Special exception uses. Applications for special exceptions,
when listed as authorized uses by the district regulations, shall
be approved or denied by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with
the standards and criteria of this article, and the zoning district
regulations, and other applicable provisions of this chapter.
A.Â
The applicant for a special exception shall submit to the Zoning Officer a completed application on a form to be provided by Robinson Township, the required application fee and a plot plan which contains all of the information listed in § 300-19B of this chapter. Upon receipt, the Zoning Officer shall forward the application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
B.Â
The Zoning Officer shall notify the Planning Commission of all applications for special exceptions to provide the Commission with an opportunity to present testimony before the Zoning Hearing Board, if desired. The Zoning Hearing Board shall review and approve or deny applications for special exceptions in accordance with the provisions of § 300-27 of this chapter.
The approval of a special exception application shall be valid
for a period of 12 months from the date of approval. If within this
period the building permit has not been applied for and construction/development
begun, then the special exception approval shall be revoked and the
applicant must reapply for approval. One extension of up to six months
may be granted by the approving body where the applicant can show
good cause for the delay.
A.Â
Before approving a special exception application, the Zoning Hearing
Board shall determine that the proposed use will not alter the established
character and use of the neighborhood or district in which it is located,
and that it will not substantially impair the use or development of
adjacent properties.
B.Â
The following general standards, among other things, shall be used
in evaluating the application. These standards shall be in addition
to any other specific requirements in this article or other section
of this chapter for a particular type of use.
(1)Â
The proposed use complies with all applicable provisions and
requirements for that type of use contained in this chapter, unless
a variance to any provision has been granted by the Zoning Hearing
Board, and with other applicable local, county and commonwealth and
federal ordinances, laws and regulations. The proposed use shall obtain
applicable permits, licenses, approvals from Robinson Township, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania and federal agencies before final approval of
the special exception application shall be granted.
(2)Â
The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding land uses. It does not have a negative impact on the existing neighborhood or development in terms of air and water quality, noise, illumination and glare, restrictions to natural light and air circulation, or other hazardous conditions that could endanger surrounding residents or impair the use of surrounding properties. The proposed use shall comply with the performance standards of § 300-63 of this chapter.
(3)Â
The proposed site for the special exception is suitable in terms
of topography, soils conditions and size, based on number of projected
users and the frequency of use of the proposed use, as demonstrated
by compliance with applicable laws and ordinances and reports and
certifications of appropriate professionals.
(4)Â
The proposed use and site provides for safe, adequate vehicular
and pedestrian access. It has access from a street capable of handling
the traffic generated by the proposed use, and it will not result
in undue traffic congestion and hazardous conditions on adjacent streets.
The use provides for safe, efficient internal circulation and sufficient
off-street parking and loading. Conclusions as to safety and adequacy
shall be documented with traffic studies as required by this chapter.
(5)Â
The proposed use complies with all applicable standards and
requirements for providing sanitary sewage disposal, water supply,
storm drainage, solid and toxic waste storage and disposal.
(6)Â
The proposed use provides screening or buffer areas as required
by this chapter.
(7)Â
The proposed use/development conforms to the scale, character
and exterior appearance of existing structures and uses in the neighborhood
in which it is located.
A.Â
The following shall apply to the specific types of uses listed in
this section:
(1)Â
Boarding- or rooming house.
(a)Â
All off-street parking shall be provided on the lot.
(b)Â
Exterior lighting for parking areas shall be reduced to 50%
luminosity after 11:00 p.m.
(c)Â
Off-street parking shall be screened with an earth berm, landscaped
bufferyard, fence or wall within a minimum height of four feet and
a minimum opacity of 80%.
(d)Â
Building height and setbacks shall be consistent with surrounding
development.
(e)Â
All rooms available for boarding shall be located within the
lot's principal building.
(f)Â
Dumpsters shall be located in the rear setback yard and shall
be screened with an earth berm, landscaped bufferyard, fence or wall
with a minimum height of eight feet and a minimum opacity of 80%.
(2)Â
Cemetery.
(a)Â
The ingress and egress points must be located on an arterial
or collector street.
(b)Â
No more than 10% of the entire cemetery area shall be devoted
to accessory structures (excluding those serving as grave markers
or memorials), such as offices, chapel or maintenance facilities.
(c)Â
Buffer yards or other screening may be required along the facility's
boundaries in order to separate and screen adjacent properties.
(3)Â
Communications tower.
(a)Â
Purposes. The purposes of this section are to:
[1]Â
Minimize visual impacts of communications towers through careful
design, siting and vegetative screening.
[2]Â
Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower failure
and falling ice through engineering and careful siting of tower structures.
[3]Â
Maximize use of any existing communication towers so as to minimize
the need to construct new towers.
(b)Â
Communications towers, communications antenna and telecommunications
equipment building shall be considered as a special exception in the
C-2, I-1 and P Districts.
[1]Â
Communications antennas shall be considered as a special exception
in the C-3 Zoning District when it is demonstrated that:
[2]Â
Communications antennas and related equipment that are proposed
to be erected in the C-3 Zoning District shall be subject to the following
provisions:
[a]Â
A communications antenna shall not exceed 20 feet
above the existing building height upon which it is mounted and shall
be screened from public view. The applicant shall demonstrate that
the building or structure upon which such communications antenna is
placed is capable of supporting the same by submission of a written
report, certified by a Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer,
certifying that the proposed installation will not exceed the structural
capacity of the building or other structure, considering wind and
other loads associated with the antenna location.
