTES: *Maximum of 20% of GFA can be office use without additional parking for the office use. Office use above 20% shall require parking at the appropriate rate. GFA=gross floor area. | |
B.
The parking space requirements enumerated in Subsection A above shall not provide for fewer parking spaces than the following requirements:
(1)
Off-street parking in the B-2 and O-B Districts. Provisions shall be made for two square feet of total parking area for each square foot of gross floor area for all nonresidential buildings or additions to such buildings in the B-2 and O-B Zones.
(2)
Off-street parking the B-3 and B-4 Zone Districts. Provisions shall be made for four square feet total parking area for each square foot of gross floor area, except where there is established an existing parking area presently serving a shopping center and it can be clearly demonstrated that less parking area is necessary.
(3)
Nonresidential uses in the residential zone. Provision shall be made for one square foot of total parking area for each square foot of gross floor area.
C.
Off-street unloading space. In all districts for every building, or part thereof, hereafter erected, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, goods display, retail store, wholesale store or warehouse, market, hospital, laundry, dry-cleaning or other use similarly requiring the receipt or distribution in vehicles of materials or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the same premises with such building off-street loading spaces in relation to floor area as follows: up to 10,000 square feet: one space; 10,000 to 25,000 square feet: two spaces; one additional space for each additional 25,000 square feet or part thereof, provided that:
D.
Location. Off-street parking facilities as required by this article shall be located as hereinafter specified:
(1)
For all residential buildings or for all nonresidential buildings in residential zones, required parking shall be provided on the same lot with the building.
(2)
For all businesses and industrial buildings, required parking shall be provided on site or within 120 feet of the property line of the business.
(3)
The off-street parking and loading provisions of this article may be met by participation in a community parking or loading program designed to serve a larger area, provided that plans for each community parking or loading program have been approved by the Planning Board.
(4)
Off-street parking for nonresidential uses within a residential zone may not extend more than 120 feet into the residential zone from the adjacent nonresidential zone for the nonresidential zone.
E.
For all off-street parking other than that required by the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Zones, the following design criteria must be met:
(1)
The parking area must be surfaced with an asphalt surface of a minimum six-inch quarry blend stone and two-inch FABC or six-inch portland cement.
(2)
The parking area must be drained so as to prevent the pooling of water on the site. Excess storm water must be either retained in specially designed storage areas on site or transported to the nearest storm sewer system or natural drainage course having sufficient capacity to handle the increased flow. All drainage design shall be predicated upon twenty-five-year storm calculations. Ten percent of a one year, 24 hour Type III storm must be retained after 36 hours for water quality purposes.
(3)
All parking areas shall be illuminated at least 1.0 foot candles so as to provide visibility over the entire area at night for pedestrian and vehicular safety. All lighting shall be so arranged as to reflect the light downward, away from adjoining residential buildings.
(4)
No part of such parking areas shall extend into any required front yard more than 1/2 of the front yard setback requirement of the zone in which it extends.
(5)
Such parking areas shall be used solely for the parking of passenger automobiles, and no commercial repair work or service of any kind shall be conducted on such parking lot. No sign, other than entrance and exit signs, shall be maintained.
(6)
Off-street parking and unloading areas shall have a six-foot-wide buffer along all property lines, appropriately landscaped so that it does not detract from the overall development of the community. Off-street parking and unloading areas which adjoin or face institutional premises or residential zone districts shall be effectively screened by a hedge or other natural landscape, as approved by the review Board. A landscape screening adjoining or facing institutional or residential uses shall have a minimum width of 10 feet. The minimum vegetation height shall be four feet, and the minimum spacing shall be three feet.
(7)
Parking spaces, stalls or bays shall be 10 feet by 20 feet; travel aisles between parking stalls shall be 25 feet wide if 90º parking is used or 14 feet wide if 45º parking is used. Other travel areas within parking lots shall be 10 feet wide if one-way and 20 feet wide if two-way.
(8)
Curbing or car stops shall be utilized to protect required sidewalks and landscaping adjacent to parking areas.
(9)
Provisions must be made for turning movements if the parking area does not have an internal circulation pattern.
(10)
Notwithstanding the above requirements, parking areas on any lot shall not cause the amount of green space to go below 30% of the total lot area, unless the particular zoning district requires a lesser amount of green or open space.
F.
Off-street parking in residential zones.
