North Whitehall Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Off-Street Parking and Loading
§ 440-55 Required number of parking spaces.
A.
Overall requirements.
(1)
Number of spaces. Each use that is newly developed, enlarged, significantly changed in type or increased in number of establishments shall provide and maintain off-street parking spaces in accordance with the table in § 440-55C and the regulations of this article.
(2)
Uses not listed. Uses not specifically listed in the table in § 440-55C shall comply with the requirements for the most similar use listed in the table in § 440-55C, unless the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Township that an alternative standard should be used for that use.
(3)
Multiple uses. Where a proposed lot contains or includes more than one type of use, the number of parking spaces required shall be the sum of the parking requirements for each separate use, except as may be allowed under § 440-56G.
(4)
Calculation. Where the calculation of required parking spaces does not result in a whole number, the calculation shall be rounded to the closest whole number.
B.
Reservation of nonresidential parking requirements. In order to prevent the establishment of a greater number of parking spaces than is actually needed to serve nonresidential uses, a portion of the required parking can be held in reserve to be built at a later date, provided the following conditions are met:
(1)
This reservation of parking may be applied to all nonresidential uses as listed in § 440-37 of this chapter, subject to the conditions and requirements noted herein.
(2)
The design of the parking lot must designate sufficient space to meet the parking requirements of this chapter. The plan shall also illustrate the layout for the total number of parking spaces.
(3)
An applicant shall be permitted, as a matter of right, to reserve up to 20% of the required number of parking spaces, as specified for the specific use by this chapter. Any additional reservation of the required number of parking spaces, in excess of 20%, shall be subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors after consultation with the Planning Commission. All reserved parking shall be clearly indicated on the land development plan.
(4)
The land development plan shall indicate that the maximum permitted impervious surface coverage will not be exceeded if the total number of required parking spaces is provided.
(5)
The balance of the parking area conditionally reserved shall not include areas for required buffer yards, setbacks or areas which would otherwise be unsuitable for parking spaces due to the physical characteristics of the land or other requirements of this chapter.
(6)
The reserved parking area cannot be used to meet the parking requirements for future expansions of the facility.
(7)
The Township, at any time, may determine that all or a portion of the reserved parking spaces are needed to satisfy the parking requirements for the particular use. Therefore, the developer shall agree that the reserved parking spaces shall be provided at the developer's or owner's expense at such a time as deemed necessary by the Township, shall be included in the developer's agreement, and shall be noted on the record plan. This agreement shall apply to any future owners of the property.
C.
Off-street parking space requirements.
Use | Recommended Off-Street Parking Requirement | |
|---|---|---|
AGRICULTURAL USES | ||
A1 | Agricultural operations | No minimum required |
A2 | Intensive agriculture (CAOs, CAFOs) | No minimum required |
A3 | Forestry | Sufficient open land available for parking so that no vehicle shall be parked on any street |
A4 | Commercial nursery and/or greenhouse | One space per 300 s.f. of GFA of office, sales, or display area, plus one space per 5,000 s.f. of growing or storage area |
A5 | Stable | One space per 3 stalls |
A6 | Kennel | One space per 200 s.f., excluding animal exercise areas |
RESIDENTIAL USES | ||
B1 | Single-family detached dwelling | 2 per dwelling unit |
B2 | Single-family semidetached dwelling (twin) | Efficiency and one-bedroom unit: Minimum: 1.0 per dwelling unit Two-bedroom unit: Minimum: 1.5 per dwelling unit Three+ bedroom unit: Minimum: 2 per dwelling unit |
