Washington Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
R-1 Rural Residential District
§ 131-20 Purpose.
This district has been established and the regulations of this article enacted in support of the following purposes:
A.
To accommodate residential uses in areas which are generally suitable for such use and are not generally characterized by prime agricultural soils.
B.
To limit the density of development such that both water supply and sewage disposal can be safely provided by individual on-site systems.
C.
To preserve the rural quality of the local transportation network.
§ 131-21 Permitted uses.
Structures may be erected, altered or used and a lot or premises may be used for any of the following purposes and no other:
A.
Uses by right. Uses by right shall be as follows:
(1)
Agriculture, subject to the further regulation of § 131-72, but excluding feedlots for livestock, mushroom houses, poultry houses and similar activities which typically emit noises and odors of such intensity as to be offensive to residential development. This provision shall be interpreted to include such structures and uses customarily accessory to farm operations to the extent which they support the agricultural function of the property, including barns, silos, bulk bins, roadside stands for the sale of goods grown or otherwise produced on the property and similar uses and structures related to farm operation.
(2)
Single-family detached dwellings.
(3)
Woodlands, game preserves, nature preserves, areas for passive recreation and similar uses related to conservation.
(4)
Facilities or structures owned or operated by the Township, a duly created authority of the Township or the county, state or federal government for the benefit of the general public.
(5)
Uses customarily accessory to the above uses, including but not necessarily limited to private garages and parking areas; signs in conformance with § 131-78; accessory uses set forth and in conformance with § 131-70; and such other accessory uses as may be further regulated by this chapter or other regulations of the Township.
[Amended 8-26-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-01]
(6)
Communications antennas mounted on an existing public utility transmission tower and communications equipment buildings.
[Added 7-9-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-6]
B.
Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted only upon the granting of a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with § 131-105B of this chapter:
(1)
Public or private outdoor recreation areas and facilities, such as parks, playgrounds, picnic grounds, swimming clubs, camps, golf courses, country clubs, vehicular race tracks, amusement parks, driving ranges and miniature golf courses are specifically excluded.
[Amended 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
(2)
Public or private schools, excluding facilities for delinquents. Correctional institutions are specifically prohibited.
(3)
Houses of worship, including residential accessories thereto, such as a parish house, convent or other dwelling(s) for personnel associated with said houses of worship, provided that there shall be no more than three permanent residents per 1.0 acre of lot area.
(4)
Libraries.
(5)
Cemetery.
[Added 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
§ 131-22 Area and bulk regulations.
A.
Residential uses. The overall density of residential development in the Rural Residential District shall not exceed one dwelling per 60,000 square feet of the adjusted tract area, provided that all such development shall be in conformance with the following requirements:
[Amended 8-25-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-10; 4-24-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-1]
(1)
Determining number of lots permitted. The number of lots permitted upon a tract in the Rural Residential District shall be determined according to the formula:
 | |||
Where: | |||
ATA | = | The adjusted tract area, in square feet, of the tract proposed for development. | |
N | = | The number of residential lots permitted. Fractional values of N shall be disregarded. | |
(2)
(3)
Design of lots. Lots shall be designed and configured such that construction activity and subsequent residential use will minimize disturbance of stream corridor areas, wetlands, steeply sloping lands and wooded areas. Clear-cutting is not permitted.
(4)
Restrictions on development.
(a)
Where the maximum number of lots is proposed, as permitted by the formula in Subsection A(1), and subsequently approved and recorded, no further subdivision of any lot in said subdivision shall be permitted for as long as the terms of these lot-averaging provisions remain in effect for the area within which said subdivision is located.
(b)
Where less than the maximum number of lots is approved and recorded, further subdivision utilizing this option is permitted, provided that the total number of lots created from the original tract by all subdivisions shall not exceed the number permitted by the formula found in Subsection A(1) above.
[1]
The term "original tract" shall be interpreted as boundaries of a given tract as they existed upon the effective date of this chapter.
[2]
The term "all subdivisions" shall be interpreted as all subdivisions duly approved and recorded for the original tract since the effective date of this chapter.
[3]
This limitation shall apply for as long as the terms of these lot-averaging provisions remain in effect for the area within which said original tract is located.
(5)
Required open space. Residential developments shall comply with the requirements for open space and recreational facilities as set forth in Chapter 107, Subdivision and Land Development, in accordance with the Washington Township Open Space and Recreation Plan.
(6)
Proposed subdivisions utilizing this lot-averaging option shall be submitted, reviewed and either approved or rejected in accordance with Chapter 107, Subdivision and Land Development. In addition to the requirements of that chapter, preliminary plans and final plans for proposed subdivisions in this zoning district shall include a note or drawing indicating the size of the original tract and the number of lots created from such tract since the effective date of this chapter.
B.
Nonresidential uses. Area and bulk regulations for nonresidential uses shall be as follows:
C.
Country property (option). A property owner may subdivide property pursuant to this option, provided that the following area and bulk regulations are met:
[Added 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
(1)
Density factor: one dwelling unit per four acres, adjusted tract area (ATA).
(2)
Minimum lot area: four acres, ATA. All lots created under this option that are less than eight acres, ATA, shall be permanently restricted through a conservation easement from further subdivision and the development of more than one dwelling. For lots created that are greater than eight acres, ATA, the Board may, at its discretion, require such restrictions as to ensure that the greenway land and/or these requirements may be met in the future.
(3)
Minimum lot width: 150 feet.
(5)
Maximum percentage of impervious surface: four-percent limit on each lot.
(6)
Maximum building height: 30 feet.
(7)
Greenway land: none required..