[Added 9-11-2007 by Ord. No. 317]
A. Purpose. The Borough Council of New Britain Borough
declares that the preservation of buildings in the Borough having
historical, architectural and or cultural importance is a significant
public objective warranting the promulgation of an ordinance designed
to establish criteria for the identification of buildings of historical,
cultural and or architectural value and to prevent the demolition
of such buildings upon the application of procedures and standards
which are intended to assess the impact that the demolition of such
structures would have upon the historic, cultural and or architectural
values within the Borough.
B. Definitions. As used in this section, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING
Any construction having a minimum of three enclosed walls
and a roof and includes outbuildings located on the same property
as the building and includes as well any contributing structure or
contributing building.
CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
A building that retains historic or cultural or architectural
significance and contributes to the historic or cultural or architectural
qualities of the historic district.
DEMOLITION or DEMOLISH
The razing, destruction, covering or dismantling of 50% or
more of the perimeter walls of a structure. "Demolition" includes
the removal of a building from its site or the removal, stripping,
concealing or destruction of the facade or roof line or any significant
exterior architectural features which are integral to the historic
or architectural or cultural character of the building and facing
the public street, for whatever purpose, including but not limited
to new construction or reconstruction.
HISTORIC
Pertaining to historic or cultural or architectural values.
INVENTORY
The New Britain Borough Historic Building Inventory, a list
of buildings in New Britain Borough having historical or cultural
or architectural significance, identified by the HPC and approved
by New Britain Borough Council.
C. Establishment of overlay district.
(1) A separate zoning district entitled "The Historic
Preservation Overlay District" is hereby created and shall overlie
all zoning districts, but shall apply only to those lots containing
a building or contributing building identified in the inventory. The
Overlay District shall be recorded on the Borough Zoning Map.
(2) All of the zoning, subdivision and land development
and Uniform Construction Code regulations pertaining to the underlying
zoning districts throughout the Borough shall remain in full force
and effect, except that the demolition of buildings in the Overlay
District shall only occur in compliance with this chapter.
D. Criteria and procedures for identifying buildings
for inclusion in the New Britain Borough Historic Building Inventory.
(1) Any building satisfying at least one of the following
criteria may be included on the inventory:
(a)
Any building designated by the Secretary of
the Interior as a National Historic Landmark.
(b)
Any building listed in the National Register
of Historic Places.
(c)
All buildings classified as "Certified Historic
Structures" by the Secretary of the Interior.
(d)
A building that is a contributing building that
is listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
(e)
Any building that is at least 50 years old and:
[1]
Is associated in some significant way with the
historic, cultural or architectural development of the Borough, county,
region, state or nation;
[2]
Is associated in some significant way with an
event or person of importance to the history or culture or architecture
of the Borough, county, region, state or nation;
[3]
Contains a feature or features associated with
an era characterized by a distinctive architectural style;
[4]
Contains a feature or features associated with
a distinctive architectural style or building type or engineering
specimen;
[5]
Is the work of a designer, architect or engineer
whose work significantly influenced the historical, economic, architectural
or cultural development of the Borough, county, region, state or nation;
[6]
Contains elements of design detail, materials
or craftsmanship representing a significant innovation; or
[7]
Owing to its unique location or some singular
physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar landmark
identifying a neighborhood or business district.
(2) The HPC shall apply the criteria set forth in Subsection
D(1) above to assess the buildings in the Borough for inclusion in the inventory. In its deliberations, the HPC shall consider that any decision to include or exclude a building in or from the inventory implicates both important private property rights and the public policy of the Borough that the historic, cultural and architectural heritage of the Borough is to be preserved.
(3) At the conclusion of its deliberations, the HPC shall
prepare and present a report to the Borough Planning Commission identifying
those buildings proposed to be included in the inventory, along with
a summary of the Commission's findings pertaining to the various buildings
proposed for the inventory.
(4) The Borough Planning Commission shall review the report of the HPC and report to the New Britain Borough Council the Planning Commission's own recommendations regarding the Historical Commission's proposed Inventory. The deliberations of the Planning Commission shall be guided by all of the criteria set forth above in this Subsection
D.
(5) Upon receipt of the report of the Planning Commission regarding the buildings proposed for inclusion in the inventory, Borough Council may, by resolution, determine which buildings to include in the inventory, approving none or some or all of the recommendations of the Planning Commission, upon deliberations utilizing the criteria set forth above in this Subsection
D. Thereafter, the inventory resolved by the Borough Council shall be the New Britain Borough Historic Building Inventory.
[Amended 6-10-2008 by Ord. No. 326]
(6) At the time that Borough Council promulgates the Historic
Building Inventory, the Borough shall also prepare and publish an
Historic District Overlay Map, reflecting the geographic location
of the buildings included in the inventory to be incorporated into
this chapter.
(7) From time to time, on its own initiative or at the direction of Borough Council, the HPC may review the inventory, and utilizing the same deliberative process and criteria prescribed above, present a report to the Borough Planning Commission, which in turn shall report to Borough Council the result of its review of the HPC recommendations. Again, Borough Council may amend the inventory by striking buildings from the inventory or by adding buildings to the Inventory, by resolution, upon deliberations utilizing the criteria set forth above in this Subsection
D.
[Amended 4-14-2015 by Ord. No. 361]
E. Demolition. No building included in the New Britain
Borough Historic Building Inventory shall be demolished except in
accordance with the provisions set forth hereafter:
(1) An application to demolish a building on the inventory shall be deemed to be a conditional use application subject to all of the provisions of Article
VIII, §
450-56, of this chapter. Wherever §
450-56 of this chapter refers to a proposed "use" or "development" or to any proposed objective of an applicant, for the purposes of this section, the word "demolition" shall be substituted therefor.
(a)
Public notice shall be given and written notice
shall be given to the applicant, the Zoning Officer, and to all persons
who own property adjoining or across a public street from the property.
In addition, Council may direct that a copy of the public notice be
given to other Borough residents or organizations who or which have
requested a copy of the notice, and to the HPC.
(2) In addition to the general conditions for conditional uses identified in §
450-56B of this chapter, the following specific conditions and considerations shall apply to all applications to demolish a building contained in the inventory:
(a)
Inclusion of a building in the inventory shall be conclusive proof that the building satisfied the criteria established at Subsection
D(1) above at the time the building was included in the inventory.
(b)
In the absence of clear and convincing evidence
of a pertinent significant change in circumstances relating to a building
or its immediate environs having occurred since the time a building
was included in the inventory, Borough Council shall not reconsider
whether or not the building is properly included in the inventory.
(c)
Before granting any permit to demolish a building
in the inventory, Council may consider the feasibility of permitting
an applicant to establish additional or different uses in a historic
structure, even where such uses may not be consistent with current
zoning restrictions, to encourage an owner to retain rather than demolish
a structure. While such uses may not be consistent with underlying
zoning regulations, additional or different uses should be compatible
with existing zoning regulations. Council may permit such additional
or different uses as a conditional use.
(3) Where Borough Council does decide to permit demolition
of a building, Council may determine that such demolition is only
appropriate upon the imposition of conditions, without which conditions
the demolition must not occur. Such conditions include but are not
limited to:
(a)
Imposition of a ninety-day waiting period prior
to demolition to permit the applicant to review alternatives to demolition.
(b)
The applicant may be required to adequately
record and document the historical and architectural features of the
building, including but not limited to, photographs, floor plans,
video recording, a site plan, a historic narrative or a written architectural
description of the building. Council may also require that the recording
and documentation of the building be accomplished by a qualified historic
preservation consultant. The applicant may be required to provide
a sufficient number of copies of any of the materials required to
be prepared in this subsection to the Borough. Council may also require,
in appropriate circumstances, an applicant to employ the services
of a professional historic preservation consultant to perform a Historic
American Building Survey (HABS) to document the historic building
to be demolished.
(c)
The applicant may be required to remove distinctive
exterior architectural or historical features from the building and
to donate them to the Borough for use within the Borough.
(d)
The applicant may be required to design any
new building replacing the demolished building in a fashion designed
to preserve the historic, architectural and or cultural values existing
in the neighborhood. The applicant may also be required to follow
other architectural standards as required by Council.
(e)
Council may require an applicant to install
appropriate landscaping features on properties following demolition
of a building where the applicant has no immediate plan to construct
a new building (such as properties proposed to be used as vacant lots,
parking lots, open space or parks). Council may require landscaping
features that are consistent with the historic, cultural and or architectural
values in the surrounding area.
(f)
Council may impose any other reasonable conditions
and safeguards to promote the objectives of this section.
F. Enforcement. No building contained on the inventory
shall be demolished in the absence of approval of Borough Council
in accordance with the provisions of this section. Any violation of
this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in this chapter
and, in addition, shall permit the Borough to apply for injunctive
relief to enjoin the violation or further violation of this section
or to restore the condition of a building improperly demolished.
[Added 5-10-2011 by Ord. No. 340]
A. Establishment of Student Home Overlay District. A
separate zoning district entitled "Student Home Overlay District"
(SH) is hereby created and shall overlie the following zoning districts:
R-1, R-2, VH and MHP. The Overlay District shall be recorded on the
Borough Zoning Map. Provided that a student home shall comply with
all of the requirements and limitations established in this section,
then the student home use shall be permitted in the R-1, R-2, VH and
MHP Zoning Districts.
B. Purpose. The Student Home Overlay District is intended
to provide for a fair allowance of student housing off campus to permit
the establishment of well regulated private student housing throughout
the Borough to promote the health, safety and welfare of students
living in the Borough and to guarantee the quiet enjoyment of properties
surrounding residences occupied by students.
C. Nature of use. A student home shall be permitted by
special exception only. A permit to establish and operate a student
home shall lapse and be of no further force or effect if the student
home is not operational at the conclusion of seven months after the
decision of the Zoning Hearing Board granting the special exception.
Thereafter, no student home may be established at the site without
resort to the Zoning Hearing Board for a special exception to establish
a student home.
D. Registration. After obtaining a special exception,
the owner or operator (hereinafter "owner") of any student home shall
apply to register the student home with the Borough on a form to be
supplied by the Borough Code Enforcement Officer, on or before July
15 of each year. In the event that an owner intends to establish a
student home commencing during the winter semester, the owner shall
apply to register the student home on or before December 1, and thereafter,
shall file a registration renewal application on or before July 15
of each year.
(1) The application form shall require the owner of the
student home to provide the street address of the student home, the
owner or operator's own home address, telephone number and e-mail
address and shall require a brief description of the premises, to
include housing type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms. In addition,
the owner shall identify the student residents by name, home address,
current telephone (both cell and land line, if applicable), age and
shall provide a certification that each student carries nine or more
credit hours. Furthermore, the owner shall provide the termination
dates of the lease or leases affecting the subject premises. Finally,
the owner shall provide the name address and phone number of any local
agent or operator used by the owner to manage the premises.
(2) At the time of application, the owner or operator
shall pay a nonrefundable fee to the Borough in regard to the cost
of processing the application, investigating the matters presented
in the application and conducting the necessary inspections, which
fee shall be in an amount to be established by Borough Council from
time to time in the Borough Schedule of Fees.
(3) It shall be a condition of registration that the owner
shall obtain a release from each student resident, in favor of the
Borough, permitting the Borough to obtain verification from the college
or university that each such student is enrolled at and attending
the college or university.
(4) It shall be a further condition of registration that the owner shall demonstrate to the Code Enforcement Officer that each student lease for the subject premises shall contain the provision required in Subsection
H, below.
(5) Upon receipt of a completed application and the fee, the Code Enforcement officer shall inspect the proposed student home (pursuant to Subsection
E below), and provided that the home is in compliance with the provisions of this section and with all applicable Borough codes pertaining to residential premises, the Code Enforcement Officer shall register the student home and provide a student home registration certificate to the owner of the home, which certificate, subject to the provisions of this section and all pertinent ordinances of the Borough, shall remain in effect for one year only, whereupon a renewal application shall be filed on or before each and every July 15.
(6) Whenever a student home shall be transferred to a different owner, the new owner shall file an application for student home owner transfer to permit the Code Enforcement Officer to amend the original registration to include the new owner's information. It shall not be necessary for a new owner to file a transfer application if the transfer occurs when the premises is unoccupied and no students will occupy the premises until after the new owner has filed a regular registration application pursuant to this Subsection
D.
E. Inspections. Every owner and every student hereunder
shall permit the Borough Code Enforcement Officer or his or her designee
to enter upon the premises of a student home to conduct a student
home registration inspection to confirm compliance with the requirements
of this chapter and all applicable construction and safety codes.
Furthermore, every owner and every student hereunder shall permit
the Borough Code Enforcement Officer or his or her designee to enter
upon the premises of a student home, from time to time, at reasonable
hours, to conduct inspections, upon request by the Borough Code Enforcement
Officer. Failure to permit entry by the Code Enforcement Officer or
his or her designee shall constitute a violation of this section.
F. Limitation of housing types. Student homes may be
established only in homes defined in this chapter as single-family
detached dwelling, townhouse dwelling, mobile home and two-family
dwelling, provided that the two-family dwelling units are separated
from one another by a solid wall extending from the ground to the
roof only and not by a solid ceiling and floor.
