[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(a); as amended
by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
1.
The Agricultural District is comprised primarily of the existing
agricultural area of the Township and those areas where environmental
conditions are most conducive to high crop yields. The Agricultural
District is intended to promote the continuation and preservation
of permitted agricultural activities in those areas designated and
most suitable for such activities. This district also intends to protect
and stabilize the Township's viable agricultural economy by permitting
only those uses that are compatible with farming. The Agricultural
District is intended to conserve areas with concentrations of prime
agricultural soils and/or areas where agricultural activities are
prevalent.
2.
This district is intended to reduce conflicts between nonagricultural
uses and agricultural uses, such as to minimize complaints from residents
in the Agricultural District regarding the use of nutrients, pesticides,
and herbicides, as well as engaging in nuisance-related activities
from normal agricultural activities that generate noise, dust, odor
and other routine impacts.
3.
This district is intended to allow specifically approved accessory
business uses that act to sustain agricultural activities. This district
also seeks to minimize the types of nonagricultural uses that are
most likely to consume large amounts of agricultural land.
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(b); as amended
by Ord. 2001-2, 4/17/2001, § 3; by Ord. 2011-1, 2/7/2011;
and by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
1.
Agriculture, as defined in Part 3, and customary, secondary and incidental
accessory uses thereto, including the following uses, but not including
an intensive raising of livestock and poultry use, which shall require
special exception approval.
A.
Raising of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and grains, including
a vineyard as defined in Part 3.
B.
Storage, packing and sale of agricultural products grown on the premises.
C.
Engaging in horticulture and nursery and greenhouse operations.
D.
Keeping, raising and breeding of poultry, livestock, horses and similar
animals, or bees or similar insects, and other agriculture uses, in
compliance with the applicable regulations for animals and poultry
in § 1601.
E.
Processing and storage of eggs, milk, and milk and dairy products
and similar products such as cheese and ice cream produced on the
premises.
F.
Processing of animal and poultry products produced on the premises,
but not including a slaughterhouse.
5.
Horse riding academy and boarding of horses, in compliance with the applicable regulations for animals and poultry in Part 16, § 1601.
6.
Single-family dwellings, with the exception of mobile homes, as defined
in Part 3 hereof, with no more than two accessory buildings other
than farm-use-related structures.
7.
Churches and other places of worship and cemeteries, provided that
a lot occupied by such use(s) shall not include more than five acres
of prime agricultural soils.
8.
Public utility transmission and distribution systems.
9.
Radio and television towers and other communications towers and antennas, in compliance with the conditions in Part 16, § 1615, provided that the total of such uses on a lot shall not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than 1/2 acre of prime agriculture soils.
10.
Structures and uses owned and/or operated by Londonderry Township
or a municipal authority created by the Township for public, recreation
or utility purposes.
11.
Signs pertaining to a use conducted on the property and meeting the
requirements of Part 18.
12.
Customary accessory buildings and customary incidental accessory uses, as defined in Part 3, to a permitted use under this § 502, with the exception of such accessory buildings and uses to a bed-and-breakfast, which shall require conditional use approval under § 502A.
13.
Conservation areas and structures for the conservation of open space,
water, soil, forest and wildlife resources, which may include hiking
trails owned by governmental entities, and camps.
14.
Winery and those accessory uses to a winery set forth in this subsection,
subject to the following limitations:
A.
Retail sales of agricultural commodities other than wine or cider shall meet the limitation of § 502, Subsection 1G.
B.
Retail sales of nonagricultural commodities shall be limited to wine-related
items, including, but not limited to, corkscrews, wine glasses, wine
carriers, wine gift baskets, and similar items; clothing items including
the name of the winery; and books relating to agricultural activities
or wine.
C.
Tastings shall be limited to wine and cider produced in the winery
which are offered for sale in accordance with the requirements of
this section.
D.
Not more than one building in which both retail sales and tastings
are conducted shall be permitted on any lot. Any building erected
after the effective date of this section for retail sales and tasting
shall not be located on prime agricultural soils.
E.
Maximum Floor Area for a Retail Accessory Use. The maximum floor
area of a building which may be devoted to serving the customers shall
be 3,000 square feet. Floor area devoted to serving the customer shall
include any area for customer access and circulation and for the display
of products, including floor area devoted to counters, tables, display
cases, preparing products for customers and similar purposes. Floor
area not included in the area devoted to serving the customer would
include display areas outside the building or structure as well as
inside floor area for storage and processing of wine where customer
access is restricted, except for instructional tours related to the
wine-making process.
F.