(1)
General requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or other entity to establish an off-street parking area in any residential district, whether or not site plan or other review is required, unless the area complies with the following requirements:
(a)
Off-street parking areas shall be surfaced with an asphalt surface of a minimum six-inch quarry blend stone and two-inch FABC or six-inch portland cement of 4,000 psi compressive strength.
(b)
Off-street parking areas shall be drained so as to prevent the pooling of water on the site. Excess stormwater must be either retained in specially designed storage areas on site or transported to the nearest storm sewer system or natural drainagecourse having sufficient capacity to handle the increased flow. All drainage design shall be predicted upon twenty-five-year storm calculations. Ten percent of a one-year twenty-four-hour Type III storm must be retained after 18 hours.
(c)
Off-street parking areas shall have a six-foot-wide grass buffer along all property lines, appropriately landscaped to not detract from the overall development and character of the neighborhood.
(d)
All off-street parking spaces, stalls, or bays shall be nine feet by 18 feet. Travel aisles shall provide adequate turnaround capability and safe ingress and egress to the parking area.
(e)
Off-street parking areas shall have curbing or car stops to protect sidewalks and landscaping adjacent to parking areas.
(f)
Provision shall be make for turning movements if the parking area does not have an internal circulation pattern.
(g)
Off-street parking areas shall not cause the impervious cover on the lot to be less than 30% of the total lot area.
(2)
Application and review. No person shall establish an off-street parking area in a residential zone, whether or not a site plan or other review is required, without first submitting an application for a permit together with a plan of the proposed area demonstrating that it is in full compliance with the requirements of Subsection F(1) above and other applicable provisions of the Township Land Use Ordinances, to the Township Clerk.
(a)
The Township Clerk shall provide the application and plan to the Township Engineer for his review and confirmation that the plan is in compliance with the requirements of Subsection F(1) above and Township land use ordinances. The Township Engineer shall provide a written report to the Clerk confirming such compliance or indicating noncompliance.
(b)
The Township Engineer’s report shall, if appropriate, be submitted by the Clerk to the Construction Office for its use in the issuance of any necessary construction permits. If no construction permits are required, the Engineer’s report confirming compliance with this chapter shall be sufficient for approval and construction of the off-street parking. A report indicating noncompliance may be appealed to the Planning Board in the same way and manner as appeals from a determination by the administrative official.
(3)
Fees. An applicant to establish an off-street parking area conforming with the provisions of this Subsection F shall pay an application fee of $50 and shall deposit in escrow $200 for engineering review at the time of submission. The escrow shall be held and accounted for in the same way and manner as escrows posted to cover professional review fees for land use applications. Upon completion of the review and a determination of compliance, any unused portion of the escrow shall be returned to the applicant. Should the review fee exceed the escrow deposit, the applicant shall remit the additional charge to the Township. No construction permit shall be issued until all professional review fees are paid.
§ 149-83.1 Electric vehicle supply/service equipment.
[Added 5-15-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-6]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote and encourage the use of electric vehicles by requiring the safe and efficient installation of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces through municipal parking regulations and other standards. EVSE and make-ready parking spaces will support the state's transition to an electric transportation sector, reducing automobile air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and storm water runoff contaminants. The goals are to:
(1)
Provide adequate and convenient EVSE and make-ready parking spaces to serve the needs of the traveling public.
(2)
Provide opportunities for residents to have safe and efficient personal EVSE located at or near their place of residence.
(3)
Provide the opportunity for nonresidential uses to supply EVSE to their customers and employees.
(4)
Create standard criteria to encourage and promote safe, efficient, and cost-effective electric vehicle charging opportunities in all zones and settings for convenience of service to those that use electric vehicles.
B. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY CHARGING LEVEL(1) (2) (3) ELECTRIC VEHICLE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY/SERVICE EQUIPMENT (EVSE) MAKE-READY PARKING SPACE PRIVATE EVSE PUBLICLY-ACCESSIBLE EVSE
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The certificate provided for in N.J.A.C. 5:23-2, indicating that the construction authorized by the construction permit has been completed in accordance with the construction permit, the act and the regulations. See "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L. 1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
The amount of voltage provided to charge an electric vehicle varies depending on the type of EVSE as follows:
Level 1 operates on a 15 to 20 amp breaker on a 120 volt AC circuit.
Level 2 operates on a 40 to 100 amp breaker on a 208 or 240 volt AC circuit.