B3 | Two-family detached dwelling | 2 per dwelling unit |
B4 | Single-family attached dwelling (townhouse) | 2 per dwelling unit |
B5 | Multifamily dwelling | Efficiency and one-bedroom unit: Minimum: 1.0 per dwelling unit Two-bedroom unit: Minimum: 1.5 per dwelling unit Three+ bedroom unit: Minimum: 2 per dwelling unit |
B6 | Group home | 1 space per 2 residents at max capacity |
B7 | Cluster development | 2 spaces per dwelling unit, plus 0.5 space per dwelling unit provided on-street or in common lot within development |
B8 | Manufactured/mobile home park | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit, plus 0.5 space per dwelling unit provided on-street or in common lot within development |
B9 | Boarding/rooming house | 1.5 spaces per sleeping room |
RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, INSTITUTIONAL USES | ||
C1 | Place of worship | 1 per 75 square feet in the main assembly room |
C2 | School | Elementary or junior high: Minimum: 1 per classroom Senior high: Minimum: 0.25 per student (based on the maximum number of students that the facility is designed to handle at any one time) plus 1 per classroom College: Minimum: 5 per classroom and 3 per administrative office, plus 1 space per 75 square feet of assembly area |
C3 | Commercial school | 1 per 200 square feet of GFA |
C4 | Library or museum | 1 per 500 square feet of GFA |
C5 | Recreational facility (public) | 0.33 per person per design capacity |
C6 | Athletic facility (private) | 0.33 per person per design capacity |
C7 | Golf course | 3 spaces per hole Where a club house is provided, one additional space for every 200 s.f. of GFA |
C8 | Private organization/club or community center | 1 per 200 square feet of GFA |
C9 | Day-care facility | 1 space per 500 s.f. of GFA |
C10 | Hospital | 1 space per patient bed. When other uses are proposed in conjunction with a hospital (such as D2 Medical office), additional parking specified for the particular use shall be provided at a rate of 75% of the requirement |
C11 | Nursing home or assisted living facility | 1 space per three patient beds |
C12 | Municipal/government facility | 1 space per 200 s.f. of GFA |
C13 | Cemetery | 1 space per 250 s.f. of office space Where a chapel or auditorium is provided, an additional 1 space per 4 seats Internal roadways shall provide for parallel parking |
C14 | Treatment/rehabilitation center | 1 space per 300 s.f. |
C15 | Target/shooting range (indoor) | 5 spaces, plus 1 per firing position |
C16 | Target/shooting range (outdoor) | 5 spaces, plus 1 per firing position |
OFFICE USES | ||
D1 | Office | 1 space for each 300 s.f. of GFA |
D2 | Medical office | 1 space for each 250 s.f. of GFA |
RETAIL AND CONSUMER SERVICES USES | ||
E1 | Retail store | 1 space for each 250 s.f. of GFA |
E2 | Large retail store | 1 space for each 300 s.f. of GFA |
E3 | Service business | 1 space for each 150 s.f. of GFA |
E4 | Financial establishment | 1 space for each 300 s.f. of GFA |
E5 | Eating place | 1 space per 100 s.f. of GFA |
E6 | Eating place (drive through) | 1 space per 200 s.f. of GFA |
E7 | Repair shop | 1 space per 400 s.f. of GFA |
E8 | Motel, hotel or inn | 1.5 spaces per sleeping room, plus 1 space per each 400 s.f. of meeting/eating areas If accessory or additional uses proposed, additional parking specified for the particular use shall be provided at a rate of 75% of the requirement |
E9 | Entertainment | Health club, gym, bowling alley, arcade, or similar use: 3 spaces for each 1,000 square feet of GFA Theater, auditorium, stadium or similar use: 1 space per 75 square feet of assembly area |
E10 | Vehicle service station | 3 spaces per service bay, plus 1 space per 50 s.f. of GFA of retail space |
E11 | Vehicle fueling center and convenience store | 1 space per 250 s.f. of GFA |
E12 | Vehicle sales | 1 space per 200 s.f. of GFA |
E13 | Vehicle repair and paint shop | 3 spaces per service bay, plus 1 space per 50 s.f. of GFA of retail space |
E14 | Car wash | 4 spaces, not including vacuum stations |
E15 | Shopping center | Less than or equal to 50,000 s.f. of gross floor area: 1 space per 250 s.f. of GFA More than 50,000 s.f. of GFA: 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA |
