Pennsbury Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Village Residential District VR
§ 162-1001 Purpose.
The purpose of the Village Residential District is to allow for residential uses compatible with the historic character of Fairville Village, in concert with the Pennsbury Township Comprehensive Plan of 2006, as amended. Permitted uses are intended to be consistent with a traditional village development pattern in terms of type, scale, density, and setbacks.
§ 162-1002 Use regulations.
A building may be erected or used, and a lot or premises may be used, for only one of the following principal uses and no other:
B.
Uses by special exception when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board, subject to the standards of Article XXIV of this chapter.
D.
Accessory uses. In addition to one principal use accessory uses listed below shall be permitted by right unless otherwise indicated as a special exception or conditional use in this chapter and shall be in conformance with § 162-2002 unless otherwise noted:
§ 162-1003 Area and bulk regulations.
Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, uses permitted in this district shall meet the requirements as noted in Table 10-1:
Table 10-1: Area and Bulk Regulations | ||
|---|---|---|
Single-Family Detached or Nonresidential | Two-Family Dwelling | |
Maximum gross density (du/gross acre)/net density (du/net acre) | — | — |
Minimum tract size | — | — |
Minimum lot area - on-lot sewer/water | 1 acre | — |
Minimum lot area - public sewer/water* | 17,500 square feet | 12,000 square feet/du |
Maximum number of dwelling units/building | 1 du | 2 du |
Minimum lot width at building line - on-lot sewer/water | 125 feet | — |
Minimum lot width at building line - public sewer/water | 75 feet | 50 feet/du 100 feet/bldg |
Minimum lot width at street line | 75 feet | 125 feet/bldg |
Minimum (lot) width per dwelling unit | — | — |
Maximum building footprint for new construction | 1,500 square feet | 1,500 square feet |
Maximum building coverage | 20% | 20% |
Maximum lot coverage | 25% | 25% |
Minimum front yard**** - front on local road | 30 feet | 30 feet |
Minimum front yard**** - front on arterial or collector road | 50 feet | 50 feet |
Minimum side yard - minimum each/minimum aggregate | 15 feet/35 feet | 15 feet/35 feet |
Minimum side yard - principal building other than a dwelling***** | 25 feet | |
Minimum rear yard** | 30 feet | 30 feet |
Maximum building height, except those buildings or structures exempted in § 166-1902 | The lesser of 35 feet or 2 stories | The lesser of 35 feet or 2 stories |
Minimum buffer between a two-family dwelling and any single-family dwelling | — | 10 feet |
* | "Public" includes both public and community sewer and water systems. |
** | See § 162-1902 for reverse-frontage lots. |
*** | Configuration, ownership, and management of common open space shall be in conformance with Article XVIII. |
du = | Dwelling unit. |
**** | |
***** | Any accessory structure, such as a garage, workshop, or studio larger than 90 square feet shall have a 30 feet rear yard setback and 15 feet maximum height. |
§ 162-1004 Additional standards.
New development proposed within the VR District, as well as the rehabilitation, alteration, or modification of existing structures or uses, shall comply with the following design standards:
A.
New development proposed within the VR District shall be designed to complement the historic character of the village in regard to building placement, style, bulk, construction materials, and site design. A formal architectural plan shall be submitted to the Township and subject to its approval.
B.
The use of a traditional grid street pattern or one that is similar in nature to the existing village development pattern is the preferred design of new roads in the VR District. The use of curvilinear streets and culs-de-sac is strongly discouraged.
C.
A pedestrian orientation shall be maintained in the village and sidewalks or walking paths provided.
D.
Parking.
(1)
Off-street parking for nonresidential uses shall be located to the side or rear of buildings.
(2)
Garages and off-street parking for residential uses shall be located to the rear of the main dwelling with access taken from a private driveway or alley. Where site constraints prohibit parking to the rear of the main dwelling, front-facing garages shall be set back a minimum of eight feet from the front facade of the dwelling unit. If the front facade is not uniform, the eight-foot setback shall be measured from the point of the facade nearest the street.
E.
The removal of mature trees and site vegetation shall be minimized in conformance with Article XV. A tree plan shall be submitted as part of an overall landscape plan, subject to Township approval.
F.
Outdoor storage of materials, equipment or similar items shall be permitted only in the rear yard and must be adequately screened when adjacent to residential uses or districts in compliance with § 162-1909.
G.
Mechanical systems, trash receptacles, and dumpsters shall be located in rear or side yards and shall be screened from view in conformance with § 162-1908.
H.
Front yard requirement exceptions:
(1)
Where an unimproved lot of record is situated between two improved lots, the front yard requirements for the district may be modified so that the front yard may be an average of the adjacent existing front yards.
(2)
Where an unimproved lot of record is adjacent to one improved lot which was developed prior to the enactment of this chapter, the front yard requirements of the unimproved lot may be reduced to the average of the existing improved lot setback and the required front yard setback as set forth in this chapter.