A.
Purpose. In addition to the general goals listed in the statements of Purpose, § 370-2, and Community development objectives, § 370-3, the purpose of this district is:
(1)
To foster the protection and conservation of sensitive environmental resources, including streams, floodplains, wetlands, wet soils, steep slopes, woodlands, areas of low or variable groundwater yields, prime agricultural soils, and areas conditionally suitable for on-site sewage disposal systems.
(2)
To encourage and promote continued agricultural, open space, recreation, and conservation uses.
(3)
To protect groundwater resources in the Township and to maintain the water balance within this district by applying the principles of the Green Valleys Association Sustainable Watershed Management Program.
(4)
To allow for low density residential development consistent with the purposes of this district and compatible with existing land uses.
(5)
To limit the residential demand for public services and facilities in areas which generally lack adequate transportation facilities and public utilities to serve a suburban population.
(6)
To encourage the conservation of steep slopes, stream valleys, agricultural lands, woodlands, and other natural resources through the provision of development options that allow for flexible designs, promote open space preservation, and support groundwater sustainability.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
By-right uses. A building or other structure may be erected, or used, and a lot may be used or occupied for any of the following purposes and no other:
(a)
Woodland preserve, game preserve, wildlife sanctuary or other conservation use.
(b)
Nonintensive agricultural uses, including horticultural nursery and raising of crops, subject to the provisions of § 370-40B.
(c)
Single-family detached dwellings proposed under the RC-2 Country Properties Option, subject to the provisions of Article XIV, Residential Design Options.
(d)
Single-family detached dwellings on a gross tract area under single and separate ownership of 10 acres or less where such tract was in existence on or prior to December 23, 2002, and where the standards of § 370-14C(3) can be met for each lot where a single-family detached dwelling is proposed on the tract.
[Amended 2-26-2007]
(e)
Municipal or public uses, including a public park or recreational area, but excluding sanitary landfills and trash transfer stations.
(h)
Timber harvesting operation, subject to the provisions of § 370-29B(7).
(2)
Special exception uses. A building or other structure may be erected, altered, or used, and a lot may be used for any one of the following uses when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board, subject to the Article XVII of this chapter.
(3)
Conditional uses. A building or other structure may be erected, altered, or used, and a lot may be used for any one of the following uses when authorized as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors, subject to § 370-138 of this chapter:
(a)
Agricultural related business, including feed stores and the sale and repair of machinery and farm vehicles.
(b)
Single-family detached dwellings proposed under the RC-1 Conservation Design Option, subject to the provisions of Article XIV, Residential Design Options.
(c)
Pumping stations for sewage or water supply serving the Township and other public service facilities, except as exempted by the Municipalities Planning Code.
C.
Area and bulk regulations.
(1)
Option RC-1: Conservation Design Option.
(2)
(3)
Single-family dwellings on an existing gross tract area of 10 or less acres. A gross tract area of 10 or less acres existing on or before December 23, 2002, may be subdivided or built upon in accordance with the following standards:
[Amended 2-26-2007]
(a)
Minimum lot size: net lot area of three acres.
(b)
Lot width. Every lot shall have a lot width of not less than 250 feet at the building line and 100 feet at the street line. In the case of lots entirely fronting the turnaround of a cul-de-sac street, the lot width at the street line may be reduced to no less than 1/4 of the perimeter of the cul-de-sac turnaround.
(c)
Building coverage. The area occupied by buildings shall not exceed 5% of the gross lot area of each lot.
(d)
Lot coverage. The area occupied by buildings, paving and other impervious cover shall not exceed 10% of the gross lot area of each lot.
(e)
Setbacks.
[1]
Front yard. On each lot there shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than 75 feet.
[2]
Rear yard. On each lot there shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than 75 feet.
[3]
Side yards. On each lot there shall be two or more side yards each having a width of 50 feet, provided that on a corner lot, the yards abutting the street shall have a depth of 75 feet.
(4)
Other permitted uses. The following area and bulk standards shall apply to other permitted uses in the RC Resource Conservation District unless otherwise required by Article X, Supplemental Use Regulations, or other applicable sections of this chapter. Permitted home occupations shall meet the minimum area and bulk standards for the residential use in which they are located.
(a)
Lot area. Every lot shall have a net lot area of not less than five acres.
[Amended 2-26-2007]
(b)
Lot width. Every lot shall have a lot width of not less than 300 feet at the building line and 150 feet at the street line.
(c)
Building coverage. Not more than 5% of the gross lot area of each lot, up to 5,000 square feet for commercial uses, shall be occupied by buildings.
[Amended 2-26-2007]
(d)
Lot coverage. The area occupied by buildings, paving and other impervious cover shall not exceed 10% of the gross lot area of each lot.
[Amended 2-26-2007]
(e)
Setbacks.
[1]
Front yard. On each lot there shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than 75 feet.
[2]
Rear yard. On each lot there shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than 75 feet.
[3]
Side yards. On each lot there shall be two or more side yards each having a width of 50 feet, provided that on a corner lot, the yards abutting the street shall have a depth of 75 feet.
(5)
Height regulations. No building or structure shall exceed 35 feet in height. A structure for agricultural use, such as barns and silos, may exceed 35 feet in height, provided that for every one foot of height in excess of 35 feet, there shall be two feet of additional setback required from all lot lines.