[NOTE: The requirements of this Part 5, Design, of the SALDO are intended to be consistent with and in addition to the requirements of Chapter 25, Trees, of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough of Pottstown. To the extent there is any inconsistency, conflict or ambiguity, it is the specific intent of Borough Council that the requirements of Chapter 25, Trees, shall control.]
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 500]
1. 
Pottstown is a traditional town, constructed in an era when houses, stores and factories were placed in close proximity to one another so people could walk most places they needed to go. Great care was exercised to make buildings attractive and long-lasting and to arrange them in a pleasing and efficient pattern.
2. 
To preserve the historic character of our town, Pottstown requires new development to be compatible with the best of our existing neighborhoods. Quality landscaping, the preservation of open space, and good street design are essential to enhance Pottstown's quality of life.
3. 
Details: For detailed standards, see Appendix A5, Sections A500 through A532, located at the end of this chapter.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 501; as amended by Ord. 2034, 1/8/2007]
Because Pottstown was mostly built out before modern recreation standards were established, the Borough has a deficit of parks and open space. Therefore, residential subdivisions and residential land developments creating additional dwelling units or lots for additional dwelling units, or nonresidential subdivisions or land developments of any size, shall provide land for open space and recreation facilities. For detailed requirements, see Appendix A5, Sections A504 through A508, located at the end of this chapter.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 502]
1. 
Pottstown does not have the huge lawns of the suburbs or the woodlands and open fields of the countryside. Pottstown is densely populated, by American standards, with houses and other buildings placed close to each other and to the street. Much of Pottstown's surface are is covered by buildings and paved surfaces.
2. 
To protect and enhance its visual and natural environment, Pottstown encourages abundant and carefully designed landscaping, especially the planting of shade trees that will create large canopies at maturity
3. 
Shade trees:
A. 
Fight global warming by absorbing greenhouse gases.
B. 
Filter pollutants from the air.
C. 
Lower ambient temperatures in the summer.
D. 
Increase groundwater recharge.
E. 
Soften the urban environment.
4. 
Pottstown also encourages the preservation of permeable surfaces to allow rainwater to seep into the earth. One way to accomplish this is to provide planting strips along our sidewalks when we reconstruct them or build new ones.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 503; as amended by Ord. 2114, 11/12/2013]
1. 
Total Number. The total number of trees required by this chapter shall be determined by computing the number of trees needed for street frontage, parking lots, and open space, and adding the results. When the sum results in a fraction, the fraction shall be rounded up to the next higher whole number. Existing trees more than three inches in caliper may be counted toward the total.
2. 
Planting Specifications. When planted, all trees must be at least 12 feet high, with a minimum caliper of 2 1/2 to three inches in diameter measured six inches above the ground. The trees shall be deciduous, symmetrical in shape, with a trunk that is clean and straight, and without branches for a distance of seven feet above the ground. All trees must be guaranteed for a minimum of 18 months and conform with the recent edition of the American Standard for Nursery Stock published by the American Association of Nurserymen.
3. 
Species and Location. All tree species required by this Part shall conform to the approved Tree List of the Borough of Pottstown, as specifically enumerated and set forth in § 104, Planting of Trees on Public Rights-of-Way, contained in Chapter 25, Trees, of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough of Pottstown, as amended. A copy of the approved Tree List is attached hereto and incorporated herein, marked as Exhibit A.[1] In addition, the location of plantings of such required tree species shall also comply with all applicable requirements of Chapter 25. In the event there is any conflict or inconsistency with respect to the requirements of this Part or Chapter 25, the requirements of Chapter 25 shall control.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Tree List is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 504; as amended by Ord. 2114, 11/12/2013]
In areas of any developed lot where there are no buildings, one shade tree shall be provided for every 8,000 square feet of total lot area. This shall be in addition to trees required for street frontage and parking lots.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 505; as amended by Ord. 2114, 11/12/2013; and by Ord. 2171, 1/8/2018]
1. 
Except as modified by Chapter 25, Trees, of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough of Pottstown, as amended, shade trees shall be provided along street frontage as follows:
Street Frontage
(feet)
Number of Trees
Less than 40
1 tree minimum
40 to 59
2 trees minimum
60 or more
At least 3 trees, with a minimum of 1 tree every 30 feet with an average spacing of at least 1 tree every 30 feet
2. 
