Yardley City Zoning Code
PART 5
INSTITUTIONAL USES
§ 27-501 Private Schools.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983]
1.
A private school shall be a religious, sectarian or nonsectarian denominational private school which is not conducted as a private gainful business.
2.
Requirements for private schools shall be as follows:
A.
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 50% maximum.
B.
Minimum lot area: two acres.
C.
Buffer yard: see Part 7J on Class B screening.
D.
Minimum off-street parking standards.
(1)
Kindergarten: one off-street parking space for each faculty member and employee, plus two additional spaces per classroom.
(2)
Elementary school: one off-street parking space for each faculty member and employee, plus one space per two classrooms or offices.
(3)
Senior high school: one off-street parking space per faculty member and employee, plus one space per 10 students of projected building capacity.
(4)
College and junior college: one off-street parking space per faculty member and employee, plus one space for each 10 classroom seats or one off-street parking space for each 10 auditorium seats, whichever requires the greater number of off-street parking spaces.
E.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
F.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-502 Public Schools.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Requirements for public schools shall be as follows:
A.
Minimum lot size: 10 acres.
B.
Buffer yards: see Part 7J on Class B screening.
C.
Minimum off-street parking standards:
(1)
Kindergarten: one off-street parking space for each faculty member and employee, plus two additional spaces per classroom.
(2)
Elementary school: one off-street parking space for each faculty member and employee, plus one space per two classrooms or offices.
(3)
Senior high school: one off-street parking space per faculty member and employee, plus one space per 10 students of projected building capacity.
(4)
College and junior college: one off-street parking space per faculty member and employee, plus one space for each 10 classroom seats or one off-street parking space for each 10 auditorium seats, whichever requires the greater number of off-street parking spaces.
D.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
E.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-503 Public Utilities.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
A public utility shall be a transformer station, pumping station, relay station, tower, (transmission or relay), substation, switching center, sewage treatment plant, railroad and railroad station and any similar or related installation regulated by the Public Utility Commission, not including public incinerators and public or private landfills.
2.
In Residential District, such uses shall be permitted only where all the following conditions are met:
A.
No public business office or any storage yard or storage building is operated in connection with it.
B.
A fifty-foot buffer yard shall be provided along all property lines, which shall include adequate means for visual screening. (See Part 7J on Class B screening).
3.
Requirements for public utilities shall be as follows:
A.
Parking: two off-street parking spaces or one space per employee, whichever requires the greatest number of spaces.
B.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
C.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-504 Places of Worship.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Requirements for places of worship shall be as follows:
A.
Lot area: 43,560 square feet minimum.
B.
Lot width (at building setback line): 100 feet minimum.
C.
Front yard: 50 feet minimum.
D.
Side yard, each: 20 feet minimum.
E.
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
F.
Buffer zone: see Part 7J.
G.
Minimum off-street parking standards: one off-street parking space for each three seats provided for patron use, or at least one off-street parking space for each 40 square feet of gross floor area used or intended to be used for service of patrons, guests or members, whichever requires the greater number of off-street parking spaces, plus one additional space for each full-time employee. Parking areas shall be adequately screened when situated next to land zoned for or in residential use.
H.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
I.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-505 Cemeteries.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
A cemetery shall be a burial place or graveyard, including a mausoleum, crematory or columbarium. The minimum lot size shall be five acres.
2.
Requirements for cemeteries shall be as follows:
A.
Buffer zone: see Part 7J on Class A screening.
B.
Minimum off-street parking standards: one off-street parking space for each employee and one off-street space for each four visitors in total capacity of the mausoleum crematory or columbarium. Parking areas must be adequately screened when situated next to land zoned for or in residential use.
C.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
D.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-506 Libraries and Museums.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
A library or museum shall be open to the public or connected with a permitted educational use and not conducted as a private gainful business.
2.
Requirements for libraries and museums shall be as follows:
A.
Minimum lot area: two acres.
B.
Buffer yard: see Part 7J.
C.
Minimum off-street parking standards: one off-street parking space per five seats or one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area where no seats are provided.
D.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
E.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-507 Day-Care Centers/Nursery Schools.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
A day-care center/nursery school is a facility which provides out-of-home care for part of a twenty-four-hour day to children under 16 years of age, excluding care provided by relatives. In addition, a day-care center/nursery school is a facility in which care is provided for seven or more children at any one time where the child-care areas are not being used as a family residence. Day-care centers/nursery schools in places of worship during religious services are not governed by this Section.
