Sparta Township City Zoning Code
§ 18-4.34
Planned Village Core District Zone.
[Ord. No. 11-05 § 4; Ord. No. 11-19]
a.
Purpose. Planned Village Core District Zone. The purpose of the PVC District is to permit development of large tracts of land along Route 15, in a planned setting. A planned development will prevent an adverse impact on the community and enhance the existing light industrial uses, and limit access to Route 15 in order to minimize any disruption to the flow of traffic on Route 15 to meet the State Access Management Code.
The intent of the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance is to reinforce the concept of a strong central Town Center in Sparta Township, with a complimentary Village Center, which are both consistent with the New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The PVC District is intended to complement, not detract from, the commercial viability of the Town Center area.
The PVC follows the guidelines presented in the SmartCode as a means to regulate development in a Smart Growth fashion and is authorized under the Municipal Land Use Law provisions for Planned Unit Development. The primary means for regulating development in the PVC District is the assignment of Transects.
Throughout this subsection, standards will be applied to specific Transects. The Transects were assigned via the Master Plan and are presented in Table 1 and Map 1.
b.
Applicability. The Planned Village Core Zone only applies to a lot or lots located in the PVC Zone under the following conditions. If minimum conditions cannot be met, then the underlying zone requirements for the ED/PCD Zones apply.
c.
Principal Permitted Uses. The following uses are permitted uses for each Transect that make up the PVC District:
1.
Conservation Transect (T1).
(a)
Park. A natural preserve available for unstructured recreation. Its landscape shall consist of paths, and trails, meadows, waterbodies, woodland and open shelters, all naturalistically disposed.
(b)
Playground. An open space designed and equipped for the recreation of children that should be fenced, (four feet tall and approved by the Board) and may include an open shelter. Playgrounds may be included with parks and greens.
(c)
Existing public utilities are permitted and are authorized to be expanded and/or rebuilt even if totally destroyed. However, any expansion or rebuilding shall be pursuant to the conditional use standards set forth in Subsection 18-4.7c3.
(d)
Disposal beds.
2.
Mixed Residential Transect (T4).
(a)
Playground. Playgrounds shall be interspersed within residential areas and may be placed within a block.
(b)
Green. An open space available for unstructured recreation. A Green may be spatially defined by landscaping rather than building frontages. Its landscape shall consist of lawn and trees, naturalistically disposed.
(c)
Residential single-family dwelling units.
(d)
Residential duplexes, multifamily attached units, townhouses.
3.
Mixed-Use Transect (T5).
(a)
Plaza. An open space available for civic and commercial activities. A plaza shall be defined by building frontages. Its landscape shall consist primarily of pavement, with trees optional. Plazas should be located at main intersections and provisions for outdoor dining may be incorporated.
(b)
Residential multifamily, townhouses.
(c)
Mixed use buildings with residential apartments/condominiums located above the first floor commercial.
(d)
Office buildings for business, professional, executive and administrative offices.
(e)
Retail stores for the indoor sale of goods or merchandise with seasonal sidewalk sales as approved by the subcommittee of the Planning Board at a maximum of four times per year, including: general stores, bakeries, cafes, dry cleaners, financial services, florists, ice cream, personal services, pharmacies, sporting goods, apparel, bookstores, and home furnishings.
(f)
Restaurants where all food sold on premises is served at tables within the restaurant.
(g)
Banks and banking offices.
(h)
Preschools, childcare facilities, health clubs, spas, dance schools and karate schools.
(i)
Sewer utilities.
4.
Business Transect (T6).
(a)
Plaza. An open space available for civic and commercial activities. A plaza shall be defined by building frontages. Its landscape shall consist primarily of pavement, with trees optional. Plazas should be located at main intersections.
(b)
Retail stores for the indoor sale of goods or merchandise with seasonal sidewalk sales as approved by the subcommittee of the Planning Board at a maximum of four times per year, including: general stores, bakeries, cafes, financial services, florists, ice cream, pharmacies, sporting goods, apparel, bookstores, home furnishings.
(c)
Restaurants where all food sold on premises is served at tables within the restaurant.