Wherever possible, there shall be a planting strip in accordance with § 202, Specifications for Sidewalks and Curbs, of Subpart 2A, Construction and Maintenance Standards of Sidewalks and Curbs, Part 2, Sidewalks, Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks. If the construction and installation of a planting strip in accordance herewith is not possible, then individual tree wells shall be created in accordance with § 206, Street Tree Wells, of said Chapter 21.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 506]
Whenever there is sufficient open area on the inside of a sidewalk, the Borough encourages developers to place a second row of trees on the inside of the sidewalk, alternating with the first row of trees.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 507]
Off-street parking areas that provide spaces for three or more vehicles shall be provided with shade trees.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 508; as amended by Ord. 2114, 11/12/2013]
1. 
Trees shall be uniformly distributed along the perimeter of parking areas and within the interior of parking areas in a quantity of not less than one tree per every four parking spaces.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2203, 4/12/2021]
2. 
Trees in the interior of the lot shall be planted in:
A. 
Planting strips, perpendicular to parking spaces, a minimum of four feet wide, covered with grass, other vegetation, or other pervious material such as stone screenings.
B. 
Planting islands, parallel to parking spaces, a minimum of four feet wide, covered with grass, other vegetation, or other impervious material such as stone screenings.
C. 
In cases where it can be demonstrated that planting strips or islands are not feasible, planting diamonds, measuring five feet by five feet and placed in the center of four intersecting parking spaces, may be used as show. (See illustration on file at Borough Office.)
3. 
Planting strips, islands and diamonds should preferably be concave to absorb runoff from the parking surface. Wheel stops, bollards or wooden frames are preferred to curbing for the protection of trees from cars. Curbing should be used sparingly, at the discretion of the Borough. The Borough requires the following parking lot designs. (See illustrations on file at the Borough Office.)
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 509]
Bollards of concrete-filled steel pipes (or equally sturdy material), wooden frames, or wheel stops are preferred to curbing for protecting trees.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 510; as amended by Ord. No. 2203, 4/12/2021; and by Ord. No. 2219, 11/14/2022]
1. 
While natural enhancements to screening, like trees, shrubs, and other landscaping, are always encouraged, the following uses must be screened from public view by a fence or wall, and natural screening may not be used as a substitute:
A. 
Outdoor storage areas.
B. 
Utility substations.
C. 
Mechanical equipment.
D. 
Loading areas adjacent to streets.
E. 
Parking areas adjacent to streets.
F. 
Solid waste storage units.
G. 
Dumpsters (routine collection).
2. 
Design Standards. For any required fencing or screening not otherwise regulated by Chapter 27, Zoning, the following standards shall apply:
A. 
At minimum, fences and walls must be higher than the materials or objects being screened but shall never be less than four feet in height.
B. 
Fences or walls may only be constructed with the following materials:
(1) 
Brick.
(2) 
Stone.
(3) 
Wood.
(4) 
Stucco over concrete (capped with brick, slate, or stone).
(5) 
Wrought iron.
(6) 
Vinyl or composite designed to look like wood.
[Ord. 1964, 5/12/2003, § 511; as amended by Ord. No. 2203, 4/12/2021]
1. 
To protect residential areas, buffering shall be provided where any nonresidential use abuts a residential use or where the following districts abut any other district:
A. 
Heavy Manufacturing.
B. 
Gateway.
C. 
Highway Business.
D. 
Flex Office.
2. 
Buffering shall consist of either:
A. 
Unless otherwise required by Chapter 27, Zoning, fences between four feet and five feet in height and constructed of the following materials:
1. 
Brick.
2. 
Stone.
3. 
Wood.
4. 
Stucco over concrete block (capped with brick, slate or stone).
5. 
Wrought iron.
6. 
Vinyl or composite designed to look like wood.
B. 
A landscaped strip at least 15 feet wide planted with deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. At the time of installation, shrubs must be a minimum height of three feet and an expected height at maturity of at least six feet. There should be sufficient planting so there are no unobstructed openings wider than four feet. At least 50% of the trees and 75% of the shrubs shall be evergreen species.
[As added by Ord. 1985, 10/12/2004, § 1]
1. 
Purpose. All exterior lighting shall be installed so as not to adversely affect motorists, pedestrians and adjacent properties. Lighting intensities should be controlled to assure that light spillage and glare are not directed at adjacent properties, neighboring areas, motorists or the sky.
2. 
Types. Exterior lighting shall be integrated with the architectural character of the building. Downcast or cutoff type lighting fixtures shall be used to illuminate pedestrian or traffic circulation corridors and signage.
3. 
Details. For details, see Appendix Sections A512 through A516.