[b]Â
All equipment associated with roof-mounted communications
antennas, except for the antenna(s), must be located so as not to
be visible from adjoining properties or screened from view.
[c]Â
Building-mounted communications antennas shall
not be located on any single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling.
[d]Â
Directional or panel communications antennas shall
not exceed six feet in height and three feet in width.
[e]Â
Detailed construction and elevation drawings shall
be submitted for any proposed communications antennas to be mounted
on a building or other structure. The drawings submitted shall indicate
how the antennas will be mounted and shall comply with all applicable
building codes adopted by Robinson Township.
[f]Â
Any applicant proposing communications antennas
to be mounted on a building or other structure shall submit evidence
of agreements and/or easements necessary to provide access to the
building or structure on which the antennas are to be mounted.
[g]Â
Communications antennas shall comply with all applicable
standards adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for
safety levels with respect to human exposure to electromagnetic fields
as the same shall exist at the time of application.
[h]Â
Communications antennas shall not cause radio frequency
interference with other communications antennas located in Robinson
Township at the time of application.
[i]Â
A telecommunications equipment building shall be
subject to the height requirements of the applicable zoning district
for an accessory structure. The communications building shall comply
with applicable building code regulations adopted by Robinson Township.
[j]Â
The owner or operator of the communications antennas
shall be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to
operate such antennas.
(c)Â
General provisions applicable in all permitted districts for
communications towers and communications facilities.
[1]Â
All lots must conform to the area requirements of the underlying
zone. Only one communications tower shall be permitted per lot, and
the communications tower shall be the sole principal use on the lot
upon which it is situate.
[2]Â
For all communications towers, the site shall be of sufficient
size to provide the setback required in the underlying zoning district
between the base of the communications tower, accessory structures
and uses and guy anchors, if any, to all abutting property lines,
except that the width of certain yards shall be as follows:
[a]Â
Communications towers shall be set back the greater
of a distance equal to 110% of the height of the communications tower,
the required setback of the underlying zoning district, or a minimum
of 50 feet from any existing or planned right-of-way or existing property
line.
[3]Â
The communications facility shall be fully automated and unattended
on a daily basis and shall be visited only for periodic maintenance.
[4]Â
Access to the communications facility shall be by means of a
public street or easement to a public street. The easement shall be
a minimum of 20 feet in width and shall be improved to a width of
at least 12 feet with a dust-free, all-weather surface for the entire
length.
[5]Â
Maximum communications tower height shall be 190 feet. Equipment
building height shall be regulated by the building height requirements
of the underlying zoning district.
[6]Â
An eight-foot-high chain link fence shall completely surround
the communications tower (and guy wires if used) and telecommunications
equipment building. All access gates shall be adequately secured to
limited accessibility by the general public.
[7]Â
The communications tower shall be designed and constructed to
all applicable standards of the American National Standards Institute,
ANSI/EIA-222-E manual, as amended. All applications for development
of a communications facility shall verify compliance with these standards.
[8]Â
A soil report complying with the standards of Appendix I, "Geotechnical
Investigations," ANSI/EIA-222-E, as amended, shall be submitted to
Robinson Township, sealed by a professional engineer, to document
and verify the design specifications of the foundation for the communications
tower and anchors for the guy wires, if used.
[9]Â
The communications towers and antennas erected thereon shall
be designed to withstand wind gusts in accordance with current Uniform
Construction Code standards and/or other applicable generally accepted
industry standards, laws, ordinances and regulations.
[10]Â
Upon the order of the Board of Commissioners,
the communications tower and structures shall be dismantled and removed
from the premises within one year of their abandonment, obsolescence
or cessation of use.
[11]Â
Where technically feasible, all new communication
towers shall be designed to accommodate communications equipment for
use by emergency service agencies (i.e., police, fire, ambulance,
etc.) or other governmental agencies.
[12]Â
No communications tower or antenna may be lit
unless the applicant has been mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) to do so. The applicant must present the Zoning Hearing Board
with any FAA requirements in regard to lighting of the tower and that
it is in compliance with all applicable FAA regulations.
[13]Â
A telecommunications equipment building shall
be subject to the height and setback requirements for the applicable
zoning district for an accessory structure. The telecommunications
equipment building shall comply with applicable building code regulations
adopted by Robinson Township.
[14]Â
All new communications towers shall be designed
to structurally accommodate the maximum number of additional users
technically practicable.
[15]Â
The Zoning Hearing Board may employ the services
of an outside technical consultant, at the applicant's expense,
to determine the feasibility of multiple users on the communications
tower.
[16]Â
All new applications for communications towers
shall be accompanied with a statement from an engineer qualified in
the field of radio frequency engineering certifying that the communications
tower and communications facility are within the applicable standards
adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for safety
levels with respect to human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic
fields, as the same shall exist at the time of application.
[17]Â
All new applications for communications towers
shall be accompanied with a report by a certified engineer documenting
the following:
[a]Â
Tower height and design, including technical, engineering,
economic and other pertinent factors governing selections of the proposed
design. A cross section of the tower shall be included.
[b]Â
Total anticipated capacity of the site, including
number and types of antennas which can be accommodated.