Direct-current fast charger (DCFC) operates on a 60 amp or higher breaker on a 480 volt or higher three phase circuit with special grounding equipment. DCFC stations can also be referred to as rapid charging stations that are typically characterized by industrial grade electrical outlets that allow for faster recharging of electric vehicles.
Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets; and operates either partially or exclusively using an electric motor powered by an externally charged on-board battery.
The equipment, including the cables, cords, conductors, connectors, couplers, enclosures, attachment plugs, power outlets, power electronics, transformer, switchgear, switches and controls, network interfaces, point of sale equipment, and associated apparatus designed and used for the purpose of transferring energy from the electric supply system to a plug-in electric vehicle. "EVSE" may deliver either alternating current or, consistent with fast charging equipment standards, direct current electricity. "EVSE" is synonymous with "electric vehicle charging station."
The prewiring of electrical infrastructure at a parking space, or set of parking spaces, to facilitate easy and cost-efficient future installation of electric vehicle supply equipment or electric vehicle service equipment, including, but not limited to, Level Two EVSE and direct current fast chargers. Make-ready includes expenses related to service panels, junction boxes, conduit, wiring, and other components necessary to make a particular location able to accommodate electric vehicle supply equipment or electric vehicle service equipment on a "plug and play" basis. "make-ready" is synonymous with the term "charger ready," as used in P.L. 2019, c.362 (C. 48:25-1 et al.).
EVSE that has restricted access to specific users (e.g., single- and two-family homes, executive parking fleet parking with no access to the general public).
EVSE that is publicly available (e.g., park and ride, public parking lots and garages, on-street parking, shopping center parking, nonreserved parking in multifamily parking lots, etc.).
C.
Approvals and permits.
(1)
An application for development submitted solely for the installation of EVSE or make-ready parking spaces shall be considered a permitted accessory use and permitted accessory structure in all zoning or use districts and shall not require a variance pursuant to C.40:55D-70.
(2)
EVSE and make-ready parking spaces installed pursuant to Section D below in development applications that are subject to site plan approval are considered a permitted accessory use as described in Subsection C(1) above.
(3)
All EVSE and make-ready parking spaces shall be subject to applicable local and/or Department of Community Affairs permit and inspection requirements.
(4)
The Construction Official shall enforce all signage and installation requirements described in this section. Failure to meet the requirements in this section shall be subject to the same enforcement and penalty provisions as other violations of the Township of Mount Holly's land use regulations.
(5)
An application for development for the installation of EVSE or make-ready spaces at an existing gasoline service station, an existing retail establishment, or any other existing building shall not be subject to site plan or other land use board review, shall not require variance relief pursuant to C.40:55D-1 et seq. or any other law, rule, or regulation, and shall be approved through the issuance of a zoning permit by the administrative officer, provided the application meets the following requirements:
(a)
The proposed installation does not violate bulk requirements applicable to the property or the conditions of the original final approval of the site plan or subsequent approvals for the existing gasoline service station, retail establishment, or other existing building;
(b)
All other conditions of prior approvals for the gasoline service station, the existing retail establishment, or any other existing building continue to be met; and
(c)
The proposed installation complies with the construction codes adopted in or promulgated pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L. 1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), any safety standards concerning the installation, and any State rule or regulation concerning electric vehicle charging stations.
(6)
An application pursuant to Subsection C(5) above shall be deemed complete if:
(a)
The application, including the permit fee and all necessary documentation, is determined to be complete,
(b)
A notice of incompleteness is not provided within 20 days after the filing of the application, or
(c)
A one-time written correction notice is not issued by the Construction Official within 20 days after filing of the application detailing all deficiencies in the application and identifying any additional information explicitly necessary to complete a review of the permit application.
(7)
EVSE and make-ready parking spaces installed at a gasoline service station, an existing retail establishment, or any other existing building shall be subject to applicable local and/or Department of Community Affairs inspection requirements.
(8)
A permitting application solely for the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment permitted as an accessory use shall not be subject to review based on parking requirements.
D.
Requirements for new installation of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces.
(1)
As a condition of preliminary site plan approval, for each application involving a multiple dwelling with five or more units of dwelling space, which shall include a multiple dwelling that is held under a condominium or cooperative form of ownership, a mutual housing corporation, or a mixed-use development, the developer or owner, as applicable, shall:
(a)
Prepare as make-ready parking spaces at least 15% of the required off-street parking spaces, and install EVSE in at least 1/3 of the 15% of make-ready parking spaces;
(b)
Within three years following the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, install EVSE in an additional 1/3 of the original 15% of make-ready parking spaces; and
(c)
Within six years following the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, install EVSE in the final 1/3 of the original 15% of make-ready parking spaces.