E16 | Funeral home | 1 space per 4 seats provided for patron use |
E17 | Veterinary office or clinic | 1 space for each 300 s.f. of GFA |
E18 | Tavern or bar | 1 space for each 150 s.f. of GFA |
E19 | Craft beverage production facility | 1 space for each 200 s.f. of GFA |
E20 | Flea market | 1 space for every 200 s.f. of GFA and outdoor sales areas including pedestrian areas |
E21 | Medical marijuana dispensary | 1 space for each 200 s.f. of GFA |
E22 | Adult-oriented use | 1 space for each 200 s.f. of GFA |
E23 | Campground | 1 space per campsite or cabin, plus 0.5 space per campsite provided in common lot on the site |
E24 | Bed-and-breakfast | 1 space per lodging unit, plus 2 for the permanent residence |
E25 | Mixed-use building | 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA for nonresidential uses plus residential parking as required for multifamily residential dwelling |
E26 | Banquet hall/special event facility | 1 space for each 200 s.f. of GFA |
COMMON CARRIERS, PUBLIC UTILITIES, PUBLIC SERVICE USES | ||
F1 | Utility operating facility | 2 spaces |
F2 | Emergency services | 4 spaces per emergency service vehicle If there is community room, an additional 1 space per 50 s.f. of meeting space shall be provided |
F3 | Terminal, bus | 1 per 100 s.f. of public waiting area |
F4 | Wireless communications facility, tower-based | 2 spaces for tower-based WCFs outside of rights-of-way |
F5 | Solar energy system (principal use) | 2 spaces |
F6 | Wind energy system (principal use) | 2 spaces |
F7 | Emerging energy facility | 2 spaces |
F8 | Heliport | 1 space per tie-down, minimum of 5 |
INDUSTRIAL USES | ||
G1 | Manufacturing | 1 space per 1,000 s.f. of GFA of manufacturing area, plus 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA of office or retail space |
G2 | Research | 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA |
G3 | Warehousing/wholesale, small (less than 25,000 s.f. gross floor area) | 1 space per 2,500 s.f. of GFA Of the required parking spaces at least 10% shall be reserved as truck staging spaces measuring 12' x 75' |
G4 | Warehousing/wholesale, large (25,000 s.f. gross floor area or greater) | 1 space per 5,000 s.f. of GFA for the first 100,000 s.f., plus 1 space per 10,000 s.f. of GFA over 100,000 s.f. Of the required parking spaces at least 10% shall be reserved as truck staging spaces measuring 12' x 75' |
G5 | Mini-storage (self-storage) | 1 space per 20 units, plus 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA of office space |
G6 | Industrial equipment sales, rental and service | 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA |
G7 | Junkyard | 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA, plus 1 space per 10,000 s.f. of outdoor storage and repair |
G8 | Fuel storage and distribution | 1 space per 500 s.f. of GFA |
G9 | Solid waste facility | 2 spaces |
G10 | Slaughterhouse or stockyard | 1 space per 1,000 s.f. of GFA |
G11 | Sawmill/planing mill | 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA |
G12 | Recycling facility | 1 space per 500 s.f. of GFA, minimum of 5 spaces |
G13 | Mineral extraction | 1 space per 1,000 s.f. of GFA, minimum of 5 spaces |
G14 | Medical marijuana grower/processor | 1 space per 300 s.f. of GFA |
G15 | Lawful uses not otherwise permitted | 1 space per 500 s.f. of GFA |
ACCESSORY USES | ||
H1 | Home occupation | 1 space per 200 s.f. of floor area of accessory use |
H2 | No-impact home-based business | No minimum required |
H3 | Residential accessory structure | No minimum required |
H4 | Outside storage | No minimum required |
H5 | Accessory dwelling unit | 1 space per boarder/tenant |
H6 | Accessory day care | 3 spaces, plus 1 space for loading/unloading |
H7 | Accessory agricultural uses (roadside stands, agritainment, agritourism) | Adequate number as determined by the Township |
H8 | Accessory structure, nonresidential | Minimum required same as most closely related nonresidential use |
H9 | Accessory wind energy system | No minimum required |
H10 | Accessory solar energy system | No minimum required |
H11 | Temporary structures or vehicles | 1 space per vehicle stored on site |
H12 | Keeping of livestock accessory to a residential use | No minimum required |
§ 440-56 General regulations for off-street parking.
