In reviewing any application for development,
the Board shall consider the following standards. In the case of standards
covered by Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS), they shall
take precedence for residential development, unless specifically discussed
in this chapter.
A. Circulation.
(1) The Board shall consider pedestrian and vehicular
traffic movement within and adjacent to a lot or tract, with particular
emphasis on the provision and layout of parking areas, off-street
loading and unloading, and movement of people, goods and vehicles
from access roads.
(2) The Board shall ensure that all parking areas are
landscaped and spaces are usable and are safely and conveniently arranged.
Access to a lot or tract from adjacent roads shall be designed so
as to interfere as little as possible with traffic flow and to permit
vehicles a safe ingress and egress to the lot or tract.
(3) The circulation plan of each development shall reflect
the Master Plan's circulation plan element. The location and provision
of bikeways, sidewalks and other pedestrian linkages shall be encouraged
and clearly indicated.
B. Design and building layout.
(1) The design and layout of buildings and parking areas
shall be aesthetically pleasing and provide for efficient arrangement.
Particular attention shall be given to energy conservation, safety
and fire protection and impact on surrounding development. Architectural
design shall be compatible with the environmental and natural characteristics
of the tract and the surrounding neighborhood.
(2) All new buildings shall strengthen the particular
design features of their locale by, for example, framing scenic views,
defining and inviting the use of open spaces, or continuing particular
and desirable design features or statements.
(3) All building additions shall be designed to reflect
the existing building in terms of scale, materials, fenestration and
color. A change in scale may require a transitional design element
between the addition and the existing building. Facade renovations
should include as few different materials as possible.
(4) Where large structures are required, massing and blank
walls shall be avoided as much as possible and, where necessary, be
relieved by variation and architectural relief and details. Excessively
expansive blank walls are prohibited. Building offsets shall be provided
along each building wall to relieve the visual effect of a single
long wall. Roof lines shall also be varied. An individual building
may use a combination of story heights to provide further visual relief.
Building designs should incorporate details such as masonry chimneys,
cupolas, dormers, and similar features for architectural appeal.
(5) Roof shape and material shall be architecturally compatible
with the rest of the building and shall reflect surrounding patterns.
Unless necessary pursuant to construction, architectural, engineering
or safety standards, flat roofs shall be prohibited. Mansard roofs
are discouraged except to soften or otherwise improve the appearance
of a predominantly flat roof. Gable, hip, and gambrel roofs are favored.
(6) Materials shall be selected for suitability to the
type of buildings and the design in which they are to be used. Buildings
shall have the same materials, or those that are architecturally harmonious,
used for all building walls and other exterior building components
wholly or partly visible from public ways.
(7) Colors shall be selected to be harmonious. Only compatible
accent colors shall be used. Accent or complementary colors, harmonizing
with the main color, may be used for trim, awnings and other accents.
Metal awnings are prohibited.
(8) Facade renovations shall not destroy or cover details
on a building of historic or architectural interest.
(9) In renovation projects, prevailing natural materials
and themes shall be retained. Facades of natural materials such as
stone, wood siding and brick shall not be covered with artificial
siding or panels except for good cause shown. If an original material
is or appears most appropriate on a facade, such material, if available,
shall be used for renovations and additions. Roof cornices shall be
retained, repaired, replaced or added where appropriate.
C. Environmental considerations. Environmental elements
relating to prevention of soil erosion, protection of significant
vistas or views, preservation of trees and protection of watercourses,
resources, soil and animal life shall be reviewed, and the design
of the plan shall minimize any adverse impact on these elements.
D. Landscaping.
(1) Landscaping shall be provided as part of any overall
site plan design and integrated into building arrangements, parking
and buffering requirements. Landscaping includes trees, bushes, shrubs,
ground cover, perennials, annuals, plants, sculpture, art and/or the
use of building and paving materials in an imaginative manner.
(2) The existing sense and appearance of any natural scenic
qualities on a tract shall be retained by the careful placement of
buildings and improvements.
E. Buffering.
(1) Buffering shall be located to minimize headlights
of vehicles, noise, light from structures, the movement of people
and vehicles and to shield activities from adjacent properties when
necessary. Buffering may include but not be limited to fencing, walls,
evergreens, shrubs, landscaping, berms, open space, deciduous trees
or combinations thereof to achieve the stated objectives.
(2) Extensive buffering shall be required where intensive
land uses abut less intensive uses. Existing natural vegetation, if
appropriate for the above stated purposes, shall be retained.
F. Open space.
(1) Open space shall be provided as part of a site plan
and shall serve as a buffer and/or help integrate buildings and uses.
Undeveloped open space should have as a prime objective the preservation
of a tract's natural amenities and vistas.