[c]Â
Evidence of structural integrity of the tower structure
as required by Robinson Township's Building Inspector.
[d]Â
Failure characteristics of the tower and demonstration
that the site and setbacks are of adequate size to accommodate debris.
[e]Â
Ice hazards and mitigation measures which have
been employed, including increased setbacks and/or deicing equipment.
[f]Â
Specific design and construction plans which include
the means by which shared use requirements will be met.
[18]Â
All new applications for communications towers
shall be accompanied with a letter of intent to lease excess space
on the tower structure to other wireless communication carriers or
entities that require use of tower structures for communication purposes.
[19]Â
Where and when reasonably possible, all communications
towers shall be freestanding and of self-supporting design and shall
not utilize guy wires and/or guy anchors.
[20]Â
Shared use of existing structures. A new communications
tower shall not be permitted unless the applicant makes a good faith
effort to substantially demonstrate that no existing or planned towers,
if available, can structurally and functionally accommodate the applicant's
proposed antenna/transmitter. The applicant shall be required to demonstrate
compliance with the following:
[a]Â
The applicant shall, by written communication delivered
by certified mail/return receipt requested, contact the owners of
all existing or planned towers as well as suitable building-mounted
sites in Robinson Township of a height roughly equal to or greater
than the height of the tower proposed by the applicant which are located
within a one-half-air-mile radius from the center of the base of the
proposed communications tower. A list shall be provided of all owners
contacted, the date of such contact, and the form and content of such
contact. The application shall not be considered complete without
submission of the list.
[b]Â
Such contact shall be made no less than 30 days
prior to the filing of an application for review by the Zoning Officer
to include a response into the application when filed.
[c]Â
Failure of a listed owner to respond shall not
be relevant to the Zoning Hearing Board if a timely, good faith effort
was made to obtain one.
[d]Â
The Zoning Officer shall maintain and provide,
upon request, records of responses from each owner.
[21]Â
The applicant shall request the following information
from each owner contacted:
[a]Â
Identification of the site by location, existing
uses, prohibitions against future uses and tower height.
[b]Â
Whether this tower could structurally accommodate
the antenna proposed by the applicant without requiring structural
changes be made to the tower.
[c]Â
Whether this tower could structurally accommodate
the proposed antenna if structural changes were made, not including
totally rebuilding the tower. If so, the owner shall specify in general
terms what structural changes would be required.
[d]Â
If structurally able, would shared use by such
existing tower be precluded for reasons related to radio frequency
(RF) interference. If so, the owner shall describe in general terms
what changes in either the existing or proposed antenna would be required
to accommodate the proposed tower, if at all.
[e]Â
If shared use is possible based on Subsection A(3)(c)[21][c]
and [d] above, the fee an owner of an existing tower would charge
for such shared use.
[f]Â
Shared use is not precluded simply because a reasonable
fee for shared use is charged or because of reasonable cost necessary
to adapt the existing and proposed uses to a shared tower. The Board
of Commissioners may consider expert testimony to determine whether
the fee and costs are reasonable. Costs exceeding new tower construction
and the cost of ground rental or acquisition are presumed unreasonable.
(d)Â
General provisions applicable to a communications antenna.
[1]Â
A communications antenna shall not exceed 20 feet above the
existing building height upon which it is mounted and shall be screened
from public view. The applicant shall demonstrate that the building
or structure upon which such communications antenna is placed is capable
of supporting the same by submission of a written report, certified
by a Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer, certifying that
the proposed installation will not exceed the structural capacity
of the building or other structure, considering wind and other loads
associated with the antenna location.
[2]Â
All equipment associated with roof-mounted communications antennas,
except for the antenna(s), must be located so as not to be visible
from adjoining properties or screened from view.
[3]Â
Building-mounted communications antennas shall not be located
on any single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling.
[4]Â
Directional or panel communications antennas shall not exceed
five feet in height and three feet in width.
[5]Â
Detailed construction and elevation drawings shall be submitted
for any proposed communications antennas to be mounted on a building
or other structure. The drawings submitted shall indicate how the
antennas will be mounted and shall comply with all applicable building
codes adopted by Robinson Township.
[6]Â
Any applicant proposing communications antennas to be mounted
on a building or other structure shall submit evidence of agreements
and/or easements necessary to provide access to the building or structure
on which the antennas are to be mounted.
[7]Â
Communications antennas shall comply with all applicable standards
adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for safety
levels with respect to human exposure to electromagnetic fields as
the same shall exist at the time of application.
[8]Â
Communications antennas shall not cause radio frequency interference
with other communications antennas located in Robinson Township at
the time of application.
[9]Â
A telecommunications equipment building shall be subject to
the height requirements of the applicable zoning district for an accessory
structure. The communications building shall comply with applicable
building code regulations adopted by Robinson Township.
[10]Â
The owner or operator of the communications antennas
shall be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to
operate such antennas.
(4)Â
Conversion of a single-family dwelling into a multiple-family
dwelling.
(a)Â
Two parking spaces per dwelling unit shall be provided.
(b)Â
Required off-street parking areas shall be permitted only in
a rear yard area and shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, grouted
brick, paving blocks or similar materials approved by Robinson Township.
(c)Â
A buffer area as specified by § 300-72 of this chapter or a six-foot-high opaque fence shall be maintained between parking areas and adjoining properties.
