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Upper Tulpehocken Township
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE IV

W-P Woodland Preservation Zoning District

§ 460-11 Specific intent.

It is the purpose of this zoning district to discourage intensive development in areas which present severe limitations to development because of such factors as steep slope, shallow depth to bedrock and stoniness, which are generally classified as having severe limitations for on-site sewage disposal and are not proposed to be sewered, and which are not served by a road network. It is also the intent of this district to encourage the preservation of ecologically critical factors such as the headwaters of streams and the surrounding watersheds, wetlands, wildlife habitats and extensive wooded areas. The wooded areas have even increased importance because they are located on steep slopes and in the watersheds surrounding the headwaters of streams. By preserving these factors, wildlife populations within the Township can be maintained, stream quality can be protected, the adverse effects of increased stormwater runoff, erosion and sedimentation can be minimized, and the recreation potential of the area maintained.

§ 460-12 Uses permitted by right.

Land and buildings in a W-P District may be used for the following purposes and no others:
A. 
Single-family detached dwelling.
B. 
Woodland or game preserve, wildlife sanctuary or similar conservation use.
C. 
Home occupation, subject to § 460-88 of this Part 1.
D. 
Recreation areas, such as, park, picnic ground, riding trail or academy, hiking trail, playground, boating, hunting, fishing or swimming area, or nature center. These uses are subject to:
(1) 
No commercial activity shall be permitted except for the charging of admission, sale of refreshments, rental or sale of athletic equipment, or such other purposes as is clearly incidental to the permitted recreational use.
(2) 
No commercial activity which, in the opinion of the Township Supervisors, constitutes a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the Township residents or results in the degradation of the existing environment shall be permitted.
E. 
Accessory uses to any of the above permitted uses.
F. 
Telecommunications antennas and telecommunications equipment buildings attached to existing structures as provided in § 460-97 of this Part 1.
G. 
No-impact home-based business.
H. 
Forestry, subject to § 460-101.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 7-2017]

§ 460-13 Uses permitted by special exception.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The following uses are permitted when special exceptions are granted by the Zoning Hearing Board. Standards to be used in determining whether a special exception should be granted are found in § 460-121 of this Part 1, in addition to performance standards referenced herein:
A. 
Club or lodge, provided that the chief activity of such use shall not be one which is customarily carried on as a business and provided that all buildings and services shall be primarily for the use of owners, members, and their guests only. Premises shall not be used primarily for the recreational operation of self-propelled vehicles designed to carry human beings.
B. 
Accessory uses to any of the above permitted uses.
C. 
Agriculture, but not intensive agriculture, in accordance with § 460-98 of this Part 1, as amended herein, addressing general agricultural standards.

§ 460-14 Area, yard and height regulations.

A. 
Maximum permitted.
(1) 
Building height: 35 feet.
(2) 
Lot coverage: 5%.
(3) 
Paved area: 5%.
B. 
Minimum requirements.
(1) 
Lot size: four acres.
(2) 
Lot width:
(a) 
At street line: 250 feet.
(b) 
At building setback line: 250 feet.
(3) 
Building setback line: 50 feet.
(4) 
Side yard:
(a) 
Total: 100 feet.
(b) 
One side: 50 feet.
(5) 
Rear yard: 50 feet.

§ 460-15 General regulations.

The following general regulations found in Article XIV of this Part 1 shall apply to the W-P District:
A. 
Section 460-74, Prohibited uses.
B. 
Section 460-75, Access to structures.
C. 
Section 460-76, Erection of more than one principal structure on a lot.
D. 
Section 460-77, Storage of explosives.
E. 
Section 460-78, Accessory buildings, structures and uses; residential.
F. 
Section 460-81, Landscaping.
G. 
Section 460-82, Lighting.
H. 
Section 460-83, Signs.
I. 
Section 460-85, Off-street parking.
J. 
Section 460-86, Private residential driveways.
K. 
Section 460-87, Front yard exceptions.
L. 
Section 460-88, Home occupations regulations.
M. 
Section 460-89, Fences.
N. 
Section 460-90, Corner lot restrictions.
O. 
Section 460-91, Projections into yards.
P. 
Section 460-92, Floodway controls.
Q. 
Section 460-93, Conduct of agricultural activities.
R. 
Section 460-94, Slope controls.
S. 
Section 460-95, Accessory building setback exceptions.
T. 
Section 460-97, Telecommunications facilities.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Section 406, Tree Removal, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 7-2017.

§ 460-16 Grading limitations.

A. 
Any proposed use shall provide a plan showing a proposed "limit of disturbance," said plan to be reviewed and approved by the Township Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer.
(1) 
The limit of disturbance shall be the minimum necessary to accommodate only the grading necessary to fit the use.
(2) 
In construction and thereafter, the limit shall not be increased, except pursuant of a revised plan, similarly approved.
B. 
New housing or other structures shall be multilevel so as to be fit into the terrain with the minimum grading practicable.
C. 
New access roads of drives shall be built so as to follow the contour of the land. The depth of cut or fill at center line shall not exceed 10 feet, except at a culvert or bridge.
D. 
The width of disturbance for a road or drive shall be no more than the required cartway plus an additional 40 feet. If necessary to meet this requirement, the construction shall incorporate retaining walls or other sound engineering practices to limit the extent of cut or fill slopes.

§ 460-17 Vista protection.

A. 
The existing vista of the wooded ridge in the W-P Zone is considered to be a local and regional asset to be protected, to the fullest extent possible.
B. 
In addition to limitations of lighting, grading, and clearing the following additional protective measures shall apply:
(1) 
No structure shall be erected or modified so as to cause reflection of light such as from aluminum, glass, or other bright surfaces.
(2) 
Pitched roofs shall be surfaced with dark colored materials which blend with the natural woodland environment. Walls which may be visible from outside the property shall also be colored to blend with the natural woodland environment.

§ 460-18 Watershed protection.

A. 
The W-P Zone contains many springs and seeps which are the source of the base flow for numerous streams, including the branches of the Northkill and its tributaries. It is vital to the ecology of these streams that the quantity of flow and quality of the water be maintained to the fullest extent possible.
B. 
Therefore, wherever a spring or seep exists no development shall be allowed unless measures to protect the spring or seep are incorporated. Such measures shall be proposed by the developer, reviewed by the Township Engineer, and if recommended, approved by the Township Supervisors.