A.
General. Parking spaces and accessways shall be laid out to result in safe and orderly use, and to fully take into account all of the following: vehicular access onto and off the site, vehicular movement within the site, loading areas, pedestrian patterns and any drive-through facilities. No parking area shall cause a safety hazard or impediment to traffic off the lot.
B.
Existing parking. Any parking spaces serving such preexisting structures or uses at the time of adoption of this chapter shall not in the future be reduced in number below the number required by this chapter.
C.
Change in use or expansion. A structure or use in existence at the effective date of this chapter that expands or changes in use that of an existing principal building shall be required to provide all of the required parking for the entire size and type of the resulting use, except as follows:
(1)
If the use expands by an aggregate total maximum of 5% in the applicable measurement (such as building floor area) beyond what existed at the time of adoption of this chapter, then no additional parking is required.
D.
Continuing obligation of parking and loading spaces. All required numbers of parking spaces and off-street loading spaces shall be available as long as the use or building which the spaces serve still exist; and such spaces shall not be reduced in number below the minimum required by this chapter. No required parking area or off-street loading spaces shall be used for any other use (such as storage or display of materials) that interferes with the area's availability for parking.
E.
Location of parking. Required off-street parking spaces shall be on the same lot or abutting lot with the principal use served, unless the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Township that a method of providing the spaces is guaranteed to be available during the years the use is in operation within 400 feet of the entrance of the principal use being served.
F.
Commercial vehicles of 12,000 pounds or more aggregate gross weight shall not be parked on any roadway in the Township with the exception of short-term parking during a delivery.
G.
Joint use of parking. Where a parking area is intended for the joint use of two or more distinct land use activities, the total parking area required shall be the same as required for those uses computed separately, minus 10% of the total number of spaces required.
(1)
Where a proposed use intends to share parking facilities with another use, the Township, before authorizing a building permit, shall require guarantees, agreements, covenants or similar arrangements between the parties involved to ensure that adequate parking will always be available and accessible for both properties.
(2)
Exceptions to these provisions may be provided by the Township during the land development approval process in those cases where uses have parking demands that do not coincide in time of day or in the day of the week. In considering such exceptions, the Township shall consider:
(a)
The nature of the uses and their respective parking demands;
(b)
Their hours of operation and the days of the week during which they operate;
(c)
The location of the parking area intended for joint use and its proximity to the uses; and
(d)
The nature of the surrounding area and the potential impact of a parking area intended for joint usage.
(3)
In no event shall the parking requirements for the respective uses be reduced to less than 70% of that normally required by this article.
§ 440-57 Design standards for off-street parking.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Backing onto a street. No parking area shall be designed to require or encourage parked vehicles to back into a public street in order to leave a parking space, except for a single-family or two-family dwelling with its access onto a local street or parking court. Parking spaces may back onto an alley.
(2)
Every required parking space shall be designed so that each motor vehicle may proceed to and from the parking space provided for it without requiring the moving of any other vehicle, except for spaces serving a one-family dwelling.
(3)
Parking areas shall not be within any of the following: a required buffer yard, a future or existing street right-of-way or a required paved area setback.
(4)
Defined trafficways. All parking areas shall include clearly defined and marked traffic patterns. In any lot with more than 30 off-street parking spaces, raised curbs and landscaped areas shall be used to direct traffic within the lot. Major vehicular routes shall be separated when practical from major pedestrian routes within the lot.
(5)
Separation from street. Except for parking spaces immediately in front of individual dwellings, all areas for off-street parking, off-street loading and unloading and the storage or movement of motor vehicles shall be physically separated from the street by a continuous grass or landscaped planting strip, except for necessary and approved vehicle entrances and exits to the lot. Such planting strip shall have a minimum width of 10 feet, unless a wider width is required by § 440-57G. As part of any change in the type of nonresidential principal use or any expansion of a nonresidential principal use, the requirements of this Subsection A(5) shall be met.