(d)Â
No individual dwelling unit shall be less than 800 square feet
and shall include a kitchen and bath.
(e)Â
All dwelling units shall comply with the requirements of the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
(5)Â
Day-care center, adult or child.
(a)Â
All day-care centers shall be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department
of Public Welfare and must operate in accordance with the requirements
of the Department. This requirement is a condition of occupancy.
(b)Â
Day-care centers shall only be permitted as a special exception
in R-1 or R-2 Districts when they are conducted within a structure
for a public or parochial school or place of religious worship. No
additional signs or sign area (total square footage) shall be permitted
for the center above that already authorized for a school or religious
facility located in such zoning district.
(c)Â
No day-care center in an R-3, R-4 or R-5 District shall be located
within a two-thousand-six-hundred-foot radius of another day-care
center.
(d)Â
Any outdoor recreational areas on the property shall be no closer
than 30 feet to an abutting street or 10 feet to any other property
lines. They shall be fenced with a self-latching gate or otherwise
secured.
(e)Â
Safe vehicular access and off-street areas for discharging and
picking up children or adults shall be provided.
(h)Â
The hours of operation for a day-care center located in a residential
zoning district shall be limited to the period between the hours of
8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
(6)Â
Family day-care home.
(a)Â
A family day-care home shall be registered with the Pennsylvania
Department of Public Welfare and shall comply with applicable requirements
of the Department. This requirement is a condition of occupancy.
(b)Â
Any outdoor play areas shall be fenced with a self-latching
gate or otherwise secured.
(c)Â
No exterior alterations, additions or other structural changes
shall be made to the dwelling unit in order to accommodate or facilitate
the operation of a family day-care home.
(d)Â
A minimum of one off-street parking space shall be provided
in addition to those otherwise required for the dwelling unit. Such
space may be located in a side or rear area, provided it is not located
in any required yard.
(e)Â
There shall be no signs or exterior display of advertising other than a nameplate sign as permitted by Article IX for no-impact home-based businesses.
(f)Â
A family day-care home shall meet all additional requirements
as defined by a low-impact home-based business.
(7)Â
Group care facility.
(a)Â
A group care facility must be licensed and/or certified by the
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Suspension or revocation
of the license/certificate shall automatically revoke the certificate
of occupancy and the special exception authorization.
(b)Â
Change of ownership, sponsorship or of any other condition contained
in the original approval of the facility shall constitute a new use,
and the procedure for obtaining a special exception approval of a
new facility shall be executed.
(c)Â
No group care facility shall be located within a two-thousand-six-hundred-foot
radius of another group home, group care or personal care facility.
(d)Â
Sufficient screening and buffering or parking areas must be
provided to protect the neighborhood from detrimental noise, dust,
and other disturbance.
(e)Â
The facility must comply with any and all applicable building,
fire, health and other safety codes. Smoke detectors shall be installed
in or in the immediate vicinity of each bedroom or sleeping area of
the home and in the basement or cellar, if there is one. When actuated,
the detector shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants
within the individual unit. Where more than one detector is required
to be installed within the group home, the detectors shall be wired
so that the actuation of one alarm will actuate all the alarms in
the home.
(f)Â
Parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements specified in § 300-79E of this chapter.
(g)Â
Only those signs permitted in the district in which the facility
is located shall be permitted.
(h)Â
If the group care facility is located in a residential zone,
no exterior changes to an existing residential structure or property
shall be permitted that would alter the residential character of the
dwelling or lot.
(8)Â
Group home.
(a)Â
A group home must be licensed and/or certified by the Pennsylvania
Department of Public Welfare. Suspension or revocation of the license/certificate
shall automatically revoke the certificate of occupancy and the special
exception authorization.
(b)Â
Change of ownership, sponsorship or of any other condition contained
in the original approval of the home shall constitute a new use, and
the procedure for obtaining a special exception approval of a new
home shall be executed.
(c)Â
No group home shall be located within a two-thousand-six-hundred-foot
radius of another group home or group care or personal care facility.
(d)Â
The home must comply with any and all applicable building, fire,
health and other safety codes. Smoke detectors shall be installed
in or in the immediate vicinity of each bedroom or sleeping area of
the home and in the basement or cellar, if there is one. When actuated,
the detector shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants
within the individual unit. Where more than one detector is required
to be installed within the group home, the detectors shall be wired
so that the actuation of one alarm will actuate all the alarms in
the home.
(e)Â
Parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements specified in § 300-79E of this chapter.
(f)Â
Only those signs permitted in the district in which the facility
is located shall be permitted.
(g)Â
If the group home is located in a residential zone, no exterior
changes to an existing residential structure or property shall be
permitted that would alter the residential character of the dwelling
or lot.
(h)Â
The maximum number of occupants for a group home shall not exceed
eight occupants.
(i)Â
Sufficient screening and buffering or parking areas must be
provided to protect the neighborhood from detrimental noise, dust,
and other disturbances.
(9)Â
Helipads.
(a)Â
Helipads shall be located at least 250 feet from any property
line or public street.
(b)Â
Helipads accessory to a hospital shall be limited to use by
emergency vehicles and health system personnel.
(c)Â
Only one private-use helipad shall be authorized for each business
park, regardless of the number of businesses located in the business
park.
(d)Â
Evidence of compliance with all applicable regulations of the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation Bureau of Aviation shall be submitted to Robinson
Township.