Off-street parking meeting the requirements of Part 19 shall be provided
for any retail use accessory to a winery. Off-street parking areas
shall not be located on more than 1/2 acre of prime agricultural soils.
G.
A separate zoning permit shall be required for a retail use accessory
to a winery. The applicant desiring to establish a retail use accessory
to a winery shall submit an application meeting all requirements of
Part 4.
H.
Guided tours of the winery and vineyard may be conducted. Off-street
parking for tours of the winery and vineyard shall be in addition
to the off-street parking for retail sales accessory to a winery.
15.
Light family farm support businesses, provided that conditions specified in Part 16, § 1601, for light family farm support businesses are met.
16.
Wind turbine(s) with a maximum total height from the ground level
to the top of the extended blade of 300 feet, and provided such use
does not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more
than five acres of prime agricultural soils. The minimum setback in
feet from all lot lines and street rights-of-way shall not exceed
such maximum total extended height in feet.
17.
Solar energy collectors, provided such use does not result in the
removal from agricultural activities of more than five acres of prime
agricultural soils.
18.
Kennels in compliance with the applicable regulations for animals and poultry in Part 16, § 1601, provided such use does not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than five acres of prime agricultural soils.
19.
Public pumping stations.
[Added by Ord. No. 2020-03, 7/21/2020]
[Added by Ord. 1995-4, 11/6/1995, § 2; as amended
by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
1.
Slaughterhouse, provided conditions specified in Part 16, § 1614, Criteria for Slaughter Houses, are met.
2.
Golf course, provided that the following requirements are met:
A.
The minimum lot area shall be 135 acres and shall contain 18 golf
holes.
B.
No building shall be located closer than 100 feet to any property
line.
C.
Golf course design shall not permit or encourage a golf ball to be
driven across any building, lot, parking lot, street, access drive
or driveway.
D.
Golf course design shall minimize golf path crossings of streets,
access drives, and driveways. Easily identifiable golf paths must
be provided for crossing of streets, access drives and driveways.
E.
Golf courses may include the following accessory uses if such uses
are reasonably sized and located so as to provide incidental service
to golf course employees and users:
(1)
Clubhouse, which may include:
(2)
Accessory recreational amenities located inside of the clubhouse
or outside of the clubhouse, including:
(a)
Fitness and health equipment, including workout machines, spas,
whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms.
(b)
Driving ranges, provided that no lighting is utilized and ranges
are netted or designed so that balls will not be driven across any
building, parking lot, street, access drive or driveway.
(c)
Putting greens.
(d)
Swimming pool.
(e)
Tennis, handball, racquetball, squash, volleyball, and badminton
courts.
(3)
Freestanding maintenance equipment and supply buildings.
(4)
Outdoor storage of maintenance equipment and/or golf carts,
provided such areas are set back at least 100 feet.
3.
Accessory buildings and accessory uses associated with a bed-and-breakfast
establishment as defined in Part 3.
4.
General family farm support businesses, including the sale and repair of agricultural equipment, sale of feed, seeds and fertilizer, and closely similar businesses that serve and supply local agricultural activities, but not including industrial feed mills or fertilizer production, provided that conditions specified in Part 16, § 1601, for family farm support businesses are met.
5.
Airports, public and private, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, both airports and aircraft as defined in Part 20, § 2003, provided such use does not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than 20 acres of prime agricultural soils. If land adjacent to a runway continues to be used for agricultural activities, it shall not be included in such twenty-acre maximum.
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(c); as amended
by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
The height of a building shall not be greater than 50 feet.
This height restriction shall not apply to silos and similar structures
that require a taller height for agricultural purposes.
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(d); as amended
by Ord. 1994-3A, 12/5/1994, § 1; by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014;
and by Ord. No. 2020-03, 7/21/2020]
Except that the requirements of this section shall not apply
to public pumping stations, the following shall apply unless a more-restrictive
requirement is established in another section of this chapter in a
particular situation:
1.
The minimum lot area shall be not less than 43,560 square feet (one
acre).
2.
Each residential lot shall contain no more than two acres of prime
agricultural soil unless the applicant proves to the Zoning Officer
that:
3.
The number of lots that may be approved is limited by this section.
