Washington Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
R-2 Suburban Residential District
§ 131-23 Purpose.
[Amended 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
This district has been established and the regulations of this article enacted in support of the following purposes:
A.
To allow for the expansion of residential development which encourages efficient use of land.
B.
To provide for higher-density residential development upon the provision of off-site sewage disposal and/or water supply systems.
C.
To guide moderate-density development into those areas which are best served by the local transportation network.
§ 131-24 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, including accessory structures and uses 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. The following activities are specifically excluded from this district: 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.
(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)
Development permitted pursuant to the acquisition of development rights in accordance with Article XVI[1] of this chapter and § 131-25B below.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Art. XVI, Transferable Development Rights, as amended, was repealed 3-25-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-1.
(7)
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 and 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 dwelling units per 1.0 acre of lot area.
(4)
Libraries.
(5)
Cemetery.
[Added 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
§ 131-25 Area and bulk regulations.
[Amended 5-11-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-4; 4-24-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-1]
A.
The overall density of residential development in the R-2 Suburban Residential District shall not exceed one dwelling unit per 30,000 square feet of the adjusted tract area. The following area and bulk regulations shall be applied for all uses, residential and nonresidential, by right and by special exception:
(1)
Minimum lot area.
[Amended 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
(a)
Minimum lot area for resident uses: 22,000 square feet where community or public water supply and public sewage disposal are provided. For gross tract areas less than 20 acres where the proposed gross tract density is less than one unit per gross acre and public sewer disposal is provided, the minimum lot area may be 22,000 square feet, with water supplied by either private wells or by community or public water systems. In all other circumstances, the minimum lot area shall be one acre.
(b)
Minimum lot area for nonresidential uses: two acres.
(2)
Minimum lot width: 125 feet.
[Amended 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
(3)
Minimum yard setback:
[Amended 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]
(a)
Front yard: 25 feet.
(b)
Side yard (each side): 20 feet.
(c)
Rear yard: 50 feet.
(4)
Maximum building coverage: 10%.
(5)
Maximum percentage of impervious surface: 20%.
(6)
Maximum building height: 30 feet.
(7)
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.
B.
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.
(4)
Yard setbacks:
(a)
Front yard: One hundred fifty feet from the right-of-way of existing Township roads, but 40 feet from the right-of-way of new subdivision streets, lanes or common driveways (where applicable).
(b)
Rear yard: 50 feet.
(c)
Side yard: 50 feet.
(5)
Maximum percentage of impervious surface: four-percent limit on each lot.
(6)
Maximum building height: 30 feet.
(7)
Greenway land: none required.
