Pottstown City Zoning Code
PART 4
CONDITIONAL USES
§ 400 Conditional Uses – Applications.
[Ord. 1968, 9/8/2003, § 400]
1.
The following uses are permitted as conditional uses in those districts listed in Part 3. They shall meet the all the conditions listed.
A.
Application:
(1)
Every application for a conditional use shall be made on a form prepared by the Borough. Included with the application shall be a fee which shall be determined by Borough Council from time to time by resolution.
(2)
The application shall include the request for approval of conditional use and sufficient information to document compliance with the applicable standards of this chapter and the Pottstown Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
(3)
The Borough Secretary shall submit one copy of the application to the Pottstown Planning Commission and one to the Montgomery County Planning Commission for their review and recommendations. A copy shall also be submitted to Pottstown Borough Council and any other agencies or consultants whose review may be needed.
B.
Public Hearing: Before making any decisions, Borough Council shall conduct properly advertised public hearings.
DETAILS. For details about the public hearing process, decisions of Borough Council, and the right to appeal, see Zoning Appendix A4, Section A400, located at the end of this chapter. |
§ 401 Conditional Uses.
[Ord. 1968, 9/8/2003, § 401; as amended by Ord. 1985, 10/12/2004, § 3]
1.
Adult Entertainment Uses. See Appendix A4, Section A401.1, located at the end of this chapter.
2.
Building Size.
A.
In the Neighborhood Residential District or Traditional Town Neighborhood District, a new building, or an existing building with a new addition, may be up to 100% larger than other buildings on the block as a conditional use if the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of Borough Council that building a larger structure will be compatible with the existing buildings on the block regarding:
B.
In the Downtown District, a new building, or an existing building with a new addition, may be any size, and may be up to 60 feet in height, if the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of Borough Council that building a larger structure will be compatible with the existing buildings on the block regarding:
5.
Cemeteries. Cemeteries shall be a minimum of five acres. Any crematory, columbarium, mausoleum, or similar structure shall be located at least 100 feet from any lot line. Any dwelling located in the cemetery shall be for the sole use of a caretaker.
6.
Child-Care Facility. See Zoning Appendix A4, Section A401.6, located at the end of this chapter.
7.
Churches.
A.
To be used as a church, an existing building must be at least 2,400 square feet on the ground floor and must meet the parking requirements in Section 600.
B.
New church buildings must meet the following standards:
1. Standard | Size | |
|---|---|---|
Minimum open space | 20% | |
Maximum building coverage, neighborhood residential | 50% | |
Maximum building coverage, traditional town | 75% | |
Minimum front setback, neighborhood residential | 15 feet | |
Minimum front setback, traditional town | 0 feet | |
Minimum side setback, neighborhood residential | 15 feet | |
Minimum side setback, traditional town | 0 feet | |
Minimum rear setback | 20 feet | |
Maximum building height to cornice line | 35 feet |
8.
Convenience Store with Gasoline Dispensing Center.
A.
Convenience stores shall be limited to 3,000 square feet.
B.
No more than four gasoline-dispensing pumps shall be permitted, covered by no more than one canopy.
C.
The canopy shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line or street right-of-way.
D.
The parking area and service area shall be screened to the same standards as a Parking Lot.
E.
The applicant shall submit a litter control plan as part of the application for conditional use approval.
F.
Hours of operation shall be between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. unless extended by Borough Council based on its proximity to residential areas.
G.
The applicant shall demonstrate to Borough Council that all lighting shall be shielded and reflected away from adjacent properties and streets and shall conform to the standards for illumination set forth in this Chapter.
9.
Drive-Through Windows as an Accessory Use.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2183, 4/8/2019]
A.
A drive-through service window may be approved as part of a project that will make an existing building or lot more compatible with the appearance and character of Pottstown's traditional neighborhoods and downtown regarding:
B.
There shall be sufficient stacking space for eight vehicles per drive-through.
C.
The stacking area shall not interfere with required parking spaces or vehicular aisles.
