Upper Providence Township Montgomery County, PA Zoning Ordinance

In expansion of the community development objectives contained in Article I, § 300-2 of this chapter, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this article with respect to the OSC Open Space Conservation District to establish reasonable standards and criteria to protect major open space lands, parks, preserves and agriculturally utilized lands in the Township. It shall further be the intent of this District:

To provide appropriate restrictions for such lands consistent with the recommendations of the Township's Comprehensive Plan, and Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan and to ensure that lands are dedicated to such use for the future.

To protect the existing vistas into and rural character of large tracts of undeveloped land in the Township.

To protect unique landforms and visual and physical access to the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek which are major amenities, and which form portions of the Township boundaries.

To allow certain recreational uses which are consistent with the open space preservation goals of this District.

To reduce the negative impacts of suburbanization and sprawl, and to protect these areas from inappropriate uses.

In an OSC Open Space Conservation District, land may be used and occupied for the following uses or combination of the following uses and no other:

Open space preserve, including natural areas, wildlife sanctuary, forest or woodland preserve, reforested land, or similar uses.

Municipal parkland devoted to active and passive recreational uses.

Agriculture as defined in this chapter, as well as the raising and sale of livestock and fowl, including associated grazing or pastureland.

Municipal buildings, offices, garages and other municipal uses, provided that no more than five percent(5%) of a tract located in the OSC District may be devoted to any one or combination of such uses.

Accessory uses customarily incidental to any of the permitted uses, provided that no more than 5% of a tract located in the OSC District may be devoted to any one or combination of accessory uses.

(1)

Accessory uses in an OSC District may include a single-family house occupied by a groundskeeper, security guard, maintenance worker or by an individual(s) performing similar functions; provided, however, that such house shall be considered in the above five-percent limitation.

(2)

Accessory uses for agricultural uses in an OSC District may include stands for the sale of products harvested on-site, subject to the restrictions of Article VIII, § 300-171C(4) of this chapter.

Communications antennas, in accordance with the provisions of § 300-25 of this chapter, mounted on an existing public utility transmission tower, existing building or other existing structure, and communications equipment buildings. Communications towers are permitted only as a conditional use pursuant to § 300-157 herein.

In an OSC Open Space Conservation District, the following conditional uses may be permitted when authorized by the Board of Supervisors, subject to the procedural requirements set forth in Article II, § 300-60 of this chapter.

Communications towers in accordance with the provisions of § 300-25 of this chapter and the standards contained in § 300-158 herein.

In addition to requirements stipulated in § 300-157 herein, compliance with the additional standards enumerated herein shall be demonstrated in any application for conditional use. In addition, procedures outlined in § 300-60 shall be applicable.

Said uses shall be sited on areas of the tract which are least visible from any abutting public road(s) and from residences on abutting lots or tracts.

Said uses shall be sited in such manner that causes the least practical disturbance to the tract's natural features. Compliance with the provisions of Chapter 270, Subdivision and Land Development, §§ 270-66 and 270-67, shall be demonstrated.

The following general regulations shall apply in the OSC Open Space Conservation District:

Area and width. No specific lot area or lot width shall be required in the OSC District. However, adequate area shall be provided to meet all other requirements of this district and sufficient width to allow safe access/egress shall be provided, subject to the review and approval of the Township Engineer and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, depending upon the jurisdiction of the road(s) upon which a lot in the district abuts.

Height. The height for principal and accessory structures shall be governed by the provisions of § 300-173 of this chapter. In addition, the height for communications towers shall be governed by the requirements contained in § 300-25 of this chapter, should said use be approved as a conditional use.

Building coverage. The maximum building coverage on any lot in the OSC District shall be 5%.

Impervious coverage. The maximum impervious coverage on any lot in the OSC District shall be 10%.

Parking. Any parking necessary to serve any of the permitted or conditional uses in this District shall be provided in accordance with the regulations of Article XXXII of this chapter. Wherever practical, gravel or other all-weather porous pavement treatments shall be utilized in this District. Handicapped parking shall be paved.

Setbacks and buffers. Setbacks and buffers for any buildings associated with a permitted use, and for parking associated with a permitted or conditional use, shall be provided as prescribed in § 300-399 of this chapter.