[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Independence 3-10-1986
by Ord. No. 86-4 (Ch. 69 of the 1984 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
The Township Committee hereby finds that uniformity in the exterior
design and appearance of dwellings erected in the same residential neighborhood
tends to adversely affect the desirability of the immediate and neighboring
areas for residential purposes; tends to impair the value of both improved
and unimproved real property in such areas with attendant deterioration of
conditions affecting the health, safety and general welfare of the inhabitants
thereof and the Township at large; and it discourages the promotion of a desirable
visual environment through creative development techniques and good civic
design and arrangements. It is the purpose of this chapter to prevent these
and other harmful effects of uniformity in the design and appearance of dwellings
erected in any housing development in the same residential neighborhood and
thus to promote and protect the health, safety and general welfare of the
Township.
Except as provided in this chapter, not more than one building permit
shall hereafter be issued for any dwelling to be erected in a housing development
consisting of two or more houses if the dwelling is substantially the same
in exterior design and appearance as any neighboring dwelling situated on
the same or opposite side of the street within 150 feet of a dwelling then
in existence or for which a building permit has been issued or is pending.
The distance herein specified shall be construed to mean the distance between
the side lines of each lot or parcel as extended and measured along the center
line of the street.
A.
Houses of the same model within the specified distance
from each other shall be considered substantially the same in exterior design
and appearance unless there is a substantial change in the exterior appearance,
including the following:
(1)
Change in the silhouette which may include changes in
the roof design, chimneys, overhangs, facias, porches, porticos, breezeways,
orientation of the garage, detached garages, etc.
(2)
Change in the front entry design, approach and landscaping.
(3)
Change in fenestration.
(4)
Change in exterior finish material on all four sides.
B.
But, under no circumstances may more than two houses
of the same model be built on consecutive lots on the same side of the street
or, in the alternative, opposite each other, regardless of the changes. No
house to be constructed on a corner lot of the same street intersection shall
be of the same model as any other house built on a corner lot of the same
intersection.
C.
For the purposes of this section, basic house design
refers to split-level, ranch, bilevel, two-story, cape cod, colonial, etc.,
and model refers to a basic house design having substantially the same basic
exterior dimensions and floor plan. Variation in room sizes or reversal of
the floor plans, front to back or side to side, shall not constitute a separate
floor plan.
In addition to the requirements specified in § 130-3, there shall be a variety of separate basic house designs in every housing development and in no event less than the following:
|
Total Number of Houses
in the Development
|
Minimum Number of Separate
Basic House Designs
|
|---|---|
|
4 to 7
|
2
|
|
8 to 24
|
3
|
|
25 and over
|
4
|
To ensure conformity with the provisions of this chapter, there shall
be no issuance of a building permit for any lot forming part of a development
of two or more houses until the Construction Official has determined that
the proposed house or houses satisfies the requirements of this chapter. Prior
to the issuance of any such building permit, the Construction Official shall
request whatever information he deems reasonably necessary to satisfy him
that the houses covered by the building permits requested conform to this
chapter.