(d)
Throughout the installation of EVSE in the make-ready parking spaces, at least 5% of the electric vehicle supply equipment shall be accessible for people with disabilities.
(e)
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict the ability to install electric vehicle supply equipment or make-ready parking spaces at a faster or more expansive rate than as required above.
(2)
As a condition of preliminary site plan approval, each application involving a parking lot or garage not covered in Subsection C(1) above shall:
(a)
Install at least one make-ready parking space if there will be 50 or fewer off-street parking spaces.
(b)
Install at least two make-ready parking spaces if there will be 51 to 75 off-street parking spaces.
(c)
Install at least three make-ready parking spaces if there will be 76 to 100 off-street parking spaces.
(d)
Install at least four make-ready parking spaces, at least one of which shall be accessible for people with disabilities, if there will be 101 to 150 off-street parking spaces.
(e)
Install at least 4% of the total parking spaces as make-ready parking spaces, at least 5% of which shall be accessible for people with disabilities, if there will be more than 150 off-street parking spaces.
(f)
In lieu of installing make-ready parking spaces, a parking lot or garage may install EVSE to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.
(g)
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict the ability to install electric vehicle supply equipment or make-ready parking spaces at a faster or more expansive rate than as required above.
(h)
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a retailer that provides 25 or fewer off-street parking spaces or the developer or owner of a single-family home shall not be required to provide or install any electric vehicle supply equipment or make-ready parking spaces.
E.
Minimum parking requirements.
(1)
All parking spaces with EVSE and make-ready equipment shall be included in the calculation of minimum required parking spaces, pursuant to § 149-83 of the Township Code.
(2)
A parking space prepared with EVSE or make-ready equipment shall count as at least two parking spaces for the purpose of complying with a minimum parking space requirement. This shall result in a reduction of no more than 10% of the total required parking.
(3)
All parking space calculations for EVSE and make-ready equipment shall be rounded up to the next full parking space.
F.
Reasonable standards for all new EVSE and make-ready parking spaces.
(1)
Location and layout of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces is expected to vary based on the design and use of the primary parking area. It is expected flexibility will be required to provide the most convenient and functional service to users. Standards and criteria should be considered guidelines and flexibility should be allowed when alternatives can better achieve objectives for provision of this service.
(2)
Installation:
(a)
Installation of EVSE and make-ready parking spaces shall meet the electrical subcode of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.16.
(b)
Each EVSE or make-ready parking space that is not accessible for people with disabilities shall be not less than nine feet wide or 18 feet in length. Exceptions may be made for existing parking spaces or parking spaces that were part of an application that received prior site plan approval.
(c)
To the extent practical, the location of accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities with EVSE and make-ready equipment shall comply with the general accessibility requirements of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, and other applicable accessibility standards.
(d)
Each EVSE or make-ready parking space that is accessible for people with disabilities shall comply with the sizing of accessible parking space requirements in the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, and other applicable accessibility standards.
(3)
EVSE parking:
(a)
Publicly accessible EVSE shall be reserved for parking and charging electric vehicles only. Electric vehicles parked in EVSE spaces are to be parked in those spaces only while connected to the EVSE.
(b)
Electric vehicles may be parked in any parking space designated for parking, subject to the restrictions that would apply to any other vehicle that would park in that space.
(c)
Public parking. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2, publicly accessible EVSE parking spaces shall be monitored by the municipality's police department and enforced in the same manner as any other parking. It shall be a violation of this section to park or stand a nonelectric vehicle in such a space, or to park an electric vehicle in such a space when it is not connected to the EVSE. Any nonelectric vehicle parked or standing in a EVSE parking space or any electric vehicle parked and not connected to the EVSE shall be is subject to fine and/or impoundment of the offending vehicle as described in the general penalty provisions of this Municipal Code. Signage indicating the penalties for violations shall comply with Subsection F(5) below. Any vehicle parked in such a space shall make the appropriate payment for the space and observe the time limit for the underlying parking area, if applicable.
(d)
Private parking. The use of EVSE shall be monitored by the property owner or designee.
(4)
Safety.
