It is the intent of the PU Planned University
District to recognize that substantial contiguous lands are currently
owned and used by the university and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and that such lands are appropriate for campus uses and are planned
for further development by the university as part of its educational
mission. Provision of a zoning district with regulations based upon
principles of sound campus planning will permit the university to
pursue its mission and remain a vital institution while providing
for future development that is compatible with established adjacent
land uses and districts, as well as with environmental features within
and adjacent to the PU Planned University District. Development within
the PU Planned University District shall provide a sound balance between
environmental considerations and campus design principles with particular
emphasis on landscaping to provide visual linkages within the campus,
to define unique spaces, and to provide a buffer for adjacent zoning
districts; preservation of existing woodlands; and provision of stormwater
management to prevent degradation of water quality in watercourses
both within and below the PU Planned University District.
Land and buildings within this district may
be used for any of the following purposes:
A. Buildings for classrooms, laboratories, administration,
maintenance, musical performance or practice, or other similar purposes.
Such buildings shall be reserved for the exclusive use of students,
faculty, staff, visitors and guests of the university.
B. Parking lots serving permitted uses located in the
PU Planned University District.
C. Student housing, including dormitories or apartment
buildings but not including housing for fraternities or sororities.
D. Dining halls, including commercial kitchens for the
exclusive use of the residents of the student housing located in the
PU Planned University District and in adjacent university property
by faculty and staff of the university.
E. Warehouses or other interior storage facilities of
sufficient capacity to provide for the storage of supplies to meet
current operating needs and for the storage of equipment for which
there is a recurrent need, but these facilities shall be limited in
capacity and extent to that required to service and maintain the buildings
and grounds within this PU Planned University District and which are
shown on and developed as a consequence of the now-current and future
campus development plans. No outside storage of supplies and equipment
will be permitted.
F. Athletic and practice fields and facilities for the
use of university students, faculty, guests and visiting teams, designed
for the conduct of sports, including, but not limited to, soccer,
field hockey, lacrosse and tennis.
G. Recreational centers and facilities for the use by
university students, employees and guests.
H. Auditoriums and small conference centers, designed
to accommodate not more than 200 conferees and staff, or buildings
for similar uses.
I. Uses or buildings accessory to a university campus;
such accessory uses may include, but are not limited to, retail sales
activities for the convenience and use of students, faculty, staff
and visitors of the university, and parking lots, provided, however,
that any accessory use that would constitute an independent use in
another zoning district shall be contained in campus buildings and
not in independent buildings.
J. Special events and programs. Buildings, recreational
facilities, and parking lots or structures may be used for special
events and programs open to persons who are neither students nor employed
by the university (either together with students and employees or
where students and employees will not participate). All such events
and programs shall be conducted in a reasonable manner so as not to
unduly interfere with the use of properties in any zoning district
adjoining the PU Planned University District. Such usage shall be
limited to the duration of the special event or program.
K. Forestry (subject to the provisions of §
115-11E of this chapter).
[Added 1-11-2005 by Ord. No. 1-2005]
L. Solar energy systems, as an accessory use, subject to the provisions of §
115-151 of this chapter.
[Added 8-10-2010 by Ord. No. 2-2010]
M. Telecommunication
antennas affixed to existing electrical transmission structures, as
an accessory use, may be permitted by conditional use.
[Added 8-10-2010 by Ord. No. 2-2010]
The following design standards shall apply:
A. Minimum required open space: An area equal to 20%
of any proposed development area shall be set aside and the future
use of such area shall be limited as outlined below. Open space shall
be provided in accordance with the following:
(1)
Open space shall be restricted against further
subdivision or development through establishment of a conservation
easement recorded in the office of the Chester County Recorder of
Deeds, a deed restriction or other means acceptable to the Township.
The university shall be responsible to pay all costs related to the
preparation of documents related to said conservation easement.
(2)
Open space shall be configured in accordance with the findings of the environmental impact assessment (EIA), required as set forth in §
115-51, so as to:
(a)
Minimize negative impacts of development on
the tract.