(2) Open spaces shall be so located as to provide for
maximum usability and to create a harmonious relationship between
buildings.
G. Signs.
(1) Signs shall be designed so as to be aesthetically
pleasing, coordinated with other signs on the site through a master
signage plan and located so as to achieve their purpose without constituting
hazards to vehicles and pedestrians.
(2) There should be a coordinated graphics design theme
throughout any site plan. The design theme shall include style and
size of lettering, construction materials, colors, location, size
and lighting. Color of letters and background should be carefully
considered in relation to the color of the material or buildings or
where the signs are proposed to be located.
H. Utilities.
(1) All services to structures shall be made underground.
All residential development shall be connected to utility company
water and the City sanitary sewer system.
(2) Particular emphasis shall be given to establishment
of drainage rights-of-way, analysis of the adequacy of existing systems
and the need for improvements, both on-site and off-site, to adequately
control the rate, volume and velocity of storm drainage, provide for
treatment of effluent and to maintain an adequate supply of potable
water at sufficient pressure.
(3) In such event that they can not be installed underground,
facilities such as pumping stations or transformers shall be enclosed
in buildings or effectively screened with landscaping and/or buffering
as approved by the Board.
I. Street furniture. Street furniture shall be made of
the same or similar materials to ensure design continuity and be appropriate
to the particular use. These may include, but are not limited to,
benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, bus shelters, tree planters
and directories.
J. Easements.
(1) Where a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse,
drainageway and/or stream, there shall be a stormwater easement or
drainage right-of-way conforming substantially to the lines of such
watercourse and such further width for construction as will be adequate.
(2) Sewer easements shall have a minimum width of 15 feet
and shall not be within the beds of street pavements but may, if feasible,
traverse and encompass any street right-of-way outside of the pavement
or curblines. The land areas contained in such easements shall not
be deducted from the total area of the lots on which they are located.
In reviewing any application for development,
the Board shall consider the following standards:
A. Blocks. Block length and width or acreage within bounding
roads shall be such as to accommodate the size of lots required by
this chapter and to provide for convenient access, circulation control
and safety of street traffic.
B. Lots.
(1) Insofar as is practical, side lot lines shall be at
right angles to straight streets and radial to curved streets.
(2) Where extra width has been dedicated for the widening
of existing streets, lots shall begin at such extra line and setbacks
shall be measured from such line.
(3) Where there is a question as to the suitability of
a lot or lots for their intended use due to factors such as but not
limited to wetlands or flood conditions, the Board may withhold approval
of such lots.
(4) To the extent possible, lots shall be rectangular
or square. Irregular shapes which create constraints with developability
shall not be permitted.
C. Buffers.
(1) General.
(a)
Buffer dimensions shall be measured from property
lines.
(b)
Within any buffer area, utilities, driveways
and streets may be permitted to cross at right angles to the buffer.
(c)
No buildings, signs (other than directional
signs), structures, storage of materials or parking shall be permitted
within the buffer area.
(2) When required; dimensional requirements. All uses
other than single-family detached dwellings shall provide buffer areas
along all side and rear property lines which abut areas zoned R-10,
R-15 or R-20. Additionally, commercial uses and other nonresidential
uses shall provide buffer areas along all side and rear property lines
which abut areas containing or planned for any residential use. All
residential uses shall provide buffer areas along any frontage on
New Road (Route 9). The buffer areas shall meet the provisions as
follows:
(a)
The width of the buffer shall be determined
in accordance with the following:
[1]
For RT two-family dwellings abutting an R-10,
R-15 or R-20 Zone: 15 feet.
[2]
For commercial uses and other nonresidential
uses abutting residential uses or zones: 40 feet.
[3]
For residential uses abutting Shore Road: 30
feet.
(b)
Buffer areas shall be placed with dense evergreen
plant materials in an irregular and natural-appearing pattern to form
a continuous screen from grade level to a height of five feet. Where
adequate space is available in buffer areas, the screen plantings
should be concentrated in a planting strip approximately 15 feet to
20 feet wide. Additional area within the buffer area should be planted
with ornamental trees and shrubs and canopy trees. Where existing
vegetation is to be preserved, the same may be incorporated into the
buffer and supplemented with additional plantings as required by the
Planning Board.
(c)
Buffer areas may be located within required
setback areas. However, no residential structure may be closer than
the distance equal to 10 feet or half its height, whichever is greater,
to a buffer line. Additionally, no commercial or other nonresidential
structure may be closer than a distance equal to 20 feet or half its
height, whichever is greater, to a buffer line.
(3) Maintenance. Plantings shall be watered regularly
and in a manner appropriate for the specific plant species through
the first growing season, and dead or dying plants shall be replaced
by the developer during the next planting season. No buildings, structures,
storage of materials or parking shall be permitted within the buffer
area. Buffer areas shall be maintained and kept free of all debris,
rubbish, weeds, and tall grass.
