[Added 4-18-1988 by Ord. No. 17-041]
The District established by this article is in accordance with the land use policies and objectives established by the Montgomery Township Comprehensive Plan. It is intended to achieve the following:
A. 
To permit construction of a golf course residential community with clubhouse, dining, banquet and golf course facilities.
B. 
To preserve and support the character of existing recreational and residential uses in the Township.
C. 
To assure light, air and privacy, as far as possible, by controlling the spacing and height of buildings and other structures.
D. 
To protect residential areas against hazards of fire, offensive noise, vibration, smoke, odors, glare or other objectionable influences.
E. 
To prevent congestion, as far as possible, by regulating the density of population and the bulk of buildings and by providing for sufficient off-street parking.
F. 
To protect residential neighborhoods, as much as possible, from heavy or through traffic.
A. 
Uses by right. In any R-6 Golf Course Residential District, land, building or premises shall be used by right for any of the following purposes and no other:
(1) 
Residential dwellings and uses as an integral part of a golf course to include:
(a) 
Single-family attached dwellings, subject to the area, height and bulk regulations set forth in § 230-71A.
[Amended 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 04-191Z]
(b) 
Single-family detached dwellings subject to the area, height and bulk regulations set forth in § 230-71C.
(2) 
Public golf course with clubhouse, pro shop, dining and/or banquet facilities. (A “public golf course” shall be defined as a golf course which does not prohibit or prevent access by the general public through the sale of exclusive memberships.) Regulations for the clubhouse, banquet facilities and golf course shall be:
[Amended 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 04-191Z]
(a) 
Seating capacity: 500 maximum.
(b) 
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(c) 
Setback from property lines: 500 feet minimum.
(d) 
Setback from dwellings within the site: 100 feet minimum.
(e) 
Building coverage: 20,000 square feet maximum.
(f) 
A golf course shall comply with Article II, Definitions.
(3) 
Any use permitted in R-1 Residential Districts. If the property is developed entirely in accordance with the R-1 zoning regulations, no golf course is required.
(4) 
Accessory uses on the same lot with and customarily incidental to any of the foregoing uses, including private or semi-private recreation facilities and signs permitted under § 230-72S of this chapter.
[Amended 6-22-1992 by Ord. No. 92-1]
(5) 
Such wireless telecommunications facilities as permitted by right, special exception or conditional use, depending on the type of facility, in compliance with Article XXX herein.
[Added 1-11-1999 by Ord. No. 98-97Z]
B. 
Density. A maximum of 2.2 dwelling units per gross acre may be constructed in an R-6 Golf Course Residential District.
C. 
Dwelling unit mix. The dwelling units in the R-6 Golf Course Residential District shall consist of a minimum of 12.5% single-family detached dwelling units.
[Amended 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 04-191Z]
D. 
Overall district requirements. In the R-6 Golf Course Residential District, the following requirements shall be met with regard to the entire tract or tracts of land which comprise the residential golf course community:
Requirement
Value
Size (minimum acres)
150
Buffer, front* (minimum feet from curbline of adjoining street or from boundary of tract)
75
Buffer, side* (minimum feet from boundary of tract)
50
Buffer, rear* (minimum feet from boundary of tract)
50
Open space (minimum percentage of total tract)
50
*NOTE: Such buffers may include the golf course. Buffers are included in open space.
A. 
In R-6 Golf Course Residential Districts, the following area, height and bulk regulations shall apply to single-family attached dwellings:
[Amended 7-23-2007 by Ord. No. 07-219Z]
Requirement
Single-
Family Attached
Multifamily
Patio Homes
Lot size (minimum square feet per dwelling unit)
N/A
--
--
Building coverage (maximum percentage of lot area)
N/A
--
--
Maximum impervious surface ratio
70%
70%
80%
Outdoor living space (minimum square feet per dwelling unit)
1,000
--
--
Height (maximum feet)
30
--
--
Setback from:
--
--
Right-of-way (minimum feet)
23
--
--
Common parking area (minimum feet)
15
--
--
Other building (minimum feet)
--
--
Front to front
60
--
--
Front to back
60
--
--
Back to back
60
--
--
Side to front/back
40
--
--
Side to side
25
--
--
Maximum number of units per building
6
--
--
B. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, pertaining to requirements for patio homes, was repealed 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 04-191Z.
C. 
In the R-6 Golf Course Residential District, the following area, height and bulk regulations shall apply to single-family detached dwellings.
[Amended 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 04-191Z]
(1) 
Minimum lot area. The minimum lot size permitted shall be 9,400 square feet.
(2) 
Minimum lot width. The minimum lot width at the building line shall be 90 feet. The minimum lot width at the street line shall be 50 feet.