(b)
Maximize conservation of site features identified
as having particular conservation value or historical significance,
including steep slopes, floodplains, watercourses, wetlands, high
groundwater areas and mature trees, paths and trails and other noted
landscape features.
(c)
Minimize intrusion upon public and private views,
on and off site.
(d)
Provide that all parcels of open space set aside shall be contiguous
(that is, the open space shall have a significant common boundary
which shall not be a street) unless safe and proper access across
the street is provided to enable use of the parcel by the residents
of the PU District and possibly the general public. Safe and proper
access shall include the use of appropriate traffic calming devices
to slow traffic in the area of the crossings and warn motorists of
the oncoming crossing to that portion of the tract being developed
and shall be accessible to the students and faculty as well as the
general public.
[Amended 6-12-2012 by Ord. No. 1-2012]
(3)
The use of open space shall be limited to passive
recreation.
(4)
Areas comprising 50% of the area within a required setback as determined by §
115-147A may be included in open space but in no case shall individual open space parcels be less than two acres in area and 100 feet in width or length, except to provide for common or public recreational trail access.
(5)
No more than 50% of the minimum open space area
shall comprise areas within the floodplain districts, wetlands and
slopes in excess of 20%, as defined herein. Open space areas provided
in excess of the applicable minimum requirement shall not be subject
to this restriction.
(6)
None of the following portions of the designated
open space shall be measured as contributing to the minimum required
open space area:
(a)
Areas within 35 feet of any structure, except
structures devoted to permitted open space uses.
(b)
Areas occupied by overhead electric transmission
lines with an operating voltage in excess of 34 KV.
(c)
Areas occupied by stormwater management facilities, except as provided in Subsection
A(7)(c), below.
(7)
Use of open space area may include the following:
(a)
Woodland, meadow, wetland, game preserve or
similar conservation-oriented area.
(b)
Passive recreation areas.
[Amended 12-13-2006 by Ord. No. 8-2006]
(c)
Stormwater management facilities.
[1]
Stormwater management facilities, which shall
not be counted towards required minimum open space area, except that
areas devoted to stormwater management facilities may be included
within the minimum required open space area where the applicant can
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that such facilities
are designed to:
[a] Promote recharge of the groundwater system in accordance with the provisions for stormwater management and infiltration techniques set forth in Subsection
J of this section or be designed to be used in combination with a bona fide wetlands creation project, designed and constructed in accordance with the standards and specifications for a constructed treatment wetland listed in the Pennsylvania Best Management Practices Manual, latest edition, or in its successor, and approved by the Township Engineer.
[b] Be located completely under the
surface of the ground with the aboveground plan area of the facility
planted with turf grasses; or if any portion of any facility is located
above ground, the design of any earthen berms created to impound the
runoff shall emulate natural rolling topography or man-made landscaped
berms created to enhance aesthetics, rather than uniformly sloped
and shaped earthen dikes. Facilities utilizing berms constructed of
any materials other than earth shall not be permitted for inclusion
in the open space unless advised by the Township Engineer where inclusion
of such materials results in a more aesthetically pleasing configuration
than an earthen berm. Embankment slopes of earthen berms shall be
no steeper than four horizontal to one vertical (25% gradient). Any
other cut or fill slopes within the impoundment area (the total area
graded to create the impoundment) shall also emulate natural topography
or aesthetically pleasing landscaping as described above. Outlet structures
shall be concealed from view by landscaping or other means, or shall
be rendered undetectable as outlet structures by use of facades or
providing a multiuse for the structure, or other means acceptable
to the Board of Supervisors. In the case of combination facilities
where a portion of the facility is located below ground, with impoundment
of runoff above ground planned, the entire facility must be approved
for inclusion in the open space for any portion to be approved.
[c] Be available for active or passive
recreation, and scenic enjoyment.
[d] Otherwise conform to the purposes,
standards and criteria for open space set forth in this chapter.
[2]
The Board of Supervisors shall have final discretion
over the stormwater management/infiltration facilities inclusion in
the open space area proposed for the project. The Board shall consider
the recommendations of the Planning Commission and Environmental Advisory
Council in making their decision.
(8)
Open space shall be managed and maintained by
the university.
B. Landscaping.
(1)
For each proposed development area within the
PU Planned University District, a landscape plan shall be presented
as part of the application for land development plan approval.
(2)
In preparing landscape plans, particular attention
shall be given to the requirement that landscaping shall be designed
to lessen the visual impact of structures and paving as it applies
to adjacent public streets and properties, to defining vehicular,
pedestrian and arrival spaces and to enhance the aesthetic appearance
of a development area and provide shade and the preservation of existing
vegetation, reduce soil erosion, improve air and water quality and
provide wildlife habitats.
(3)
Every effort shall be made to preserve viable
trees, significant existing vegetation and other natural features
in a development area and to incorporate these existing natural features
into an overall planting design. Wooded areas shall be retained to
the extent possible in a size and configuration which will promote
natural growth and regeneration.
(4)
All portions of a property not utilized by buildings
or paved surfaces shall be landscaped utilizing combinations of existing
vegetations, trees, shrubs, lawns, ground cover, mulch, fencing rock
formations, art works and grading. All parts of a development area
being redeveloped, renovated, or improved as part of an application
shall be brought into compliance with the requirements of this section
to the extent possible.
(5)
The following factors shall be considered in
the selection of species by the landscape architect.:
(a)
Suitability of the plant materials, based upon
the site's geology, hydrology, soils and microclimate.
(b)
Functional objectives of the plantings, which
may include, but not necessarily be limited to visual screening, noise
abatement, energy conservation and wildlife habitat enhancement, rooting
pattern and leafing properties.
(c)
Plantings should be proportional to the height
of buildings or structures on the site.
(d)
Maintenance and replacement considerations such
as hardiness, longevity and availability of plant materials, as well
as resistance to insects and disease.
(6)
Planting shall not be installed that will:
(a)
Block, impede or interfere with the construction,
maintenance or operation of roadways, drainage facilities, sanitary
sewers or other aboveground or below ground utilities.
(b)
Diminish sight distances along roadways.
(c)
Cast dense winter shadow on roadways or public
sidewalks (in the case of evergreen plantings).
(d)
Be of an invasive nature (such as bamboo or
honeysuckle), placed within 10 feet of a property line, unless a physical
root barrier, approved by the Township, is authorized.
(7)
Minimum planting size shall be as follows:
(a)
Deciduous tree; 2 1/2 inch caliper.
(b)
Evergreen trees: eight feet in height.
(c)
Shrubs: two feet in height.
C. Buffering.
(1)
Vegetative buffers shall be used to minimize
or eliminate views of development and site elements and to provide
landscaping that will soften the development and provide opportunities
for green links between properties.
(2)
The following requirements are minimum. Additional
plant material, berms or architectural elements may be included in
the plan at the applicant's discretion.
(a)
Perimeter buffers shall be 25 feet in width,
placed at the property or zoning line.
(b)
Any of the following elements may be used in
buffers and screens, provided that the minimum standards prescribed
herein are met:
[1]
Existing vegetation and natural features.
[2]
Proposed new or transplanted vegetation.
[3]
Existing or proposed fences or walls.
[4]
Existing or proposed grading, including berms.
[5]
Preserved existing natural features.
[6]
Fences, walls and berms may be used in conjunction
with required landscaping, not to replace it.
(c)
If berms are proposed, they shall conform to
the following standards:
[1]
Berms shall be a minimum of two feet in height
and shall not exceed a ratio of three foot horizontal distance to
one foot vertical distance.
[2]
The length of any berm segment shall not exceed
200 feet.
[3]
Berms should be located to work in conjunction
with vegetation, fences and/or natural features to provide an effective
buffer. They shall be laid out in a curvilinear manner, whenever space
allows, replicating soft, natural landforms. Their locations shall
not impede or dam the flow of surface water runoff.
(d)
Proposed landscaping shall conform to the requirements of §
115-48B.
D. Access and traffic control shall be as established by §
115-55 of this chapter.
E. Interior circulation shall be as established by §
115-56 of this chapter.
F. Lighting shall be as established by §
115-57 of this chapter.