G. Density. New Britain Council recognizes that student
homes will introduce an element of heightened activity and occasional
noise into neighborhoods unaccustomed to student residential life.
While Council has determined that the student home use is compatible
with other residential uses in the Borough, Council also acknowledges
that any concentration of student homes in any one neighborhood or
area would be detrimental to the quiet use and enjoyment of surrounding
properties. Borough Council has determined that such undue concentration
will be avoided by mandating a minimum distance of separation between
student homes across the zoning districts in which they are permitted.
Accordingly, no student home shall be located on a lot, any portion
of which lies within 500 feet of any portion of another lot on which
a student home has been established or for which a student home special
exception application has already been filed and is pending hearing.
The five-hundred-foot separation limitation shall apply across zoning
district lines so that no two student homes anywhere in the Borough
shall be closer together than 500 feet.
H. Lease provisions. Every owner or operator of a student
home shall include a provision in the student home lease that a conviction,
as that term is described herein, of any student occupant or occupants,
their guests or invitees, for any of the offenses listed in this chapter,
shall constitute a violation of the lease, for which the lease can
be terminated, subjecting the offending student or students residing
in the student home to eviction. Furthermore, all student home lease
terms shall end on or before July 14 each year, and there shall be
no provision in any lease for automatic or voluntary renewal of the
term. Of course, where no revocation of registration has been issued,
owner and students may proceed to renew their lease terms, at any
time, providing for a termination date on or prior to July 14.
I. Health and safety requirements.
(1) All student homes shall have a first floor living
room or common area that does not serve as a sleeping area to any
person. Furthermore, no bedroom or room used as a bedroom shall also
serve as a throughway to any other portion of the premises.
(2) All bedrooms shall have at least one window large
enough to permit human egress.
(3) No more than two students shall occupy a single bedroom.
(4) No student bedroom shall be located in an unfinished
basement or in a garage loft or in any unfinished area of the home.
Whenever a bedroom is located in a finished basement, two exits must
be provided.
(5) One full bathroom with shower and one full kitchen
are required.
(6) No students shall be housed in any accessory building
or structure.
(7) All student homes shall be equipped with a hard-wired/battery
backup smoke alarm system with alarms/monitors in each room.
(8) No trash shall be left for pickup at the front of
the premises except on normal trash collection days, and no trash
shall be stored outside the residence unless it is maintained inside
a customary trash can or receptacle.
(9) No hotplates or hot water makers or cooking of any
kind shall be permitted in any bedroom.
(10)
While exterior doors may be secured by deadbolt,
the interior mechanism must be operable by thumb latch or knob and
not by key.
(11)
Required parking: three spaces, off-street.
J. Suspension of registration. All Borough residents
are entitled to the reasonable use and quiet enjoyment of their properties.
Because the student home use creates a potential for neighborhood
disruption, it is incumbent upon the Borough to condition an owner's
continued student home registration upon the good conduct of the students,
their guests and invitees.
(1) In the event that any student or guest or invitee
or the owner or operator, their guests or invitees, of a student home
shall be convicted upon three separate offenses, arising from separate
incidents, occurring at the student home premises, of any of the following
offenses, whether summary, misdemeanor or felony, cognizable under
the Pennsylvania Crimes Code or the Borough Code and all having occurred
during any consecutive twelve-month period, then the student home
registration shall be subject to revocation for a period of one year.
The three convictions required hereunder are determined on a house-wide
basis, so that if any one occupant or owner or guest or invitee has
three such convictions, or any three such persons have one conviction
each, for example, the condition of revocation is satisfied.
(a)
Disorderly conduct or practices.
(c)
Simple or aggravated assault or any other crime
of violence as defined in the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 101
et seq.
(f)
Indecent exposure or open lewdness.
(h)
Possession of a controlled substance or possession
of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver or delivery or
manufacturing a controlled substance.
(i)
Furnishing alcohol to minors.
(j)
Any sexual offenses described at Chapter 31
of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
(k)
Riot, risking a catastrophe, arson, criminal
mischief and recklessly endangering another person.
(l)
Conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing crimes.
(2) Any such conviction resulting from a complaint lodged
by the owner against a student or a guest or invitee, wherein the
owner is not implicated in the wrongful conduct, shall not be counted
as one of three necessary convictions for revocation of registration.
(3) It shall be sufficient to the purpose of this section
that a "conviction" shall have occurred when the defendant has pleaded
guilty or nolo contendere or has been found guilty by the Magisterial
District Judge in a summary proceeding, notwithstanding the right
to an appeal for a trial de novo, and it shall be sufficient that
a defendant has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere or has been convicted
by a judge or jury, for a misdemeanor or felony, whether sentenced
or not and notwithstanding any right a defendant may have to appeal
the conviction. The failure of such a defendant to appear for trial
or hearing, resulting in the issuance of a warrant or attachment,
shall constitute a conviction as well.
(4) Upon a determination by the Code Enforcement Officer
that any student or owner or guests or invitees, or any combination
of them at a student home, have or has been the subject of three such
convictions in any period of 12 consecutive months, then the Code
Enforcement Officer shall serve a notice of revocation of registration
upon the student home owner, notifying the owner that the student
home registration is revoked.
(5) The notice shall identify the property in question,
shall identify the three or more convictions that have accumulated
in regard to the subject student home by date and court docket number
and shall identify the defendant(s) all with sufficient clarity to
permit the owner or operator to confirm the accuracy of the convictions
record cited in the notice. The notice shall further state that the
revocation shall be effective immediately upon the expiration date
of the leases then in force and without regard to the automatic renewal
of or right of any tenant to renew such lease, or by July 14 of the
year, whichever first occurs. Notwithstanding the termination date
of any lease, under no circumstance shall any revocation become effective
later than July 15 of any year to ensure that the revocation shall
prevent issuance of a new registration.
(6) The notice shall advise the owner or operator that
the determination of the Code Enforcement Officer can be appealed
to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days of the date of the notice
of revocation of registration, by filing an appeal on the Borough
ZHB appeal form and paying the required fee.
(7) Appeals from an adverse determination by the Zoning
Hearing Board may be perfected to the Court of Common Pleas by either
the owner or the Borough.
(8) Upon receipt of a notice of revocation of registration,
an owner or operator may apply to the Code Enforcement Officer to
stay the registration revocation upon proof of initiation and diligent
pursuit of eviction proceedings against one or more of the students
who occupied the home during the period in which the pertinent convictions
arose, which eviction would likely remedy the disruptive circumstance
at the student home. Provided that the owner diligently pursues such
eviction, the revocation of registration shall be stayed until the
aforesaid student or students have been removed from the premises,
whereupon the revocation shall be vacated. In the event that the eviction
is not pursued diligently or does not result in the removal of the
aforesaid student(s), then the revocation shall be reinstated within
30 days after issuance of a second written notice of revocation of
registration, issued by the Code Enforcement Officer, upon a determination
that the eviction proceeding has failed or has not been pursued diligently.
