In expansion of the declaration of legislative intent and statement of community development objectives found in Article I of this chapter, the primary purpose of the R-2 Low-Density Residential District is to preserve open land, sensitive natural areas, and rural community character that would be lost under conventional development. In addition, the intent of this district is to permit a reasonable amount of residential development in the form of small, compact neighborhoods of single-family detached homes in an open space setting, located and designed to reduce the perceived intensity of development, preserve natural features and farmland, and provide privacy and neighborhood identity. Specific objectives are as follows:
A.Â
To provide for a variety of lotting opportunities
consistent with the primary purpose of this district.
B.Â
To preserve open land, including those areas containing
unique and sensitive natural features such as woodlands, steep slopes,
streams, floodplain and wetlands, by setting them aside from development.
C.Â
To preserve scenic views and elements of the Township's
rural character, and to minimize perceived density, by minimizing
views of new development from existing roads.
D.Â
To provide greater design flexibility and efficiency
in the siting of services and infrastructure, including the opportunity
to reduce length of roads, utility runs, and the amount of paving
required for residential development.
E.Â
To create compact neighborhoods with direct visual
access to preserved open land, with amenities in the form of neighborhood
open space, and with a strong neighborhood identity.
F.Â
To implement the goals of the Township's Comprehensive
Plan and open space/recreation plan.
G.Â
To reduce erosion and sedimentation by the retention
of existing vegetation, and the minimization of development on steep
slopes.
H.Â
To create new woodlands through natural succession
and reforestation where appropriate, and to encourage the preservation
and improvement of habitat for various forms of wildlife.
I.Â
To preserve areas of the Township with productive
agricultural soils for continued or future agricultural use, by preserving
blocks of land large enough to allow for efficient farm operations.
J.Â
To provide for the preservation and maintenance of
open land within the Township to achieve the above-mentioned goals
and for active or passive recreational use by residents.
K.Â
To provide standards for preservation of open land
and neighborhood lotting to be used in this district.
Land in the R-2 Low-Density Residential District
may be used for the following purposes:
A.Â
Residential development and related open land. Single-family detached dwellings shall be permitted at a maximum density of one dwelling unit per one gross acre. Maximum tract density may be reduced by the environmental adjustment factors in § 170-41 of this chapter, as determined by the formula in § 170-41B(1) of this chapter.
(2)Â
Neighborhood lotting. Tracts of 10 acres or more may be planned for single-family detached dwellings in compliance with the density and dimensional regulations for neighborhood lotting in § 170-50 and the development regulations for neighborhood lotting in § 170-53, with at least 55% of the tract preserved as common open land. Neighborhood lotting is permitted when approved as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors, in compliance with § 170-31 of this chapter.
B.Â
Other principal uses.
(1)Â
Agricultural activities of the following types:
(a)Â
The cultivation, harvesting, and sale of crops
and related farm products raised on the property.
(b)Â
The raising and sale of livestock or fowl, along
with associated pasture and grazing land. The sale of livestock or
fowl shall be permitted only if raised on the property.
(c)Â
Orchards, nurseries, greenhouses, and related
horticultural uses.
(2)Â
Open space uses, primarily passive in nature, including
wildlife sanctuary, forest preserve, nature center, and similar uses.
(3)Â
Game farm, fish hatchery, hunting or fishing preserve;
or similar uses designed for the protection or propagation of wildlife.
(4)Â
Parks and recreation areas in compliance with the standards and criteria of Article XIII, Institutional and Recreational Overlay District, when approved by the Board of Supervisors.
(5)Â
Institutions, by conditional use and in compliance with the standards and criteria of Article XIII, Institutional and Recreational Overlay District, when approved by the Board of Supervisors.
(6)Â
Government uses, public utility facility.
A.Â
Single-family detached dwellings under conventional
lotting:
(1)Â
Minimum developable lot area (for maximum tract density calculations, § 170-41B of this chapter): one acre.
(2)Â
Minimum lot size [for platting lots on a subdivision plan and for compliance with lot size standards, § 170-41D(1) of this chapter]: one acre (43,560 square feet).
(3)Â
Minimum buildable area for each building lot [for compliance with buildable area standards, § 170-41D(2) of this chapter]: 10,890 square feet.
(4)Â
Minimum lot width: 150 feet at the building setback
line.
(5)Â
Minimum front yard setback: 50 feet.
(6)Â
Minimum side yard setback: 35 feet each.
[Amended 6-2-2015 by Ord.
No. 15-04]
(7)Â
Minimum rear yard setback: 50 feet.
(8)Â
Maximum building coverage: 10% of lot area.
(9)Â
Maximum height: 35 feet maximum for the principal
building, 15 feet for any accessory buildings.
B.Â
Single-family detached dwellings under neighborhood
lotting:
(1)Â
Minimum developable lot area (for maximum tract density calculations, § 170-41B of this chapter): one acre.
(2)Â
Minimum lot size [for platting lots on a subdivision plan and for compliance with lot size standards, § 170-41D(1) of this chapter]: 10,000 square feet.
(3)Â
Maximum lot size: two acres, unless the lot is an estate lot which complies with § 170-46E of this chapter.
(4)Â
Minimum buildable area for each building lot [for compliance with buildable area standards, § 170-41D(2) of this chapter]: 10,000 square feet.
(5)Â
Minimum tract size: 10 gross acres.
(6)Â
Minimum common open land: 55% of gross tract acreage.
(7)Â
Minimum lot width: 75 feet at the building setback
line.
(8)Â
Minimum front yard setback: 25 feet.
(9)Â
Minimum side yard setback: 10 feet each.
[Amended 6-2-2015 by Ord.
No. 15-04]
(10)Â
Minimum rear yard setback: 25 feet.
(11)Â
Maximum building coverage: 18% of lot area.
(12)Â
Maximum height: 35 feet maximum for the principal
building, 15 feet for any accessory buildings.
A.Â
Each lot must have a suitable location for the on-site
sewer and water systems, in compliance with the requirements of the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery
County Health Department.
A.Â
All developments under the neighborhood lotting option shall comply with all the requirements of § 170-46 of the R-1 District (including: inventory, analysis and optional and required sketch plans; neighborhood design standards; neighborhood setbacks; neighborhood open space standards; estate lot standards; open land standards; ownership and maintenance of common facilities and open land; and phasing of development), except that neighborhood lotting in the R-2 District shall have a minimum of 55% of the gross tract acreage as common open land.
B.Â
Sewage disposal.
(1)Â
Dwellings on lots of less than one acre shall be served
by centralized or public sewage disposal systems.
(2)Â
When centralized sewage disposal systems use a portion
of the open land area of a neighborhood lotting or lot reduction subdivision,
easements shall be required, as appropriate.
(3)Â
All sewage disposal shall conform to the Townships
Official Sewage Facilities Plan (Act 537), as amended, and may include
the following alternatives:
