Township of Lower Gwynedd, PA MF-3-B Multifamily Residential District

In an "MF-3-B" Multifamily Residential District, a building may be erected or used, and a lot may be used or occupied, for any of the following purposes and no other:

(a)

Elderly housing;

(b)

Residential nursing care facilities.

(c)

Personal care facilities;

(d)

Municipal use; and

(e)

Accessory uses in accordance with Section 1250.04(2) and Chapter 1298.

§ 1279.03 Lot area and width.

(a)

Minimum Lot Area. In an "MF-3-B" Multifamily Residential District, a lot area of not less than 20 acres shall be provided for every development.

(b)

Minimum Lot Width. A lot width of not less than 200 feet shall be provided along a public street or way for every access to the development.

§ 1279.04 Yards.

[Ord. 364. Passed 7-26-1999]

(a)

In any portion of an "MF-3-B" Multifamily Residential District there shall be front, side and rear yards of not less than 200 feet.

§ 1279.05 Lot coverage.

[Ord. 364. Passed 7-26-1999]

(a)

Building Coverage. In an "MF-3-B" Multifamily Residential District, the total building coverage shall not exceed 20%.

(b)

Impervious Coverage. The total impervious coverage shall not exceed forty-five percent.

§ 1279.06 Building height.

[Ord. 364. Passed 7-26-1999]

(a)

The maximum height for dwellings, buildings or other structures erected or enlarged in an "MF-3-B" Multifamily Residential District shall be 35 feet, not exceeding two stories.

(b)

The maximum height for any building accessory to any dwelling shall be 14 feet, not exceeding one story.

§ 1279.07 Off-street parking and loading.

[Ord. 364. Passed 7-26-1999]

(a)

For each dwelling unit in an "MF-3-B" Multifamily Residential District, 0.85 of a parking space shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 1294.

(b)

For employee and accessory uses, parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 1294.

(c)

Areas for loading and unloading of delivery trucks and other vehicles and for refuse collection, fuel and other service vehicles shall be provided, shall be adequate in size and shall be so arranged that they may be used without blocking or interfering with the use of access roads or automobile parking facilities, and all such areas shall be in accordance with Chapter 1294.

(d)

No parking area, service area or loading area shall be located within 150 feet of a property line adjacent to a residential district, nor within 100 feet of a property line adjacent to any other district.

§ 1279.08 Development standards.

[Ord. 364. Passed 7-26-1999. Ord. 369. Passed 12-13-1999]

(a)

Density. In an MF-3-B Multifamily Residential District, the number of residential units per gross acre of the tract shall not exceed 7.3. For purposes of this calculation, two nursing care beds or two personal care beds shall each be equal to one residential unit. Any conversion of nursing care beds or personal care beds to an independent living unit or the proposed conversion of an independent living unit into an area for nursing beds or personal care beds shall require a conditional use from the Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors. My such conversion shall also be considered a land development under Chapter 1234 of this Code unless the land development procedure is waived by the Board of Supervisors.

(b)

Building Plan. Buildings shall be in accordance with an overall plan and shall be designed as a single architectural scheme. The distance at the closest point between buildings shall be not less than 30 feet.

(c)

Preservation of Natural Features. The development plan shall preserve and incorporate natural features such as woods, streams and open space areas, which add to the overall cohesive development of such district and to the overall Township development.

(d)

Lighting; Utility Line. Spaces between buildings, parking areas, loading areas, access areas and service areas shall be adequately illuminated at night. Lighting, including sign lighting, shall be arranged to protect the highway and adjoining property from direct glare or hazardous interference. Utility lines servicing the area shall be placed underground.

(e)

Storage of Refuse. Raw materials, supplies, trash, rubbish and other refuse shall be stored in covered containers with an adequate enclosure and handled and disposed of in such manner so as not to give rise to smoke, odor or litter.

(f)

Landscaping. All developments in such district shall be designed and maintained in accordance with the landscape provisions of the Subdivision Regulations.

(g)

Common Open Space. Any development in such district shall contain a minimum of five acres of common open space. Such common open space shall be of a character and quality acceptable to the Board of Supervisors. In addition, there shall be such provisions for the ownership and maintenance of the common open space as is reasonable to ensure its preservation. To this end, the Township may accept the dedication of land or any interest therein for public use and maintenance, but the Board need not require that land proposed to be set aside for common open space be dedicated as a condition of the approval of the subdivision or land development. The Board shall require the landowner to provide for and establish an organization for the ownership and maintenance of the common open space consistent with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act, and such organization shall not dispose of the common open space by sale or otherwise, except to the Township or, after approval of the Board, to an organization established to own and maintain the common open space. If the common open space deteriorates or if, in the judgment of the Board, it is not maintained in a reasonable manner in accordance with any approved plan or otherwise, the Township may proceed to remedy any such deficiency by enforcement of any applicable Township ordinance or by injunctive relief or otherwise.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection (h), Detention Basins, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 8-22-2017 by Ord. No. 513.