(9) In addition to the foregoing, the owner or operator
may avoid the revocation by demonstrating to the satisfaction of the
Code Enforcement Officer that the problem student or students who
occupied the subject premises during the period in which the pertinent
convictions arose, have vacated the premises permanently.
(10)
The Code Enforcement Officer shall serve the
notice of revocation of registration upon the owner by two mailings,
one certified and one regular mail, sent to the owner's address on
the registration application form or as amended in writing by the
owner after the time of registration. The revocation shall be effective
whether or not the return receipt for certified mail is returned to
the Borough by the postal service.
(11)
Operation of a student home in the absence of a valid student home registration or after a student home registration has been suspended, or operation of a student home in violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute a violation of this chapter and will subject violators to the causes of action permitted in §
450-75 of this chapter and to the enforcement remedies in §
450-76 of this chapter.
[Added 4-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 373; amended 10-9-2018 by Ord. No. 391]
A. Statement of purpose and objectives. The purposes and objectives
of the MUO district are the following:
(1)
To encourage development/revitalization along Butler Avenue
and in proximity to the SEPTA stations and rail line.
(2)
To promote economic development through the adaptive reuse and/or
redevelopment of underutilized land including infill development of
irregular sites and the renewal of former or marginal industrial sites.
(3)
To permit and encourage the development of a combination of
diverse commercial, business and residential uses/development located
in such a way as to encourage walkability and enhance the overall
sense of community through appropriate design standards.
(4)
To provide regulations to address appropriate access, setbacks,
buffers, scale, architecture and intensity of development to ensure
that development along Butler Avenue is consistent with the Borough's
corridor planning and streetscape standards.
(5)
To ensure that development contributes to the "Main Street"
character that the Comprehensive Plan requires.
B. General. A building or structure may be erected or altered, to be
used either in whole or in part, and a lot may be used or occupied
for the following use (mixed-use development) or for any uses permitted
by this section in the underlying zoning districts, provided that
such uses, buildings or structures shall comply with such regulations
as yard, lot size, lot width, building area, height, impervious surface,
easements, buffer yards, off-street parking and other requirements
as specified by this chapter.
C. Mixed-use development ("MUD"). Unless otherwise permitted by this section, all applications for a mixed-use development in the MUO District having a lot size greater than 1.0 acre must provide a combination of two or more of the permitted uses listed in Subsection
C(1) below. Buildings in a MUD may contain both residential uses and nonresidential uses. Any lot having a size of less than 1.0 acre may provide a single use of the permitted uses listed in Subsection
C(1) below.
(1)
Permitted uses in a mixed-use development.
(a)
Uses permitted by right.
[1] Bank or financial establishment. A drive-through
facility is permitted only if it is located to the rear of the building,
so that it is not part of the Butler Avenue streetscape.
[3] Commercial recreational or sports facility.
[7] Office, governmental, business, veterinary, medical
or professional.
[9] Nonresidential accessory structure.
[10] Personal service business. No single service business
shall have more than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area.
[11] Public recreational facility.
[13] Retail trade and services. No single retail shop
shall have more than 7,500 square feet of gross floor area.
[14] Eating place, including take-out and quick-serve
restaurants, and up to 5,000 square feet of outdoor dining area.
[16] Residential uses.
[a] Single-family detached dwelling.
(b)
Uses permitted by conditional use.
[1] Lawful use not otherwise permitted.
[2] Drive-through or drive-up facilities located to
side or rear of the building if it is determined to be architecturally
compatible with the streetscape.
(2)
Area and dimensional requirements for uses within a mixed-use development. All uses shall comply with the area and dimensional requirements listed in this section. If a different area or dimensional requirement is stated in Article
IV, Use Regulations, for the specific use, then the requirements of this section shall apply over Article
IV.
(a)
Minimum site area: 0.5 acre.
(b)
Minimum lot area:
[1] Single-family detached dwelling: 8,000 square feet.
[2] Townhouse dwelling: 1,500 square feet.
[3] No minimum lot area is required for multifamily
dwelling.
(c)
Minimum lot width for overall mixed-use tract: 100 feet.
(d)
Minimum lot width at building setback line for individual lots
within overall tract:
[1] Single-family detached dwelling: 50 feet.
[3] Multifamily dwelling: n/a.
(e)
Maximum impervious surface ratio for site: 75%.
(f)
Maximum building coverage for site: 50%.
(g)
Maximum building height (sites under six acres):
[1] Where dedicated future right-of-way is 40 feet
or more at half-width: 45 feet (not to exceed three stories.
[2] Where dedicated future right-of-way is less than
40 feet at half-width: 35 feet (not to exceed two stories).
[3] To enhance visual screening, rooftop mechanical
equipment shall be set back from the edge of the building a minimum
of an equal horizontal distance as the height of the rooftop equipment.
Mechanical equipment may exceed the applicable maximum building height,
but the equipment must be set back on the roof as required above.
(h)
Maximum building height (sites six acres or more):
[1] For buildings fronting on Butler Avenue where the
dedicated future half-width right-of-way is less than 40 feet: 35
feet (not to exceed two stories).
[2] For buildings fronting on Butler Avenue where the
dedicated future half-width right-of-way is 40 feet or more: 45 feet
(not to exceed three stories).
[3] For interior buildings that are located in a development
that includes a building or buildings that front on Butler Avenue:
50 feet (not to exceed four stories).
[4] To enhance visual screening, rooftop mechanical
equipment shall be set back from the edge of the building a minimum
of an equal horizontal distance as the height of the rooftop equipment.
Mechanical equipment may exceed the applicable maximum building height,
but the equipment must be set back on the roof as required above.
(i)
Minimum yards for overall mixed use tract:
(j)
Maximum gross residential density as measured to deed lines:
[1] Single-family detached dwelling: three dwelling
units per acre.
[2] Townhouse dwelling: five dwelling units per acre.
[3] Multifamily dwelling: 20 units per acre.
(k)
Maximum setback from Butler Avenue (measured from future right-of-way
to face of building): 25 feet.
(l)
Minimum setback from Butler Avenue (measured from future right-of-way
to face of building): five feet.
(m)
Minimum setback from parking lot to face of building: five feet.
(n)
Minimum buffer from residential lot lines that are adjacent
to but not within the MUO Zoning District (inclusive of all other
setback requirements): 25 feet.
(o)
Minimum buffer from residential lot lines that are within the
MUO Zoning District: five feet.