D. Building setbacks. In the area between the minimum
side yard setback and 20 feet from the side yard line, the maximum
permissible height of the structure shall be 25 feet. At a point commencing
at 20 feet from the side yard line, the maximum permissible height
of the structure may be increased to 35 feet.
E. Landscaping.
(1) All areas not occupied by buildings, parking areas,
patios, walkways and/or any other impervious surface shall be suitably
landscaped. In all single-family districts, a minimum of 75% of the
front yard area shall be landscaped. No landscaping shall interfere
with required sight triangles.
(2) Deciduous trees shall have at least a caliper of 2 1/2
inches and be eight feet to 10 feet in height at planting, and evergreen
trees shall be at least six feet tall. All trees shall be balled and
burlapped and be of specimen quality as established by the American
Association of Nurserymen.
(3) No street tree shall be removed for the construction
of any driveway or curb cut.
(4) Any landscaping which, within two years of planting,
dies, for any reason, shall be replaced by the developer(s) or by
the current owner at his or her sole expense.
(5) The following principles shall be considered:
(a)
Landscaping shall be located to provide for
climate control.
(b)
Landscaping shall be used to accent and complement
buildings.
(c)
Landscaping shall be provided in public areas,
parking areas, recreation sites and adjacent to buildings.
(d)
Vines and climbing plants may be considered
for large expanses of wall.
(e)
Massing trees may be considered at critical
points.
(f)
Smaller trees shall be used on narrow streets.
(g)
Ground cover shall be used to prevent erosion.
(h)
A variety and mixture of landscaping shall be
provided. Consideration shall be given to susceptibility to disease,
colors, season, textures, shapes, blossom and foliage in selecting
species.
(i)
Local soil conditions and water availability
shall be considered in the choice of landscaping.
(j)
Existing trees located within 10 feet of any
street right-of-way shall be maintained unless shown to be removed
as part of an approved plan. The existing grade within that space
shall not be disturbed without such approval.
(k)
Entrances to nonresidential lots shall be given
special landscaping treatment.
(l)
The impact of any proposed landscaping plan
at various time intervals shall be considered. Shrubs may grow and
eventually block sight distances. Foundation plants may block out
buildings.
(m)
Existing large trees (more than six-inch caliper)
shall be saved by not varying the grade around the trees by more than
six inches to 12 inches, by construction of tree wells and by erecting
protective fences.
(n)
Landscaping in parking areas shall be provided
in accordance with this article.
(o)
Impervious materials shall not be used in any
landscape area. Weed-retardant mulch, porous nonwoven synthetic landscape
fabric or other materials shall be used.
(p)
Vegetative ground cover is encouraged.
(6) Street trees shall be required on all development
applications. Trees shall be planted approximately 40 feet apart and
shall be located between the setback line and the street right-of-way
line if possible and not closer than 25 feet to any existing or proposed
streetlight or street intersection.
F. Fences or walls.
(1) No fence shall exceed six feet in height. In the front
yard or less than the required zoning setbacks for the front property
line(s), the height shall not exceed three feet and the fence shall
be 50% open.
[Amended 4-28-2021 by Ord. No. 11-2021]
(2) Before a fence shall be erected, constructed, relocated,
altered, rebuilt, extended or enlarged, a zoning permit shall be obtained
from the Zoning Official of the City of Linwood.
(3) The finished or "right" side of the fence shall face
the adjoining property or street.
(4) The Zoning Official may deny fence permits on corner
lots if he determines that the construction of said fences will adversely
affect automobile sight lines, thereby creating a danger to public
safety.
(5) All fences on a parcel shall be consistent in size,
texture and design and shall be compatible with the materials, scale
and building arrangement of principal and accessory structures on
the site.
(6) Where a retaining wall of solid masonry construction
is required, the retaining wall shall be permitted, provided that
the height of the wall does not exceed 36 inches above the grade of
the land. When utilized with a fence, the combined total height may
not exceed seven feet within the setback.
(7) No fence shall be constructed with barbed wire, metal
spikes or other such dangerous material or be constructed in such
manner as to be dangerous to animals or humans.
G. Lighting standards. All outdoor light fixtures installed
and thereafter maintained, other than those serving one- and two-family
dwellings, shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Only shielded light fixtures shall be used.
(2) Where used for commercial purposes or for sports or
recreational facilities, all light fixtures shall be equipped with
automatic timing devices and shall comply with the following:
(a)
Light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues
or other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform shall use
a narrow column beam of light that will not extend beyond the maximum
extensions of the illuminated object.