Each lot shall not be occupied by more than one dwelling unit or principal
nonagricultural use, except where a lawful nonconforming situation
exists. The following table establishes the maximum number of lots
that shall be allowed from a parent tract of land, based upon the
acreage of the tract that existed as of April 17, 2001. For example,
if a forty-acre parent tract existed in 2002, and it is allowed seven
total lots, and two new lots were approved in 2010, then up to four
new lots may be approved, in addition to the remainder lot.
|
Size of Parent Tract in Acres As of April 17, 2001
|
Maximum Number of Lots that Shall be Allowed on the Parent
Tract
|
|---|---|
|
Less than 2
|
No new lots shall be created
|
|
2 but less than 5
|
2
|
|
5 but less than 10
|
3
|
|
10 but less than 15
|
4
|
|
15 but less than 25
|
5
|
|
25 but less than 35
|
6
|
|
35 but less than 50
|
7
|
|
50 but less than 65
|
8
|
|
65 but less than 85
|
9
|
|
85 and over
|
10, plus 1 lot for each additional 20 acres beyond the first
100 acres
|
4.
Whenever a subdivision is approved, the record plan shall clearly state which lots retain the rights of future subdivision and how many lots, if any, may be created in the future in accordance with Subsection 3. A statement to this affect shall be also be recorded with the property deed, and such provision shall continue in effect unless and until a future amendment to this Zoning Ordinance may allow additional subdivisions. Such text shall be subject to preapproval by the Township.
5.
Lots that are solely created to include public water supply, stormwater
or sanitary sewage facilities shall not count towards the maximum
number of lots.
6.
A lot created to be to be transferred to an entity with the power
of eminent domain shall not count towards the maximum number of lots.
7.
Land areas that are leased solely for a communications tower or a
wind turbine shall not count towards the maximum number of lots.
8.
An applicant may, at his/her option, have two or more adjacent lots
in common ownership be considered together in determining the number
of allowed lots. In such case, the record plan shall state the number
of lots allowed to be created on each of those lots. For example,
a landowner may obtain approval to have all of the lots that would
have been allowed on a larger lot to instead be approved on an adjacent
smaller lot on the other side of the street.
9.
A revision to the boundary between two existing lots may be approved,
provided it does not result in reduced land area being available for
agricultural production, unless it is necessary to meet on-lot sewage
regulations.
10.
Agricultural Nuisance Disclaimer. The Township may require that the
following language or similar preapproved text be placed on the deeds
of all new lots in the A District:
"As of the date of this notice, this lot was located within
the A Agricultural Zoning District. The primary purpose of this district
is for commercial agricultural production. Owners, residents and other
users of this property may be subjected to unpleasant conditions resulting
from normal agricultural practices, including but not limited to:
noise, odors, dust, operation of machinery of any kind, including
aircraft, the storage and disposal of manure, the application of fertilizers,
soil amendments, herbicides and pesticides. Owners, occupants and
users of this property are hereby made aware that the Pennsylvania
Right to Farm Law, 3 P.S. § 951 et seq., as amended, may
limit legal actions to control nuisances from normal agricultural
practices."
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(e); as amended
by Ord. 1992-3, 10/5/1992, § 2; by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014;
and by Ord. No. 2020-03, 7/21/2020]
The following lot width requirements shall apply, except that
the requirements of this section shall not apply to public pumping
stations:
1.
The lot width shall be not less than 25 feet at the front street
line measured at the street right-of-way line and 100 feet at the
minimum front yard building setback line.
2.
The lot width at the minimum building setback line along the bulb
of a cul-de-sac of a street shall be no less than 100 feet.
3.
No more than two flag lots may be subdivided from a parent tract
that existed as of April 17, 2001. A flag lot does not meet the minimum
lot width at the minimum building setback line, but instead meets
the minimum lot width at the proposed building setback line. A flag
lot shall include a minimum 30 feet width of land area that connects
the building site to a public street. The driveway shall be located
within the lot lines of each flag lot.
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, 12.5(f); as amended by Ord. 2014-1,
10/6/2014; and by Ord. No. 2020-03, 7/21/2020]
The following yard regulations shall apply, except that the
requirements of this section shall not apply to public pumping stations:
Each lot shall have front, side, and rear yards of not less
than the depth or width indicated below:
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(g); as amended
by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014; and by Ord. No. 2020-03, 7/21/2020]
1.
General Rule. The lot area occupied by all buildings shall not exceed
20% of the lot area. The lot area occupied by the total of all man-
made surfaces that are impervious to runoff and all parking areas,
buildings and driveways shall not exceed 30% of the lot area.
2.
Exception for Public Pumping Stations. The requirements of this section
shall not apply to public pumping stations.
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(h)]
See Part 19 — Off-Street Parking.
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(j); as amended
by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
Refer to Part 16, "General Regulations," for additional information
on structures housing animals.
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.5(k); as amended
by Ord. 1985-1, 6/3/1985; by Ord. 2009-3, 9/15/2009, § II;
and by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
See Part 18, § 1806, "Signs Authorized in A Agricultural and R-1, R-2 and MH-R Residential Zoning Districts."
