Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Warren City Zoning Code

§ 16-5.19

Regulation of Community Residences for Developmentally Disabled and Community Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence.

[Ord. No. 93-24]
Community shelters for the developmentally disabled and community shelters for victims of domestic violence, as defined in this chapter and in N.J.S. 40:55D-66.2, shall be a permitted use in all residential districts of the municipality, and the requirements therefor shall be the same as for single family dwelling units located within such districts. Any such residence for shelter having more than six persons, excluding residential staff, shall require a conditional use permit to be granted by the Planning Board in accordance with N.J.S. 40:55d-67, and the following minimum standards shall be applicable to the issuance of the said permit:
a. 
Approval by the Planning Board of applicant's site plan pursuant to all requirements of the Township Site Plan Regulations (Chapter 15).
b. 
A statement by the applicant setting forth the full particulars on the building and/or use must be submitted.
c. 
Minimum lot area: 6,000 square feet for each resident (either patient or employee) housed at the residence or shelter but not less than the minimum lot area required for single-family homes in the zone in which the residence or shelter is to be located.
d. 
Minimum gross habitable floor area: 400 square feet for each patient and employees housed at the residence or shelter.
e. 
No conditional use permit shall be granted if the number of patients at existing community residences or shelters exceeds 50 persons or 0.5% of the population of the municipality, whichever is greater.
f. 
No community residence or shelter shall be located upon a lot containing any other use, nor shall any structure or facility on the site be utilized to provide services for any persons not residing on the site.
g. 
Any such community residence or shelter shall not be located within 1,500 feet of an existing community residence.
h. 
No community residence or shelter shall be in excess of two stories in height exclusive of basement areas. Basement areas shall not be utilized to house patients or recreation areas.
i. 
Each community residence or shelter shall submit proof of licensing by the Department of Human Services of the State of New Jersey. In addition, the operator of a community residence for the developmentally disabled shall provide such properly licensed medical, nursing and supervisory staff as the Township Department of Health deems necessary and adequate for the particular facility in question.
j. 
An applicant for a conditional use approval shall demonstrate to the Planning Board that every resident admitted shall be provided with assistance in maintaining a basic level of self-care and in developing the potential to live independently in the Township. The operator of a residence for the developmentally disabled shall provide to the Township Department of Health proper documentation certifying that each proposed resident is neither a danger to himself nor to the community. Such documentation shall be provided for each proposed resident before he is allowed to take up occupancy in the facility. Should a resident of the facility become a danger either to himself or to the community, said resident shall be removed immediately from the facility.
k. 
The applicant shall supply information concerning the operation and maintenance of residences and the rules and regulations governing the admission and discharge of residents. In addition to providing said information to the Planning Board, the same information shall be provided by the operator of a community residence for the developmentally disabled to the Township Department of Health and shall immediately provide copies of any changes to rules and regulations to the Township Department of Health. No such rule or regulation shall be deemed effective unless and until the Township Department of Health has approved said rule or regulation as necessary and adequate for that particular facility.
l. 
The applicant shall demonstrate that essential life-safety, health, and comfort conditions will exist in a homelike atmosphere in the proposed community residence or shelter.
m. 
Community residences and shelters shall provide internal and outdoor passive recreation areas to sufficiently accommodate the occupants of the dwelling. In addition, facilities shall be provided for internal recreation for meetings, games, and other similar activities.
n. 
A community residence or shelter shall have twenty-four-hour on-site supervision and security. Security shall also consist of a physical barrier or signal adequate to prevent residents of the facility from leaving unnoticed and to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the facility, as deemed appropriate by the Planning Board.
o. 
The applicant shall submit details concerning all life-safety and emergency facilities and equipment which are to be provided within the residence or shelter. The operator of the community residence for the developmentally disabled or shelter for victims of domestic violence shall provide a centrally-supervised fire alarm system with supervised smoke detectors monitored by the Fire Department. The installation of smoke detectors, fire alarms, fire escapes, and sprinkler systems shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Uniform Construction Code and the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
p. 
The operators of the community residence for the developmentally disabled shall provide detailed information concerning its approval and compliance with the Rules and Regulations Governing Community Mental Health Service and State Aid Under the Community Mental Health Services Act.
q. 
No community residence or shelter shall be located in areas of heavy vehicular or pedestrian traffic pedestrian traffic congestion or in any area where, by reason of any condition existing in proximity to the proposed community residence or shelter, the occupants of said proposed community residence or shelter would be exposed to undue hazard.
r. 
Each community residence or shelter shall provide one off-street parking space for each employee on the shift employing the largest number of persons plus one off-street parking space for each two patients, or fraction thereof, residing on the site. The required off-street parking shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 15 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Warren, and shall be screened from adjacent residentially zoned properties in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 15 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Warren.
s. 
No building utilized as a community residence or shelter shall be constructed or altered so as to be inharmonious with the residential character of adjacent structures in the residential zone in which the same is located.
t. 
The residence or shelter must be located in a residentially zoned district.
u. 
No residence or shelter shall house more than 15 patients and resident employees.
v. 
Sufficient off-street parking area is to be provided for the pick-up and discharge of patients, employee parking, visitor parking and delivery of supplies.
w. 
No sign denoting the nature of the facility shall be allowed on the premises.
x. 
The Planning Board shall require appropriate screening between residences and shelters and adjoining residential uses.
y. 
Such other requirements as the Planning Board shall deem reasonable and appropriate due to conditions at or impacting the site.