(b)
Other upward-directed architectural, landscape
or decorative direct-light emissions shall have at least 90% of their
total distribution pattern within the profile of the illuminated structure.
(c)
Externally illuminated building identification
or other signs shall only use shielded light fixtures mounted on top
of the sign structure.
(3) The design and installation of outdoor lighting on
a site shall be constructed so as to conform to the following standards:
(a)
All outdoor lighting during nonoperating hours
of the business on site not necessary for safety and security purposes
shall be reduced, activated by motion-sensor devices or turned off.
(b)
All lighting shall be designed to prevent misdirected
or excessive artificial light and to maximize energy efficiency.
(4) All light fixtures shall be designed, installed and
maintained to prevent trespass light.
(5) The maximum height of freestanding lights shall not
exceed the height of the principal building, or 18 feet, whichever
is less.
(6) The style of the light and light standards shall be
consistent with the architectural style of the principal building
or surrounding area.
(7) Freestanding lights shall be so located and protected
to avoid being damaged by vehicles.
(8) The maximum illumination at property lines shall be
0.1 footcandle at grade.
(9) All wiring shall be laid underground.
H. Screening of exterior mechanical equipment.
(1) Electrical and mechanical equipment, other than that
serving one- and two-family residential development, shall be located
within the interior of a building wherever possible. When an interior
location is not practical, such equipment shall be placed in a location
where it can be substantially screened from public view. Roof-mounted
equipment shall be hidden with parapets or screens of materials which
are in harmony with the building's architecture.
(2) Ground-level utilities in all zones shall be screened
so as to be unobtrusive when viewed from the public rights-of-way
and adjacent uses.
I. Storage and disposal of waste in non-one- and two-family
residential development.
(1) Outdoor refuse and recycling containers shall be visually
screened within a durable enclosure.
(2) No refuse and recycling storage areas shall be permitted
between a street and the front of a building, and refuse and recycling
storage areas shall conform to the front yard requirements for the
principal buildings in the zone.
(3) No refuse and recycling storage area shall be located
so as to prevent natural runoff from such areas or impair the existing
water quality of any stream, watercourse or aquifer.
(4) All materials or wastes which might cause fumes, dust,
odor or which constitute a fire hazard or which may be edible or otherwise
attractive to rodents or insects shall be stored outdoors only if
enclosed in sealed and covered containers which are adequate to eliminate
such hazards.
(5) Refuse and recycling collection areas shall be effectively
designed to contain all refuse generated on site and deposited between
collections.
(6) Refuse and recycling collection enclosures shall be
designed of durable materials with finishes and colors which are unified
and harmonious with the overall architectural theme.
(7) Refuse and recycling collection areas shall be located
to provide clear and convenient access to refuse collection vehicles.
(8) Medical, hazardous or other regulated waste shall
meet the state and federal standards for such materials.
(9) In those cases where the operation of a commercial
use requires cooking, baking, frying, steaming and other methods of
exhausting from the premises, as well as air conditioners and refrigeration
or other mechanical devices usually located outside of a building
on the grounds or roof or otherwise appurtenant to the building, the
reviewing board shall be assured that the exhaust and other mechanical
devices are designed, located, oriented, screened and built of such
materials that surrounding residential and nonresidential uses are
not impacted by noise, smoke, odors, fumes or other environmentally
disturbing attributes.
J. Signs.
(1) Sign permit exemptions. Exemptions shall not be construed
as relieving the owner of such signs from the responsibility of complying
with applicable provisions of this chapter. The exemption shall apply
to the requirement for a sign permit only. No sign permits shall be
required for the following signs:
(a)
Any public notice or warning required by a valid
and applicable federal, state, county or local law, regulation or
ordinance.
(b)
Any sign which is inside a building, not attached
to a window or door, and is not readable from a distance of more than
three feet beyond the lot line of the lot or parcel nearest to where
such sign is located.
(c)
Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial
message.
(d)
Traffic control signs on private property, the
face of which meets the Department of Transportation standard, and
which contain no commercial message of any sort.
(e)
Flags of the United States, New Jersey, the
City of Linwood, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with
the United States, other flags adopted or sanctioned by an elective
legislative body of competent jurisdiction and flags flown in conjunction
with the flag of the United States. A flag's area shall be in reasonable
proportion to the length of the pole from which it is displayed. The
statutory requirements associated with flags and generally accepted
standards of flag display etiquette shall be observed.
(f)
Signs or banners advertising City-sponsored
events that are posted with the permission of the City Council or
of any person to whom the City Council has delegated this authority
according to guidelines set by the City Council.
(g)
Pump-mounted fuel price informational signs,
subject to the following:
[1]
Only one fuel price informational sign shall
be permitted per fuel pump.