(e)Â
The helicopter landing pad shall be clearly marked with the
insignia commonly recognized to indicate a private-use helipad.
(f)Â
The helicopter landing pad shall be paved, level and maintained
dirt free. Rooftop pads shall be free of all loose stone and aggregate.
(g)Â
An application for a helipad on a roof shall be accompanied
by a certification by a registered engineer that the loads imposed
by the helicopter will be supported by the structure.
(h)Â
Lighting shall be shielded away from adjacent properties.
(10)Â
Home-based business, low-impact.
(a)Â
There shall be no exterior evidence of such accessory use other than a small name plate in accordance with Article IX of this chapter.
(b)Â
There shall be no retail sales directly to customers on the
premises.
(c)Â
The home-based business shall be carried on wholly within the
principal or accessory structures.
(d)Â
No more than 15% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling
and any accessory structures used shall be devoted to the conduct
of the home-based business.
(e)Â
Articles not produced on the premises shall not be sold on the
premises.
(f)Â
There shall be no display of merchandise available for sale
on the premises; however, merchandise may be stored on the premises
for delivery off the premises.
(g)Â
Exterior displays or signs other than those permitted in this
chapter, exterior storage of material and exterior indication of the
home-based business or variation from the residential character of
the principal structure shall not be permitted.
(h)Â
Objectionable noise, vibration, smoke, dust, electrical disturbance,
odors, heat, or glare shall not be produced. The use shall comply
with the performance standards of this chapter.
(i)Â
The use shall not significantly intensify vehicular or pedestrian
traffic which is normal for the residences in the neighborhood.
(j)Â
The use shall not require internal or external alterations or
construction features which are not customary to a dwelling or which
change the fire rating of a structure.
(k)Â
There shall be no use of materials or equipment except that
of similar power and type normally used in a residential dwelling
for domestic or household purposes.
(l)Â
The use shall not cause an increase in the use of water, sewage,
garbage, public safety or any other municipal services beyond that
which is normal for the residences in the neighborhood.
(m)Â
The use shall not cause a negative impact on lot values in the
immediate neighborhood.
(n)Â
The home-based business shall not involve the use of commercial
vehicles for regular delivery of materials to or from the premises,
and commercial vehicles shall not be permitted to be parked on the
premises.
(o)Â
The following uses shall not be considered home-based businesses
and shall be restricted to the zoning districts in which they are
specifically authorized as permitted uses or uses by special exception,
including, but not limited to:
[1]Â
Beauty shops or barber shops containing more than
two chairs;
[2]Â
Clinics, hospitals or nursing or convalescent homes;
[3]Â
Mortuaries;
[4]Â
Private clubs;
[5]Â
Private instruction to more than three students
at a time;
[6]Â
Restaurants or tearooms;
[7]Â
Stables;
[8]Â
Tourist or boarding homes;
[9]Â
Vehicle or equipment rental, repair or sales;
[10]Â
Vehicle repair garages, as defined by this chapter.
[11]Â
Veterinary office, animal hospitals and/or kennels.
(p)Â
In-home day cares and family day-care homes shall meet all of
the foregoing requirements for a low-impact home-based business as
well as the following additional requirements:
[1]Â
Adequate areas for outdoor recreation shall be
provided and shall be secured by a fence with self-latching gate.
[2]Â
A safe area shall be provided for the drop-off
and pick up of children which does not obstruct the free flow of traffic
on any public street.
[3]Â
Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance
with the requirements of this chapter.
(11)Â
Hospitals.
(a)Â
The institution shall be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and shall have the required approvals of other regulatory agencies
and accreditation organizations.
(b)Â
The minimum lot area for a hospital shall not be less than five
acres.
(c)Â
The property shall have its principal traffic access to an arterial
or collector street with sufficient capacity to handle the traffic
generated by the proposed use.
(d)Â
No structure shall be located within 100 feet of any property
boundary or street right-of-way.
(e)Â
Adequate fire lanes shall be provided between structures and
approved by the County Fire Marshal. Building construction shall meet
all applicable health and safety codes of the county, state and federal
governments.
(f)Â
Ambulance and delivery areas shall be obscured from view of
all residential properties by fencing, decorative walls or planted
screening, as approved by Robinson Township.
(g)Â
A buffer area of at least 30 feet in width shall be provided and maintained along all side and rear property lines in accordance with § 300-63 of this chapter, and a landscaped area at least 30 feet in depth shall be provided along the entire front property line, except for approved entrances.
(h)Â
If a hospital includes a helipad as an accessory use, the provisions specified in § 300-103A(9) of this chapter shall be met.
(12)Â
In-home day care.
(a)Â
An in-home day care shall be registered with the Pennsylvania
Department of Public Welfare and shall comply with applicable requirements
of the Department.
(b)Â
Any outdoor play areas shall be fenced with a self-latching
gate or otherwise secured.
(c)Â
No exterior alterations, additions or other structural changes
shall be made to the dwelling unit in order to accommodate or facilitate
the operation of an in-home day care.
(d)Â
A minimum of one off-street parking space shall be provided
in addition to those otherwise required for the dwelling unit. Such
space may be located in a side or rear area, provided it is not located
in any required yard.
(e)Â
There shall be no signs or exterior display of advertising other than a nameplate sign as permitted by Article IX for no-impact home-based businesses.
