Rostraver Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
The VR Village Residential District
§ 195-16 Statement of purpose and use summary.
The VR Village Residential District derives its purpose and authority from Article VII-A of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, including the purposes set forth in that chapter, which are incorporated herein by reference. The VR Village Residential District is established under this authority to encourage urban infill and outgrowth or extension of the existing development together with activities that are compatible and normally associated in the Township's historic villages as empowered by § 702-A of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
A.
Use permitted by right.
(1)
Single-family dwelling.
(2)
Duplex dwelling.
(3)
Ambulance station.
(4)
Church.
(6)
Educational institution, commercial and noncommercial.
(7)
Essential services.
(8)
Fire station.
(9)
Group residential facility.
(10)
Municipal or neighborhood recreation.
(11)
Public facility.
(12)
Private garage under 999 square feet.
(13)
Home occupation.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(14)
School bus shelter.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
B.
Conditional use.
(1)
Club/private club/lodge.
(2)
Commercial recreation.
(4)
Conversion apartments.
(5)
Eating and drinking establishments.
(6)
Neighborhood commercial.
(7)
Personal and business services, including artisan workspace, coworking space, live-work unit, and makerspace.
[Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(8)
Pet grooming.
(9)
Office.
(10)
Tourist home and short-term rental.
[Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(11)
Water-related recreation.
(12)
Condominium.
[Added 12-21-2022 by Ord. No. 754]
§ 195-17 Conditional use provisions.
The following conditional uses may be authorized by the Township Commissioners pursuant to the standards and criteria specified herewith:
A.
Club/private club/lodge.
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
There shall be no outdoor display of goods or material associated with the sales service. All use activities shall be confined to the indoors unless specifically approved by conditional use.
(4)
The Commissioners may limit the hours of operation as a reasonable additional condition and safeguard.
(6)
The developer shall show that parking requirements can be met on lot or through sufficient on-street parking within 400 feet of the proposed development. One parking space must be provided for every four patron seats.
(7)
The club shall provide the Township with its articles of incorporation, purpose, and tax status as a fraternal organization or nonprofit.
(8)
A detailed plan that discusses any proposed distribution of alcohol upon the premises and demonstrates compliance with all commonwealth regulations for the sale of alcohol.
B.
Commercial recreation.
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
No more than 4,000 square feet of retail, service and/or sales space shall be permitted for each commercial recreation establishment.
(3)
All storage and display of stock, equipment, refuse and other materials shall be within enclosed main or accessory structures.
(4)
Fencing may be deemed necessary for purposes of safety and security.
(5)
Parking requirements must be met per Article XVII, Parking and Loading Requirements, of this chapter.
(8)
The Commissioners may limit the hours of operation as a reasonable additional condition and safeguard.
D.
Conversion apartments.
(1)
The purpose of this conditional use is to reasonably regulate the conversion of large, older single-family dwellings to multiple-family dwellings to meet the affordable housing needs of persons age 55 and older. The conversion must meet the following standards:
E.
Eating and drinking establishments.
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
Hours of operation shall be limited from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(5)
Drive-through windows shall not be permitted.
(6)
No eating and drinking establishment shall exceed 4,000 square feet of gross floor area.
F.
Neighborhood commercial.
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
There shall be no outdoor display of goods or material associated with the sales service.
(4)
The Commissioners may limit the hours of operation as a reasonable additional condition and safeguard.
(5)
The developer shall show that parking requirements can be met on lot or through sufficient on-street parking within 400 feet of the proposed development. Two parking spaces must be provided for each commercial business.
(6)
No newly constructed building shall be greater that 5,000 square feet of gross floor area.
H.
Pet grooming.
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
Fencing may be deemed necessary by the Commissioners for purposes of safety or security.
(3)
Operational hours shall be limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
(4)
There shall be no pets kept on the premises overnight.
J.
Tourist home and short-term rental.
[Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
There shall be no modifications to the external appearance of the building (except fire escapes) which would alter its residential character. No expansions or alterations shall be permitted which would increase the number of rooms available for lease from that within the existing dwelling.