[2]
Fuel price informational signs shall be limited
in size to an area of 216 square inches in accordance with state and
federal regulations.
[3]
Each fuel price informational sign shall be
affixed directly and firmly to a fuel pump and shall be stationary.
[4]
Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit
the advertisement of fuel prices on any other sign meeting the requirements
of this section.
[5]
Non-pump-mounted pricing signs shall not be
exempt.
(h)
U.S. Postal regulation mailboxes.
(2) Permit procedure.
(a)
No sign except those exempted by Subsection
J(1) above shall be placed, constructed, or erected or modified unless a sign permit shall have been obtained from the Zoning Officer and, where required by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, a building permit shall have been obtained from the Construction Official. Signs which are not specifically allowed by this subsection shall be prohibited.
(b)
Master signage plan.
[1]
A master signage plan shall accompany:
[a] Any application for a sign permit;
or
[b] Any application for development
filed with the Planning Board which involves installation or modification
of any sign.
[Amended 4-11-2018 by Ord. No. 6-2018]
[2]
The master signage plan shall contain the following
information for each existing and proposed sign:
[a] Size (i.e., length, height, area,
thickness, number of faces).
[d] Colors (i.e., letter, background,
trim), including PMS color samples.
[e] Construction materials, structural
integrity and installation details.
[f] Window size (if applicable).
[g] Location (i.e., height above grade,
distance from roofline, building width, location from sides.
[h] Enumeration of relevant requirements
with proposed conditions.
[3]
The master signage plan graphically depicting
the sign shall be prepared by the applicant or a sign professional.
The master sign plan application shall include a sketch or photograph
showing the dimensions of each facade, window and canopy of the building
to which a sign is to be attached, in sufficient detail to clearly
indicate the location, dimension and area of all existing and proposed
permanent signs affixed to the walls, windows and canopies of the
building. These dimensions shall either be shown on the sketch or
photograph or on an attached table. Samples of construction materials
shall be submitted.
[4]
In the case of a freestanding sign, a plot plan
of the lot shall be required as part of the master signage plan, showing
the location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, landscaped areas
and all other existing and proposed signs.
[5]
Whenever a master signage plan is filed with
the Planning Board, a plot plan as described in this section shall
be required for all applications, and all plans and drawings which
comprise a part of the master signage plan shall be prepared by a
licensed architect, engineer and/or land surveyor, as appropriate.
[Amended 4-11-2018 by Ord. No. 6-2018]
[6]
The applicant shall provide any additional information
which may be deemed necessary to determine whether the signage plan
complies with the purpose of the sign regulations.
(c)
When installation or modification of a sign
has been approved by the Planning Board as part of a development application,
the Construction Official shall issue a sign permit only if the proposed
sign is consistent with the reviewing board's approval.
[Amended 4-11-2018 by Ord. No. 6-2018]
(3) Measurement of sign area.
(a)
Measurement of area of individual signs. The
area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or
other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest
square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that will
encompass the extreme limits of the writing, graphic illustration,
picture, symbol or other display, together with any material or color
forming an integral part of the background of the sign and used to
differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which
it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing
or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets
zoning regulations and is clearly incidental to the sign itself. No
sign shall have more than two display faces. The sign area for a sign
with two faces shall be computed by adding together the area of all
sign faces visible from any one point. When a sign having two faces
is such that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same
time, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of the larger
of the two faces. Signs which are required by county, state or federal
agencies are exempt from calculation of permanent and temporary signage
up to the minimum size required by such agencies. The area of the
sign in excess of the minimum shall be subject to the sign calculation.
In the event that no size requirement is imposed by such agency, the
sign shall not exceed one square foot.
(b)
Measurement of height. The height of a freestanding
sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at
normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of existing grade
prior to construction or the newly established grade after construction,
exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavation solely for
the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade
cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on
the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base
of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the
crown of a public road or the grade of the land at the principal entrance
to the principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower.
(4) General regulations.
(a)
Signs shall be in harmony and consistent with
the architecture of the building and relate to the features of the
building in terms of location, scale, color, lettering, materials,
texture and depth. Signs shall not be dominant but shall be proportionate
and shall complement the building, existing signs and surroundings.
(b)
There shall be consistent sign design throughout
a particular project. The design elements include style of lettering,
construction material, size and illumination.
(c)
Freestanding signs shall be integrated with
the landscaping on site.
(d)
Wall signs shall not obscure, conflict with
or cover any architectural element and must be aligned with major
building elements such as windows, trim and structure lines.
(e)
No sign shall extend or project above the highest
elevation of the wall to which it is attached or above the lowest
part of the roofline of the building, whichever is less.
(f)
No electric wiring associated with a sign shall
be visible to public view.
(g)
Illuminated signs.