(a)
The Township and/or PennDOT may also require an approved type of curbing to be installed adjacent to the street cartway, at a location approved by the Township and/or PennDOT. Parking stops and/or curbing within a parking area may also be required by the Township where necessary to control vehicle movements.
(6)
Stacking and obstructions.
(a)
Each lot shall provide adequate area upon the lot to prevent backup of vehicles on a public street while awaiting entry to the lot, or while waiting for service at a drive-through facility.
(b)
Speed bumps and other traffic control devices shall not be located where they will cause traffic to back up onto a public street.
(7)
Shopping cart corrals. If shopping carts are allowed to be taken into parking areas, then appropriate enclosures shall be provided at convenient locations within the parking areas to corral the carts.
B.
Size and marking of parking spaces. Each parking space shall be a rectangle with a minimum width of nine feet and a minimum length of 18 feet, except:
(1)
The minimum length shall be 22 feet for parallel parking.
(2)
If a lot includes more than 100 parking spaces, a maximum of 15% of the required spaces may be a rectangle with a minimum width of nine feet and a minimum length of 16 feet, provided that those spaces are marked as "compact cars only" and provided that those spaces are distributed in different portions of the lot and do not include the most desirable spaces in the lot. ("Compact cars" are intended to be those having a length of 15 feet or less.)
(3)
All spaces shall be paved and marked to indicate their location, except those of a single-family or two-family dwelling.
(4)
If a parking area is permitted to not be paved, then a minimum width of 10 feet per space shall be used.
C.
Parking spaces and aisles.
(1)
Parking lot dimensions shall be no less than those listed in the following table:
Parking Angle | Parking Width (feet) | Stall Depth* (feet) | Aisle Width | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
One-Way (feet) | Two-Way (feet) | |||
90° | 10 | 18 | 22 | 24 |
60° | 10 | 21 | 18 | 21 |
45° | 10 | 20 | 15 | 18 |
30° | 10 | 18 | 15 | 18 |
Parallel | 22 | 9 | 15 | 18 |
NOTE: Measured perpendicular from the curbline, or if no curbline will exist, from the existing legal right-of-way line after development. |
(2)
Maximum length of parking aisle: 250 feet.
D.
Access drives and driveways.
(1)
Width at access.
Width of Driveway/Accessway at Entrance Onto Public Street (at the edge of the cartway and continuing for a length of 20 feet)* | One-Way Use (feet) | Two-Way Use (feet) |
|---|---|---|
Minimum | 12 | 25 |
Maximum | 20 | 30 |
NOTE: Unless a different standard is required by PennDOT for an entrance to a state road, or the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Township that a wider width is needed for tractor trailer trucks. |
(2)
Maximum grades of driveway. Grades of access drives and driveways shall not exceed 12% at any point. The initial 20 feet from the edge of the cartway of a public street shall not exceed 5%.
(3)
Drainage. Adequate provisions shall be made to maintain uninterrupted parallel drainage along a public street at the point of driveway or access drive entry. The Township may require an applicant to install an appropriate type and size of pipe at a driveway crossing.
(4)
Separation between access drives/driveways. In any nonresidential development, within one lot, at least 80 feet shall be provided between the center lines of any two access drives or driveways serving two-way traffic along one street.
(5)
Separation from intersection. See Chapter 375, Subdivision and Land Development.
(6)
State permit. Where new or intensified access is proposed to a state street or other work within the right-of-way of a state street, a state highway occupancy permit shall be obtained, as applicable.
(7)
Sight distance for driveways. See § 440-77C(2).
(8)
Access between parking lots. Where two abutting business lots are in common ownership, the parking lots shall include an interconnection to allow motorists to travel from one business lot to another without having to reenter a public street. Where two such abutting lots are not in common ownership, an applicant shall seek permission from the abutting property owner for such interconnection and shall provide the interconnection if such permission is granted.
