The standards contained in this section are intended to guide the layout and design of development, improve the general appearance of the community, increase safety and encourage compatibility among uses.
A site plan or subdivision which includes a proposal to deviate from any of the regulations shall require an exception or waiver. An exception or waiver may be granted when, in the opinion of the Board, such exception will result in an improvement in the design and/or layout of the development plan when compared to the design and/or layout which would result from the strict application of the regulations and provided that no such exception shall be granted unless the Board finds that the exception or waiver can be granted without substantial detriment to the public good or substantial impairment of the intent and purpose of the zone plan and zoning ordinance.
A. 
Within any residential district, no building with permitted professional or office occupation shall be constructed or altered so as to be inharmonious with the residential character of the adjacent residential areas.
B. 
Within the C-1 Downtown Commercial District, facades shall be designed to be compatible with the small scale retail character of the street with amenities to encourage pedestrian traffic. Parking should be visually buffered from the street by plantings.
C. 
Due to problems associated with building maintenance, serviceability, vandalism potential, and adverse visual impact of the community, the use of stucco or similar cementous surface coatings shall not be permitted as an exterior covering on the first floor of a nonresidential structure. The exterior cladding of masonry nonresidential structures shall be finished in brick or unpainted ornamental or textured concrete masonry units. The use of untextured concrete masonry units, whether painted or not, shall be prohibited.
A. 
All streets shall be provided with manholes, catch basins and pipes where necessary for proper surface drainage.
B. 
Total stormwater runoff from a site after development shall be limited to not more than the runoff from the site in its predeveloped state. Detention and retention facilities shall be utilized to limit such runoff. The Board may waive this requirement if the nature of the site, the character of adjacent previously developed areas or other factors make the utilization of runoff limiting devices unnecessary, inadvisable or impractical.
C. 
The system shall be adequate to carry off or store the stormwater and natural drainage water which originates not only within the lot or tract boundaries, but also that which originates beyond the lot or tract boundaries. No stormwater runoff or natural flooding shall be so diverted as to overload existing drainage systems or create flooding or the need for additional drainage structures on other private properties or public lands without proper and approved provisions being made for taking care of these conditions. Drains for the purpose of disposing of sump pump and/or roof leader runoff must outlet into an adequate watercourse or drainage system as approved by the Municipal Engineer.
D. 
The existing system of natural drainage within each site shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. To this end, the Board may require the preservation of natural drainage swales, recharge areas, wet weather ponds and similar features and may require suitable drainage and conservation easements.
All lots being filled shall be filled with clean fill and/or topsoil to allow complete surface draining of the lot into local storm sewer systems or natural drainage rights-of-way. No construction shall be permitted which creates or aggravates water stagnation or a draining problem on adjacent properties.
A. 
Natural features such as trees, hills, views, streams and open waters shall be preserved whenever possible in designing any development on a lot containing such features. The landscaping should accent and complement buildings and retain the indigenous vegetation to the greatest extent possible.
B. 
Lots from which trees and shrubs have been removed shall be replanted to reestablish the natural setting of the area in conformance with adjacent lots.
C. 
Areas of a site not occupied by buildings, pavement, sidewalks, required screening, required parking area landscaping, required safety islands, or other required improvements shall be landscaped.
D. 
Newly planted shade and landscape trees shall be of satisfactory stock and shall have a minimum caliper of 2.5 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh). All nursery stock should be balled and burlapped. In approving the number, locations and types of trees, the Board shall consider safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, including visibility and sight distance, breakage of limbs of brittle trees, potential interference with utility poles and lines, and consistency with the general character of the area.
E. 
All plantings shall be at least a maximum mature distance from a foundation wall or fence, and in no case less than two feet therefrom. Varieties shall be selected and specified as appropriate to sun and wind exposures and shall be suitable in mature size for the location to be planted. Trees shall be placed no closer than 10 feet to an underground utility or infrastructure line.
F. 
Each evergreen and deciduous shrub planted shall be satisfactorily mulched.
G. 