(f)Â
An in-home day care shall meet all additional requirements as
defined by a low-impact home-based business.
(13)Â
Junkyard.
(a)Â
All junkyards shall be completely enveloped by a fence or wall that meets the standards of § 300-74.
(b)Â
No junk shall be stacked, stored or maintained at a height greater
than the opaque fence or screen around the junkyard.
(c)Â
Outdoor lighting for buildings and facilities may be approved,
provided it is directed away from residential uses and public rights-of-way.
(14)Â
Landfill.
(a)Â
Land disposal operations shall be limited to: sanitary landfills
or disposal sites for building materials and rubble resulting from
construction, remodeling, repair and demolition project (Class I,
II and III wastes, according to the classification from the Pennsylvania
Solid Waste Management Regulations). Specifically excluded are any
disposal site for hazardous or infectious wastes as regulated by the
PA DEP.
(b)Â
An application shall not be approved unless the proposed landfill
has received at least Phase I approval from PA DEP, and a Township
building permit shall not be issued until the final permit for the
disposal site has been granted by PA DEP and a copy filed with Robinson
Township.
(c)Â
Plans for a proposed waste disposal site shall be submitted
in the form prescribed by Robinson Township. A review and report on
the application shall be obtained from Robinson Township Planning
Commission and the Robinson Township Engineer or other engineers or
specialists, as needed by Robinson Township. All costs for professional
fees relative to the application review shall be paid by the applicant.
(d)Â
The owners/operators of any approved landfill site shall be
required to apply annually for recertification of their approval.
The landfill shall be recertified if the subject site is operating
in accordance with all the standards and conditions of the original
approval. Any deviation from these standards may cause Robinson Township
building permit to be revoked. A suspension or revocation of the PA
DEP disposal site permit shall be an automatic suspension or revocation
of all Township permits and approvals.
(e)Â
If a change of ownership occurs, the new owner shall submit
a new application immediately. Approval of the new application shall
not be granted until a state permit is issued to the new owner by
PA DEP.
(f)Â
The Robinson Township Engineer, or other official designated
by the Board of Commissioners, shall make inspections of the site
at least every six months or upon complaint, to determine if the operation
is being conducted according to approved plans and permits. The cost
of such inspections shall be paid by the disposal site owner. In the
event of any violations, Robinson Township shall seek remedies according
to its own ordinances and shall notify the PA DEP authorities.
(g)Â
No landfill operations shall take place within 100 feet of any property boundary or within 200 feet of any publicly owned recreation land or facility. Bufferyard A, as defined by § 300-72 of this chapter, shall be provided around the perimeter of the disposal site except at approved entrances and exit points.
(h)Â
Access roads to the landfill site shall be constructed according
to PA DEP permit requirements, and private roads shall be maintained
adequately. Robinson Township shall require a bond to be posted of
sufficient amount to cover the cost of maintenance, repair, reconstruction
of any Township roads over which collection and disposal vehicles
may travel to the approved site. The bond shall be reviewed periodically
to determine if the amount is sufficient to cover any maintenances
or repair costs.
(i)Â
No burning of construction, demolition or other waste materials
shall be permitted.
(j)Â
When waste deposits have achieved final elevations or the disposal
operation is to be terminated, the owner shall notify Robinson Township
and shall file a site plan, prepared by a registered professional
engineer, showing the final extent and depth of all disposal operations.
(k)Â
Any proposed reuse of the disposal site or portion thereof shall
be in accordance with all applicable zoning regulations. Robinson
Township shall require that the proper soil investigations be completed
and submitted with any zoning application and that the building foundation
plan be certified by a registered professional engineer specializing
in geotechnical engineering.
(l)Â
Robinson Township Zoning Hearing Board may attach reasonable
conditions and safeguards, in addition to those contained in this
chapter, as it deems necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter
and protect the public health, safety and welfare.
(15)Â
Manufacturing, heavy.
(a)Â
Heavy manufacturing operations shall be authorized, subject
to a review of the impacts of the proposed activity on surrounding
properties and land uses. The following factors shall be considered
at a minimum:
(b)Â
All heavy manufacturing operations shall comply with the performance standards of § 300-63 of this chapter.
(c)Â
The size of the site and its relationship to surrounding uses
shall be evaluated by the Zoning Hearing Board to determine the appropriateness
of the proposed activity at the location proposed.
(d)Â
Adequate public utilities shall be available to meet the requirements
of the proposed manufacturing processes.
(16)Â
Manufacturing, light.
(a)Â
All materials and equipment shall be stored within a completely
enclosed building or structure.
(b)Â
The use shall comply with all performance standards specified
in this chapter.
(c)Â
The storage or manufacture of hazardous or potentially hazardous
materials shall not be permitted.
(d)Â
Hours of operation and activities must be appropriately scheduled
to protect the operation of the surrounding neighborhood from detrimental
noise, dust, odor, vibration, light or other disturbance or interruption.
(e)Â
An inventory of toxic, corrosive, flammable, carcinogenic or
explosive materials, chemicals, liquids, gases or solids stored and/or
used on site shall be available upon request.
(17)Â
Mineral extraction.
(a)Â
There shall be no removal of minerals or vegetative cover within
100 feet of the bank of any stream or natural watercourse identified
on maps prepared by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS).