(d)
Specialty retail (defined as shops that cater to a specific market, which are linked by architectural, historical or a geographic theme and by commonality of goods. The specialty retail center consist of smaller shops of 2,000 to 10,000 square feet of floor area).
(e)
Theaters.
(f)
Convenience stores.
(g)
Hotels and conference centers which may include health clubs and spas, catering facilities and restaurants open to the public but ancillary to the principal permitted use; access to all guest rooms shall be via hallways from a main lobby.
(h)
Medical clinics.
5.
Limited Commercial Transect (SD).
(a)
Plaza. An open space available for civic and commercial activities. A plaza shall be defined by building frontages. Its landscape shall consist primarily of pavement, with trees optional. Plazas should be located at main intersections.
(b)
Restaurants where all food sold on premises is served at tables within the restaurant.
(c)
Hotels and conference centers which may include health clubs and spas, catering facilities and restaurants open to the public but ancillary to the principal permitted use; access to all guest rooms shall be via hallways from a main lobby.
(d)
Supermarkets.
(e)
Banks and banking offices.
(f)
Theaters.
(g)
Fast food restaurants with drive through facilities.
(h)
Medical clinics.
(i)
Public utilities.
d.
Conditional Uses. Conditional uses for the PVC Zone are assigned by Transect. The following uses are permitted as a conditional use, but must follow the specific criteria of the conditional use section:
e.
Accessory Uses. Those uses customarily incidental to the above including; parking structures associated with commercial spaces at the street level, and drive through banking facilities.
f.
Prohibited Uses. Any use not specifically permitted is prohibited. In addition, the following uses are specifically prohibited in all transects of the PVC Zone:
1.
Gasoline service stations, automotive repair facilities, garages and car washes.
2.
Storage buildings including mini-storage warehousing.
3.
Kennels.
4.
Golf courses, driving ranges, batting cages and outdoor miniature golf.
5.
Trucking terminals.
6.
Soil removal.
7.
Any business operation conducted outside the confines of a building.
8.
Any uses which directly or indirectly utilize materials listed in N.J.A.C. 7:26-8.16, "Hazardous Constituent" pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-8.16, "Hazardous Substance" pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:1E; and/or "Hazardous Waste" pursuant to Solid Waste Regulations, N.J.A.C. 7:26-1.4 and Waste Regulations, N.J.A.C. 7:26-8.
g.
Required Conditions. All planned development shall meet the following minimum standards:
1.
The planned development shall have a unified architectural and design scheme which shall be subject to review and approval of the Planning Board at the time of preliminary site plan approval. The approved unified architectural and design scheme shall be complied with by the applicant and any future developers within the Planned Village Core. There shall be no changes to the architectural and design scheme without a formal amendment to the planned unit development by the applicant and approval of the amendment by the Planning Board of the Township of Sparta. The unified architectural and design schemes shall include a unified architectural appearance on all the facades of the buildings and shall provide for a common signage theme for use on the property.
2.
There shall be no more than one freestanding sign identifying the Planned Village Core at the principal entrance from Route 15 or White Lake Road. Said freestanding sign may be located on a foundation and shall be no greater than 32 square feet on each side and shall not be a directory sign.
3.
Transect Plan. Any planned development shall provide a Transect Plan at the time of preliminary site plan approval demonstrating consistency with principles of the Transect Plan presented in the Planned Village Core Master Plan Amendment, and should also demonstrate consistency with the Circulation Plan.
4.
Landscape Plan. Any planned development shall provide a landscape plan at the time of preliminary site plan approval setting forth landscape buffers between adjacent industrial properties and the planned development and within and between parking lots. The landscape islands within the parking lots shall be located at least every 40 parking spaces. The plan shall provide for the initial planting of shade trees with a minimum caliper 2 1/2 inches diameter at breast height (D.B.H.) one tree every 30 feet of a landscape area within the parking area or on the perimeter of the parking area and on all property boundaries.
5.
Grading Plan. Any planned development shall provide an overall grading plan to demonstrate sufficient protection of the Germany Flats Aquifer and shall include a hydro-geologic analysis demonstrating conformance with NJDEP standards.
6.