D.
Ingress to the drive-through facility shall occur from an aisleway within the interior circulation of the lot, and not directly from a principal or minor arterial highway.
E.
There shall be a clearly marked crosswalk located from the entryway(s) to the parking lot situated perpendicular to the drive-through stacking lane that, in addition to paint, is in a physical form sufficient to alert drivers of potential pedestrian/vehicle conflicts.
F.
A drive-through facility shall not be located within the front yard area.
G.
Drive-through windows shall not be permitted in the Downtown District.
10.
Dwelling, Attached Single-Family (no Hanover Street Frontage). In order to ensure a mixture of commercial uses with housing in the Downtown Gateway District, the density of permitted attached single-family dwellings (townhouses) varies in a sliding scale as shown below that varies in proportion to the amount of commercial development constructed at the same time. In all cases, the calculation of floor-to-area ratio will exclude any parking garage. No townhouses shall be permitted facing Hanover Street.
Minimum developed floor-to-area ratio | 40% | 70% | 100% | 130% | 160% |
Maximum units per acre | 4 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 16 |
The charts below illustrate the wide range of possible scenarios for building attached single-family dwellings along with commercial development in the Downtown Gateway District: |
|---|
 |
11.
Dwelling, apartments (in buildings with a minimum of 2,500 square feet on the first floor existing on the date of enactment of this ordinance).
[Amended by Ord. 2085, 9/12/2011]
A.
Apartments may be approved part of a project that will enhance the appearance and character of Pottstown's traditional neighborhoods by closely following the Conservation District guidelines.
B.
The Borough shall require a traffic study to ensure the proposed development will not adversely impact pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile traffic in the neighborhood.
12.
Dwelling, Single-Family Attached.
A.
Single-family attached dwellings shall be permitted in neighborhoods where other single-family attached dwellings existed on the same block, or within 250 feet, and within the same zoning district, at the time this Chapter was adopted. No more than six single-family attached dwellings may be constructed on one block.
B.
Single-family attached dwellings shall be a minimum of 18 feet wide. Dwellings shall closely follow Conservation District guidelines.
For parcels of 1 to 3 acres, see Large Lot Conditional Uses, Section 403. |
13.
Golf Course. Golf Courses shall be a minimum of 20 acres and shall contain an accessory parking lot with a minimum of 50 parking spaces.
15.
Mobile Home Park.
A.
See Zoning Appendix A4, Section A401.15, located at the end of this Chapter.
16.
Neighborhood Automobile Service Station.
A.
All minor repair work, vehicle washing, lubrication, and installation of parts and accessories shall be performed within an enclosed building.
B.
All automobile parts, dismantled vehicles, and similar materials shall be stored within an enclosed building or in a back yard or interior side yard totally screened from view by a six-foot high solid fence of wood, vinyl designed to look like wood, brick, stone, or stucco over concrete block (capped with brick, slate or stone).
C.
All vehicles awaiting repair shall be stored on site in approved parking spaces and under no circumstances shall such vehicles be stored on or obstruct access to a public right-of-way.
D.
All fuel, oil or similar substance shall be stored at least 25 feet from any property line.
E.
All lighting shall be shielded and reflected away from adjacent properties and streets to prevent glare on adjacent properties.
F.
A canopy over the fuel pumps that is detached from the principal building may be erected provided that such structure be located at least 10 feet from any property line or street right-of-way.
G.
Accessory uses shall be limited to lubrication, changing oil and filters, changing and repairing tires and tubes, engine tune ups, hand washing and polishing without automatic equipment, and replacing of light bulbs, windshield wiper blades and other small parts and do not include steam cleaning, body repairs, painting, or transmission, chassis, or engine repairs.
17.
Parking Garages.
A.
Parking garages shall be designed, to the greatest extent possible, to appear as if they are inhabited by humans, not cars. Like other buildings, their facades shall be compatible with traditional Pottstown architecture. The first floor facade facing any street, not including alleys, shall be used for retail or commercial uses. If in the judgment of Borough Council this is not feasible, retail show windows to give the appearance of a traditional downtown shall be placed in the facade.