(b)Â
Mineral extraction shall be prohibited in watersheds or rivers
or streams now or hereafter designated by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission
as a Wilderness Trout Stream, by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection as part of the Scenic Rivers system or designated under
the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
(c)Â
No mineral extraction shall be conducted within 300 feet of
the property line of any public building, school, place of worship,
commercial building, public park or private recreational area.
(d)Â
No mineral extraction shall be conducted within 100 feet of
the outside right-of-way line of any public street, except where access
roads or haulage roads join the right-of-way line and where the appropriate
state or federal agency having jurisdiction over the conduct of mineral
removal operations shall permit it in accordance with law.
(e)Â
No mineral extraction shall be conducted within 100 feet of
the property line of a cemetery.
(f)Â
No mineral extraction shall be conducted within 300 feet of
the property line of an occupied dwelling, unless the consent of the
owner has been obtained in advance of the filing of the application
for zoning approval.
(18)Â
Nonconforming lot of record.
(a)Â
The nonconforming lot of record shall not be subdivided to make
the nonconformity more severe.
(20)Â
Nursing or convalescent home.
(a)Â
A minimum lot area of two acres or 1,000 square feet per resident
shall be required, whichever is greater.
(b)Â
The facility shall have its principal traffic access to a public
street with sufficient capacity to handle the traffic generated by
the proposed use.
(c)Â
Adequate fire lanes shall be provided between structures and
approved by the County Fire Marshal. Building construction shall comply
with all applicable health and safety codes of the county, state and
federal governments.
(d)Â
Ambulance, delivery and service areas shall be obscured from
the view of all residential properties by fencing, decorative walls
or planted screening, as approved by Robinson Township.
(21)Â
Offices, medical.
(a)Â
The landowner and/or developer shall be required to prepare
and submit a traffic impact analysis of the proposed development.
Potential implementation strategies of necessary infrastructure and/or
safety improvements shall be identified in response to the analysis
findings.
(22)Â
Personal care home.
(a)Â
A full or provisional license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
is necessary for initial and continued approval. Suspension or revocation
of the license automatically revokes Robinson Township certificate
of occupancy and special exception authorization.
(b)Â
Change of ownership, sponsorship or of any other condition contained
in the original approval of the home shall constitute a new use, and
the procedure for obtaining special exception approval of a new facility
shall be executed.
(c)Â
No personal care home shall be located within a two-thousand-six-hundred-foot
radius of another personal care or group care facility.
(d)Â
The facility shall comply with local, county and state building,
fire, health or other safety codes. An automatic fire-suppression
system shall be required in any personal care home having an occupant
load of six or more persons. The system shall be installed according
to applicable Uniform Construction Code requirements (most recent
edition). Smoke detectors shall be installed in or in the immediate
vicinity of each bedroom or sleeping area of the home and in the basement
or cellar, if there is one. When activated, the detector shall provide
an alarm suitable to warn the occupants within the individual unit.
When more than one detector is required to be installed within the
personal care home, the detectors shall be wired so that the activation
of one alarm will activate all the alarms in the home.
(e)Â
Parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements specified in § 300-79E of this chapter.
(f)Â
Only those signs permitted in the zoning district in which the
facility is located shall be permitted.
(g)Â
No exterior changes shall be permitted to an existing single-family
structure or property in a residential district which would alter
the residential character of the dwelling or lot.
(23)Â
Place of worship.
(a)Â
If a residential facility (i.e., convent, monastery) is erected
as part of a religious complex within an R-1 or R-2 District, it shall
not house more than 10 persons.
(b)Â
The place of worship shall have direct access to a public street
with sufficient capacity to handle the traffic generated by the proposed
use.
(24)Â
Private club.
(a)Â
The hours of operation must be conspicuously posted at the business
premises such that patrons are sufficiently apprised of the same.
(b)Â
Such club shall not remain open and/or transact business between
the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., prevailing time, of each day.
No club located within 500 feet of a residence or place of worship
shall be open or operated on Sunday.
(25)Â
Public building or use.
(a)Â
The minimum site required shall be one acre.
(b)Â
Public buildings or uses shall be screened from adjacent residential uses or zoning districts with Bufferyard C, as defined in § 300-72 of this chapter.
(c)Â
Adjacent public streets shall have adequate capacity to serve
the traffic volumes anticipated to be generated by the proposed use.
(26)Â
Recreational facilities owned and operated by a public or nonprofit
agency.
(a)Â
In any residential district, all principal structures, such
as pools, bath houses, or clubhouses, must be set back at least 100
feet from the front property line and 50 feet from other property
lines.
(b)Â
Restaurants proposed as an accessory use and other places serving
food or beverages may be permitted but may only be open when the recreational
facilities are operating.
(c)Â
All equipment storage shall be indoors.
(d)Â
The maximum height for any structure is two stories or 35 feet.
(e)Â
Outdoor lighting for buildings and facilities may be approved,
provided it is directed away from residential uses and public rights-of-way.
(f)Â
Adequate off-street parking, as regulated herein, shall be provided.
(g)Â
Activities which produce an objectionable level of noise to
surrounding residential properties may be prohibited.
(27)Â
Recreational horses.
(a)Â
Three acres of land must be provided for the first horse and
one acre for each additional horse up to a maximum of five horses.