Phasing Plan. In the event that the PVC, Planned Village Core is to be constructed in sections over a period of years, then the provisions for the sewage and garbage disposal, storm drainage and water supply and for interior roads, need to be adequate only in respect to the sections of development which have previously received final approval and the section of development for which final approval is being sought. The impacts to the partial installation of any proposed networks must be addressed for each section seeking approval. Each section of development must meet the required standards set forth in this subsection and must not rely on proposed sections to meet the required standards. The developer shall supply to the Planning Board information disclosing such adequacy and obtain the Planning Board's approval thereof.
7.
Infrastructure Impact Statement. Any planned development shall provide an analysis of the expected impacts to area services, including: Fire protection, Police protection, Emergency Medical Response, as well as the local school system.
8.
Green Development Checklist. Applicant is to submit a report summarizing "green" development techniques to be implemented in the PVC development. This report shall be based on the USGBC's LEED ND checklist and shall document each item the applicant intends to implement in the following categories: "Smart Location and Linkage," "Neighborhood Pattern and Design," and "Green Infrastructure and Buildings."
9.
Lighting Plan.
10.
Parking Plan.
11.
Prior to the commencement of any site work and prior to the effectiveness of any preliminary site plan approval, the applicant shall enter into a developer's agreement with the Council of the Township of Sparta as authorized by the Municipal Land Use Law. The agreement shall include establishing certain minimum conditions relating to water, septic or sewer, fire protection, ingress to and egress from White Lake Road and Route 15, and include: timing and rate of development, construction of private and public improvements, performance guarantees for any common accessways and/or public improvements, maintenance guarantees for any common accessways or public improvements, and such other time period or statutory protection period applicable to the development, and such other standards and provisions as shall be deemed appropriate by the Governing Body of the Township of Sparta.
12.
Required Conditions for Single-Family and Duplex Residential Use.
(a)
Lot Area. There shall be a minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet.
(b)
Minimum Frontage. There shall be a minimum lot frontage of 40 feet.
(c)
Height. The height of a principal structure shall not exceed 2 1/2 stories and 35 feet.
(d)
Front Yard. There shall be a minimum front yard setback of not less than 15 feet
(e)
Side Yard. There shall be a minimum side yard of five feet. When the lot in question is a corner lot, the side yard adjoining the side street shall conform to the front yard setback.
(f)
Rear Yard. There shall be a minimum rear yard setback of at least 25 feet.
(g)
Impervious Coverage. The maximum land area to be covered by impervious surfaces shall not exceed 45% of the total site area.
(h)
Garages may be attached to the dwelling unit, and must conform to the front yard setback. Detached garages are permitted and must conform to the accessory structure requirements.
(i)
One accessory structure is permitted per lot in the rear yard only, and must be a minimum of five feet from the rear setback line.
(j)
Decks are permitted in the rear yard only and must be a minimum of 15 feet from the rear yard setback and eight feet from the side yard setback.
(k)
Within 800 feet of every residential lot, a civic space designated as a playground shall be provided.
(l)
No more than 25% of the overall residential units shall be duplex units.
13.
Required Conditions for Multi-Family, Townhouse Uses.
(a)
Multifamily dwelling units such as townhouses, shall conform to the maximum density of 15% of the overall residential development, with four units maximum per building.
(b)
Building Setbacks. A minimum of 20 feet separation is required between buildings.
(c)
Front Yard Setback. There shall be a minimum front yard setback of not less than 15 feet.
(d)
Height. Height of a principal structure shall not exceed 2 1/2 stories and 35 feet.
(e)
Rear Yard Setback. There shall be a minimum rear yard setback of not less than 25 feet.
14.
Required Conditions for Planned Commercial Development.
(a)
Any site plan or subdivision in the zone shall include a preliminary site plan for a planned development for the entire area of the lot or lots owned or controlled by the applicant and located in the PVC Zone. Certain bulk standards are not included to permit flexibility in the planned development. Phasing is permitted, however all access roads and related infrastructure must be completed before the completion of Phase I. The following requirements must be complied with:
(b)
In the Planned Village Core more than one principal use may be permitted on the same lot.
(c)
Acreage Requirements. Seven acres.