18.
Parking Lot.
A.
No parking lot shall be located at the intersection of two streets. Parking lots may be located at the intersection of a street and an alley.
B.
In any area where a parking lot abuts a street, the fencing and landscaping requirements of Pottstown's Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances shall be enhanced as follows:
1.
A five-foot planting strip shall be located on the interior of a perimeter fence with shade trees planted no farther than 20 feet on center. Shrubbery and other greenery in the planting strip is encouraged.
C.
No single parking lot shall be more than 25,000 square feet.
19.
Parks. See Appendix A4, Section A401.19, located at the end of this Chapter.
20.
Recreation Rental Facilities. See Appendix A4, Section A401.20, located at the end of this Chapter.
21.
Restaurants (Park District). See Appendix A4, Section A401.21, located at the end of this Chapter.
22.
School.
A.
Applicant shall demonstrate that the scale, location and intended use of existing and proposed buildings, the location of recreation areas, the relationship of the proposed use to existing streets and adjacent properties, and physical features do not present a deterrent to the protection of the health and safety of the pupils.
1.
The applications shall indicate the grade levels of the pupils to be housed, the planned pupil capacity, and the contemplated eventual enrollment of the school.
2.
Illumination for night time activities shall be shielded from illuminating adjoining streets and residential areas to prevent glare on adjacent properties.
3.
The Borough may require a traffic study to ensure the proposed school will not adversely affect pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile traffic in the area.
4.
The Borough may attach other conditions as may be necessary to protect the livability of the surrounding neighborhood.
23.
Social Club.
A.
Social clubs may be permitted provided the club is accorded nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service and provided that eating, drinking, and sleeping facilities are clearly incidental to the purposes stated in its charter.
24.
Solid Waste Facility. See Appendix A4, Section A401.24, located at the end of this Chapter.
25.
Theater or other Indoor Entertainment (excluding Adult Entertainment). See Appendix A4, Section A401.25, located at the end of this Chapter.
26.
Utility Company Operational Facility.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2203, 4/12/2021]
Utility distribution lines that deliver service to the end user, and utility transmission lines that deliver service to an area larger than an individual parcel, shall be installed underground unless subsurface conditions make underground installation impossible or state or federal law preempts enforcement of this provision. Utility company operational facilities should, whenever possible, be located on interior properties rather than on properties aligned with other lots that have continuous street frontage. | |
Buildings and other structures that cannot adhere to the scale, height, form, texture and pattern of materials, and architectural style shall be shielded by solid fencing appropriate to the district. | |
All utility company operational facilities shall meet the performance standards in Section 502. |
27.
Automotive Repair Station.
A.
In the Gateway West District, an automotive repair station may be permitted in any building existing at the time of the adoption of this Part, provided that:
1.
The use is confined to the rear of a building which is otherwise used exclusively for one or more of the uses permitted in Section 334.2.
2.
The total use area, including outdoor storage (vehicles only) is at least 20 feet back from the front of the building, with all doors and other openings facing the side or the rear of the building.
3.
Outdoor storage shall be limited to vehicles only. Fencing or walling, at least six feet high in height, shall be used to screen the outdoor use area so that no vehicles can be viewed from High Street, and the fencing or wall shall be solid and constructed of wood, vinyl or composite designed to look like wood, brick, stone, or stucco over concrete block (capped with brick, slate or stone).
[Amended by Ord. No. 2203, 4/12/2021]
4.
No vehicles shall be stored outside for more than three consecutive business days.
28.
Trade School (Automobile or Machine Training Only).
A.
In the Gateway District, a trade school related to automotive or machinery repair may be permitted in any building existing at the time of the adoption of this ordinance, provided that:
2.
The total use area, including outdoor storage, is, at least, 20 feet back from the front of the building with all doors and other openings facing the side or rear of the building.
3.