G. Parking. The following criteria shall govern the requirement
for additional parking in the PU Planned University District.
[Amended 11-8-2005 by Ord. No. 9-2005]
(1)
Student housing: One parking space for each
resident student.
(2)
Auditoriums, conference center, or classroom
buildings: One parking space for each three seats.
(3)
Other buildings and structures: One parking
space per employee on the largest shift.
(4)
The Board of Supervisors may waive required
parking spaces if the applicant can demonstrate that such spaces are
not necessary for the proposed use, or that sufficient spaces are
provided in another location or by shared parking to satisfy any additional
parking demand created by the proposed use. In planning the campus,
shared parking shall be provided to the maximum extent possible.
(5)
In designing parking lots, the standards contained in §
115-58A and
B(1) of this chapter shall apply.
H. Off-street loading shall be provided as established by the provisions of §
115-59 of this chapter.
I. Emission of smoke, fumes or odors shall be controlled as provided by §
115-60 of this chapter.
J. Stormwater management.
(1)
In addition to the design standards established in §
95-26 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for stormwater management, the following standards for infiltration techniques and best management practices shall apply to any project within the Planned University District. The overall stormwater management plan to control the rate of runoff exiting the site shall be prepared per the requirements of §
95-26 of the Subdivision and Land Development ordinance and this chapter, assuming that the required at-source infiltration techniques listed below have failed (i.e., the impervious surfaces remain impervious and the volumes of stone and/or pipe beds do not exist). However, the volume required for the techniques listed below can be applied to the total volume required for infiltration as defined below.
(2)
All designs for rate and volume analysis shall be completed using the soil cover complex methodology, assuming the predeveloped or existing ground cover is meadow, unless the actual coverage is woods. If the actual existing coverage is wooded, it shall be assumed to be in good condition, as defined by "Urban Hydrology For Small Watersheds," latest edition, or its successor. Unless the time of concentration for all postdevelopment drainage areas is assumed to be 0.1 hours, drainage areas for postdeveloped ground cover shall be segregated between impervious and pervious coverage. The runoff curve number for impervious coverage shall be assumed to be 98, and the time of concentration for the impervious areas shall be assumed to be 0.1 hours. The impervious area hydrograph shall be combined with the pervious areas hydrograph to obtain a total hydrograph to the proposed stormwater management rate control facility. In the event of any conflict between the design standards established in this chapter and §
95-26, the more stringent standard shall apply, as determined by the Township Engineer.
(3)
At-source infiltration techniques. Stormwater runoff shall be infiltrated into the ground at its source (i.e., the runoff must be disconnected from the remainder of the runoff generated by the project and infiltrated into the ground immediately), unless it can be clearly demonstrated to the Township Engineer that adequate percolation rates do not exist in the area of the development to allow infiltration techniques to be utilized for stormwater management and best management practices, or other existing site-specific situations render such techniques unfeasible. A professional geotechnical engineer registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall prepare percolation rate data substantiating any claim of inadequate soils. A professional civil engineer experienced in the field of land development engineering (and in responsible charge of the project) registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall prepare a report substantiating any claims of existing site-specific situations that render at-source infiltration techniques unfeasible. The report shall contain (but not be limited to) information regarding the qualifications of the person preparing the plan, and where applicable, excerpts from published documentation generally accepted in the engineering community supporting claims that render at-source infiltration techniques unfeasible. If the claim is based solely upon the previous experiences of the design engineers that are not necessarily documented elsewhere, the report shall contain detailed information with regard to specific site characteristics where the devices failed and detailed explanations of the failure. The proposed layout of the project shall not be an acceptable reason to render at-source infiltration techniques unfeasible. The Township Engineer shall make the final determination of the ability to utilize at-source infiltration techniques as a method of stormwater management. If at-source techniques are determined to be unfeasible, centralized infiltration techniques, as further outlined in Subsection
J(4) below, shall be used to provide the total required infiltration. When determined to be feasible, the following techniques shall be the mandatory means of at-source infiltration:
(a)
Runoff from rooftop areas shall be downspouted
to roof drain drywells at each downspout, or collected in a piping
system and conveyed to a centrally located drywell for each individual
building. Each building shall have a minimum of one drywell to infiltrate
roof runoff. Projects proposing multiple buildings shall be arranged
with ample distance between buildings to allow for the construction
of the drywells, even though there are no specific building separation
standards set forth in this chapter. Each drywell shall be sized to
infiltrate (at a minimum) the difference in volume between predeveloped
and postdeveloped conditions from the two-year return frequency design
storm from the rooftop area. The design of the drywells shall be as
recommended by the State of Maryland, Department of the Environment,
Sediment and Stormwater Administration's "Standards and Specifications
for Infiltration Practices," latest edition, or other methods approved
by the Township Engineer. Each downspout shall contain an overflow
mechanism to convey high-intensity storms to the centralized best
management practice (stormwater management) facilities.