(a)
Each publicly accessible EVSE shall be located at a parking space that is designated for electric vehicles only and identified by green painted pavement and/or curb markings, a green painted charging pictograph symbol, and appropriate signage pursuant to Subsection F(5) below.
(b)
Where EVSE is installed, adequate site lighting and landscaping shall be provided in accordance with Township of Mount Holly's ordinances and regulations.
(c)
Adequate EVSE protection such as concrete-filled steel bollards shall be used for publicly-accessible EVSE. Nonmountable curbing may be used in lieu of bollards if the EVSE is setback a minimum of 24 inches from the face of the curb. Any standalone EVSE bollards should be three feet to four feet high with concrete footings placed to protect the EVSE from accidental impact and to prevent damage from equipment used for snow removal.
(d)
EVSE outlets and connector devices shall be no less than 36 inches and no higher than 48 inches from the ground or pavement surface where mounted, and shall contain a cord management system as described in Subsection F(4)(e) below. Equipment mounted on pedestals, lighting posts, bollards, or other devices shall be designated and located as to not impede pedestrian travel, create trip hazards on sidewalks, or impede snow removal.
(e)
Each EVSE shall incorporate a cord management system or method to minimize the potential for cable entanglement, user injury, or connector damage. Cords shall be retractable or have a place to hang the connector and cord a safe and sufficient distance above the ground or pavement surface. Any cords connecting the charger to a vehicle shall be configured so that they do not cross a driveway, sidewalk, or passenger unloading area.
(f)
Where EVSE is provided within a pedestrian circulation area, such as a sidewalk or other accessible route to a building entrance, the EVSE shall be located so as not to interfere with accessibility requirements of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, and other applicable accessibility standards.
(g)
Publicly accessible EVSEs shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the equipment. A twenty-four-hour on-call contact shall be provided on the equipment for reporting problems with the equipment or access to it. To allow for maintenance and notification, Township of Mount Holly shall require the owners/designee of publicly accessible EVSE to provide information on the EVSE's geographic location, date of installation, equipment type and model, and owner contact information.
(5)
Signs.
(a)
Publicly accessible EVSE shall have posted regulatory signs, as identified in this section, allowing only charging electric vehicles to park in such spaces. For purposes of this section, "charging" means that an electric vehicle is parked at an EVSE and is connected to the EVSE. If time limits or vehicle removal provisions are to be enforced, regulatory signs including parking restrictions shall be installed immediately adjacent to, and visible from the EVSE. For private EVSE, installation of signs and sign text is at the discretion of the owner.
(b)
All regulatory signs shall comply with visibility, legibility, size, shape, color, and reflectivity requirements contained within the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as published by the Federal Highway Administration.
(c)
Wayfinding or directional signs, if necessary, shall be permitted at appropriate decision points to effectively guide motorists to the EVSE parking space(s). Wayfinding or directional signage shall be placed in a manner that shall not interfere with any parking space, drive lane, or exit and shall comply with Subsection F(5)(b) above.
(d)
In addition to the signage described above, the following information shall be available on the EVSE or posted at or adjacent to all publicly accessible EVSE parking spaces:
(6)
Usage fees.
(a)
For publicly accessible municipal EVSE: in addition to any parking fees, the fee to use parking spaces within the municipality identified as EVSE spaces shall be established by a resolution adopted by the governing body.
(b)
This fee may be amended by a resolution adopted by the governing body.
(c)
Private EVSE. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to preclude a private owner/designee of an EVSE from collecting a fee for the use of the EVSE, in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations. Fees shall be available on the EVSE or posted at or adjacent to the EVSE parking space.
§ 149-84 Drainage.
A.
A building with a single roof area of 4,000 square feet, or a combination of buildings with a combined roof area over 4,000 square feet, on a lot having less than 20,000 square feet must provide a drainage system for the roof drains in the manner similar to § 149-83E(2) above.
B.
All sites shall be graded and drained so as to prevent the accumulation of water on site in a manner other than a specially constructed retention basin.
C.
These drainage requirements shall be included in the requirements of § 149-83E(2) above.
§ 149-85 Circulation.
A.
Sidewalks, four feet wide minimum width, constructed of four-inch-thick portland cement or equivalent, shall be provided for pedestrian traffic traveling from parking areas to the principal building and for pedestrian right-of-way, except where vehicular traffic crosses this sidewalk, in which case it shall be six inches thick.