A.
Licensing, Approval and Permit Procedures. Prior to the granting of a permit by the Zoning Officer, the applicant must obtain a license from the Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Child Development Programs. Licensure is certification of compliance with Chapter II, §8A, of the Department of Public Welfare’s Social Services Manual by this department to the applicant, subject to licensure under Article X of the Public Welfare Code, 62 P.S. §1001 et seq.
B.
Standards. All day-care centers/nursery schools shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1)
Bulk requirements shall be as follows:
(a)
Lot area: two acres.
(b)
Minimum lot width: 100 feet.
(c)
Front yard (at minimum building setback line): 50 feet.
(d)
Minimum side yard, each: 20 feet.
(e)
Minimum rear yard: 35 feet.
(2)
An outdoor play area shall be provided. This area shall be fully enclosed by a four-foot high unclimbable fence and shall be located to the side or rear of the lot. The minimum required area of such an outdoor recreational facility shall be as follows:
Number of Children | Area (acres) |
|---|---|
7-25 | ½ |
26-50 | 1 |
51-75 | 1¼ |
76 and over | 2 |
(3)
Off-street parking.
(a)
One off-street parking space is required per employee or volunteer, in addition to one space per six children receiving day care.
(b)
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
(4)
Buffer zone: see Part 7J on Class B screening.
(5)
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-508 Life-Care Facilities.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
A life-care facility is a form of residential use designed arid operated exclusively for mature adults of 55 years of age or over, containing certain support facilities specifically designed for these individuals. This use is subject to the following restrictions:
A.
Bulk Requirements.
(1)
Lot area: five acres minimum.
(2)
Width (at building setback line): 150 feet minimum.
(3)
Front yard: 50 feet minimum.
(4)
Side yard, each: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Rear yard: 50 feet minimum.
(6)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 25% maximum.
(7)
Building height: 35 feet maximum:
(8)
Density: six dwelling units per acre.
B.
Support Facilities.
(1)
Retail facilities.
(a)
Retail facilities are for use of residents and their guests only; no outside advertising is permitted.
(b)
Retail facilities are limited to the following uses:
1)
Barbershop.
2)
Beauty parlor.
3)
Pharmacy (as an adjunct to the life-care nursing facility).
4)
Commissary.
5)
Newsstand.
6)
Gift shop.
7)
Snack bar/coffee shop.
8)
Thrift shop.
9)
Handicraft shop.
(c)
The life-care retail facilities may occupy no more than 1% of the total gross floor area of the life-care facility.
(2)
Life-Care Nursing Facility.
(a)
This facility shall be designed for the temporary and long-term care of the residents of the life-care facility. Long-term nursing beds within this facility shall not exceed one bed per three dwelling units, and two beds shall be the equivalent to one dwelling unit in the determination of density.
(b)
Other support facilities include but are not limited to lounge areas, reading rooms, craft rooms, common dining facilities and recreational rooms, with a minimum of 20% of the gross floor area; retail facilities may be included in the determination of this area.
C.
Open Space and Passive Recreational Area. At least 50% of the site area must be maintained as open space, which shall not include, detention basins, parking lots, accessory buildings or any impervious surfaces except those used for recreational purposes. At least 20% of the site, which may be considered part of the open space, shall be developed for passive recreation. This area shall include outdoor sitting areas and pedestrian walks. All outdoor sitting areas shall be properly landscaped in accordance with Part 7J and shall not be located on areas subject to flooding or on slopes in excess of 5%.
D.
Off-Street Parking. There must be 0.85 off-street parking space per bedroom in addition to one off-street parking space for each employee on the largest shift. All parking lots shall be located to the side and rear of the building as it faces the street and shall be properly screened as required in Part 7J from the view of adjoining properties in addition to the residents of the facility. For off-street parking design, see Part 10.
E.
Fire Protection. All rooms in the life-care facility shall be provided with sprinkler systems for fire protection and shall contain and be served by wetcharged standpipes to the top floor.
F.
Location to Service.
(1)
Due to the dependence of the elderly on alternative means of transportation and the need for acquiring access to primary services, a life-care facility must be located within a quarter of a mile to the following services:
(a)
Drugstore.
(b)
Grocery store.
(c)
Dry cleaners.
(d)
Restaurant.
(e)
Beauty parlor.
(f)
Barbershop.
(g)
Public transportation.
(h)
Bank.