(p)
Minimum building setback from residential lot lines that are
adjacent to but not within the MUO Zoning District: 1 1/2 times
the height of the building.
(q)
Minimum public space required. For each land development or
subdivision or establishment in the MUO Mixed-Use Overlay District,
public outdoor space shall be designed as part of the development
or use. Public outdoor open space shall be accessible from Butler
Avenue and shall be a minimum of 500 square feet per acre of lot area
within the proposed land development. Standards for public space as
regulated by this section must be met.
(r)
Minimum nonresidential use required. Each land development or
subdivision or establishment in the MUO Mixed-Use Overlay District
with an overall lot area greater than one acre shall satisfy the following
requirements:
[1] The first-floor frontage of buildings fronting
on Butler Avenue shall be reserved for permitted nonresidential uses
or residential amenity uses. Permitted residential amenity uses may
include a gym, cafe, business center or similar uses customarily incidental
to permitted residential uses.
[2] The first floor of buildings on Butler Avenue shall
contain a minimum of 500 square feet of nonresidential use, exclusive
of residential amenity uses, for every 10 residential units.
D. Parking. All parking within the MUO Mixed-Use Overlay District shall comply with the following requirements, which requirements are intended to supersede any inconsistent provisions in §
450-42:
(1)
Parking by use:
(a)
Residential uses:
[1] Single-family: two off-street parking spaces/dwelling
unit.
[2] Townhouse: two off-street parking spaces/dwelling
unit.
[3] Multifamily: 1.5 off-street parking spaces/dwelling
unit.
(b)
Commercial uses: Five parking spaces/1,000 square feet of customer
serving floor area. Floor area designated for storage, bathrooms,
food preparation areas, utility rooms, and closets shall not be counted
in the parking ratio. Four parking spaces/1,000 square feet of customer
serving floor area must be installed at time of initial construction.
One parking space/1,000 square feet of customer serving floor area
may be held in reserve in green area for future use if determined
by Borough that such additional parking is needed.
[1] On-lot parking areas shall not be located closer
to a front lot line than the principal building(s) along Butler Avenue.
For all other streets, on-lot parking areas shall not be located closer
than five feet from the future right-of-way of the street.
[2] One parking space for each residential unit shall
be designated for exclusive use for the unit via striped numbering
on the parking space.
[3] Minimum parking space dimensions: 9.5 feet wide
by 18 feet deep.
[4] No one single line of parking shall exceed 20 parking
spaces. A planting strip of ten-foot minimum width is required at
a minimum of every 20 parking spaces.
[5] Loading is required for all retail uses. Minimum
loading space size is 10 feet wide by 18 feet deep. Loading may be
shared by multiple uses.
[6] Drive aisles shall be a minimum width of 24 feet
for two-way traffic and 18 feet for one-way traffic.
[7] All parking areas shall be landscaped in accordance
with New Britain Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance
requirements.
[8] Shared parking.
[a] For an MUD (Mixed Use Development), the Borough
may reduce the required number of parking spaces to a number less
than the total number that would be required for the separate uses
if it is demonstrated that peak requirements of various uses are complementary
and occur at different times. The applicant shall provide information
regarding the characteristics of each proposed use and its parking
utilization during peak and off-peak demand periods. For nonresidential
uses, the applicant shall provide information regarding employees,
including shift and schedule characteristics and for customer intensity
and turnover during peak periods. The applicant shall demonstrate
to the satisfaction of Borough Council that each use works consistently
with the shared parking provisions and the parking management plan
for the development. The shared parking demand for the MUD shall be
calculated by preparing a shared parking study of all uses within
the development based upon the following methodology and consistent
with professionally recognized methodologies:
[i] Step 1: Evaluate the mix of land uses in the proposed
mixed use development, including base parking demand, types of uses,
nonresidential square footage, dwelling unit numbers and type.
[ii] Step 2: Adjust parking demand to account for mix
of land in the mixed-use development, uses, location of uses in relation
to available parking, adjacency and convenience of parking spaces,
time of day factors, day of week factors, seasonal factors, availability
of mass transit and pedestrian accommodation and connectivity.
[iii] Step 3: Analyze hourly accumulation of parking
demand for weekdays and weekends for each of the proposed land uses.
[iv] Step 4: Document shared parking demand conclusions.
[b] A parking management plan shall be prepared by
the applicant that identifies the following:
[i] The locations and times of any shared parking;
and
[ii] The locations of any dedicated parking for an
individual use or building; and
[iii] The mechanisms for shared and dedicated parking
spaces for each use.
[c] Any MUD approved with shared parking shall be required
to submit each change of use and occupancy to the Zoning Officer to
be reviewed for compliance with the provisions of the shared parking
plan and parking management plan. The applicant shall provide information
regarding the type of use and its parking utilization characteristics.
The Zoning Officer shall make a determination of compliance that the
parking demand, utilization periods, adjacency and conveniences or
intensity of any use may exceed the projections or provisions of the
shared parking approval and parking management plan.
E. Additional requirements.
(1)
Lots or properties which front on or take direct access to Butler
Avenue shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
All development authorized by subdivision, land development,
or zoning permit shall include elements that contribute to the streetscape
of Butler Avenue (Business Route 202). "All development" shall include
walkways, landscaping and street trees, outdoor sidewalk lighting,
benches, bike racks, signage, and appropriate access management to
ensure safe and convenient circulation along Butler Avenue and within
the site development.
(b)
Vehicular access points onto Butler Avenue shall be limited
and, when practical, combined or arranged in such a manner to share
access with adjoining lots. Vehicular access points onto Butler Avenue
may be located along a common property line and may encroach within
required front and side yard setbacks to accommodate future shared
access points.
(c)
All plans for subdivision, land development, or zoning permits
shall include an overall site plan that indicates relationships to
surrounding properties, access connections, and how the proposed development
will contribute to the streetscape improvements along Butler Avenue.
(2)
All stormwater management controls shall be designed and installed
in conformance with all applicable New Britain Borough ordinances.
(3)
All extensions of existing utilities within the MUO District
shall be placed underground.
(4)
Where two or more adjacent property owners agree to share parking
and access improvements, in a manner approved by the Borough Council
and PENNDOT to ensure adequate improvements are provided and the requirements
of this section and those of the Subdivision and Land Development
Ordinance will be met, the required side yard and buffer yard between
or among the properties may be eliminated.
(5)
Outdoor sale of merchandise. The temporary sale of merchandise
in front of the premises may be permitted only as a seasonal sale
or a seasonal sidewalk sale. No merchandise shall be placed on a sidewalk
or shall impede the flow of vehicular traffic on the site.
(6)
Special events, such as a seasonal farm market, shall be permitted
when authorized by the Borough Council.