(9)
Driveway setback from residential lot lines. The following minimum setbacks shall apply for a driveway from the abutting lot line of an existing or approved residential lot, unless shared or converged driveways are specifically approved by the Township:
(a)
Zero feet if buildings are attached along the subject lot line or where the Township approves or requires shared parking lots across the subject lot line.
(b)
Three feet on any other lot with a lot area of less than 20,000 square feet.
(c)
Five feet on a lot not meeting Subsection D(9)(a) or (b) above.
(d)
Not within any drainage/utility easement.
(e)
20 feet from any wetland (including associated earthmoving activities).
(10)
Angle of driveways. Driveway entrances shall be as close as perpendicular to a public street as is possible. All private driveways shall not be allowed to intersect with more than one public street. The maximum angle of intersection is 80°. See Chapter 375, Subdivision and Land Development.
(11)
Circular driveways. Circular driveways shall utilize only one point of access upon a public street.
E.
Paving, grading and drainage.
(1)
Parking and loading facilities, including driveways, shall be graded and adequately drained to prevent erosion or excessive water flow across streets or adjoining properties.
(2)
Except for landscaped areas, all portions of required parking, loading facilities and driveways shall be surfaced with asphalt or concrete or paving block, except those portions or all of parking areas may be left in grass or gravel where the applicant proves to the full satisfaction of the Township that:
(a)
The nature, frequency and extent of the use of the parking area would not cause any need for paving; and
(b)
Dust will be adequately controlled on any gravel areas.
F.
Lighting of parking areas. Any parking area of 10 or more spaces designed for use during night hours shall be adequately illuminated for security purposes at no cost to the Township. See also § 440-50, Light, glare and heat control.
G.
Paved area setbacks (including off-street parking setbacks).
(1)
Intent. To ensure that parked or moving vehicles within a lot do not obstruct sight distance or interfere with pedestrian traffic, to aid in stormwater management along streets and to prevent vehicles from entering or exiting a lot other than at approved driveways.
(2)
Uses within the paved area setback.
(a)
The paved area setback required by this section, together with any existing or established future street right-of-way area that is not used as a cartway, street shoulder or on-street parking, shall be maintained in natural ground cover (such as grass) and shall not be used for any of the following:
[1]
Paving, except for approved driveway/access drive entrances and except any concrete sidewalks or asphalt bike paths of eight feet wide or less;
[2]
Fences; or
[3]
Parking, storage or display of vehicles or items for sale or rent.
(b)
A paved area setback may include the following:
[1]
Permitted freestanding signs;
[2]
Stormwater facilities that are primarily vegetated;
[3]
Concrete, brick or similar sidewalks or asphalt or other approved bike paths of eight feet wide or less; and
[4]
Approved driveway crossings.
(3)
Width of paved area and parking setbacks. Any commercial, industrial, institutional, townhouse or low-rise apartment use shall provide paved area setbacks as follows:
(a)
Minimum paved area setback (measured from the curbline, or if no curbline will exist from the existing legal right-of-way line after development):
If a Paved Area Abuts | Setback Requirement |
|---|---|
Expressway, expressway ramp, arterial street: | 10 feet |
For a lot including 2 acres or less of impervious coverage | 20 feet |
For lot including more than 2 acres of impervious coverage | 20 feet |
Collector or local street | 10 feet |
H.
Paved area landscaping (parking lot trees). (See definition of "paved area" in § 440-31.)
(1)
Intent. This section is primarily intended to reduce the thermal pollution of surface waters from parking lot runoff.
(2)
Any lot that would include more than 25 parking spaces shall be required to provide landscaped areas within the paved area. A maximum of 15 consecutive and contiguous parking spaces in a row shall be allowed without being separated by a landscaped area.
(3)
One deciduous tree shall be required for every 2,000 square feet of paved area. This number of trees shall be in addition to any trees required by any other section of this chapter or by Chapter 375, Subdivision and Land Development, of this Code.