[1]
Only externally illuminated signs shall be permitted.
[2]
Signs lit by external sources shall be located
in such a manner as to avoid any glare on adjacent property. Sources
of sign illumination shall be completely shielded from the view of
vehicular traffic using the road or roads abutting the lot on which
the sign is located.
[3]
External lights used for the illumination of
any sign on a building, whether or not such light fixtures are attached
to or separate from the building, shall not extend above the highest
elevation of the front wall of the building or more than 18 feet above
the street level of the premises, whichever is less.
(5) Prohibited signs.
(a)
No billboards shall be erected, used or maintained
within the City of Linwood; provided, however, that this regulation
shall not apply to temporary signs, otherwise permitted by this subsection,
that advertise special events sponsored by nonprofit social, religious,
political or cultural organizations or institutions.
(b)
No signs shall be placed on fences, utility
poles, trees, road bridges, bridge supports or abutments, retaining
walls, or water towers.
(c)
No roof sign, known also as a "sky sign," shall
be allowed.
(d)
No sign shall be placed on an accessory building.
(e)
No sign shall be internally illuminated.
(f)
No sign shall be lighted by means of a flashing
light, nor shall any sign be in whole or in part moving, mobile or
revolving or electrically or mechanically activated.
(g)
No sign shall be allowed with optical illusion
of movement by means of a design which presents a pattern capable
of reverse perspective, giving the illusion of motion or changing
of copy.
(h)
No commercial sign shall be allowed in a window
which serves a residential use.
(i)
No signs shall be allowed on any street furniture.
(j)
The use and display of temporary portable signs
or windsocks, banners or strings or streamers of flags, pennants or
spinners or similar objects and devices across, upon, over or along
any premises or building, whether as part of any sign or for advertising
or public attraction, or otherwise, is prohibited in any zone, except
for:
[1]
Temporary displays in business or commercial
zones as provided in this section.
[2]
Temporary decorations customarily used for holidays,
or for special events as may be approved by the City Council.
(k)
No sign shall be allowed which obstructs any
window or door opening used as a means of egress, interferes with
an opening required for legal ventilation, or is attached to or obstructs
any standpipe, fire escape or fire hydrant.
(l)
No sign shall be allowed which obstructs the
view of vehicle operators or pedestrians entering a public roadway
from any parking area, service drive, public driveway, alley or other
thoroughfare.
(m)
No trademarks or brand names on any sign (including
umbrella signs) shall be allowed when the commodity is not available
in the establishment.
(n)
No sign element shall be interpreted as part
of the architectural element of the building.
(o)
No inflatable signs and tethered balloons shall
be allowed, except decorative small balloons.
(p)
No neon or gas-filled decorations which outline
facade elements or windows are allowed.
(q)
No temporary signs shall be allowed except as detailed in Subsection
J(9)(e).
(r)
No sandwich board signs shall be permitted.
(s)
No window signs shall be permitted.
(6) Nonconforming signs.
(a)
No nonconforming signs may be enlarged or altered
in a way which would increase their nonconformity. Existing nonconforming
permanent signs may continue to exist; however, when the sign is modified
either in shape, size, illumination or structure, the sign shall be
altered to conform to the provisions of this section.
(b)
Should any nonconforming sign be damaged by
any means to an extent of more than 50% of its replacement cost at
time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity
with the provisions of this section.
(7) Removal of certain signs.
(a)
In the event a business ceases operation for
a period of time in excess of 60 days, the sign owner or lessee, or
the property owner, shall immediately remove any sign identifying
or advertising said business or any product sold thereby. Upon failure
of the sign owner or lessee, or property owner to comply with this
section, the Zoning Officer shall issue a written notice to the sign
owner or any lessee and to the property owner, which notice shall
state that such sign shall be removed within the following time period:
[2]
Posts, columns and supporting structures: one
year.
(b)
If the sign owner or lessee, or property owner,
fails to comply with such written notice to remove, the Zoning Officer
is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expenses
incidental to such removal shall be charged to owner of the property
upon which the sign is located and shall constitute a lien upon the
property. For the purposes of this section, the word "remove" shall
mean:
[1]
The sign face, along with posts, columns or
supports of freestanding signs, shall be taken down and removed from
the property.
[2]
The sign face and supporting structures of projecting,
roof or wall signs shall be taken down and removed from the property.
(8) Sign permit revocable. All rights and privileges acquired
under the provisions of this chapter, or any amendment thereto, are
revocable at any time by the Office of Code Enforcement if the applicant
fails to accurately depict the sign erected or to be erected or if
the sign which is erected fails to meet the details or the detailed
drawing submitted by the applicant. All such permits shall contain
this provision.
(9) The following signs and the standards and conditions
that govern such signs are set forth below. All other signs are expressly
prohibited.