All trees, shrubbery and other plantings which fail to survive a period of two years following certification shall be replaced by the builder at no cost or expense to the Township. Said replacement shall be within 60 days following written demand for such replacement from the Township or for such extended periods as may be specified.
H. 
Evergreen trees should be at least four feet tall at planting. Shrubs should be at least two feet tall at planting.
I. 
Existing trees should be saved by not varying the grade around the trees by more than six to 12 inches, construction of tree wells and erection of protective fences. Maximum effort should be directed to saving clumps of trees rather than individual ones.
J. 
Landscaping should provide a variety and mixture of plantings. The selection should consider susceptibility to disease, colors, season, texture, shapes, blossoms and foliage.
A. 
The style of the light and light standard shall be consistent with the architectural style of the principal building or general character of the surrounding area.
B. 
The maximum height of freestanding lights shall be the same as the principal building but not exceeding 20 feet.
C. 
All lights shall be shielded to restrict the maximum apex angle of the cone of illumination to 150º and shall face downwards and be parallel to the ground.
D. 
Where lights along property lines may be visible to adjacent residents, the lights shall be appropriately shielded.
E. 
Spotlight-type fixtures attached to buildings and exposed neon lighting fixtures attached to the exterior of buildings or mounted inside building windows are prohibited.
F. 
Freestanding lights shall be so located and protected as to avoid being easily damaged by vehicles.
G. 
Lighting should be located along streets, parking areas, at intersections and crosswalks and where various types of circulation systems merge, intersect or split.
H. 
Pathways, sidewalks and trails should be lighted with low bollard or mushroom-type standards.
I. 
Stairways and sloping or rising paths, building entrances and exits, require illumination.
J. 
Lighting should be provided where buildings are set back or offset.
K. 
The following intensity in footcandles should be provided:
(1) 
Parking lots: an average of two footcandles throughout.
(2) 
Intersections: three footcandles.
(3) 
Maximum at property lines: 1.0 footcandle.
(4) 
In residential areas: average of 0.25 footcandles at the property line.
L. 
Display lighting shall be shielded and shall be so located and maintained as not to constitute a hazard or nuisance to the traveling public or to neighbors. In particular, so called "string lights" shall not be permitted.
A. 
Shopping, office, and commercial center requirements.
(1) 
All buildings shall be of the same architectural style and shall form a visually and functionally cohesive unit.
(2) 
Buildings shall not exceed one story in height.
(3) 
Buildings shall be set back 75 feet from the street and 30 feet from all other property lines.
(4) 
A landscaped buffer 10 feet in width shall be provided between the center along any interior property line that abuts a residential zone.
(5) 
No more than two accessways shall be permitted to any street.
B. 
General requirements.
(1) 
One building may contain more than one business activity, provided that the total building coverage of the combined activities does not exceed maximum building coverage specified for the district.
(2) 
At least the first 15 feet adjacent to any street line shall not be used for parking, and shall be planted and maintained in lawn area, and shall be separated from the parking area by poured concrete curbing.
(3) 
Outside storage of equipment; temporary and portable structures.
(a) 
No waste or equipment shall be stored outside. Storage shall be limited to a reasonable supply, within a building or fenced area, of those articles which are to be displayed and sold on the premises, provided that no goods, articles, appliances or vehicles shall be displayed or offered for sale beyond the front line of the buildings on such premises or beyond the side line of the buildings of corner premises.
(b) 
No stands of any kind or temporary building, trailer vehicle outbuilding, shack or tent for the conduct of business shall be permitted.
(c) 
No structure or building of a portable nature or vehicle of any kind shall be permitted to be located or operated upon a lot in any business district for the purpose of selling food, merchandise or commodities of any kind.
(4) 
All buildings shall be compatibly designed, whether constructed all at one time or in stages over a period of time. All building walls facing any street or residential district line shall be suitably finished for aesthetic purposes and shall not be unpainted or painted cinder block or concrete block walls.
(5) 
A minimum buffer area of 20 feet in width shall be provided along any common property line with a residential district or residential use.