B.
Driveways and access roads shall be located no closer than 100 feet from existing intersections and other driveways and access entrances serving the development. Driveways should be 10 feet wide for one-way traffic and 20 feet wide for two-way traffic, with a fifteen-foot radius at the intersection of the public street. All driveway or access road intersections with public streets shall be at 90º.
C.
No plantings, signs or other visual obstructions shall be over 30 inches high within 20 feet of intersecting streets at corner lots or by driveway or access road intersections in order to preserve an unobstructed line-of-sight for vehicle drivers.
D.
Where the type of development would encourage pedestrian traffic to cross property other than that of the developer, a four-foot high chain link fence will be required to control this pedestrian traffic.
§ 149-86 Landscaping.
A.
An approved soil erosion control plan must be presented prior to the initiation of construction.
B.
No slopes shall be greater than three to one.
C.
The applicant shall provide a planting schedule within the site plan and shall guarantee all vegetation for a period of 18 months. In preparing the planting schedule, the applicant must consider the maximum growth of the materials and the effect of this growth on abutting property owners and public rights-of-way.
D.
Existing trees greater than eight inches in diameter shall be retained, unless otherwise specifically approved by the reviewing Board. Trees adjacent to parking areas shall have at least a four-foot nonpavement radius area surrounding them and shall be protected from vehicles.
§ 149-87 Floodplains.
The applicant shall adhere to all requirements of the State of New Jersey floodplain regulations governing stream encroachment and floodplain obstruction.
§ 149-88 Signs.
[Amended 11-12-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-17]
A.
Permit required. No person, except as specifically provided in this section, shall erect a sign without first having obtained a permit therefor.
B.
Application requirements. An applicant for a permit to erect a sign shall submit the following information to the Construction Official, unless the request for the sign has been approved as part of a site plan application:
(1)
Applicant's name and address.
(2)
Street address, zoning district, block and lot number of the property on which the sign is to be erected.
(3)
Name and address of the property owner, if different from that of the applicant. If the application is not submitted by the property owner, then the written consent of the property owner shall be attached to the application.
(4)
Sketch or survey of the property, showing the location of the proposed sign.
(5)
Description of the sign, including size, height, location and construction material. If the sign is to be lighted, details of the proposed lighting shall be supplied.
(6)
A sketch, in color, of the proposed sign.
(7)
Purpose for which the sign is to be erected.
(8)
A sign to be erected in the Historic Preservation District shalt first be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission for its review and recommendations.
D.
Action on application.
(1)
The Construction Official shall review each application to determine whether the proposed sign meets the requirements of this chapter.
(2)
If the proposed sign is found to meet chapter requirements, the permit shall be issued; otherwise it shall be denied. Reasons for denial shall be set forth in writing. The Construction Official may refer any sign permit application to the Planning Board for advice and comment. All permit applications shall be acted upon within 10 days after submission, or within 10 days after the first Planning Board meeting held following a referral thereto, as the case may be.
E.
General provisions.
(1)
No signs shall be placed on or attached to a building or erected independently for any purpose other than to advertise a permitted business or use conducted on the same premises, unless specifically permitted herein.
(2)
No billboards or off-site advertising shall be permitted, except for temporary signs authorized by the Planning Board for a specific event and for a specific period of time. The time limit shall not normally extend for a period in excess of 45 days, although the Planning Board may, for good cause, grant permission for a temporary sign placement not to exceed 12 consecutive months.
(4)
No sign of any type shall be permitted to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, traffic directional and identification signs, other places of business, or other signs or windows of the building on which they are located.
(5)
No sign, display or advertising device shalt be erected which in any way resembles any standard traffic control device.
(6)
No provision herein shall be intended to restrict temporary project signs of government agencies which are required by the regulations and policies of the government agency sponsoring or financing the project on the lot on which the temporary sign is to be located.
F.
Animated, flashing, illuminated and illusionary signs. Signs using mechanical or electrical devices to revolve, flash or display movement, or the illusion of movement, are prohibited. Illuminated signs shall be arranged to reflect the light and glare away from adjoining streets. No sign with red, green, blue or amber illumination in a beam, beacon or flashing form resembling an emergency light shall be erected in any location. No sign, display or advertising device shall be erected which in any way resembles any standard traffic control device.
G.