(7)
Purpose and requirement for public space. The District goal
is to foster a lively and vibrant mixed-use district that can be a
gathering place and center for the community. Examples of public spaces
are:
(a)
Plazas (with focus feature such as a fountain and/or clock).
(b)
Seating areas (courtyard, bird or butterfly habitat).
(d)
Sidewalk that is a minimum of four feet wider than ordinance
requirements to accommodate public gathering and connect to other
facilities.
(e)
Public spaces must be visible, and accessible, from Butler Avenue.
F. Required architectural design review.
(1)
In accordance with § 605 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, the MUO Mixed-Use Overlay District is declared a special
area as a major thorough fare and an area of unique local interest
and is hereby designated as an area requiring design review by the
Borough.
(2)
No structure or improvement on any land within the Mixed-Use
district shall be made until the plans for the exterior architectural
features, signs, lighting, and landscaping have been reviewed and
approved by the Borough. Any streetlights along Butler Avenue must
be approved by the Borough. Review under this section shall not be
required for regular maintenance of a structure, painting, or exterior
color changes.
(3)
No specific architectural style shall be dictated to applicants;
however, factors to be considered by the Borough Council are:
(a)
New buildings or additions to existing building(s) should be
compatible with the existing architectural scale and style of the
historic nature of the applicable zoning district.
(b)
Franchise design/architecture, used by national or chain companies,
is discouraged in favor of reusing existing buildings or new designs
that reflect the architecture of New Britain Borough.
G. Resolution of ordinance conflicts.
(1)
In recognition of the fact that the design standards for development in the MUO Mixed-Use Overlay District are unique and will permit more intensive use of land than is permitted in the underlying zoning districts, the Borough acknowledges that conflicts may arise between the provisions of this §
450-29.1 and other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the New Britain Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The following standards shall be used to resolve such
conflicts:
(2)
Zoning Ordinance conflicts.
(a)
For a Mixed Use Development the following criteria shall apply in lieu of any inconsistent criteria in §
450-38A:
[1] Disturbance of "forest or wooded areas" shall not
exceed 50%.
[2] The limitations on the disturbance "steep slopes"
shall not apply to manmade slopes.
[3] The tree replacement provisions of §
450-38A(7) shall apply only to large trees that are removed from areas that are not classified as "forest or wooded areas."
(b)
Zoning Ordinance conflicts. In the event the provisions of this §
450-29.1 are inconsistent with any other provision of the Zoning Ordinance, the provisions of this section shall supersede and apply in lieu of such inconsistent provision.
(3)
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance conflicts.
(a)
Inconsistent provisions. Where the standards set forth in this §
450-29.1 are inconsistent or in conflict with any express standard set forth in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, the provisions of this section shall supersede and apply in lieu of such inconsistent provision.
(b)
Waiver of subdivision requirements. In order to give effect to the purposes and objectives sought to be advanced by permitting mixed use development, where strict application of a provision of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance that is not directly in conflict with a provision of this §
450-29.1 would frustrate the ability of an applicant to develop a mixed use development deemed by Council to be consistent with the purposes and objectives of this section, Council shall be authorized to grant waivers.
[Added 2-8-2022 by Ord. No. 417]
A. Statement of purpose and objectives. The purposes and objectives
of the West Butler MUO district are the following:
(1)
Recognizing the changing economic landscape, especially regarding
retail stores and commercial use, to allow for commercial businesses
in the West Butler MUO to expand their uses and add residential components
to their properties.
(2)
To encourage development/revitalization along Butler Avenue.
(3)
To permit and encourage the development of a combination of
diverse nonresidential and residential uses located in such a way
as to encourage walkability and enhance the overall sense of community
through appropriate design standards.
(4)
To provide regulations to address appropriate access, setbacks,
buffers, scale, architecture, and intensity of development to ensure
that development along Butler Avenue is consistent with the Borough's
corridor planning and streetscape standards.
(5)
To ensure that development contributes to the "Main Street"
character that the Comprehensive Plan and Main Street Plan requires.
(6)
To foster a lively and vibrant district that can be a gathering
place and center for the community.
B. General. A building or structure may be erected or altered, to be
used either in whole or in part, and a lot may be developed using
the Mixed Use Overlay established by this section or for any uses
permitted by this Ordinance in the underlying zoning districts, provided
that such uses, buildings or structures shall comply with such regulations
as yard, lot size, lot width, building area, height, impervious surface,
easements, buffer yards, off-street parking and other requirements
as specified by this chapter.
C. Mixed-use development ("MUD").
(1)
Properties one acre or larger.
(a)
Must provide a combination of two or more of the permitted uses listed in Subsection
C(3) (permitted uses in a mixed-use development).
(2)
Properties under one acre.
(a)
May provide only one use, which must be a nonresidential use listed in §
450-29.2C(3). A residential use must be combined with at least one nonresidential use, to have a minimum of two uses on the property.
(b)
Individual buildings on a single lot developed under the overlay
may contain both residential and nonresidential uses.
(3)
Permitted uses in a mixed-use development.
(a)
Uses permitted by right.
[1] Bank or financial establishment.
[3] Brewery/brewpub/micro-winery/distillery.
[4] Commercial recreational or sports facility.
[8] Office, governmental, business, veterinary, medical
or professional.
[10] Nonresidential accessory structure.
[11] Personal service business: No single service business
shall have more than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area.
[12] Public recreational facility.
[14] Retail trade and services: No single retail shop
shall have more than 7,500 square feet of gross floor area.
[15] Eating place, including take-out and quick serve
restaurants, shall have no more than 5,000 square feet of gross floor
area.
(b)
Uses permitted by special exception.
[1] Drive-through or drive-up facilities associated with one of the permitted uses in §
450-29.2C(3)(a) meeting the following criteria:
[a] The drive-through shall be located to the side
or rear of the building.
[b] The drive-through shall be architecturally compatible
with the building and streetscape.
[c] A traffic impact study shall be submitted in accordance with §
385-39F of the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. A traffic impact study shall be submitted even if the applicability criteria of §
385-39F(3) are not met.
[d] The vehicle stacking area for the drive-through window shall not conflict with internal site circulation or block access to any parking spaces, with stacking for an appropriate number of vehicles as required by §
450-14 of this chapter or as otherwise determined by the traffic impact study, subject to the approval of the Borough Engineer.
[e] When a drive-through window is located adjacent
to a resident use or district, a decorative sound attenuating fence
or other buffer satisfactory to the Borough Council shall be installed,
with adequate landscaping to screen the residential use/district from
the drive-through.
(4)
Area and dimensional requirements for uses within a mixed-use development. All uses shall comply with the area and dimensional requirements listed in this section. If a different area or dimensional requirement is stated in Article
IV, Use Regulations, for the specific use, then the requirements of this section shall apply over Article
IV.