(3)
No event or gathering shall be permitted which involves outdoor amplified entertainment though use of any speaker system or sound amplification device. Neither occupants nor guests shall engage in disorderly conduct or disturb the peace and quiet of any nearby neighborhood or person by loud, unusual or excessive noise, by tumultuous or offensive conduct, public indecency, threatening, traducing, quarreling, challenging to fight, or fighting, or creating a dangerous or physically offensive condition. The Rostraver Township Nuisance Ordinance, Chapter 124, shall apply.
[Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(4)
There shall be no more than four guest rooms. No more than two transient guests (as defined) are permitted for each guest room, unless specifically permitted through a UCC occupancy permit. The intent of this use is to encourage small-scale lodging in villages where tourism is encouraged.
(6)
The developer shall show that parking requirements can be met on lot or through sufficient on-street parking within 400 feet of the proposed development. One parking space must be provided for each guest room.
(8)
The property owner must designate a local property representative who shall be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for the purpose of: (a) responding within one hour to complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants; and (b) taking remedial action to resolve any such complaints. The name, address, and telephone contact number of the property owner and the local property representative shall be kept on file at the Township.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(9)
Overnight occupancy of recreational vehicles, camper trailers, and tents at the property shall not be allowed. Outdoor overnight sleeping of occupants or guests is prohibited.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(10)
A short-term rental/tourist home may not be used for a purpose other than or not incidental to its use for overnight lodging. This restriction includes using the rental for a wedding, banquet, reception, bachelor or bachelorette party, concert, fundraiser, sponsored event, or any similar group activity.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(11)
The property owner shall maintain on file at the Township an up-to-date certificate of insurance documenting that the dwelling is insured as a short-term or vacation rental.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(12)
All short-term rentals and tourist homes shall have a clearly visible and legible notice posted within the dwelling unit on or adjacent to the front door containing the following information:
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(a)
The name of the local property representative and a telephone number at which that party can be reached on a twenty-four-hour basis.
(b)
The 911 address of the property.
(c)
The maximum number of occupants permitted to stay in the dwelling unit and the maximum number of day guests permitted at any one time.
(d)
The maximum number of all vehicles allowed to be on the property and the requirement that all guest parking must be parked in the available parking areas on the property and not in or along any private, community or public street right-of-way or on any lawn or vegetated area on the property.
(e)
The trash pickup day and notification that trash and refuse shall not be left or stored on the exterior of the property.
(13)
All short-term rentals and tourist homes shall be equipped with the following, including all standards of the Uniform Construction Code:
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
(a)
Smoke detectors in each bedroom.
(b)
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors outside each bedroom in common hallways.
(c)
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor.
(d)
GFI outlets for outlets located within six feet of water source.
(e)
Aluminum or metal exhaust from dryer.
(f)
Fire extinguisher in kitchen conspicuously located.
(g)
Stairs (indoor and outdoor) in good condition.
(h)
Swimming pools, hot tubs and spas must meet the barrier requirements as indicated in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
(14)
Shall be serviced by and connected to a water system regulated by the PUC and approved by PADEP and a municipal sewage system or a sewage treatment system approved by PADEP.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
K.
Water-related recreation.
(1)
The use of land and structures established under this conditional use category shall be limited to riparian river sites.
(3)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(5)
No site or lot shall be used for any purpose or business that is considered dangerous or unsafe or that constitutes a nuisance or is noxious or offensive by reason of emission of dust, odor, smoke, fumes, vibration, radiation, noise or pollution potential.
(6)
The total ground area of the site not covered by buildings, paved parking, interior roadways and service areas is to be landscaped. Yards are to be landscaped with grass or other planting materials, and all slopes are to be covered by grass or ground cover.
(7)
Site access drives and parking areas shall consist of defined entrances and exits and shall have a minimum width of 20 feet.
(8)
Any parking area with five or more spaces shall be surfaced with a paved, dust-free surface. Where feasible, all parking and vehicular site access shall be to the side or rear of a site. All parking areas shall be landscaped subject to the standards and criteria of Article XVII, § 195-64D, of this chapter.
(9)
No more than 4,000 square feet of retail, service and/or sales space shall be permitted for each commercial recreation establishment.
L.
Condominium, as defined in Article III of this chapter.