Sign zones established. For the purposes of this section and the regulation of signs, the following sign zones are established:
Zone 1 | The CR 541/613 business corridor, from the Westampton Township Line to Front Street. | |
Zone 2 | The US Route 38 business corridor, from the Eastampton Township Line to the Lumberton Township Line. | |
Zone 3 | The "Downtown" Business Districts, including: | |
High Street, from Garden Street to Mill Street | ||
Mill Street, from Pine Street to High Street | ||
Pine Street, from Nippins Avenue to Route 38 | ||
Pine Street, from Herald Avenue to Wollner Drive | ||
Mill Street, from Mount Holly Avenue to Branch Street | ||
Washington Street, from Hunterdon Avenue to Carlton Avenue | ||
Washington Street, from Rienier Street to High Street | ||
Rancocas Road, from Lewis Drive to CR 541 | ||
Commerce Place (Entire Length) | ||
Park Drive (Entire Length) | ||
Royal Way (Entire Length) | ||
Zone 4 | All other areas |
H.
Height, area, number of signs per lot. The height, area and number of signs allowed on each lot shall be regulated in accordance with the standards set forth on the schedule below.
Sign type and standard | Maximum size, height, dimension, number | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 | ||
Main sign height (feet) | 60 | 40 | n/a | n/a | |
Main sign area (square feet) | 700 | 400 | n/a | n/a | |
Freestanding sign height (feet) | 30 | 30 | n/a | n/a | |
Freestanding sign area (square feet) | 100 | 100 | n/a | n/a | |
Facade sign area (square feet) | 60 | 60 | 60 | n/a | |
Professional sign area (square feet) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
Maximum number professional signs per lot | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Identification sign area (school, gov't., nonprofit org.)1 [square feet] | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
Real estate sign area (square feet) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | |
Maximum number real estate signs per lot | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Temporary sign area (mechanic, craftsman, builder) [square feet] | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | |
Temporary sign area2 (religious, charitable, political) [square feet] | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
Trespassing, entrance, exit parking sign area [square feet] | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Max number of temporary signs per lot | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Blade or projecting signs (square feet) (See § 149-88X) [Added 5-22-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-09] | n/a | n/a | 6 | n/a | |
NOTES: | |
1Does not apply to project signs of government agencies. | |
2Thirty-day time limit. |
I.
Freestanding signs. Any freestanding sign shall be supported by one or more columns or uprights which are firmly imbedded in the ground. Exposed guy wires, chains or other connections shall not be permitted.
J.
Information and direction signs.
(1)
Street number designations, postal boxes, "private property," "no trespassing," entrance, exit, on-site directional and parking signs and warning signs are permitted in all zones, but are not considered in calculating sign area.
(2)
No information or direction sign shall exceed two square feet in area, nor do those signs require a sign permit. Street address numbers shall be at least three inches high and of a contrasting color to the background, and shall be prominently displayed on buildings so as to be easily visible at all times and under all weather conditions.
K.
Maintenance. Signs and, in the case of permitted freestanding signs, the mounting area on the ground level beneath the sign, shall be constructed of durable materials, shall be maintained in good condition and shall not be allowed to become dilapidated or unsightly.
L.
Removal of signs. Except as otherwise provided herein, signs shall be removed within 30 days after the expiration of the permit, or within 30 days after the business to which the sign was related vacates the premises, whichever date shall first occur.
M.
Nonprofit organization event signs. Any organization formed for, or exclusively engaged in, nonprofit, charitable or benevolent activities may erect not more than three signs, temporary in nature as described herein, announcing an event sponsored by the organization, to take place within the Township, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
A written application shall first be submitted by the organization to the Zoning Officer, naming a Township resident as the local contact person, identifying the name of each property owner where signs shall be posted, and containing the owner's written permission for display of the signs. No fee shall be charged for filing the application.
(3)
One sign may be located on the property owned by the nonprofit organization, if and wherever the property exists, and up to two signs may be located on properties other than that which may be owned by the nonprofit organization, provided the properties are situated within the nonresidential zoning districts.
(4)
Signs shall be set back 10 feet from the curb line, or 1/2 the distance between the curb line and the building line, whichever distance is less.
(5)
The permitted signs shall not be illuminated and shall be located so as not to interfere with driver vision.
(6)
All signs shall be constructed of durable material, shall be neatly painted and shall be adequately secured for aesthetic and safety purposes.