(4)
Trees required by this section shall meet the following standards:
(a)
Type of trees permitted. Required trees shall be chosen from the following list of approved street trees, unless the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Township that another type of tree would shade paved areas, be resistant to disease, road salt and air pollution, and be attractive.
Types of Deciduous Trees Permitted to Meet Ordinance Requirements | |
|---|---|
Acer rubrum - American Red Maple | Quercus coccinea - Scarlet Oak |
Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple | Quercus macrocarpa - Bur Oak |
Celtis occidentalis - Common | Quercus imbricaria - Shingle Oak |
Hackberry | Quercus montana - Chestnut Oak |
Fagus sylvatica - European Beech | Quercus velutina - Black Oak |
Gleditsia triacanthos - Thornless Locust | Quercus phellos - Willow Oak |
Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Poplar | Tilia americana - American Linden |
Quercus alba - White Oak | Tilia cordata - Little Leaf European |
Quercus acutissima - Sawtooth Oak | Linden |
Quercus borealis - Red Oak | Tilia euchlora - Crimean Linden |
Gleditsia triacanthos - Thornless Locust | Tilia petiolaris - Silver Linden |
NOTE: This chapter regulates only the species of trees that are used to meet requirements of the Township. The species of trees that are not required by Township ordinances are not regulated. |
(b)
Quality of trees. Required trees shall be of symmetrical growth and free of insect pests and disease.
(c)
Minimum size. The trunk diameter (measured at a height of one foot above the finished grade level) shall be a minimum of two inches or greater.
(d)
Planting and maintenance. Required trees shall be:
[1]
Planted in conformance with good landscaping practices, with adequate unpaved surface around each for water and air;
[2]
Properly protected by raised curbs, distance or other devices from damage from vehicles;
[3]
Surrounded by a minimum of 16 square feet of pervious ground area;
[4]
Properly maintained.
(e)
A required tree(s) shall not be removed without being replaced by the current landowner by another tree(s) that meets the requirements of this section. Trees which have died or have become diseased or pest-ridden prior to the final release of security as set forth in MPC Section 510[1] shall be replaced by the developer.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10510.
(5)
A substantial proportion of the trees required by this section should be planted within the parking lot within protected islands. These protected islands should be used to direct the flow of traffic through the parking lot in a smooth and safe manner to prevent "cross-taxiing." Required trees are also encouraged to be planted in highly visible locations, especially at the edge of parking areas abutting arterial streets.
(6)
Existing trees. For every existing tree on the lot that is healthy and is protected and preserved and maintained after the completion of all construction and that would generally meet the requirements of this section:
(a)
One fewer deciduous tree shall be required to be planted for every such preserved tree with a minimum trunk diameter of between four and 18 inches (measured one foot above the natural ground level); and
(b)
Two fewer deciduous trees shall be required to be planted for every such preserved tree with a minimum trunk diameter of 18 inches or greater (measured one foot above the natural ground level).
(7)
Paving/parking setback from buildings.
(a)
So as to provide for a planting zone, all paved areas shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the exterior structural walls of any commercial or industrial building. This setback shall not apply to the following: a) concrete sidewalks, b) paved walkways to reach doors, c) driveways entering a garage, interior parking, loading/unloading area, vehicle service bay or carport or d) drive-through pickup windows. This setback is intended to allow sufficient area for firefighting, sidewalks and foundation landscaping, and to provide safety against vehicles hitting walls.
I.
Parking lot screening. See § 440-78.
J.
Handicapped parking.
(1)
Number of spaces. Any lot including four or more off-street parking spaces shall include a minimum of one handicapped space. The following number of handicapped spaces shall be provided, unless a revised regulation is officially established under the Federal Americans With Disabilities Act:
Total Number of Required Parking Spaces on the Lot | Required Minimum Number/Percent of Handicapped Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
4 to 25 | 1 |
26 to 50 | 2 |
51 to 75 | 3 |
76 to 100 | 4 |
101 to 150 | 5 |
151 to 200 | 6 |
201 to 300 | 7 |
301 to 400 | 8 |
401 to 500 | 9 |
501 to 1,000 | 2% of required number of spaces |
1,001 or more | 20 plus 1% of required number of spaces over 1,000 |
(2)
Location. Handicapped parking spaces shall be located where they would result in the shortest reasonable accessible distance to a handicapped accessible building entrance. Curb cuts shall be provided as needed to provide access from the handicapped spaces.