A solid fence six feet high shall screen the outdoor area adjacent to the automobile storage station, so no vehicles can be seen from any street. The fence shall be constructed of brick, stone, wood, vinyl designed to look like wood, composite designed to look like wood, or stucco over concrete block (capped with brick, slate or stone). At least three feet in front of any portion of the fence facing a street shall be dedicated to plantings, including one shade tree for every 10 feet of fence or fraction thereof. If plantings are required, then the applicant shall also submit a landscaping plan to be approved by Council.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2203, 4/12/2021]
4.
No vehicles shall be stored outside for more than three consecutive business days.
29.
Open-Air Markets.
[Added by Ord. 2110, 5/13/2013]
A.
Except for the Downtown District, in all zoning districts that permit retail uses, an open-air market may be permitted as a conditional use. As part of the conditional use submission, the applicant shall include the following:
[Amended by Ord. No. 2183, 4/8/2019]
B.
The Borough Council shall grant the conditional use, and the applicant shall be issued a permit by the Code Enforcement Officer, if the applicant is able to satisfy the following standards and criteria:
(2)
There shall be no less than one trash receptacle for 1,000 square feet of sale area; all such trash receptacles shall be emptied regularly so as not to overflow. Litter and debris shall not be permitted to accumulate.
(3)
Merchandise, stalls or other materials shall not be stored outdoors while the use is not open for business.
(4)
The operation shall be restricted to the times between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise specified in the conditional use approval.
(5)
The operation shall not obstruct any street or sidewalk.
(6)
The operation shall not disturb the tranquility of the residential areas or others in close proximity or interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring property by reason of excessive noise, traffic or overflow parking.
30.
Neighborhood Convenience Store.
[Added by Ord. 2154, 9/12/2016, as amended by Ord. No. 2226, 4/10/2023]
A.
No neighborhood convenience store shall be located within 1,200 feet of any existing neighborhood convenience store, hookah bar, or tobacco store/smoke shop.
31.
Massage Therapy Center.
[Added by Ord. No. 2183, 4/8/2019]
A.
All persons providing massage therapy services shall have obtained all necessary licenses required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pursuant to the Pennsylvania Massage Therapy Law, 63 P.S. § 627.1 et seq. If unlicensed individuals are determined to be providing services, any conditional use approval previously granted shall become void.
C.
Treatment rooms shall be at least 50 square feet of floor area and shall maintain a light level of no less than 20 footcandles as metered at three feet above the surface of the floor (for illustrative purposes only, such light level is equivalent to light from a single 40-watt fluorescent lightbulb in the fifty-five-square-foot room). Such rooms shall contain a door incapable of being locked from either the exterior or the interior.
D.
Therapies may commence operation no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and extend no later than 10:00 p.m.
E.
A massage therapy center shall prominently and publicly display its license on the premises, and each massage therapist's license shall be available for inspection. Price rates charged for any and all services shall be prominently posted in the reception area in a location available for view, and no charges may be made other than in accordance with such posted rates.
G.
The owner or licensee or duly authorized manager shall be on duty at all times during the hours such establishment is open for business. Such owner, licensee or manager shall be identifiable by prominently wearing an identification badge to that effect.
H.
Eating or drinking shall not be permitted on the premises, including, but not limited to, the serving, either for sale or otherwise, or the possession of any alcoholic beverages.
I.
Animals, except for service animals for the handicapped, shall not be permitted within massage therapy centers.
32.
Light Manufacturing Facility.
[Added by Ord. No. 2205, 9/13/2021]
A.
The applicant shall demonstrate that the scale, location and intended use of building(s), and the relationship of the proposed use to existing streets and adjacent properties, and physical features will be compatible with existing buildings regarding:
B.
The applicant shall demonstrate to Borough Council that proposed lighting shall be shielded and reflected away from adjacent residential properties and streets and shall conform to the standards for illumination set forth in this chapter.
C.
All material storage shall be done within an enclosed building or accessory structure/shed within the rear or side yard.
D.