[Added 12-21-2022 by Ord. No. 754]
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
At least two off-street parking spaces shall be provided for each dwelling unit, and such space shall be within 150 feet of any commonly used entranceway for such dwelling units.
(3)
No structure shall b erected within 10 feet of another structure.
(4)
The development shall provide an approved (PADEP) sanitary sewage disposal system of sufficient size and design to adequately serve the maximum designed capacity of the proposed residential units in the development in lieu of connection to an approved municipal sewage system.
(5)
An approved municipal water system shall be provided to serve the maximum designed capacity of the proposed residential units.
§ 195-18 Special exception provisions.
D.
Day care (all types).
(1)
The developer shall present a sketch plan that includes elevations or architectural perspectives and illustrates that the proposed building is architecturally compatible with the village neighborhood which is reviewed by the Township Planning Agency.
(2)
Activities shall be limited to functions normally associated with the part-time tending of children on a for-hire or fee basis and shall not include overnight lodging. Operational hours shall be limited to the hours between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
(3)
Safe off-street pickup and drop-off areas shall be provided at the site.
(4)
Outdoor play areas shall be fenced to control access to adjacent properties and vehicular ways. This area shall be located to the side or rear of the lot and shall not include parking or driveway areas.
(5)
All licenses and certifications required by state and/or county agencies shall be obtained as conditions precedent to granting of an occupancy permit.
(6)
Nothing in these provisions shall apply to non-hire childcare and child-tending activities within the context of normal family and acquaintance situations.
(7)
No more than six children shall be provided day-care services at any given time in a day-care/family home as defined in Article III of this chapter. Day-care center, as defined in Article III of this chapter, may be established in existing public buildings such as churches and schools for more than six children, provided that they meet all requirements of the Pennsylvania Departments of Public Welfare and Labor and Industry for "centers." All approvals, permits and licenses shall be obtained prior to granting of local approvals.
(8)
Day-care centers shall comply with the current editions of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and any and all applicable state and county regulations.
§ 195-19 Lot, area and dimensional requirements.
The following requirements shall apply to the VR Village Residential Districts:
Use Category | Min. Lot Area (sq. ft.) | Min. Lot Width (ft.) | Min. Front Yard Setback (ft. from ROW) | Min. Side Yard (ft.) | Min. Rear Yard (ft.) | Max. Bldg. Height (ft.) | Max. Lot Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Permitted Use: | |||||||
Single-family dwelling | 3,000 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 80% |
Duplex dwelling | 5,000 | 50 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 80% |
Ambulance station | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 60% |
Church | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 60% |
Communications antenna | Subject to the requirements of § 195-81 | ||||||
Educational institution commercial and noncommercial | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 60% |
Essential services | N/A | ||||||
Fire station | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 60% |
Group residential facility | 5,000 | 50 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 80% |
Home occupation [Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739] | Standard for single-family dwelling shall apply | ||||||
Municipal or neighborhood recreation | 5,000 | 40 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 60% |
Public facility | 5,000 | 40 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 60% |
Private garage under 999 sq. ft. | 3,000 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 80% |
School bus shelter [Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739] | 10-foot setback from all rights-of-way | ||||||
Conditional Use: | |||||||
Club/private club/lodge | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
Commercial recreation | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 45 | 60% |
Condominium [Added 12-21-2022 by Ord. No. 754] | 5,000 | 50 | 15 | 5** | 5 | 35 | 80% |
Conversion apartments | N/A | ||||||
Eating and drinking establishments | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
Neighborhood commercial | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
Personal and business services | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
Pet grooming | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
Office | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
Tourist home/short-term rental [Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739] | 5,000 | 50 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 80% |
Water-related recreation | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
Special Exceptions:[1] | |||||||
Blasting | N/A | ||||||
Commercial parking lot | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | N/A | N/A |
Day care (all types) | 5,000 | 50 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 80% |
Veterinary clinic | 8,000 | 50 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 | 60% |
NOTES: | |
** | There shall be no minimum side yard requirement at the common party wall. The minimum side yard setback for non-common party walls (any exterior wall not owned by both parties in common) shall be five feet. |
[1]
Editor's Note: The entries for home occupation and school bus shelter were repealed 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739; the entry for condominium was repealed 12-21-2022 by Ord. No. 754.