(i)
Library
(2)
If this is not possible, the owner/manager of a life-care facility shall submit to the Borough a transportation plan which shall outline a transportation service for the residents of the life-care facility to be provided by the owner or manager, providing access to these services at reasonable intervals. This plan must be approved by the Borough as a condition for approval of use.
G.
Public water and sewer facilities are required.
H.
Safety Features. It is necessary in the design and development of a life-care center that the safety and physical capabilities of the future residents be considered. The design features of the life-care center should be such that potentially dangerous situations are minimized and the independence and mobility of the residents maximized. The following safety features must be incorporated into the design of the life-care center as a condition of approval. The developer will be required to submit architectural drawings to the Borough to ensure that this is the case.
(1)
Handle-type spigots and doorknobs.
(2)
Showers, designed for wheelchairs, in place of tubs in at least 30% of the units.
(3)
Nonskid surfaces in tubs and showers.
(4)
All floors should be nonskid.
(5)
Control of water temperature to avoid accidental scalding.
(6)
Flush door entrances for easy wheelchair access.
(7)
Emergency signal systems in bathrooms and bedrooms shall be connected with either an adjacent apartment or central office.
(8)
There should be grab bars around all toilets and tubs; in addition, all grab bars and towel racks should be made of noncorrosive metal and be able to withstand up to 250 pounds.
(9)
All cooking stoves shall be electric.
(10)
Stove burner controls shall be located in the front.
(11)
Electric outlets shall be located at levels at least 24 inches above the floor.
(12)
All light fixtures shall be located on the walls at convenient levels, to avoid accidents that may occur in the repair of ceiling fixtures.
(13)
There shall be ramps or elevators in addition to stairs.
(14)
All elevators shall have slow-closing doors with sensitive reopening mechanisms.
(15)
Handrails shall be provided for along all steps, ramps and sloped walks, both indoors and outdoors.
I.
Buffer zone: see Part 7J.
J.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-509 Nursing Homes.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
A nursing home shall be a licensed nursing or convalescent home.
2.
Requirements for a nursing home shall be as follows:
A.
Lot area: 20,000 square feet minimum.
B.
Lot width (at building setback line): 100 feet minimum.
C.
Front yard: 50 feet minimum.
D.
Side yard, each: 20 feet minimum.
E.
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
F.
Impervious surface ratio (on-lot): 50%.
G.
Buffer yards: see Part 7J.
H.
Off-street parking standards: one off-street parking space for each patient bed, plus at least one additional off-street parking space for every two staff and visiting doctors, plus one additional space for every two employees, including nurses. Parking areas must be adequately screened when situated next to land zoned for residential use.
I.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
J.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
3.
Each nursing home facility must provide an outdoor sitting facility, which must be properly situated in terms of the microclimate (no extreme southerly exposure). This sitting area must have a minimum area of 25 square feet per resident patient and must be properly landscaped. The sitting area shall not be located adjacent to parking lots, arterial highways or detention or retention basins. It shall not be located on areas subject to flooding or on slopes over a 5% grade.
§ 27-510 Medical Clinics.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
A medical clinic shall be an office and clinic for medical or dental examination or treatment of persons as outpatients, including laboratories incidental thereto.
2.
Requirements for a medical clinic shall be as follows:
A.
Lot area: 20,000 square feet minimum.
B.
Lot width (at building setback line): 100 feet minimum.
C.
Front yard: 45 feet minimum.
D.
Side yard, each: 20 feet minimum.
E.
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
F.
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 75% maximum.
G.
Buffer requirements: see Part 7J.
H.
Off-street parking: four spaces per doctor minimum.
I.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
J.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-511 Emergency Services.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Emergency services shall be fire, ambulance, rescue and other emergency services of a municipal or volunteer nature on parcels with a minimum size of one acre.
2.
Requirements for emergency services shall be as follows:
A.
Minimum off-street parking spaces: three off-street parking spaces for every four employees on the two major shifts at maximum employment, or four offstreet parking spaces for each fire truck where no community room is a part of the building, whichever requires the greater number of parking spaces; where a community room is provided, two off-street parking spaces for each fire truck, plus one off-street parking space for each 100 square feet of gross floor area.
B.
Off-street parking design: see Part 10.
C.
Zoning permit: see §27-1313.
§ 27-512 Public Buildings.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
Public buildings include those uses and structures owned and operated by the Borough, County or State government for governmental office and business use. All public buildings shall meet the bulk requirements of the district in which they are located.