(d)
A minimum of 5% of the developable area shall be dedicated as civic space.
(e)
Each site plan shall contain at least one main civic space, centrally located and dedicated as the primary outdoor gathering place for the site.
(f)
Height. The height of a principal structure shall not exceed three stories and 40 feet, with the exception of a house of worship steeple or clock towers, which shall not exceed 50 feet.
(g)
Maximum Impervious Coverage. 60%.
(h)
No direct access driveways shall be permitted along Route 15 or White Lake Road. The development must include an internal circulation plan consistent with the PVC Master Plan Amendment.
(i)
Parking Standards.
(1)
The retail and office uses within a planned commercial development shall provide one parking space for every 300 square feet of gross leasable area Other uses in the planned commercial development shall provide parking in accordance with the parking schedule set forth in Subsection 18-5.3h. Parking for planned commercial developments shall generally be located within at least 300 feet of each of the structures and uses for which the parking is provided.
(j)
Sign Requirements.
(1)
One directory sign internal to the development may be submitted and approved for each Transect. The directory sign may be up to 32 square feet on each side.
(2)
Individual businesses that have a principal entrance on the first story may choose from the following sign types and must follow the conditions for each individual sign type.
(i)
Awning.
[a]
Smallest rectangle that fully encompasses the entire extent of letters, logo and background. The following variations of awnings, with or without signbands are permitted: fixed or retractable, shed or dome awnings.
[b]
Signage or signbands shall be limited to the valance of the awning or the vertical portion of a dome awning.
[c]
No portion of the awning shall be lower than eight feet clearance.
[d]
Awnings shall be a minimum of four feet depth, and shall not extend beyond the width of the building or tenant space, nor encroach above the roof line or the story above.
[e]
The height of the valance or signband shall not exceed 12 inches.
[f]
Awning signs shall contain only the business name, logo, and/or street address. Letters, numbers and graphics shall cover no more than 70% of the valance/signband area.
[g]
Awning signs shall not be internally illuminated or backlit.
[h]
Colors shall be consistent with the uniform architectural and design scheme of the overall planned development.
(ii)
Band.
[a]
Band signs shall include only letters, background, and an optional logo. Information shall consist only of the name and/or logo of the business. Band signs shall not list products, sales, or other promotional messages, or contact information.
[b]
The following band sign construction types are permitted:
[1]
Cut-Out Letters. Letters shall be individually attached to the wall or on a separate background panel, and shall be externally illuminated.
[2]
Flat Panel. Letters shall be printed or etched on same surface as the background, which is then affixed to the wall and externally illuminated.
[3]
Channel Letters by Warrant. Each letter shall have its own internal lighting element, individually attached to the wall or onto a separate background panel. The letter shall be translucent, or solid to create a backlit halo effect.
[c]
Height and width shall be measured using the smallest rectangle that fully encompasses the entire extent of letters, logo and background. Height shall not exceed three feet.
[d]
Band signs shall not be wider than 90% of the width of the building facade or tenant space.
[e]
Band signs shall not project vertically above the roof line.
[f]
Band signs may be illuminated from dusk to dawn or during business. External lights shall be shielded from direct view to reduce glare.
[g]
No internal lighting shall be permitted.
[h]
Band signs should be placed where the architectural features suggest the best placement for signage. They should be vertically aligned with the center of an architectural feature such as a storefront window, entry portal, or width of a bay or overall retail space. They shall not interrupt or obscure these features or cause visual disharmony.
[i]
Where multiple band signs are present on a single building (i.e. for retail tenants in a shopping center), signage shall be coordinated in terms of scale, placement, colors and materials.
(iii)
Blade.
[a]
Blade signs may be double-sided.
[b]
Blade signs may encroach into the public frontage up to four feet and shall clear the sidewalk by at least eight feet. They shall not encroach above the roof line nor above the bottom of the second story window.
[c]
Text and graphics on the blade sign shall be limited to the name and/or logo of the business Slogans, address labels, operating hours and contact information shall not be permitted.
[d]
Mounting hardware, such as supports and brackets, may be simple and unobtrusive or highly decorative, but shall complement the design of the sign, the building, or both. For buildings with multiple signs, mounting hardware or sign shapes, sizes and colors shall be consistent with the overall architectural and design scheme.
