In compliance with Chapter 600, Zoning, requirements, the size, shape, and orientation of a tract or lot shall be appropriate for the type of use being considered with adequate area for all elements of the development plan.
Signage shall complement the architectural style and scale of the building and site and shall conform to Article XIX, Signs, of Chapter 600, Zoning.[1]
Maintenance of buildings and property in nonresidential developments shall comply with the latest edition of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code unless otherwise approved by the Township.[2]
The block layout shall conform to the best possible layout to permit efficient traffic circulation, parking, delivery, and pickup and to accommodate the most practical location of buildings.
In order to encourage an attractive building arrangement, variations in the setback alignment of buildings erected on the same frontage or attached to other building is encouraged, except as may otherwise be provided in Article IX, Chichester Avenue Design Standards, of this chapter.
In cases where there is more than one building on a lot, the distance at the closest point between any two buildings or groups of buildings should be at least as great as the average height of adjoining buildings, except as otherwise specifically provided in Chapter 600, Zoning.
Buildings should be located so as not to impede extension of utilities and access ways to adjoining areas zoned for similar nonresidential uses or areas designated for similar uses in the Township comprehensive plan.
The orientation of buildings to provide access through rear entrances from parking lots is encouraged, with the rear facade receiving appropriate design treatment.
The street system of a proposed nonresidential subdivision or land development should be designed to create a functional street pattern, to prevent the congestion of existing streets, and to ensure the free flow of through traffic without interference from parked or parking cars, and to provide adequate and safe parking spaces.
Where there are no specific standards governing street design for nonresidential subdivisions and land developments, the regulations for residential streets shall apply. See § 505-35.
Proposed streets in nonresidential developments may be a hierarchy of roads or a single point or access. The hierarchical classification system may consist of the following:
Entrance road: to provide direct access into shopping centers, local commercial establishments, planned business campuses, and limited industrial uses.
Streets carrying nonresidential traffic shall not be extended to the boundaries of adjacent existing or potential residential areas, nor be connected to streets intended for predominantly residential traffic.
The arrangement of streets shall provide for continuation of existing or proposed streets and proper access to adjoining undeveloped tracts suitable for future nonresidential development.
Where feasible, nonresidential developments should provide more than one point of access. Also, where conditions permit, a one-way-in, one-way-out pattern should be considered.
Proposed nonresidential development to be located on existing streets shall be required to increase the cartway along the frontage of subject property to conform with the standards in the table above or with standards in Table 2, § 505-35, whichever is applicable.
Right-of-way widths for nonresidential streets should be based on the actual need to accommodate utilities, drainage facilities, landscaping, street furniture, and grading.
Horizontal curves shall be designed with a minimum center-line radius of 400 feet for entrance roads. For secondary roads the minimum center-line radius shall be 300 feet.
A minimum tangent of 100 feet shall be required between reverse curves on nonresidential streets and between a curve and a street intersection where one of the intersecting streets is a collector or an arterial street.
Clear sight triangles shall be provided at all intersections. The maximum height of any object within such triangles shall be 2 1/2 feet, and no object that would obscure the vision of the motorist shall be permitted. Such triangles shall be established from a minimum distance of 150 feet from the point of intersection of the center line of two streets.
A walkway system no less than four feet six inches wide shall be provided for access linking buildings to each other and to parking areas, unless the Township Engineer recommends a width of six feet or more at schools, libraries, or other public/civic locations.
If ramps are provided, a level platform at least three feet deep and five feet wide is required, if a door does not swing onto the platform or toward the ramp. If a door swings onto the platform or toward the ramp, a level platform shall be at least five feet by five feet.
Parking areas located adjacent to existing or proposed residential areas should be effectively screened to produce visual protection of the residential area. Grading the parking area, raised berms, landscaping, or fencing are satisfactory methods to create such visual protection.
Entrances and exit drives crossing the street line shall be spaced at least 200 feet apart. Property owners are encouraged to integrate their circulation with adjacent property owners to provide single egress and ingress points to serve adjacent lots with a one-way directional traffic pattern. Paved areas with easements should be extended to property lines for future extension when desirable.
Each space for loading and unloading of vehicles shall be no less than 12 feet wide and 50 feet long, exclusive of drives and maneuvering space, and located entirely on the lot being served.
Off-street loading facilities shall be designed to permit any truck to maneuver from a driveway into and out of such space without encroaching upon any portion of existing or proposed right-of-way including the walkway area.