(3) 
Minimum setbacks. The minimum setbacks shall be:
(a) 
Front yard: 23 feet from right-of-way.
(b) 
Side yard:
[1] 
Interior lots: There shall be two side yards having an aggregate width of not less than 25 feet, each side yard having a width of not less than 10 feet.
[2] 
Corner lots: There shall be two front yards and two rear yards. The minimum lot size shall be 14,000 square feet.
(c) 
Rear yard: 25 feet.
(4) 
Building coverage. The maximum building coverage of any lot shall be 30% of the total lot area.
(5) 
The maximum impervious surface ratio shall be 50% for each lot. (NOTE: This provision regulates single-family detached dwellings.)
[Added 7-23-2007 by Ord. No. 07-219Z]
D. 
Residential parking requirements.
[Amended 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 04-191Z]
(1) 
Single-family attached dwellings shall provide 2.5 off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit for units with garages, and each garage shall count as one parking space. Units without garages shall provide two off-street parking spaces. Each driveway shall count as one parking space unless it is either a minimum of 20 feet wide or a minimum of 35 feet long (not including that portion which is in the right-of-way), in which case it will be considered as two parking spaces. The developer shall prohibit street parking by deed restriction.
(2) 
(Reserved)
(3) 
Single-family detached dwellings shall provide two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit, not including garages. A driveway sufficiently wide to allow two cars to park side by side (minimum width of 20 feet) shall be considered as two spaces.
E. 
Distance from fairway. Dwelling units must be located a minimum of 150 feet from the actual golf hole located on the green. Dwelling units must also be located a minimum distance of 75 feet from any golf tee. The minimum setback distance from the center line of the fairway increases gradually from 75 feet at the tee to 150 feet at a point 400 feet away from the tee. The minimum setback distance then remains at 150 feet for the remainder of the fairway. These standards may be adjusted with protective screening and landscape plantings in the actual golf course layout when prepared by a certified golf course architect, subject to review by the Township.
In an R-6 Golf Course Residential District, the following requirements shall apply:
A. 
The development shall be constructed in accordance with an overall plan which shall include a landscaping plan.
B. 
Provision shall be made for ownership and maintenance responsibility of all property contained in the development which is not contained in an individual lot for a dwelling.
C. 
All paved areas for vehicular use, all pedestrian walks and other paved areas shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the applicable Township regulations, including those of the Subdivision Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Subdivision and Land Development.
D. 
Fire lanes, as required by the Fire Marshal, and areas for loading and unloading of delivery trucks and other vehicles and for the servicing of refuse collection, fuel and other services shall be provided and shall be adequate in size and shall be so arranged that they may be used without blockage or interference with the use of accessways or automobile parking facilities.
E. 
Provision shall be made for safe and efficient ingress and egress to and from public streets and highways serving the development site without undue congestion to or interference with normal traffic flow.
F. 
All utility lines servicing the development shall be placed underground.
G. 
All buildings shall be served by a public sanitary sewage disposal system and public water supply, including fire hydrants.
H. 
Lighting facilities provided shall be arranged in a manner which will protect the highway and neighboring properties from unreasonable direct glare or hazardous interference of any kind. Lighting facilities shall be required where deemed necessary by the Board of Supervisors for the safety and convenience of the residents and patrons of golf course club facilities.
I. 
Landscaping and screening. All front yards, side yards and rear yards shall be landscaped in accordance with a landscaping and screening plan as provided in Article VI of Chapter 205, the Montgomery Township Subdivision Ordinance, with the following exceptions:
[Amended 6-22-1992 by Ord. No. 92-1]
(1) 
Street trees.
(a) 
There are no street tree requirements along proposed or existing sidewalks, pedestrian ways, cart paths or trails within the development.
(b) 
Street trees may be placed within the street right-of-way.
(2) 
Buffer plantings.
(a) 
Buffer plantings are not required in areas where golf holes are provided as buffers.
(b) 
Buffer areas may be used for the golf course.
(c) 
The slope restrictions in § 205-52A(4) of Chapter 205 shall not apply when a golf hole is used as a buffer.
(3) 
Screen buffer. No screen buffer is required where a golf hole is used as a buffer.
(4) 
Detention basin landscaping. There is no tree planting requirement for detention basins which are designed as an integral part of the golf course.
(5) 
Individual lot landscaping. In order to preserve views of the golf course, only one shade tree per lot will be required.
J. 
The developer shall preserve or incorporate natural features such as woods, streams, floodplains and open space areas which add to the overall cohesive development of the Golf Course Residential District and adjacent districts.
K. 
The developer shall give consideration to the provisions of community areas, laundry facilities, playgrounds, open space and other services necessary for the comfort and convenience of the residents.
