Township of Mansfield, NJ Residential Cluster Development

Permitting a more varied, efficient and attractive development pattern.

Increasing flexibility in the location and arrangement of houses.

Providing a more usable pattern of open space.

The Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township may also require that entire developments or just sections of developments be subject to this section in order to achieve the open space, parkland and preservation of woodland objectives of this chapter.

[Amended 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]

Applications shall be in compliance with the following specifications and standards:

The use will not injure or detract from the use of neighboring property.

The use will not detract from the character of the neighborhood.

The use of the property adjacent to the area included in the plan is adequately safeguarded.

(4)

The property is suitable for the intended use.

(5)

The use will serve the best interests of the Township.

(6)

The use will not adversely affect public sewers and facilities, such as water, sewer, police and fire protection.

(7)

The use will not adversely affect the drainage facilities in the adjacent neighborhood.

(8)

The proposed use will serve a community need or convenience.

(9)

The project is designed according to a pattern and under conditions which would encourage only the most desirable type of development, recognizing that the architectural quality and residential character of certain neighborhoods in the Township of Mansfield shall serve, protect and enhance the best interest of health, safety and general welfare of the Township.

(10)

The proposed use shall exert no detrimental effect upon surrounding areas because of poor arrangement, parking and moving of vehicles, impairment of light or circulation of air and destruction of neighborhood character.

(11)

The proposed use shall constitute no hazard to the general health or safety nor impairment of the extent or operation of municipal service.

(12)

Wetlands and all environmental aspects of the project shall not be negatively impacted.

Maximum lot yield.

[Added 12-10-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-20[1]]

Prior to submitting an application for a residential cluster development, the applicant shall submit a subdivision designed according to the R-1 zoning standards to the Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township for review. The plans shall contain sufficient information to ensure compliance with zoning requirements for the R-1 Zone and environmental laws such as delineation of wetlands buffer areas, floodplains and other critical areas. The plan shall address circulation and drainage. A fully engineered plan shall not be required.

[Amended 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]

The Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township review shall include reports of the Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township Traffic Consultant, Engineer and Planning Consultant.

[Amended 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]

The maximum lot yield for the proposed residential cluster development shall be the same number of lots as are shown on the submitted subdivision based on full compliance with zoning, subdivision and environmental requirements and standards. The maximum lot yield for the proposed residential cluster development shall not be based on variances or waivers from required standards for the subdivision.

(4)

The Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township shall make a determination as to the maximum lot yield within 45 days of an application for subdivision review or within such further time as may be consented to by the applicant.

[Amended 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]

(5)

Fees shall be as listed in § A70-1A for informal review of concept plans.

[1]

Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of former Subsections D through J as Subsections E through K, respectively.

Minimum lot size.

[Amended 10-28-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-13]

Nonsewered areas. The minimum lot size may be reduced to 40,000 square feet, subject to all of the permeability tests and other provisions as set forth in §§ 65-91.1 and 65-95.2.

Sewered areas. Proposed development located within a designated sewer service area, as shown on the Township of Mansfield Wastewater Management Plan, shall provide reduced minimum lot sizes as follows, subject to each lot having the ability to connect to an approvable central sewerage facility:

[Amended 4-24-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-9]

(a)

A minimum of 25% of the total number of lots shall be at least 30,000 square feet in size.

(b)

A maximum of 25% of the total number of lots may be reduced to not less than 20,000 square feet in size.

(c)

The balance of the total number of lots may be reduced to not less than 25,000 square feet in size.

The bulk area standards shall be as follows:

[Amended 10-28-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-13]

Nonsewered areas.

(a)

Lot size: 40,000 square feet minimum.

(b)

Lot frontage: 150 feet minimum.

(c)

Lot depth: 200 feet minimum.

(d)

Front yard: 35 feet minimum.

(e)

Rear yard: 50 feet minimum.

(f)

One side yard: 20 feet minimum.

(g)

Both side yards combined: 50 feet.

(h)

Lot coverage: 25% maximum.

(i)

Height: 35 feet maximum.

Sewered areas.

(a)

Lot frontage for lots of less than 30,000 square feet: 100 feet minimum.

(b)

Lot frontage for lots of 30,000 square feet or more: 150 feet minimum.

(c)

Lot depth: 200 feet minimum.

(d)

Front yard: 35 feet minimum.

(e)

Rear yard: 50 feet minimum.

(f)

Each side yard: 10 feet minimum.

(g)

Lot coverage: 25% maximum.

(h)

Height: 35 feet maximum.

Wetlands and wetland buffers may not be part of the required minimum rear yards.

[Amended 12-10-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-20]

The reduction of lot sizes shall be designed so that when the amount of land reserved under the requirements of this section is added to the dwelling lots, the two will be equal to the lot size requirements of the district in which it is located.

The maximum number of lots that may be clustered per project shall not exceed 49 lots.

When a residential clustered development is permitted by the Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township, the reserved land resulting from the clustered housing design may be dedicated to and accepted by the Township, dedicated to a homeowners' association or retained in private ownership.

[Amended 8-11-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-15; 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]

Use of lands dedicated to and accepted by the Township shall be limited to agricultural uses, including farm buildings, woodland, conservation purposes, public educational facilities for grades kindergarten through 12 or municipal uses, including recreation.

Use of lands dedicated to a homeowners' association shall be limited to agricultural uses, including farm buildings, woodland, conservation purposes or private recreational uses for members of the homeowners' association.