The Borough shall require a traffic study to ensure the proposed development will not adversely impact pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile traffic within 1,000 feet of the property.
E.
The Borough may, at its discretion, attach other reasonable conditions as may be deemed necessary to protect adjacent residential properties.
§ 402 Existing Building Conditional Uses.
[Ord. 1968, 9/8/2003, § 402]
1.
Direct Retail.
A.
Direct retail may be approved part of a project that will closely follow the Conservation District guidelines.
C.
Hours of operation shall be limited to 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. unless extended by Borough Council.
D.
All lighting shall be shielded and reflected away from adjacent properties and streets to prevent glare on adjoining properties.
2.
3.
Dwelling, Apartments/Condominiums.
A.
Apartments/condominiums may be approved part of a project that shall closely follow the Conservation District guidelines.
B.
The Borough shall require a traffic study and a parking study to ensure the proposed development will not adversely impact pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile traffic within 1,000 feet of the property.
5.
Offices on First Floor, Apartments on Upper Floors.
A.
Offices on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors may be approved part of a project that will closely follow the Conservation District guidelines.
B.
The Borough shall require a traffic study and a parking study to ensure the proposed development will not adversely impact pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile traffic within 1,000 feet of the property.
6.
Restaurants, Nonalcoholic.
A.
Restaurants, nonalcoholic may be approved part of a project that shall closely follow the Conservation District guidelines.
C.
Hours of operation shall be limited to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. unless extended by Borough Council based on the proximity of the business to residential areas.
D.
All lighting shall be shielded and reflected away from adjacent properties and streets.
7.
Light manufacturing facility, subject to satisfying the objective criteria set forth in Section 401, Subsection 32A through E.
[Added by Ord. No. 2205, 9/13/2021]
§ 403 Large Lot Conditional Uses.
[Ord. 1968, 9/8/2003, § 403; as amended by Ord. 1985, 10/12/2004, § 3; and by Ord. 2037, 4/9/2007]
1.
Purpose. Pottstown has a small number of undeveloped or partially developed lots that do not neatly fit into an existing neighborhood. In the cases of some large areas of open land that might some day be developed, such as a golf course or athletic fields, single-family detached houses would be the most compatible with nearby neighborhoods.
In the case of smaller areas of open land, higher density housing may be compatible with nearby neighborhoods. In order to provide flexibility to develop these lots, and still retain Pottstown's traditional town character, the following standards shall be offered as a conditional use. |
2.
Any parcel of land in the Neighborhood Residential Zoning District or the Traditional Town Neighborhood Zoning District consisting of one acre or more, or any contiguous group of land parcels that total an acre or more, provided they are owned by the same entity at the time of the adoption of this Chapter, shall be permitted to be developed solely as a large lot conditional use pursuant to this Section. Development standards, including but not limited to density, housing type and architecture style, are set forth below.
A.
Dwelling — single-family detached. Maximum density shall be six units per acre. The size of the homes and their placement shall be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood, following Conservation District guidelines.
B.
Any plat located within an area declared eligible for the National Register of Historic Places by the Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation shall be compatible with nearby historic buildings regarding:
3.
The following uses shall be considered by Borough Council as a Conditional Use for any parcel of land in the Traditional Town Neighborhood District consisting of at least one acre but no more than three acres, or any group of land parcels within 200 feet of each other that total at least one acre but no more than three acres provided they are owned by the same entity and developed as part of a unified development. No parcel of more than three acres existing at the adoption of this Chapter shall be subdivided to meet the requirements of this Section.
A.
Dwelling – single-family detached
Dwelling – single-family semidetached | |
Dwelling – single-family attached | |
The size of the homes and their placement shall be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood, following Conservation District guidelines. |
1.
Maximum density for dwellings shall be 12 units per acre.
2.
Minimum unit size, exclusive of garage area, shall be 1,600 square feet.
3.
Minimum building height shall be two stories; maximum is three stories.
4.
Maximum number of attached units in any single grouping shall be eight.