(a)
Minimum site area: 0.5 acres.
(b)
Minimum lot area:
[1] Two-family detached dwelling: 8,000 square feet.
[2] Townhouse dwelling: 1,500 square feet.
[3] Multifamily dwelling: no minimum lot area.
(c)
Minimum lot width for overall mixed-use tract: 100 feet.
(d)
Minimum lot width at building setback line for individual lots
within overall tract:
[1] Two-family detached dwelling: 50 feet.
[3] Multifamily dwelling: no minimum lot width.
(e)
Maximum impervious surface ratio for overall mixed-use tract:
75%.
(f)
Maximum building coverage for overall mixed-use tract: 50%.
(g)
Maximum building height:
[1] Forty-five feet (not to exceed three stories) where
dedicated future right-of-way is 40 feet or more at half-width.
[2] Thirty-five feet (not to exceed two stories) where
dedicated future right-of-way is less than 40 feet at half-width.
[3] To enhance visual screening, roof top mechanical
equipment may exceed the applicable maximum building height, but the
equipment shall be set back from the edge of the building a minimum
of an equal horizontal distance as the height of the rooftop equipment.
(h)
Minimum yards for overall mixed-use tract:
(i)
Maximum gross residential density as measured to deed lines:
[1] Two-family dwelling: four dwelling units per acre.
[2] Townhouse dwelling: five dwelling units per acre.
[3] Multifamily dwelling: 12 units per acre.
[4] Mixed use developments that include a) the multifamily
dwelling use and b) the townhouse dwelling and/or two-family dwelling
use may have a combined density of no more than 12 units/acre.
[a] The intent of this provision is to encourage a
mixture of residential dwelling types in a cohesive and complimentary
development comprised of nonresidential and residential uses.
[b] Developments with a mix of a) the multifamily dwelling use and b) the townhouse dwelling use and/or the two-family dwelling use shall meet all requirements of this §
450-29.2.
(j)
Maximum setback for the primary structure from Butler Avenue
(measured from existing right-of-way to face of building): 25 feet.
(k)
Minimum setback from Butler Avenue (measured from existing right-of-way
to face of building): five feet.
(l)
Minimum setback from parking lot to face of building: five feet.
(m)
Minimum buffer from residential lot lines that are adjacent
to but not within the West Butler MUO (inclusive of all other setback
requirements): 25 feet.
(n)
Minimum buffer from residential lot lines that are within the
West Butler MUO Zoning District: five feet.
(o)
Minimum building setback from residential lot lines that are
adjacent to but not within the West Butler MUO: 1 1/2 times the
height of the building.
(p)
Minimum public space required. For each land development or subdivision or use developed under the West Butler MUO, public outdoor space shall be designed as part of the development or use. Public outdoor open space shall be accessible from Butler Avenue and shall be a minimum of 500 square feet per acre of the overall mixed-use tract. The standards for public space set forth in §
450-29.2E(7) must be met.
(q)
Minimum nonresidential use for properties one acre or larger. Properties one acre or larger in lot size shall contain a minimum of 300 square feet of nonresidential use for every 10 residential dwelling units. The required nonresidential use" shall be comprised of those uses set forth in §
450-29.2C other than the two-family dwelling use, the townhouse dwelling use, and the multifamily dwelling use. Residential accessory and amenity uses which are limited to the residential occupants (e.g. gyms, cafes, business centers, or similar uses customarily incidental to permitted residential uses) shall not constitute "nonresidential" uses for purposes of this requirement. The calculation for the foregoing requirement shall be as follows:
No. of Dwelling Units
|
Required Nonresidential Space
|
---|
1-10
|
300 square feet
|
11-20
|
600 square feet
|
21-30
|
900 square feet
|
31-40
|
1,200 square feet
|
41-50
|
1,500 square feet
|
51-60
|
1,800 square feet
|
61-70
|
2,100 square feet
|
71-80
|
2,400 square feet
|
81-90
|
2,700 square feet
|
91-100
|
3,000 square feet
|
The same formula and calculation method shall continue
to apply to developments with more than 100 dwelling units.
D. Parking. All parking within the West Butler Avenue MUO - Mixed-Use Overlay District shall comply with the following requirements, which requirements are intended to supersede any inconsistent provisions in §
450-42 of this chapter:
(1)
Parking by use:
(a)
Residential uses:
[1] Townhouse and two-family: two off-street parking
spaces per dwelling unit. Garage spaces do not count as required parking
spaces.
[2] Multifamily: 1.5 off-street parking spaces per
dwelling unit.
(b)
Commercial uses: Five parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of
customer serving floor area. Floor area designated for storage, bathrooms,
food preparation areas, utility rooms, and closets shall not be counted
in the parking ratio. Up to one parking space per 1,000 square feet
of the required parking may be held in reserve in green area upon
approval of the Borough, provided applicant shall install stormwater
management facilities at time of initial construction sufficient to
handle the stormwater of any parking held in reserve.
[1] On-lot parking areas shall not be located closer
to a front lot line than the principal building(s) along Butler Avenue.
For all other streets, on-lot parking areas shall not be located closer
than five feet from the future right of way of the street.
[2] On street parking spots may be counted towards
the required parking for commercial uses if approved by Borough Council
as part of the land development process for an application pursuant
to the Town Center MUO District.
[3] Minimum parking space dimensions: 9.5 feet wide
by 18 feet long. On-street parallel parking shall be 9.5 feet wide
by 20 feet long.
[4] No one single line of parking shall exceed 20 parking
spaces. A planting strip with a ten-foot minimum width is required.
A planting strip must be installed at a minimum interval of every
20 parking spaces.
[5] Loading is required for all retail uses. Minimum
loading space size is 10 feet wide by 18 feet deep. Loading may be
shared by multiple uses.
[6] Drive aisles shall be a minimum width of 24 feet
for two-way traffic and 20 feet for one-way traffic.
[7] All parking areas shall be landscaped in accordance
with New Britain Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance
requirements.
[8] Shared parking. For a mixed-use development ("MUD"),
Borough Council may permit a reduction of the required number of parking
spaces to a number less than the total number that would be required
for the separate uses if the applicant demonstrates that peak requirements
of various uses are complementary and occur at different times.
[a] Shared parking will be permitted only under the
following circumstances.
[i] The uses subject to shared parking must be either
part of a single lot, such as an office park, industrial park, or
mixed-use development; or the uses must be on lots that are physically
adjacent to each other, with cross-easements or other arrangements
that allow for shared driveways and shared parking.