(b)
Runoff from paved parking areas shall be infiltrated
into the ground by means of porous pavement techniques as recommended
by Cahill Associates "Stormwater Management Systems - Porous Pavement
System With Underground Recharge Beds - Engineering Design Report,"
latest edition, or other manuals approved by the Township Engineer.
In cases where porous pavement is not feasible, other acceptable means
of pavement infiltration shall be by providing a recharge bed consisting
of perforated piping and stone located directly under the contributing
parking areas. These recharge beds shall (at a minimum) be sized to
infiltrate the difference in volume between predeveloped and postdeveloped
conditions from the two-year return frequency design storm. The total
volume provided shall consist of a minimum of 50% within the perforated
piping, and a maximum of 50% within the void areas of the stone bedding.
(c)
Patios constructed of impervious materials shall
be prohibited. Decking designed to allow runoff to infiltrate the
ground underneath is encouraged in lieu of patios.
(4)
Centralized infiltration techniques. The total
volume of infiltration required for the Planned University Zoning
District provided within a centralized facility located as closely
as possible to the source of the runoff shall be as follows:
(a)
The difference in volume between predeveloped
and postdeveloped conditions from a two-year return frequency design
storm shall be infiltrated by means of subsurface percolation beds
consisting of perforated piping and stone. A minimum of 50% of this
volume shall be provided within the perforated piping, and no more
than 50% within the void areas of the stone bedding. The volume of
the at-source infiltration techniques mentioned above may be credited
toward satisfying this requirement. However, when completing the rate
analysis required for the overall stormwater management plan, neither
the volume of the at-source techniques, nor the volume of voids within
the stone in the centralized bed, may be utilized for the design.
Each piping network shall provide a means of entry for stormwater
via multiple inlets capable of supporting heavy equipment used for
clean-out and maintenance of the basin.
(b)
In cases where at-source infiltration techniques are determined to be unfeasible by the Township Engineer, the difference in volume between predeveloped and postdeveloped conditions from a five-year return frequency design storm shall be infiltrated by surface depressions or subsurface techniques as described in Subsection
J(4)(a) above. The volumes infiltrated for the two-year return frequency design storm shall be credited toward this total amount. If surface depressions are chosen as the technique of infiltration, their bottoms shall be flat areas sloped no greater than 1%, that pond runoff no greater than one foot in depth. The side slopes of any berms created to impound the runoff shall be no greater than four horizontal to one vertical (25% gradient). Any other slopes within the depression area (the area graded to create the depression) shall also be no greater than 4 horizontal to 1 vertical (25% gradient). To control temperature, all supply channels shall be shaded with canopy trees. Maintenance of these areas should be stipulated in the maintenance plan described in Subsection
J(6) below. Surface infiltration areas shall also be planted with vegetation suitable for removing contaminants from the runoff before infiltration into the ground, and techniques for creating a complete ecosystem in the infiltration area to control problems associated with mosquito breeding shall be employed in the design and approved by the Township Engineer. Any infiltration areas located within 100 feet of any structure shall be segregated by post and rail fencing, or an equivalent approved by the Township Engineer.
(c)
The total impervious area to total infiltration
area ratio for any project shall not exceed 6:1.
(5)
Additional water quality improvement techniques.
