Sparta Township City Zoning Code
§ 18-4.30
ED-1, Economic Development/Low and Moderate Cost Housing Zone.
[Ord. No. 1003 § 7; Ord. No. 01-14 § 3; amended 7-23-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-07]
a.
Purpose. This zone is designed to provide for economic development uses as well as multifamily residential uses in a planned development to meet the needs of new and indigenous low and moderate income housing within the Township.
b.
Principal Permitted Uses. The erection, construction, alteration or use of buildings or premises for the following uses to be conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building or in a court enclosed on all sides by a suitable screening structure, except for on-site parking and loading incidental thereto, and public utility facilities not normally enclosed within a building.
1.
Scientific research and development laboratories.
2.
Office buildings for business, professional, executive and administrative purposes.
3.
Agricultural uses on a lot of five acres or more.
4.
Multifamily residential uses intended to conform to Council on Affordable Housing Standards and in accordance with the terms and conditions of Subsection 18-4.2q, Affordable Housing Provisions of this chapter and developer's agreement with the Township Council.
5.
Day care centers and facilities serving, at least partially, the needs of the other uses within the ED-1 Zone.
6.
Medical centers and/or outpatient care facilities or laboratories.
c.
Conditional Uses. (See regulations for conditional uses.)
1.
Public utilities.
2.
Schools and institutions.
4.
Eating facilities such as restaurants, delicatessens, and sandwich and coffee shops which serve, at least in part, the other principal permitted uses in the ED-1 Zone subject to the conditions set forth in Subsection 18-4.7.
6.
Hotels, motels and conference centers.
d.
Accessory Uses. The accessory uses within the ED-1 Zone shall be the same as in the ED Zone.
e.
Specifically Discouraged Uses. The specifically discouraged uses within the ED-1 Zone shall be the same as in the ED Zone.
f.
Required Conditions for Industrial or Planned Development. The required conditions for industrial or planned development within the ED-1 Zone shall be as follows:
2.
Front Yard. There shall be a front yard of not less than 100 feet from a public road or 35 feet from a private access road or lane. Off-street parking areas as required shall be permitted in the front yard, provided said area is at no point closer than 50 feet to any adjoining street right-of-way line or any closer than 10 feet from the side of a building. Parking areas shall be limited to a maximum of 25% at the front yard area.
3.
Side Yard. No side yard requirements shall apply to economic development uses within the zone. Multifamily uses developed for low/moderate income housing shall conform to minimum side yard standards of the MF Zone. Parking as required may be permitted in the side yards, provided no parking area is closer than 10 feet to any building or 25 feet to any residential zone boundary line or street right-of-way.
4.
Rear Yard. There shall be a rear yard of at least 50 feet. The rear yard may be used for off-street parking provided no parking area shall be nearer than 10 feet to any building or 25 feet to any residential zone boundary line or street right-of-way.
5.
Landscaping. Landscaping shall conform to the requirement of Subsection 18-5.3o of the design standards.
6.
Minimum Lot Width. No minimum lot width is required.
7.
Floor Area Ratio. Floor area of principal and accessory buildings shall not occupy more than 30% of the lot area.
g.
Vehicular Movement and Parking. The control of vehicular movement and parking shall conform to the standards of the ED Zone.
h.
Bulk Area and Site Design Regulations for Low/Moderate Income Housing.
1.
The low/moderate income housing shall conform to the general provisions of this chapter, Subsection 18-4.2q. Affordable Housing Provisions and the following bulk area and site design regulations.
(a)
A total of 48 multifamily units shall be constructed within the ED-1 Zone of which 35% shall be low/moderate income housing units. Market value units are considered to be offset by reduced standards for economic development within the ED-1 Zone.
(b)
Minimum tract area. Twenty acres.
(c)
Minimum tract frontage. One hundred feet.
(d)
Minimum front and rear yard for primary structures. Thirty feet.
(e)
Minimum distance between primary structures. Thirty feet.
(f)
Maximum structure length. One hundred forty feet.
(g)
Maximum number of units per structure. Six units.
(h)
Setback facade requirements. For every two units, the setback difference shall be no less than four feet. The appearance of the fronts shall vary by varying the dwelling widths and changing the roof line.
(i)
Maximum building coverage. 20%.
(j)
Maximum building height. Twenty-five feet.
(k)
Landscaping and Recreation. At least 50% of the parcel area shall consist of landscaped open space. At least 10% of the parcel area which can be included as part of the foregoing 50% shall be developed for active or passive recreation use of the residents of the development to include such facilities as play areas, sitting areas, tennis courts, and swimming pools.
(l)
Buffer Strips. There shall be a buffer strip on all parcel lines, excepting public street lines, adjoining another zone at least 30 feet in width. Such buffer shall be increased to 50 feet in width in those instances where the parcel line abuts an existing single-family use or a residential zone of a lesser density. The buffer, if wooded, shall remain in the natural state, or if not substantially wooded, shall be landscaped with a visual screen, at least four feet in height at the time of planting. The planting shall be in double alternate rows in a strip at least 12 feet wide.
(m)
Access Drives or Roadways. Access drives shall be at least 24 feet wide, curbed with concrete or Belgian block and at least 20 feet from any principal use structure. All other roadways shall be built to Township specifications.
(n)
Lighting. Noncorrosive ornamental lighting shall be provided and shielded to direct illumination downward for walks, steps, and parking areas and roadways to insure safe and convenient nighttime use.
(o)
Access for Emergency Vehicles. At least two avenues of access shall be provided for each parcel; the parcel shall be so designed that all emergency vehicles have access to each multifamily unit.
(p)
Utilities. Water and sewer service shall be provided in compliance with the rules and regulations of the water and sewer department and existing codes. All utilities and their service lines, including but not limited to, water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone and TV cable, shall be installed underground in accordance with the specifications of the appropriate utilities. Whenever a utility is not installed in a public right-of-way, an appropriate utility easement shall be provided.
(q)
Individual Controls. Each unit shall be provided with individual heat controls.
(r)
Other Requirements. Other reasonable standards and conditions not inconsistent with the intent of this section may be imposed by the Planning Board at the time of review of the plans which shall be approved prior to the issuance of a building permit.
(s)
Common Open Space Ownership and Maintenance. The applicant shall provide for and establish an organization for the ownership and maintenance of all common open space.