Southampton Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
12-4.6 Clustering
a.
Purpose. The basic purpose of permitting the development of residential clusters is to provide a method of developing land, which creates desirable open space, conservation areas; flood plains, recreation areas and parks by permitting the reduction in lot sizes without increasing the number of residential lots otherwise permitted.
b.
General requirements.
1.
The lot size within the residential detached cluster development may be reduced to compensate for the open space set aside not to be included in lots or other required improvements, with the maximum number of lots calculated in accordance with the definition of density in Subsection 12-2.3.
2.
The overall density of the zone in which the tract is located shall not be exceeded.
3.
Open space resulting from residential detached cluster development may be made available to the Township. Prior to dedication to the Township, the developer in accordance with Township requirements shall improve the lands. If open space resulting from residential detached cluster development is not accepted to public use, it shall be protected by legal arrangements, satisfactory to the Reviewing Board, sufficient to assure its maintenance and preservation in perpetuity for its intended use. Covenants or other legal arrangements shall specify ownership of the cluster open space; method of maintenance; maintenance taxes and insurance; compulsory membership and compulsory assessment provisions; guarantees that the entity owning the open space will not be dissolved without the consent of the Reviewing Board; and any other specifications deemed necessary by the Reviewing Board. Transfer of deeds to the open space shall be in place prior to construction.
4.
The development of the cluster plan shall provide at minimum 20% of the total tract for open space acres that will be preserved in perpetuity. The open space may be contained completely within the subject tract or adjacent to open space that has been preserved in perpetuity. Evidence of legal arrangements for adjacent open space shall be submitted at the time of application.
c.
Design requirements.
1.
Stream corridors and wetlands shall be sufficiently buffered with natural vegetation that extends from the stream center a minimum of 300 feet.
2.
The building setback line for a proposed lot shall be located a minimum of 300 feet from the one-hundred-year flood plain.
3.
Agricultural properties located adjacent to the cluster development shall be protected and buffered from residential encroachment to the maximum extent possible. The agricultural buffer shall be established on the perimeter of any cluster development that adjoins an agricultural property. The buffer shall be at least 50 feet wide and shall be planted with native plant material, per Subsection 12-5.2. Pedestrian or bicycle paths may traverse the agricultural buffer.