(a)
Signs in residential districts:
[1]
One nameplate sign not to exceed two square
feet per side, not to be illuminated.
[2]
Signs advertising a legal nonconforming use,
when located on the site where such use is conducted, may be maintained,
modernized or replaced without increasing the size, provided that
such signs were erected prior to the adoption of this chapter and
provided that modernization and replacement comply with the permit
requirements and the engineering requirements.
(b)
Signs for institutional uses in all districts:
[1]
One wall sign not to exceed 24 square feet in
size, not to be illuminated.
[2]
One freestanding sign permitted for each street
frontage, not to exceed eight square feet in size and four feet in
height. The minimum setback shall be 1/2 of the front yard setback.
External illumination shall be permitted.
[3]
Directional signs, not to exceed two square
feet per side and two feet in height, not to be illuminated. The minimum
setback shall be 1/2 of the front yard setback. Off-premises directional
signs related to houses of worship shall be permitted but shall not
exceed two square feet per side.
(c)
Signs in commercial districts.
[1]
Any sign authorized for permitted uses in the
Residential Districts as specified above is permitted in a commercial
district.
[2]
Signs for business office or professional office
uses:
[a] Wall signs up to 10 square feet
per separate office tenant on the premises shall be permitted, but
total wall signs shall not exceed 25 square feet. External illumination
is permitted.
[b] Freestanding signs, which shall
not exceed 25 square feet in size, shall be permitted. Freestanding
signs shall not exceed four feet in height and shall be located a
minimum of 10 feet away from all property lines and are not permitted
in the site triangle.
[3]
Signs in complexes where six or more independent
premises, comprising an area of not less than 20,000 square feet of
enclosed space, are grouped together.
[a] Total wall signs shall not exceed
40 square feet.
[b] One freestanding sign identifying
the complex (e.g., directory sign) shall not exceed 40 square feet
and shall be located a minimum of 10 feet away from all property lines.
[4]
Signs for retail commercial and service establishments,
including bars and restaurants, shall be constructed under the following
limitations:
[a] Freestanding signs.
[i] One freestanding sign shall be
permitted per commercial premises. Freestanding signs shall not exceed
a total maximum area of 25 square feet per side.
[ii] Freestanding signs shall not exceed
four feet in height.
[iii] Freestanding signs shall be located
a minimum of 10 feet away from all property lines.
[iv] External illumination of freestanding
signs is permitted.
[b] Wall signs. One wall sign, which
shall not exceed 10 square feet, is permitted per tenant, and total
wall signs shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(d)
Additional standards.
[1]
Wall signs shall be located between the top
line of windows or doors on the first floor and the bottom line of
the second floor windows, roof, or cornice above, in an area that
is uninterrupted by windows, architectural details, or openings.
[2]
Wall signs shall not project beyond the roof
or sides of the building. Wall signs may not project more than six
inches beyond the front surface of the building.
[3]
All signs, as part of a complex, shall be designed
and constructed in such a way as to be harmonious and compatible with
the complex and surrounding area. All signs will be properly located
and designed as an integrated signage system.
[4]
Directional signs in parking areas or for the
purpose of directing patrons to correct entrances shall be permitted,
in addition to signs otherwise permitted as above, with no more than
two such signs permitted, each such directional sign not to exceed
two square feet.
[5]
No sign may be located closer to any side of
a building than 10% of the linear front footage of the building.
(e)
Temporary signs:
[1]
Temporary signs advertising the sale or rental
of the premises upon which said sign has been erected or a sign indicating
that said premises have been sold or rented, provided that:
[a] Such temporary signs shall be erected
only on the premises to which they relate. They shall not be permitted
on any other property or within the public right-of-way.
[b] The area of any such temporary
sign shall not exceed six square feet, and the sign shall not exceed
three feet in height.
[c] Not more than one such temporary
sign shall be placed on any property held in single and separate ownership.
[d] Such temporary signs shall be removed
promptly within 10 days after an agreement of sale or rental has been
entered into.
[2]
Signs, including banners, advertising political
parties or candidates for election may be erected and maintained,
provided that the size of any such sign is not in excess of 10 square
feet, and the dimensions of such signs shall not exceed two feet in
height; the signs shall have no moving parts, flashing lights or illumination
on any sign. If attached to a building, the top of the sign is not
to exceed six inches above the roofline of said building. No sign
shall be erected at a height greater than eight feet from the ground
to the base of the sign. A maximum of two political signs per property
is permitted. Political signs may be posted 45 days prior to election
day and must be removed within seven days after election day. All
political signs must be located so as not to obstruct sight triangles.