(3)
Minimum size. Each required handicapped parking space shall be eight feet by 18 feet. In addition, each space shall be adjacent to a five-foot-wide access aisle. Such access aisle may be shared by two handicapped spaces by being placed between them. However, one out of every eight required handicapped parking spaces shall have an adjacent access aisle of eight-foot width instead of five feet.
(4)
Slope. Handicapped parking spaces shall be located in areas of less than 6% slope in any direction.
(5)
Marking. All required handicapped spaces shall be well marked by clearly visible signs and blue pavement markings.
(6)
Paving. Handicapped parking spaces and adjacent areas needed to access them with a wheelchair shall be covered with a smooth surface that is usable with a wheelchair.
§ 440-58 Parking and storage of junk and unregistered vehicles.
A.
Purpose: To prevent the character of residential areas from being harmed by nuisances, hazards and visual blight, and to prevent the establishment of junkyards in residential districts.
B.
Unregistered/junk motor vehicles.
(1)
On lots of less than two acres in a residential district, a maximum of one "unregistered vehicle" (as defined by Article II), not including any "junk vehicle" (as defined by Article II), may be stored, parked or otherwise kept in such a way that the vehicle is visible from a public street or another dwelling.
(2)
The following shall apply on any lot other than a lot of less than two acres in a residential district: a total maximum of two unregistered vehicles or junk vehicles may be stored, parked or otherwise kept in such a way that the vehicle is visible from a public street or another dwelling.
(3)
This § 440-58 shall not apply to a lawful auto sales use, auto service station, junkyard or auto repair garage, provided that the regulations for that use are met.
(4)
See the State Motor Vehicle Code,[1] which prohibits the parking of an unregistered vehicle on a public street.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
§ 440-59 Off-street loading.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Each use shall provide off-street loading facilities, which meet the requirements of this section, sufficient to accommodate the maximum demand generated by the use.
(2)
At the time of site plan or land development review, the applicant shall provide evidence to the Township on whether the use will have sufficient numbers and sizes of loading facilities. The Planning Commission and/or Board of Supervisors may provide input on this matter as part of any plan review by such boards. For the purposes of this section, the words "loading" and "unloading" are used interchangeably.
B.
Design and layout of loading facilities. Off-street loading facilities shall meet the following requirements:
(1)
Each off-street loading space shall be at least (in feet):
Largest Type of Truck Intended | Minimum Width (feet) | Minimum Depth (feet) |
|---|---|---|
Tractor trailer | 12 (except 11 if more than 10 such spaces on a lot) | 50 (except up to 65 feet if longer trucks are used) |
Trucks other than tractor trailers, pickups or vans | 10 | 25 |
Pickup truck or van | 9 | 18 |
(2)
Each space shall have sufficient maneuvering room to avoid conflicts with parking and traffic movements within and outside of the lot. No facility shall be designed or used in such a manner that it threatens a safety hazard, public nuisance or a serious impediment to traffic off the lot. See § 440-57A concerning separation of loading areas from a street
(3)
Each space and the needed maneuvering room shall be located entirely on the lot being served and be located outside of required buffer areas, paved area setbacks and street rights-of-way.
(4)
An appropriate means of access to a street shall be provided.
(5)
Paving, grading and drainage. See § 440-57E.
(6)
All such facilities shall comply with the lighting requirements of Article VI of this chapter, the landscaping requirements of Chapter 375, Subdivision and Land Development, of this Code, and the noise limitations of Article VIII of this chapter.
C.
Fire lanes. Fire lanes shall be provided where required by state or federal regulations or other local ordinances. The specific locations of these lanes are subject to review by Township fire officials.