(7)
No more than one sign for any particular nonprofit organization shall be permitted on any particular property at the same time, and no more than two nonprofit organization event signs shall be permitted on any particular properly at the same time.
(8)
The permit for special event and temporary signs shall be for a period not to exceed 30 days, except that the Planning Board, for good cause, may permit such a sign for not more than one year. All signs advertising a specific event shall be removed within 48 hours after the event.
(9)
It shall be the responsibility of the organization to remove all permitted signs prior to the expiration of the specified time period for their display.
N.
Political signs. Political signs, temporarily giving notice of political campaigns, shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. Signs shall be permitted within 45 days prior to any municipal, county, state or national election and shall be removed within five days after the election. Political signs erected in conformance with this provision do not need a sign permit. No sign shall be placed in a manner which interferes with traffic or with site triangles at an intersection.
O.
Mobile signs. No sign shall be exhibited which is portable, i.e., fixed on a movable stand, self-supporting without being firmly imbedded in the ground, supported by other objects, mounted on wheels or movable vehicles, or made easily movable in some other manner.
P.
Real estate signs.
(1)
Real estate signs temporarily advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises, or portion thereof, shall be located on private property and, if not attached to the building, shall be set back from the street and from all side property lines a distance of not less than 10 feet or 1/2 the distance between the street and the building line, whichever is less.
(2)
All real estate signs shall be removed at the expense of the advertiser within 10 days after the sale of the property. "Sold" signs shall be permitted between the signing of the contract of sale and the date of the legal closing. Real estate signs do not require a construction permit.
Q.
Sign area. The area of a sign shall be measured around the edges of a framed or enclosed sign or by the area utilized by isolated words and/or symbols, including the background, whether open or enclosed, but the area shall not include any supporting framework and bracing incidental to the display itself, unless the framework forms part of the frame of the sign.
R.
Signs with two exposures. The signs shall be measured for area by using the surface of one side of the sign only. Both sides may be used.
S.
Facade or attached signs. Facade or attached signs shall be firmly attached to the exterior wall of a building and shall not project more than six inches from the building.
T.
Sandwich signs. Sandwich signs shall be permitted, provided that each side shall not exceed 48 inches in height and 28 inches in width; shall be designed so as to compliment the structure to which it refers; shall be professionally designed, constructed and lettered; and shall be placed on the sidewalk only during normal business hours in a manner which does not obstruct pedestrian traffic.
U.
Window signs. Interior window signs shall not be considered in computing the allowable signs; provided, however, that the interior signs shall not exceed 50% of the total window area.
V.
Flags of the United States of America or the State of New Jersey and those specifically authorized or required by federal or state law. The flags of the United States of America, the State of New Jersey and those specifically authorized or required by federal or state law may be displayed in all zones and do not need a construction permit. A flagpole shall, however, be considered to be a sign structure and shall comply with standards applicable to signs, including setback and height requirements, except that the height of a flagpole for the display of the flags of the United States of America, the State of New Jersey and those specifically authorized or required by federal or state law shall not exceed the height of the principal building by more 10 feet.
W.
Street signs. Street signs shall be of the type, design and standard previously installed elsewhere in the Township, except within the Historic District, which shall be separately determined by the Township Council, with the advice of the Historic Preservation Commission. The location of the street signs shall be determined by the Township, but there shall be at least two street signs furnished at each intersection. All signs shall be installed free of visual obstruction.
X.
Blade or projecting signs. A blade or projecting sign is a business identification sign positioned at a 90° or nearly 90° angle to the building facade so as to be visible to pedestrians along walking promenades and sidewalks. One blade sign of the maximum size set forth in Subsection H above shall be permitted per building to identify an individual business or businesses. Notwithstanding other provisions of this § 149-88, the sign shall not be more than three inches thick, shall not be internally illuminated, and the bottom of the sign and supporting mechanism shall be not less than 10 feet above the sidewalk, promenade, or ground surface. Blade signs shall be securely affixed to the building facade and shall not be supported by posts, rails, wires or the like extending to the ground or portions of the building other than the facade.
[Added 5-22-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-09]
Y.
For cannabis related businesses, signage may contain the name of the entity only and no signage reflecting a cannabis leaf or leaves or other symbol will be permitted. The word “cannabis” may be used, but not “marijuana,” “pot” or any other common terms for cannabis. No advertising signs shall be permitted. No display of pricing shall be permitted.
[Added 7-19-2022 by Ord. No. 2021-10]