C. 
Off-street parking requirements. Parking areas for individual uses shall be designed to be interconnected with adjacent properties and shall utilize common entrance(s) and exit(s), where feasible, to minimize access points to the street.
An application for a permit shall provide documentation that the intended use will comply with the performance standards enumerated below. In the case of a structure being built where the future use is not known, a building permit may be issued with the condition that no certificate of occupancy will be issued until such time as this documentation is submitted with respect to the particular occupant. A new application and a new certificate of occupancy shall be required in the event of a change of any use of any structure.
A. 
Electrical and/or electronic radiation control. All electrical, electronic, and electromagnetic devices located within the boundaries of a dwelling unit, manufacturing, industrial or commercial building, medical clinic or professional office shall be subject to the provisions of all state and federal regulations. Applicant shall, upon request, produce certified data wherein measurements made in accordance with state and federal guidelines and adequately demonstrate compliance to the minimum standards.
B. 
Glare. No use shall provide a strong, dazzling light or reflection of a strong, dazzling light or glare beyond its lot lines. Exterior lighting shall be shielded, buffered and directed so that glare, direct light or reflection will not become a nuisance to adjoining properties, adjoining dwelling units, adjoining districts or streets.
C. 
Heat. No use shall produce heat perceptible beyond its lots lines. Further, no use shall be permitted which would cause the temperature to rise or fall in any part of ponds, streams or other watercourses.
D. 
Noise. Noise levels for commercial and industrial establishments shall be designed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the minimum thresholds according to state statute.
E. 
Odor. Odor levels for commercial and industrial establishments shall be designed, operated, and maintained within the minimum thresholds according to state statute.
F. 
Storage and waste disposal.
(1) 
No materials or wastes shall be deposited upon a lot in such form or manner that they may be transferred off the lot by natural causes or forces, nor shall any substance be deposited which can contaminate an underground aquifer or otherwise render such underground aquifer undesirable as a source of water supply or recreation, or which will destroy aquatic life. All materials or wastes which might cause fumes or dust or which constitute a fire hazard or which may be edible or otherwise attractive to rodents or insects shall be stored indoors and enclosed in appropriate containers adequate to eliminate such hazards.
(2) 
Storage shall be limited to a reasonable supply within a building or fenced area of those articles which are to be displayed or sold on the premises, provided that no goods, articles, appliances or vehicles shall be displayed or offered for sale beyond the front line of the building on such premises or beyond the side line of the buildings or corner premises.
G. 
Vibration. Vibration levels for commercial and industrial establishments shall be designed, operated, and maintained within the minimum thresholds according to state statute.
Solid wastes and recyclables from all uses other than single-family dwellings, if stored outdoors, shall be placed in metal receptacles within a screened refuse area.
A. 
The screened refuse area shall not be located within any front yard area.
B. 
The refuse storage area shall be surrounded on at least three sides by a solid masonry enclosure or wall not less than six feet in height.
C. 
A three-foot minimum width landscaping area shall be provided along the fence or wall enclosing the refuse storage area. The landscaping to be provided shall be shown on the site plan.
D. 
The opening in the enclosed refuse area shall be located to minimize the view of refuse from adjoining properties or public streets.
E. 
If located within or adjacent to a parking area or access drive, the enclosed refuse area shall be separated from such parking area or access drive by curbing and shall not be located so as to interfere with traffic circulation or the parking of vehicles.
F. 
All refuse shall be deposited in containers maintained within the refuse area. No containers shall be maintained anywhere on a site except in a refuse area meeting these requirements.
A. 
New utility distribution lines and telephone lines to locations not presently served by utilities shall be placed underground.
B. 
All electric utility transmission lines shall be located on existing towers or underground to the maximum extent practical.
C. 
Aboveground generating facilities, switching complexes and pumping stations shall be screened with vegetation from adjacent uses, in accordance with the buffer requirements established in this article.
D. 
The installation of such utilities shall conform to § 142-36I of this chapter.