Williams Township City Zoning Code

To conserve open space and preserve and protect natural and historic resources such as woodlands, steep slopes, streams, floodplains, and wetlands, by minimizing development on such resources.

To promote flexibility in the design and development of single-family residential developments in siting the services and infrastructure, including the opportunity to reduce the length of roads and utility runs and the amount of impervious surfaces required for residential developments, and to locate buildings and infrastructure away from environmentally sensitive areas.

To require designation and permanent preservation of open space and agricultural land, as part of the design and development of a property.

To reduce erosion and sedimentation by retaining existing vegetation and minimizing the development of steep slopes.

To protect areas of the Township with prime and/or productive agricultural soils for continued or future agricultural use by conserving blocks of land large enough to allow for viable and efficient agricultural operations.

To create neighborhoods with direct visual access to open space; to conserve scenic views and the Township's rural character and to lessen the perception of higher-density development by minimizing the views of new residential developments from existing roads.

To guide the location of future development and establish developmental standards in such a way that does not adversely impact the rural character of Williams Township.

The minimum distance between dwelling units shall be 40 feet, except for the front yard setback. The minimum front yard setback shall be 45 feet from the centerline of a new road and 100 feet from the centerline of an existing road. For the purposes of this Part, an "existing road" is a road or street in existence at the time this chapter becomes effective. Any road or street proposed or constructed after the effective date of this chapter shall be considered a "new" road for the purposes of this Part. This provision supersedes any applicable setback provisions in this chapter.

An accessory structure shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from any neighboring dwelling unit.

All streets shall be constructed with a minimum right-of-way width of 50 feet.

A pedestrian walkway or internal trail is required to promote and accommodate pedestrian travel off of the streets.

Adequate parking for resident and guests shall be included.

Open land in its natural state.

Conservancy lots, each consisting of at least 10 acres, and in total cannot occupy more than 80% of the open space.

Agriculture or Horticulture. Concentrated animal operations (as defined and described Chapter 5 of the Agriculture Code, 3 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.) shall be excluded. Subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors, a limited number of additional structures are permitted in support of and subordinate to agricultural uses, but in no case may these proposed new structures exceed a cumulative total of 5,000 square feet in area.

Pastureland for Horses Used for Recreational Purposes. Equestrian facilities are permitted, but shall not compromise more than 50% of the minimum required open space.

Forestry, in keeping with established best management practices for selective harvesting and sustained yield forestry.

Open spaces such as neighborhood greens, commons, picnic areas, trails, and other similar recreational uses. Motorized off-road vehicles and firearm shooting ranges are specifically prohibited.

Active noncommercial recreation areas such as playfields, playgrounds, sport courts, and bikeways. Such areas shall not compromise more than 50% of the required open space and shall not be located closer than 100 feet to adjacent residential dwelling units.

Easements for drainage, access, and stormwater management facilities shall be permitted.

Underground utility rights-of-way. Street rights-of-way may cross the open space, but do count towards the requisite 50%.

The lots in a conservation development shall be served by on-lot wells and on-lot sewage disposal.

Septic drain fields (not septic tanks) may be located in the open space if approved by the Williams Township Sewage Enforcement Officer.

Alternatively, a community septic system approved by the Williams Township Sewage Enforcement Officer may be used if constructed and paid for by the developer with the on-going costs and maintenance of said system shall be borne by the homeowners' association of the conservation design community.