[ii] Owners or applicants for all uses proposing to
use the shared parking arrangement must provide written agreements,
in a form acceptable to the Borough, outlining the terms of the shared
parking arrangement.
[iii] A parking management plan shall be prepared by
the applicant that identifies the following: a) the locations and
times of any shared parking and b) the locations of any dedicated
parking for an individual use or building and c) the mechanisms for
shared and dedicated parking spaces for each use.
[iv] Any MUD approved with shared parking shall be
required to submit each change of use and occupancy to the Zoning
Officer to be reviewed for compliance with the provisions of the shared
parking plan and parking management plan. The applicant shall provide
information regarding the type of use and its parking utilization
characteristics. The Zoning Officer shall make a determination of
compliance with the shared parking approval and parking management
plan, i.e., that the parking demand, utilization periods, adjacency
and conveniences or intensity of any use may exceed the projections
or provisions of the shared parking approval and parking management
plan.
E. Additional requirements.
(1)
Lots or properties which front on or take direct access to Butler
Avenue shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
All development authorized by subdivision, land development,
or zoning permit shall include elements that contribute to the streetscape
of Butler Avenue (Business Route 202). All development shall include
a mix of walkways, landscaping and street trees, outdoor sidewalk
lighting, benches, bike racks, signage, and appropriate access management
to ensure safe and convenient circulation along Butler Avenue and
within the site development. These elements shall be subject to the
approval of Borough Council.
(b)
Vehicular access points onto Butler Avenue shall be limited
and when practical, combined or arranged in such a manner to share
access with adjoining lots. Vehicular access points onto Butler Avenue
may be located along a common property line and may encroach within
required front and side yard setbacks to accommodate future shared
access points.
(c)
All plans for subdivision, land development, or zoning permits
shall include an overall site plan that indicates relationships to
surrounding properties, access connections, and how the proposed development
will contribute to the streetscape improvements along Butler Avenue.
(d)
Parking/traffic study requirements: All applications that require more than 50 parking spaces shall submit a traffic study prepared by a professional engineer of the impact to traffic on Butler Ave due to the development, subject to the requirements of §
450-39F of this chapter. Traffic placed in "reserve" shall be counted towards the required parking for purposes of determining whether a traffic study shall be required.
(2)
All stormwater management controls shall be designed and installed
in conformance with all applicable New Britain Borough ordinances.
(3)
Where two or more adjacent property owners agree to share parking
and access improvements, in a manner approved by the Borough Council
and PENNDOT to ensure adequate improvements are provided and the requirements
of this section and those of the Subdivision and Land Development
Ordinance will be met, the required side yard and buffer yard between
or among the properties may be eliminated.
(4)
All extensions of existing utilities within the West Butler
Avenue MUO District shall be placed underground.
(5)
Outdoor sale of merchandise: The temporary sale of merchandise
in front of the premises may be permitted only as a seasonal sale
or a seasonal sidewalk sale. No merchandise shall be placed on a sidewalk
or shall impede the flow of vehicular traffic on the site.
(6)
Special events, such as a seasonal farm market, shall be permitted
when authorized by the Borough Council. Requests shall be submitted
in writing to the Borough Council for consideration.
(7)
Required public space.
(a)
Purpose of public space: The West Butler Avenue MUO District
goal is to foster a lively and vibrant mixed-use district that can
be a gathering place and center for the community.
(b)
Definition of "public space." Recreational and gathering areas
open to the public, not just users of the property, that enhance the
environmental quality and community appeal of the Borough through
plantings, green space, and other aesthetic and planning techniques.
Public spaces shall provide a mixture of opportunities for outdoor
recreation and community activities and provide visual relief within
the built environment.
(c)
The layout, amenities, and permitted uses in the public space
shall be approved by Borough Council. Public spaces shall be accessible
from Butler Avenue and shall be visible from Butler Avenue or otherwise
sufficient signage shall be provided so that the public space can
be readily identified and located by the general public from Butler
Avenue and other public ways.
(d)
Examples of public space include but are not limited to the
following:
[1] Plazas (with focus feature such as a fountain and/or
clock);
[2] Seating areas (courtyard, bird or butterfly habitat);
[3] Outdoor eating areas that are not just for the
use of the property;
[4] Landscaped or open space;
F. Required architectural design review.
(1)
In accordance with Section 605 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, the West Butler MUO is declared a special area as a
major thoroughfare and an area of unique local interest and is hereby
designated as an area requiring design review by the Borough.
(2)
No structure or improvement on any land within the mixed-use
district shall be made until the plans for the exterior architectural
features, signs, lighting, and landscaping have been reviewed and
approved by the Borough. Any street lights along Butler Avenue must
be approved by the Borough. Review under this section shall not be
required for regular maintenance of a structure, painting, or exterior
color changes.
(3)
No specific architectural style shall be dictated to applicants;
however, factors to be considered by the Borough Council are:
(a)
New buildings or additions to existing building(s) should be
compatible with the existing architectural scale and style of the
historic nature of the applicable zoning district.
(b)
Franchise design/architecture, used by national or chain companies,
is discouraged in favor of reusing existing buildings or new designs
that reflect the architecture of New Britain Borough.
G. Resolution of ordinance conflicts.
(1)
In recognition of the fact that the design standards for development in the West Butler MUO are unique and will permit more intensive use of land than is permitted in the underlying zoning districts, the Borough acknowledges that conflicts may arise between the provisions of this §
450-29.2, and other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the New Britain Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The standards set forth in Subsection
G(2) and
(3) below shall be used to resolve such conflicts.
(2)
Zoning ordinance conflicts.
(a)
For a mixed-use development the following criteria shall apply in lieu of any inconsistent criteria in §
450-38A:
[1] Disturbance of "forest or wooded areas" within
15 feet of the property boundary shall not exceed 50%.
[2] The limitations on the disturbance of "steep slopes"
shall not apply to manmade slopes.
[3] The tree replacement provisions of §
450-38A(6) shall apply only to large trees that are removed.
(b)
In the event the provisions of this §
450-29.2 are inconsistent with any other provision of the Zoning Ordinance, the provisions of this section shall supersede and apply in lieu of such inconsistent provision.
(3)
Subdivision and land development ordinance conflicts.
(a)
Inconsistent provisions. Where the standards set forth in this §
450-29.2 are inconsistent or in conflict with any express standard set forth in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, the provisions of this section shall supersede and apply in lieu of such inconsistent provision.
(b)
Waiver of subdivision requirements. In order to give effect to the purposes and objectives sought to be advanced by permitting mixed use development, where strict application of a provision of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance that is not directly in conflict with a provision of this §
450-29.2 would frustrate the ability of an applicant to develop a mixed use development deemed by Council to be consistent with the purposes and objectives of this section, Council shall be authorized to grant waivers.