(b)Â
The maximum number of horses permitted may be reduced based
on the amount and type of land available and the location of the property
in relationship to adjoining land uses. Other criteria to be included
in a decision shall be: the number of usable acres, topographical
and similar factors such as water supply, and the health, safety and
welfare of the adjoining land uses and residents.
(c)Â
A buffer area around the property, in accordance with § 300-72, may be required as a condition of approval.
(d)Â
Any housing or feeding structures shall be located a minimum
distance of 100 feet from the nearest property line.
(28)Â
Research and development facility handling hazardous or toxic
substances.
(a)Â
All activities shall be conducted within an enclosed building.
(c)Â
The facility shall comply with all applicable federal, state
and county and local laws and regulations regarding the handling of
hazardous or toxic substances. Suspension of any required permits
from other governmental agencies shall result in the suspension of
the certificate of occupancy and shall be considered a violation of
this chapter.
(d)Â
A written description of all materials stored or distributed
by the proposed facility shall be submitted with the application.
Robinson Township Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Chief
and the County Fire Marshal shall be notified of the types of substances
typically stored or transported at the facility.
(e)Â
This listing shall be updated by March 1 of each year and resubmitted
to all parties; failure to do so may result in the certificate of
occupancy being revoked.
(29)Â
Schools.
(a)Â
The property shall have direct access to a public street with
sufficient capacity to handle the traffic generated by the proposed
use.
(b)Â
Parking areas for more than 10 cars shall be screened in accordance with § 300-71E and § 300-79B(9) of this chapter.
(30)Â
Transfer station/incinerator or resource recovery facility.
(a)Â
The site shall have frontage on and direct vehicular access
to an arterial or collector road.
(b)Â
The driveway or haul road entering the site from a public street
shall be paved for a distance of 500 feet from the public street.
If any portion of the driveway leading to and from the facility is
unpaved, a tire washing facility shall be located on the site to service
trucks exiting the facility.
(c)Â
Robinson Township shall require a bond to be posted of sufficient
amount to cover the cost of maintenance, repair and reconstruction
of any Township roads over which the collection and disposal vehicles
may travel to and from the site. The bond shall be reviewed periodically
to determine if the amount is sufficient to cover any maintenance
or repair costs.
(d)Â
No transfer station operations shall be conducted within 200
feet of any property lines adjoining a residential use or zoning district
or within 100 feet of any other property line. No incinerator or resource
recovery facility shall be located within 500 feet of any property
lines adjoining a residential use or zoning district or within 100
feet of any other property line.
(e)Â
Bufferyard A, as defined by § 300-72 of this chapter, shall be provided around the perimeter of the site except at approved entrances and exit points.
(f)Â
Fencing at least six feet in height shall be provided around
any work area for and to control any windblown refuse.
(g)Â
The applicant shall obtain the required permits from the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and any other applicable regulatory agency prior
to initiating any operations.
(h)Â
The owners/operators of any approved transfer station, incinerator
or resource recovery facility shall be required to apply annually
for recertification of their approval. The facility shall be recertified
if it is operating in accordance with all the standards and conditions
of the original approval. Any deviation from these standards may cause
Robinson Township building permit to be revoked. A suspension or revocation
of the PA DEP permit shall be an automatic suspension or revocation
of all Township permits and approvals.
(i)Â
The Robinson Township Engineer or other official designated
by the Board of Commissioners shall inspect the site at least once
every six months or upon complaint, to determine if the operation
is being conducted according to the approved plans and permits. The
cost of such inspections shall be paid by the facility owner/operator.
In the event of violations, Robinson Township shall seek remedies
according to its own ordinances and shall notify the PA DEP authorities.
(j)Â
If a change in ownership occurs, the new owner shall submit
a new application immediately. Approval of the new application shall
not be granted until a state permit is issued by PA DEP.
(31)Â
Wholesale, warehousing or terminal activity handling toxic or
hazardous substances.
(a)Â
The property shall have direct access to an arterial or collector
street, as defined by this chapter, with sufficient capacity to handle
the traffic generated by the proposed use.
(b)Â
Access driveways shall be of adequate design to accommodate anticipated truck traffic safely without causing congestion on public streets. Driveways, entrances and exits shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (67 Pa. Code Article I, §§ 1.7, 1.8, 1.9) or any revisions or amendments thereto. The design shall be such that it permits forward movement of all vehicles both upon entering and leaving the site. Backing of vehicles onto public rights-of-way shall not be permitted.
(c)Â
All parking and loading areas shall be paved and properly drained
in accordance with the off-street parking and loading requirements
of this chapter.
(d)Â
The site shall be surrounded by suitable barriers to ensure
that no portion of a vehicle shall extend beyond a property line into
a public street.
(e)Â
In addition to required parking and loading facilities, adequate
storage areas for vehicles awaiting loading and unloading shall be
provided.
(f)Â
The facility shall comply with all applicable federal, state
and county and local laws and regulations regarding the handling of
hazardous or toxic substances. Suspension of any required permits
from other governmental agencies shall result in the suspension of
the certificate of occupancy and shall be considered a violation of
this chapter.
(g)Â
A written description of all materials stored or distributed
by the proposed facility shall be submitted with the application.
Robinson Township Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Chief
and the County Fire Marshal shall be notified of the types of substances
typically stored or transported at the facility. This listing shall
be updated by March 1 of each year and resubmitted to all parties;
failure to do so may result in the certificate of occupancy being
revoked.