This district has been established and the regulations
of this article enacted in support of the following purposes:
A. To maintain a low overall density of development in
those environmentally sensitive portions of the Township which are
important due to their location surrounding the headwaters of the
Perkiomen Creek.
B. To encourage development techniques which minimize
the loss of woodland areas, thereby assuring Township residents of
the continuing benefits of such woodlands, including the prevention
of soil erosion, visual and aural buffering of human activity, reduction
of wind velocity at ground level, the mitigation of airborne pollution
and the production of oxygen.
C. To discourage disturbance and inappropriate development
of steep land in order to minimize soil erosion, surface water runoff,
loss of groundwater recharge capability and siltation of surface waters.
Structures may be erected, altered or used and
a lot or premises may be used for any of the following purposes and
no other:
A. Uses by right. Uses by right shall be as follows:
(1) Agriculture, subject to the further regulation of §
131-72, but excluding feedlots for livestock, mushroom houses, poultry houses and similar activities which typically emit noises and odors of such intensity as to be offensive to residential development. This provision shall be interpreted to include such structures and uses customarily accessory to farm operations to the extent which they support the agricultural function of the property, including barns, silos, bulk bins, roadside stands for the sale of goods grown or otherwise produced on the property and similar uses and structures related to farm operation.
(2) Woodlands, game preserves, nature preserves, areas
for passive recreation and similar uses related to conservation.
(3) Single-family detached dwellings.
(4) Facilities or structures owned or operated by the
Township, a duly created authority of the Township or the county,
state or federal government for the benefit of the general public.
(5) Uses customarily accessory to the above uses, including but not necessarily limited to private garages and parking areas; signs in conformance with §
131-78; accessory uses set forth and in conformance with §
131-70; and such other accessory uses as may be further regulated by this chapter or other regulations of the Township.
[Amended 8-26-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-01]
(6) Communications antennas mounted on an existing public
utility transmission tower and communications equipment buildings.
[Added 7-9-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-6]
B. Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted only upon the granting of a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with §
131-105B of this chapter:
(1) Public or private outdoor recreation areas and facilities,
such as parks, playgrounds, picnic grounds, swimming clubs, camps,
golf courses, country clubs, vehicular race tracks, amusement parks,
driving ranges and miniature golf courses are specifically excluded.
[Amended 3-25-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-1]