5.
All walls visible from a principal street shall be constructed of brick.
6.
All other building walls shall be clad in wood clapboard, wood drop siding, wood board and batten, brick, stucco, hardi plank, or material of a similar quality and appearance.
7.
Garage doors shall be permitted at the front of dwellings only if there is no public alley adjoining the property, and if the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of Borough Council that it is not economically feasible to place garages in the rear. No more than one garage door per dwelling shall be part of the front facade of any dwelling, and no more than 50% of the front facade of any unit shall consist of a garage door. Front garage doors shall either be recessed or below grade. Garage doors shall be designed to be as unobtrusive as possible.
8.
All accessory buildings with a floor area of more than 100 square feet shall be clad in the same material as the principal structure.
9.
Side yards and setbacks shall be consistent with existing buildings in accordance with Section 308. If, in the judgment of Borough Council, there are insufficient nearby principal buildings to determine side yards and setbacks, the following standards shall apply:
a. Standard | Size | |
|---|---|---|
Minimum open space | 20% | |
Maximum building coverage | 60% | |
Front setback | 9 feet minimum to 20 feet maximum Attached or semidetached houses with garages on grade level shall be sufficiently close to the street to prevent cars from being parked in the driveway, unless the garages are behind the houses. | |
Minimum side setback | 10 feet for twins or end units. | |
Minimum rear setback | 25 feet | |
Maximum building height | 35 feet at cornice line |
10.
The design of all buildings shall be compatible with the design of historic homes in Pottstown's Conservation District, and all elements of construction and design shall meet Conservation District guidelines.
11.
The Borough shall require a traffic study and a parking study to ensure the proposed development will not adversely impact pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile traffic in the neighborhood within 1,000 feet of the property.
B.
Office
Church | |
School, according to the following: |
1. Standard | Size | |
|---|---|---|
Minimum open space | 20% | |
Maximum building coverage | 75% | |
Front setback | 0 to 20 feet | |
Minimum side setback | 15 feet | |
Minimum rear setback | 20 feet | |
Maximum building height | 35 feet to the cornice line |
C.
Within the Business Overlay: light manufacturing facility, subject to satisfying the objective criteria outlined in Section 401, Subsection 32A through E.
[Added by Ord. No. 2205, 9/13/2021]
4.
The following uses shall be considered by Borough Council as a Conditional Use for any parcel of land in the Downtown District consisting of at least one acre but no more than three acres, or any contiguous group of land parcels that total at least one acre but no more than three acres, provided they are owned by the same entity and developed as part of a unified development. No parcel of more than three acres existing at the adoption of this Chapter shall be subdivided to meet the requirements of this Section.
A.
All uses permitted in the Downtown District, Section 320, according to the following:
1. Standard | Size – west of Evans Street | Size – east of Evans Street | |
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum building coverage | 75% | 75% | |
Front setback | 0 | 0 feet minimum to 20 feet maximum | |
Side setback | 0 feet minimum to 10 feet maximum | 0 feet minimum to 10 feet maximum | |
Minimum rear setback | 20 feet | 20 feet | |
Minimum building height | 2 stories | 2 stories | |
Maximum building height | 60 feet | 35 feet to cornice line |
B.
Dwelling – single-family semidetached
Dwelling – single-family detached, according to the following: | |||
1. Standard | Size – west of Evans Street | Size – east of Evans Street | |
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum building coverage | 75% | 75% | |
Front setback | 0 | 0 feet minimum to 20 feet maximum | |
Side setback | 0 feet minimum to 10 feet maximum | 0 feet minimum to 10 feet maximum | |
Minimum rear setback | 20 feet | 20 feet | |
Minimum building height | 2 stories | 2 stories | |
Maximum building height | 35 feet to cornice line | 35 feet to cornice line |
2.
The size of the homes and their placement shall be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood, following Conservation District guidelines.
3.
Maximum density for dwellings shall be 12 units per acre.
4.
