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Upper Allen Township Cumberland County
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XIII

Scenic River Corridor Overlay District

§ 245-13.1 Purpose.

A. 
The Scenic River Corridor Overlay District is intended to protect, enhance, and promote the Yellow Breeches Creek. The Yellow Breeches Creek is designated as a Scenic River and identified as High-Quality Cold Water Fishes (HQ-CWF) protected watercourse by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Yellow Breeches Creek is an important environmental, social, economic, historic, scenic, and recreational asset and resource of local and statewide importance.

§ 245-13.2 Area of application.

A. 
Establishment Scenic River Corridor Overlay District boundaries. The Scenic River Corridor Overlay Zoning District shall consist of all water and adjacent land areas within 100 feet of the top of the established stream banks along the Yellow Breeches Creek.
B. 
Permitted uses. The following uses shall be permitted in the Scenic River Corridor Overlay District, provided that they are in compliance with the provisions of the underlying zoning district, are not prohibited by another Township ordinance or regulation, and do not require building(s), fill, or storage of materials and equipment.
(1) 
Common open space, nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries, forest preserves, passive recreational and park areas, trails, greenways, and similar uses.
(2) 
Fishing, swimming, boating, etc.
(3) 
Boat-launching facilities, provided that parking areas and other uses with the boat launch are placed outside of the Scenic River Corridor Overlay District.
(4) 
River-oriented uses.
(5) 
Municipal-owned uses.
(6) 
Educational and scientific uses.
(7) 
Essential services.
(8) 
Stream bank and watershed improvements approved by the Cumberland County Conservation District, and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(9) 
Crossings by recreational trails, roads, railroads, sewer and water lines, and public utility transmission lines provided that all necessary permits and approvals from federal, state, and local agencies are received and that required plantings are of native species and maintained.
C. 
Prohibited uses. The following uses shall be prohibited from the Scenic River Corridor Overlay District.
(1) 
Grading, filling, or earthmoving which alters or changes the natural ridgelines and/or stream banks.
(2) 
Storage and/or disposal of any toxic, hazardous, or noxious substances.
(3) 
Storing of junk (residential and nonresidential).
(4) 
Unenclosed storage.
(5) 
Any use which violates Article X, Floodplain Regulations, in this chapter.
D. 
Required vegetation. Within the Scenic River Corridor Overlay District, vegetative plantings including trees, shrubs and ground cover shall be provided and shall be maintained for stream bank stabilization, soil stability, and habitat for native animal species.
(1) 
Existing vegetative plantings shall not be removed within the Scenic River Corridor Overlay District, except:
(a) 
When associated with the development of an access point for a trail or other similar corridor, the width of such access point shall not exceed 12 feet in width.
(b) 
The removal of dead, diseased or damaged vegetation.
(c) 
The removal of invasive species and replacement with native species.
(2) 
Any new vegetative plantings and/or replacement of existing vegetative plantings shall be of native plant materials to stabilize any disturbed landscapes, improve the function of the floodplain, screen and buffer adjacent land uses and improve the aesthetic condition of the corridor whenever possible.
(3) 
Regular maintenance/pruning of landscaping, including the removal of dead and/or diseased vegetation, shall be permitted.