[e]
No internal lighting shall be permitted.
(3)
Businesses and offices located on the second story are permitted shingle type signs meeting the following requirements:
(i)
Shingle signs may be double sided.
(ii)
Shingle signs may encroach into the public frontage up to two feet and shall clear the sidewalk by at least eight feet.
(iii)
Text and graphics on the shingle sign shall be limited to the name, logo and suite number of the business. Slogans, full street address labels, operating hours and contact information are not permitted.
(iv)
No internal lighting shall be permitted.
15.
Evaluation Standards and Criteria. In order to foster the attractiveness of a site designated as a Planned Village Core Development, planned development and the surrounding neighborhoods and thereby preserve property values, and in order to provide an efficient road and utility network, ensure the movement of traffic, implement comprehensive planning and better serve the public health, safety and general welfare, the following standards and criteria shall be utilized by the Planning Board in reviewing all site plans and subdivision plats relating to a PVC, planned development. These standards shall not be regarded as inflexible requirements. They are not intended to discourage creativity, invention and innovation.
(a)
The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practicable, by minimizing tree and soil removal and may include the addition of trees, shrubs and/or landscaped berms. All PVC, Planned Commercial Developments shall provide a minimum front yard of 100 feet from Route 15 which shall be a landscaped area dedicated to perpetual open space.
(b)
Proposed buildings shall be related harmoniously to the terrain and to other buildings in the vicinity that have a visual relationship to the proposed buildings.
(c)
The distance between buildings shall be sufficient to provide adequate light and air.
(d)
With respect to vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including walkways, interior thoroughfares and parking, special attention shall be given to location and number of access points to the public streets, width of interior drives and access points, general interior circulation, separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and arrangement of parking areas that are safe and convenient and, insofar as practicable, do not detract from the design of proposed buildings and structures and the neighboring properties.
(e)
Special attention shall be given to property site surface drainage so that removal of surface waters will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the public storm drainage system.
(f)
All permanent utility lines, pipes and conduits shall be located below ground, and all other installations and appurtenances shall be adequately screened.
(g)
The size, location, design, color, texture, lighting and materials of all signs shall not detract from the design of proposed buildings and structures and the surrounding properties.
(h)
Exposed storage areas, exposed machinery installations (including rooftop), service areas, truck loading areas, garbage storage and disposal areas, utility buildings and structures and similar accessory areas and structures shall be subject to such setbacks, screen plantings or other screening methods as shall reasonably be required to prevent their being incongruous with the existing or contemplated environment and the surrounding properties.
(i)
Adequate provision shall be made for a centralized sewage disposal system which shall be of sufficient size, capacity and design to collect and dispose of all sewage from all present and proposed buildings in the PVC, Planned Village Core and which shall be otherwise constructed and maintained in conformity with all applicable Federal, State, County and municipal regulations and requirements.
(j)
Adequate provision shall be made for a storm drainage and surface water detention system which shall be of sufficient size, capacity and design to collect, carry off and dispose of all predictable surface water runoff within the PVC, Planned Village Core, and which shall be otherwise constructed and maintained in conformity with all applicable State, County and municipal regulations and requirements.
(k)
Adequate provision shall be made for a water system which shall be of sufficient size, capacity and design to supply potable water and fire protection to each of the buildings within the PVC, Planned Village Core and which shall be otherwise constructed and maintained in conformity with all applicable State, County and municipal regulations and requirements.
(l)
Adequate provision shall be made for the collection and disposal and recycling of garbage, trash and solid waste generated by the PVC, Planned Village Core, and such system shall be maintained in conformity with all applicable State, County and municipal regulations and requirements.
(m)
Adequate provision shall be made for a system of interior roads sufficient to accommodate predictable vehicular traffic within the PVC, Planned Village Core and to ensure safe and efficient vehicular access, including access of fire-fighting equipment to and from each of the buildings within the PVC, Planned Village Core. The interior thoroughfare network shall maintain connectivity to existing roadways, White Lake Road and Route 15.
(n)
Maximum Building Size. No building shall be larger than 80,000 square feet.