Political signs are not permitted on publicly owned property. Failure
to remove such signs will result in the imposition of a fine at the
rate of $50 per day to be assessed against the property owner upon
whose property the sign is located. There shall be no fee for the
placement of political signs.
K. Off-street parking.
(1) Where applicable, the Residential Site Improvement
Standards, as amended from time to time, shall apply.
(2) Off-street parking and loading areas shall be coordinated
with the public street system serving the area in order to avoid conflicts
with through traffic, obstruction to pedestrian walkways and vehicular
thoroughfares. Shared parking among mixed uses shall be encouraged.
(a)
A minimum of 10% of any surface parking facility,
other than one- and two-family homes, shall be landscaped and shall
include one shade tree for every five parking spaces.
(b)
All parking and loading areas abutting mixed-use/residential
areas shall be buffered about their periphery with landscaping and/or
fencing.
(c)
Dimension of parking spaces. Every such space
provided shall measure at least nine feet in width and 18 feet in
length, exclusive of access drives and aisles. Hairpin striping shall
be provided, where appropriate. End-to-end parking spaces shall measure
not less than eight feet in width by 23 feet in length.
(d)
Size of aisles. The width of all aisles providing
direct access to individual parking spaces shall be in accordance
with the requirements set forth below. Only one-way traffic shall
be permitted in aisles serving parking spaces placed at an angle other
than 90 degrees.
|
Parking Angle
(degrees)
|
Aisle Width
(feet)
|
---|
|
0 (end-to-end parking)
|
18
|
|
30
|
18
|
|
45
|
18
|
|
60
|
18
|
|
90 (perpendicular parking)
|
24
|
(e)
All off-street parking areas shall be used solely
for the parking of passenger automobiles, and no commercial repair
work, service or storage of new or used motor vehicles, materials
or merchandise of any kind shall be conducted on such parking area.
(f)
Sidewalks in parking areas. Sidewalks shall
be required between parking areas and principal structures, along
aisles and driveways and wherever pedestrian traffic occurs. They
shall have a minimum of four feet of passable width and shall be raised
a maximum of six inches above the parking area, except when crossing
streets or driveways. Guardrails and wheel stops permanently anchored
to the ground shall be provided in appropriate locations. Parked vehicles
shall not overhang or extend over sidewalk areas, unless an additional
sidewalk width of two feet is provided to accommodate such overhang.
(g)
All landscaping in parking areas shall be carefully
located so as not to obstruct sight distance.
(h)
Off-street parking areas shall be effectively
screened where required by the Board by a berm, fence or wall not
less than four feet nor more than six feet in height, maintained in
good condition; provided, however, that a screening hedge or other
natural landscaping may be substituted for the required fence or wall
if approved by the Board. The screening, as required by this subsection,
may be waived by the Board if, in its judgment, because of topographic
or other unusual conditions, said fence is not necessary to buffer
adjoining property.
(i)
Parking areas, loading areas and driveways,
except for one- or two-family residences, shall be curbed with granite
block or concrete and paved.
(j)
The driveway of a one- and two-family residence
shall be paved.
(k)
Off-street parking facilities as accessory to
any use permitted in a residential zone shall be provided on the same
lot with the permitted principal building.
(l)
Off-street parking facilities as required by
this article in nonresidential zones shall be provided on the same
lot as the principal building or use.
(m)
Access to or egress from any property situated
in a nonresidential zone through the use of a driveway located on
property in a residential zone is prohibited.
(n)
There shall be a minimum setback of five feet
from the property line or driveways in one- and two-family residential
zones. In nonresidential zones, the minimum parking setback shall
be 10 feet.
(3) Off-street
parking areas shall have a pavement section consisting of:
[Added 12-14-2011 by Ord.
No. 18-2011]
(a) Hot-mix asphalt pavement consisting of two inches of HMA 9.5 M64
surface course pavement, three inches of HMA 19 M64 base course pavement
and six inches of dense-graded aggregate base course. All materials
and construction methods shall be in accordance with New Jersey Department
of Transportation standard specifications.
(b) Concrete pavement consisting of six inches of Class B concrete with
steel reinforcement in accordance with New Jersey Department of Transportation
specifications.
(c) Brick pavers consisting of three-and-one-half-inch-thick brick pavers
rated for vehicle use and placed on a base material in accordance
with the manufacturer's specifications.
L. Off-street loading.
(1) In any building or building group or part thereof
hereafter erected and having a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet
or more of nonresidential space, off-street loading berths shall be
provided and maintained on the same zone lot with such building.
(2) All loading areas shall be on the same lot as the
use which is to be served. Such areas shall be located only in a side
or rear yard. Such areas shall not encroach upon any required open
space, accessway, off-street parking area or public right-of-way.
Where located adjacent to any residential district, they shall be
set back a minimum of 15 feet from such property line.