L. 
Clubhouse and banquet facilities shall be provided with trash receptacles convenient to service entrances and screened or enclosed as a part of the architectural treatment of the building. Incinerators are not permitted in the buildings. If townhouses do not have garages, townhouses must be provided with trash receptacles.
[Amended 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 04-191Z]
M. 
All mechanical equipment shall be installed and maintained so that no noise therefrom can be heard at the property line.
N. 
Where elevators are provided, the developer shall submit detailed information of the size and rate of elevators and their adequacy to serve the proposed building. In order to provide adequate room in elevators for ambulance stretchers and emergency equipment, at least one elevator must have one horizontal dimension which is at least eight feet (inside cab).
O. 
Snow shall be removed from all private roadways, sidewalks and parking areas within 24 hours after snow has ceased to fall. The application for a building permit shall indicate the method of removing snow, including storage areas for such snow located so that they will not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian movement or visibility.
P. 
All buildings shall be designed to meet all requirements of Building Regulations for Protection from Fire and Panic, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Labor and Industry. No building permits are to be issued until evidence of submittal and approval by the above agency is furnished to the Township. No buildings or dwelling units are to be occupied until copies of the Department of Labor and Industry occupancy permit are furnished to the Township, showing evidence that buildings have been inspected and comply with the approved drawings and all other requirements of the Department of Labor and Industry.
Q. 
All surface water drainage shall be collected and conveyed in accordance with proper engineering practices and design as approved by the Township Engineer.
R. 
Attached buildings shall have breaks in both the roofline and the front and rear building walls as specified below. Breaks shall be utilized so as to minimize earthmoving and removal or impacting, due to cut or fill, on adjacent existing vegetation.
(1) 
Vertical breaks. A total break footage of four vertical feet in minimum increments of 18 inches shall be included in every 160 horizontal building feet.
(2) 
Horizontal breaks. A total break footage of eight horizontal feet in minimum increments of three feet shall be included in every 160 horizontal building feet. In addition, angles in the building wall of 22º or more shall be considered equivalent to a five-foot break. Breaks in walls shall be varied by change in building texture, provided that a common architectural theme is carried out by means of consistent exterior detailing, materials and colors.
S. 
In the R-6 Golf Course Residential Districts, signs shall be permitted in accordance with the Montgomery Township Sign Ordinance,[2] with the following exceptions:
(1) 
A sign for the golf course and its related activities, including clubhouse, pro shop, dining and/or banquet facilities, indicating the name of the institution and its activities or services, will be allowed, provided that the area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed 35 square feet.
(2) 
There shall be permitted one freestanding sign indicating the name and address of the development located at each permanent vehicular entrance to the community. Each sign shall not exceed 20 square feet of area on one side.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Article XVIII, Signs, of this chapter.
A. 
Any application for a building permit for erection or alteration of or addition to any building or structure or portion thereof shall be accompanied by a development plan, as required by this section.
B. 
Any development plan shall be deemed a land development or subdivision plan within the meaning of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] and shall be subject to the requirements of said state law and to the requirements of the Montgomery Township Subdivision Ordinance and regulations.[2]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Subdivision and Land Development.
C. 
Any development plan where the dwelling units and lot are intended to be sold in fee simple to individual owners shall show courses and distances for such lots.
D. 
Any development plan shall include the following items without limitation:
(1) 
All property lines and names of adjoining owners.
(2) 
Existing contours at two-foot intervals.
(3) 
Finished contours after grading.
(4) 
Existing utility poles.
(5) 
Existing major trees (having a diameter of eight inches or more at a point measured three feet from ground) and outline of significant tree groups.
(6) 
Outline of proposed buildings, including main floor elevation and estimate of floor area.
(7) 
Location and slopes of all roads and parking lots.
(8) 
Outline of all existing structures and an indication of what structures are going to be demolished.
(9) 
Road rights-of-way, including ultimate rights-of-way.
(10) 
Existing watercourses and floodplain.
(11) 
Existing and proposed drainage structures.
(12) 
Outline and description of any proposed recreational facilities, including information on hours of operation, use or membership restrictions, illumination, fencing and screening and all other information required under § 230-154 of this chapter.
(13) 
Plans for control of erosion and sedimentation during construction. Said plan shall be submitted to and approved by the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District prior to the issuance of any building permit.
(14) 
Landscaping and screening plans as required by § 230-72I.
(15) 
Condominium ownership agreements or homeowners' association agreements or similar documents of covenants and agreements providing for the maintenance and ownership of all areas and facilities proposed for common use. Such agreements shall be reviewed and approved by the Township Solicitor as being in accordance with applicable law.
(16) 
Plans showing evidence of available public sewer and water service.