Upper Tulpehocken Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
R-P Rural Preservation Zoning District
§ 460-19 Specific intent.
It is the purpose of this zoning district to maintain the rural character of sparsely developed areas predominantly in farmland and woodland and to discourage intensive development in areas which are generally classified as having severe limitations for on-site sewage disposal and will not be served by public sewers in the near future and which are not well served by a road network. It is also the intent of this district to encourage the preservation of the upper watershed areas of a number of creeks and the floodplains and areas of high water table and seasonal high water table which adjoin the creeks, thus protecting stream quality and minimizing problems which occur when wetlands adjoining streams are developed.
§ 460-20 Uses permitted by right.
Land and buildings in an R-P District may be used for the following purposes and no others unless a special exception, as provided for in § 460-21, is granted:
A.
Single-family detached dwelling.
B.
Woodland or game preserve, wildlife sanctuary or similar conservation use.
D.
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.
E.
Recreation area, subject to the following:
(1)
No commercial activity is permitted except for the charging of admission, sale of refreshments, souvenirs, programs, recordings, rental or sale of athletic equipment or such other purpose as is totally incidental to the permitted recreational use.
(2)
In the event that an activity involves a public gathering, the following additional restrictions shall apply:
(a)
Activities will not cause noise level to rise above 70 decibels at any time at any adjacent property line or nearest edge of any public right-of-way;
(b)
All outdoor activities will cease prior to 10:00 p.m. prevailing time on a Sunday on non-holiday weekends or on a Monday on holiday weekends and 11:00 p.m. prevailing time on other days;
(c)
Activities at any outdoor facility will be held on no more than 24 dates in each calendar year;
(d)
Activities will be limited to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, except on holiday weekends that include a Monday as a federal holiday, in which case, such activities may also be held on Mondays;
(e)
Only two directional exterior signs are permitted at each entrance to a facility being used for an activity, together with a single freestanding sign, said exterior sign having two faces maximum, of a maximum 300 square feet each, at each authorized vehicular entrance for upcoming events and for advertising the next event to be held at the facility;
(f)
A permanent, fixed-place fence will be placed at or near the perimeter of the property in order to restrict pedestrian and vehicular traffic from entering and leaving the facility except at authorized entrances and exits;
(g)
Interior signs will be limited to a height at or below the average height of the fence surrounding any outdoor entertainment facility and in any event will not exceed 10 feet;
(h)
No overnight camping will be allowed except in operational recreational vehicles or campers with Township-approved self-contained sewage and water systems pursuant to state and federal standards and only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during activities involving public gatherings.
(i)
Any such activity will not be held at any location which is more than 1/4th of a mile from the nearest point at which Route 183 crosses or intersects with Interstate 78.
(j)
Any stage, amphitheater or similar structure designed for outdoor performances will be screened from the nearest property line to the satisfaction of the Zoning Officer to minimize any noise, light, dust and smoke from going beyond the nearest property line.
G.
Fish hatchery.
H.
Accessory uses to any of the above permitted uses.
J.
No-impact home-based business.
§ 460-21 Uses permitted by special exception.
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:
A.
Dog kennel, provided that no structure housing dogs shall be located within 100 feet of any lot line.
B.
Church or similar place of worship.
C.
Office of veterinarian.
D.
Accessory uses to any of the above permitted uses.
E.
Vacation farms subject to:
(2)
No intensive agricultural activities shall be permitted.
(3)
All grazing and pasture areas shall be fenced when in use.
(4)
No spent mushroom compost areas, manure storage areas and/or slaughter areas shall be established.
(5)
The minimum size of a vacation farm shall be five acres.
(6)
No farm buildings housing livestock shall be erected within 100 feet of a lot line.
(7)
A maximum of six rental units shall be provided. No more than three adults may occupy one rental unit, and no more than 12 guests total may occupy the facility at one point in time.
(8)
One off-street parking space shall be provided for each rental unit. The off-street parking spaces for the vacation farm shall be located either to the rear of the principal building or screened from the street and abutting dwellings by landscaping.
(9)
There shall not be any signs, show windows or any type of display or advertising visible from outside the premises, except for a single nonilluminated sign with a maximum sign area of four square feet on each of two sides and with a maximum height of eight feet. The sign shall be no closer than 20 feet to any side lot line. The sign shall require a zoning permit.
(10)
The vacation farm shall have an agricultural appearance and character.
(11)
The vacation farm shall be operated by permanent residents of the property.
(12)
There shall not be separate cooking facilities in any guest room.
(13)
Food shall only be served to guests who are staying overnight.
(14)
No guest shall stay for more than seven days in any month.
(15)
No retail sales are permitted.
(16)
No sales of alcohol are permitted.
(17)
The Township Sewage Enforcement Officer must confirm if the sewage facilities are adequate for the number of rental units utilized. This confirmation must accompany the application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
(18)
The Township Road Master and the Township Engineer must confirm if the access drive(s) are adequate for safe ingress and egress for the anticipated volume of traffic for the proposed use. A Township driveway permit (or PennDOT HOP permits if applicable) needs to accompany the application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
(19)
The Township Road Master and Township Engineer must confirm if the applicant will be required to address stormwater issues prior to the issuance of any driveway, zoning, and/or building permits.
F.
Bed-and-breakfast, subject to:
(1)
A maximum of six rental units shall be provided; no more than three adults may occupy one rental unit; and no more than 12 guests total may occupy the facility at one point in time.
(2)
One off-street parking space shall be provided for each rental unit. The off-street parking spaces for the bed-and-breakfast shall be located either to the rear of the principal building or screened from the street and abutting dwellings by landscaping.
(3)
There shall not be any signs, show windows or any type of display or advertising visible from outside the premises, except for a single nonilluminated sign with a maximum sign area of four square feet on each of two sides and with a maximum height of eight feet. The sign shall be no closer than 20 feet to side lot line. The sign shall require a zoning permit.
(4)
The bed-and-breakfast shall have a residential appearance and character.
(5)
The bed-and-breakfast shall be operated by permanent residents of the lot.
(6)
There shall not be separate cooking facilities in any guest room.
(7)
Food shall only be served to guests who are staying overnight.
(8)
No guest shall stay for more than 14 days in any month.
(9)
No retail sales are permitted.
(10)
No sales of alcohol are permitted.
(11)
The Township Sewage Enforcement Officer must confirm if the sewage facilities are adequate for the number of rental units utilized. This confirmation must accompany the application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
(12)
The Township Road Master and the Township Engineer must confirm if the access drive(s) are adequate for safe ingress and egress for the anticipated volume of traffic for the proposed use. A Township driveway permit (or PennDOT HOP permits if applicable) needs to accompany the application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
(13)
The Township Road Master and Township Engineer must confirm if the applicant will be required to address stormwater issues prior to the issuance of any driveway, zoning, and/or building permits.