Minimum unit size, exclusive of garage area, shall be 1,600 square feet.
5.
All walls visible from a principal street shall be constructed of brick.
6.
All other building walls shall be clad in wood clapboard, wood drop siding, wood board and batten, brick, stucco, hardi plank, or materials of similar quality and appearance.
7.
All buildings shall face a principal street.
8.
All required off-street parking shall be from the rear. No garage doors shall face a principal street.
5.
Mixed Use Development in the Gateway East and Gateway West Districts, by Conditional Use.
Purpose. | |
Pottstown's Gateway East and Gateway West districts form major entryways to downtown Pottstown and its historic neighborhoods. They do much to establish the initial impression of Pottstown. Unfortunately, these areas include some of the least attractive development in the Borough. | |
After the Second World War, a new form of development evolved that was much different from Pottstown's downtown and traditional neighborhoods. Located on the eastern and western edges of Pottstown along its major thoroughfare, High Street, this development was geared almost entirely to automobile use. It usually consisted of modest buildings with large parking lots in front of them. | |
Although the use of the car is essential to keep these businesses viable, it is the intent of Pottstown Borough to encourage the revitalization and redevelopment of these areas to make them more attractive and more compatible with surrounding historic neighborhoods. In the long term, Council believes, this will enhance their economic viability for the future and improve Pottstown's quality of life. | |
To help recreate the traditional town pattern of seamlessly blended commercial and residential redevelopment along High Street and adjacent neighborhoods, the following uses shall be permitted as part of a mixed use development when authorized by conditional use by the Borough Council, in compliance with the standards and criteria set forth below: |
A.
Use types:
1.
Bank or financial institution.
2.
Direct retail store.
3.
Direct service store.
4.
Health and fitness center.
5.
Office, except client-based social service.
6.
Restaurant, excluding a drive-in restaurant.
7.
Storage, small scale interior (rear access only).
8.
Dwelling, apartment/condominium (second floor and above only).
9.
Dwelling, single-family semidetached.
10.
Dwelling, single-family attached.
B.
Conditional Use Standards:
1.
The tract of land must be located along High Street in both a Gateway District, East or West, and a Neighborhood Residential District.
2.
The tract shall be at least one acre but not more than five acres, provided that all parcels are owned by the same entity and developed as part of a unified development.
3.
The unified development shall be served by a one-way street in the general form of a crescent with access off High Street and egress either on High Street or onto a street intersecting with High Street. All land on the shorter side of the crescent street shall be deed-restricted as common open space. All buildings shall be placed so as to face the longer side of the crescent street.
4.
A minimum of 30% of the total tract area shall be set aside as common open space, which shall be permanently deed restricted from future subdivision and development.
5.
The unified development shall have a maximum overall density of six dwelling units per gross acre and 5,000 square feet of nonresidential uses per gross acre, provided that the maximum footprint of all nonresidential buildings combined shall not exceed 10,000 square feet.
6.
Mix requirements for the total building square footage are as follows:
40% to 50% for residential uses | |
50% to 60% for nonresidential uses. |
7.
Dimensional Standards.
Standard | Size | |
|---|---|---|
Unit width (all uses) | Minimum 20 feet, maximum 35 feet | |
Maximum building coverage | 60% | |
Front setback from Crescent Street | 10 feet minimum | |
Minimum setback from existing street | 10 feet | |
Minimum setback from all other tract boundaries | 25 feet | |
Minimum separation between differing building types | 10 feet |
8.
All building walls visible from a street, excepting service alleys, shall be made of brick. No garages or driveways are permitted in the front of any building. All buildings shall be uniform in height and appearance and shall be compatible with the design of historic structures in Pottstown's Conservation Districts.
9.
The Borough shall require a traffic study and a parking study to ensure the proposed development will not adversely impact pedestrian, bicycle and automobile traffic in the neighborhood within 1,000 feet of the property.
§ 404 (Reserved) [1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 404, Accessory uses, was moved to § 507 1/8/2-18 by Ord. 21714.