Peapack Gladstone City Zoning Code
§ 23-39.5
Affordable Housing AH Zone. 1
[Added 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1065-2018; amended 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 1093-2020]
a.
Purpose. The purpose of this zoning district is to encourage the construction of low- and moderate-income housing in conformance with the latest procedural and substantive rules for affordable housing as determined by the Courts or other applicable authority, by permitting 100% affordable townhouse and multifamily housing development and adult special needs housing (group homes) subject to the AH regulations enumerated herein. This section is created in fulfillment of a settlement agreement by and between the Borough of Peapack and Gladstone, New Jersey, and the Fair Share Housing Center in connection with the Borough of Peapack and Gladstone declaratory judgment action captioned "In the Matter of the Application of the Borough of Peapack and Gladstone" bearing docket number SOM-L-905-15 pursuant to In re the Adoption of N.J.A.C. 5:96 and 5:97 by the Council on Affordable Housing, 221 N.J. 1 (2015) and to implement the 2020 Borough of Peapack and Gladstone Fair Share Plan. Regulations contained herein are intended to supersede existing development regulations only to the extent where they may pose a conflict between competing requirements. Where existing provisions of the Land Development Code do not pose a conflict, those sections shall apply.
c.
Accessory Uses. Any use which is ordinarily subordinate and customarily incidental to the principal permitted uses allowed in the AH Zone, including but not limited to decks, patios and residential amenities provided for the use and enjoyment of the residents of the development only.
d.
Maximum Density.
e.
Townhouse and multifamily area, external yard and bulk requirements shall be as follows:
f.
Group home standards area, external yard and bulk requirements shall be as follows:
1.
Minimum lot area (acres): one.
2.
Minimum lot width (feet): 150.
3.
Minimum lot depth (feet): 150.
4.
Minimum distance between buildings (feet): 20.
6.
Maximum number of stories and building height: 2 1/2 stories/35 feet.
7.
Maximum building lot coverage: 35%.
8.
Maximum impervious lot coverage: 65%.
h.
Site Development Requirements.
1.
Landscaping.
(a)
Landscaping shall be provided to promote a desirable visual environment, to accentuate building design, define entranceways, screen parking areas, mitigate adverse visual impacts and provide windbreaks for winter winds and summer cooling for buildings, and enhance buffer areas. The impact of any proposed landscaping plan at various time intervals shall be considered. Plants and other landscaping materials shall be selected in terms of aesthetic and functional considerations. The landscape design shall create visual diversity and contrast through variation in size, shape, texture and color. The selection of plants in terms of susceptibility to disease and insect damage, wind and ice damage, habitat (wet-site, drought, sun and shade tolerance), soil conditions, growth rate, longevity; root pattern, maintenance requirements, etc., shall be considered. Consideration shall be given to accenting site entrances and unique areas with special landscaping treatment. Flowerbed displays are encouraged.
(b)
Landscaped islands shall be at least six feet in width to accommodate plantings.
(c)
A minimum ten-foot landscaped buffer consisting of a dense evergreen mass shall be planted along the perimeter of the property to form a screen from adjoining properties.
(d)
Landscaping within sight triangles shall not exceed a mature height of 30 inches. Shade trees shall be pruned up to an eight-foot branching height above grade.
(e)
All areas that are not improved with buildings, structures and other man-made improvements shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, ground cover, street furniture, sculpture or other design amenities.
(f)
Shade trees shall be a minimum 2.5- to three-inch caliper with a canopy height of at least the minimum American Nursery and Landscape Association Standards for this caliper.
(1)
Ornamental trees shall be installed at a minimum size of six feet in height.
(2)
Shrubs shall be planted at a minimum size of 18 inches to 24 inches.
(3)
All plant material shall meet the minimum latest American Nursery and Landscape Association Standards.
(4)
Irrigation shall be provided for all landscape and lawn areas in a manner appropriate for the specific plant species.
(5)
A growth guarantee of two growing seasons shall be provided, and all dead or dying plants shall be replaced by the applicant, as required, to maintain the integrity of the site plan.
(g)
Landscape Plantings. The preference is for all plant materials to be indigenous to the region herein defined as the Somerset County region but in no event shall the plant materials be comprised of less than 50% indigenous species.
(h)
Landscape Plan Content. A landscape plan shall be submitted with each major site plan or major subdivision application. In addition to the major site plan or subdivision submission requirements, the landscape plan shall include and identify the following information:
(1)
Existing and proposed underground and aboveground utilities such as site lighting, transformers, hydrants, manholes, valve boxes, etc., existing wooded areas, rock outcroppings and existing and proposed water bodies.
(2)
Existing and proposed topography and location of all landscaped berms.
(3)
Location, species and sizes of all proposed shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreen trees and shrubs and areas for lawns or any other ground cover. Different graphic symbols shall be used to show the location and spacing of shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreen trees, shrubs and ground cover. The size of the symbol must be representative of the size of the plant shown to scale.
(4)
A plant schedule indicating botanical name, common name, size at time of planting (caliper, height and spread), quantity, root condition and any special remarks (spacing, substitutions, etc.) for all plant material proposed. Plants within the plant schedule shall be keyed to the landscape plan utilizing the first letter of the botanical plant name.
(5)
Planting and construction details and specifications.
2.
Lighting.
(a)
All lighting fixtures and footcandle standards for parking areas and recreation facilities shall be consistent with the standards outlined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).
(b)
A lighting plan prepared by a qualified professional shall be provided with site plan applications.
(c)
The intensity, shielding, direction and reflecting of lighting shall be subject to site plan approval by the Land Use Board.
(d)
All parking areas, walkways, building entrances, and driveways required for uses in this zone shall be adequately illuminated during the hours of operation that occur after sunset.
(e)
Lighting shall be shielded so as to prevent glare from adversely impacting surrounding properties.
3.
Sidewalks. Within the development, sidewalks shall be required in accordance with the RSIS standards or as deemed appropriate by the Board.
4.
Identification Sign. One wall-mounted, nonilluminated address sign is permitted for each building with a maximum area of five square feet per sign, as well as a ground-mounted sign, at any site driveway, setback from the property line by 10 feet and with a maximum sign area of 32 square feet and height of six feet (including base), which may be internally or externally illuminated. The base of the monument sign shall be appropriately landscaped.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former subsection 23-39.5, R-6 Residential Zone, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance Nos. 751 and 780, was repealed in its entirety by Ordinance No. 879.