The following techniques shall apply to every project within the Planned
University Zoning District:
(a)
All inlets capturing overland stormwater runoff
from impervious surfaces shall be equipped with a filter insert to
remove toxins from the pavement areas for the water quality storm
as defined by the Pennsylvania Best Management Practices Manual, or
other methods as approved by the Township Engineer. The chosen device
shall also provide an overflow mechanism to convey storms of higher
intensity than the water quality storm.
(b)
When discharging directly to a subsurface infiltration
facility or drywell, all roof drain downspouts shall be equipped with
a filter insert to remove toxins from the rooftop areas for the water
quality storm as defined by the Pennsylvania Best Management Practices
Manual, or other methods as approved by the Township Engineer. The
chosen device shall also provide an overflow mechanism to convey storms
of higher intensity than the water quality storm.
(c)
All points of concentrated flow shall discharge
to a forebay area planted with materials to further remove contaminants
from the runoff, and be designed in accordance with the "Pennsylvania
Best Management Practices For Developing Areas," latest edition. The
forebay area shall be created by an earthen berm, and the total volume
of runoff contained within the forebay area shall be a minimum of
0.3 inches per square foot of impervious surface contributing to the
forebay area, unless the referenced design standard requires additional.
No subsurface infiltration shall be permitted within the forebay area.
(d)
All infiltration techniques shall be designed
to dewater in no greater than 48 hours.
(6)
Maintenance of infiltration and water quality
techniques.
(a)
A maintenance plan prepared by a professional
civil engineer versed in the area of hydrology and hydraulics, registered
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and experienced in land development
in the southeastern Pennsylvania region shall be prepared for the
infiltration techniques chosen and overall stormwater management plan.
This plan shall be submitted and approved by the Township Engineer.
The maintenance plan shall address the proper inspection scheduling
and recommended maintenance techniques for each method utilized in
the design. The plan shall address (but not be limited to) the following
topics:
[1]
Qualifications of the person preparing the plan.
[2]
Scheduling of inspection of the rooftop drywells
and proper maintenance or replacement techniques if warranted.
[3]
Scheduling of inspection of any porous paving
systems and vacuuming other maintenance techniques (including pavement
overlays and winter maintenance).
[4]
Scheduling of inspection of any underground
percolation beds and recommended cleaning or replacement techniques.
[5]
Scheduling of inspection of any aboveground
infiltration methods, forebay areas and stormwater management basins
and identification of maintenance techniques to remove invasive vegetation,
desilting the storage area, maintaining the planned ecosystem, etc.
[6]
Scheduling of replacement of inlet and downspout
filtering devices.
[7]
Outline of inspection procedures and reports
to be filed with the Township after inspections are completed.
[8]
Outline of testing procedures to be taken at
each outfall from a best management practice system that leads to
a water of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. At a minimum, the outfall
shall be tested every six months for the substances as required by
the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS-4) permit for East Bradford
Township.
(b)
The engineer who prepares the maintenance plan
shall seal the plan. The plan shall be recorded with the final plan
and associated documents. An inspection report shall be submitted
to the Township after each inspection, outlining the particular items
inspected, the result of the inspection, any course of action necessary
to maintain the facility, the schedule of the maintenance, and the
tentative schedule of the next inspection. The Township Engineer's
inspection representative shall be present at the performance of the
maintenance procedures, and shall supply the Township with an inspection
report of the maintenance. The owner of the facilities shall compensate
the Township for the cost of the inspection and associated administration
time.
(7)
Infiltration requirements mitigation. In the
event any site proposed for development cannot adequately meet the
requirements for infiltration set forth in this chapter and/or the
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for any reason, the required infiltration (utilizing the
same techniques) must be provided elsewhere in the Planned University
District, or on other properties in East Bradford Township (regardless
of the zoning) located within the same watershed as the proposed development,
preferably upstream of the proposed development. Each area shall mitigate
only one development area (providing one large area for several developments
is not allowed). Also, the mitigation design shall be submitted and
approved with the proposed land development submission, and shall
be constructed prior to the completion of the proposed development.