[Ord. 11/25/2003, § 1500]
1. Accessory Uses to Residential Principal Uses. Uses accessory to dwellings
include but are not limited to the following:
A. Private garage, carport, driveway, parking space.
B. Private swimming pool, in accordance with §
27-1502.
D. Private greenhouse, storage building for garden tools.
F. Home occupation, in accordance with §
27-508.
H. Fence or wall, in accordance with §
27-1504.
I. Heating, ventilating, air conditioning apparatus.
2. Accessory Uses to Non-Residential Principal Uses. Uses accessory
to nonresidential principal uses include but are not limited to the
following:
A. Private garage, storage garage, carport, driveway, parking space.
C. Storage building, private greenhouse.
E. Public telephone booth, in accordance with §
27-1505.
G. Fence or wall, in accordance with §
27-1504.
H. Heating, ventilating, air conditioning apparatus.
3. Spacing for Accessory Buildings. Accessory buildings on a lot shall
be located not less than 10 feet from each other and from principal
structures.
[Ord. 11/25/2003, § 1501]
1. Location. Swimming pools shall be located within the building envelope
of a lot. No private swimming pool shall be located in the front yard
that falls between the street and the foremost portion of a principal
use building. Swimming pools shall be located no closer than 15 feet
from any lot line.
2. Fencing. The entire pool area must be enclosed with a chain link
or equal fence or barrier, not less than four feet high. Such fencing
may be either near or adjacent to the pool or at such other place
on the owner's premises as to constitute an adequate barrier
against entrance onto the owner's land or into said pool.
[Ord. 11/25/2003, § 1502]
1. Applicability and Scope. This section identifies regulations applicable
in every district of the Township for the installation and screening
of antennas, including satellite, cellular, paging, personal communication,
and other wireless communication technologies.
2. General Development Criteria for Antennas.
A. Antennas shall be located so as to minimize visual effects on adjacent
and neighboring properties, public rights-of-way, and parks and public
open space.
B. Antennas shall be the minimum height and size to function satisfactorily.
C. To the extent possible, antennas shall be placed where existing topography,
vegetation, buildings, or other structures provide the greatest amount
of visual screening.
D. Where practicable, antennas shall be attached to existing tall structures
in the township, such as communications towers, water towers, smokestacks,
buildings, and similar structures.
E. Where practicable, antennas shall be shared among multiple users.
F. Antennas shall be properly anchored and installed to resist wind
loads. Supports, anchors, and foundations shall take into account
overturning movements and forces created by wind loading.
G. Antennas must be in compliance with all applicable Federal Communications
Commission regulations.
H. Antennas shall not be placed in parking lots or parking areas except
on existing poles.
I. If ground-mounted, antennas shall be placed only in rear yards.
J. If roof-mounted, antennas shall be placed only on the rear yard half
of the roof.
3. General District Locational Criteria for Antennas. Antennas qualifying
as accessory uses shall be permitted in all districts. Antennas not
qualifying as accessory uses shall be permitted by right in industrial
districts and as conditional uses in mixed-use and institutional districts.
4. Qualifications as Accessory Use. The following antennas shall qualify
as accessory uses:
A. One UHF/VI-1F television and FM/AM radio antenna per property designed
for receiving signals from ground-based broadcast systems, provided
that such antennas be:
(1)
Roof- or building-mounted or ground-mounted within the building
envelope of the property.
(2)
If building-mounted, located on the rear elevation of the building
or on the rearward half of a side elevation and extending out no more
than 12 inches from the building.
(3)
No higher than needed to receive adequate reception of localized
signals.
(4)
If ground-mounted, screened from public rights-of-way and neighboring
properties by trees, shrubs, and/or fences.
B. One dish-type antenna per property no larger than 30 inches in diameter,
provided that such antennas be:
(1)
Roof- or building-mounted or ground-mounted within the building
envelope of the property.
(2)
If building-mounted, located on the rear elevation of the building
or on the rearward half of a side elevation and extending out no more
than 30 inches from the building.
(3)
No higher than four feet above the roof line of the principal
use structure on the property if roof or building-mounted or five
feet above the natural contour or level of the ground if ground-mounted.
(4)
Finished with a color that blends with surroundings.
(5)
If ground-mounted, screened from public rights-of-way and neighboring
properties by trees, shrubs, and/or fences.
C. One ground-mounted television satellite dish antenna per property
no larger than 72 inches in diameter, provided that such antennas
be:
(1)
Located in the rear yard of a lot.
(2)
Located at least 10 feet from the rear property line and any
side yard property line.
(3)
No greater in height than the diameter of the dish plus two-thirds
of the diameter, measured from the natural contour or level of the
ground.
(4)
Finished with a color that blends with surroundings.
(5)
Screened from public rights-of-way and neighboring properties
by trees, shrubs and/or fences.
D. One citizens band or Federal Communications Commission-licensed amateur
radio operator antenna per property, provided that such antennas be:
(1)
Roof- or building-mounted or ground-mounted in the rear yard
of a lot.
(2)
If building-mounted, located on the rear elevation of the building
or on the rearward half of a side elevation and extending out no more
than 12 inches from the building.
(3)
No greater than 75 feet in height above ground level.
(4)
Set back from property lines at least 110% of the total height
of the antenna above ground level.
(5)
Compliant with all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
5. Specific Regulations for Non-Accessory Roof- and Building-Mounted
Antennas.
A. The total height of the building and antenna shall not exceed the
district height limit for principal structures.
B. Antennas shall be screened from view if visible from adjacent properties
or adjacent public rights-of-way. Screening may include:
(1)
A finish on the antenna that integrates its appearance with
the building.
(2)
Parapets, walls, or similar architectural elements, provided
that they are finished in a manner that integrates their appearance
with the building.
C. An annual independent inspection report, prepared by a licensed engineer
in the State of Pennsylvania, must be submitted verifying the structural
integrity of the antenna, its supports, base, and appurtenances.
6. Specific Regulations for Non-Accessory Ground-Mounted Antennas.
A. Antennas shall be placed only within the building envelope of the
property.
B. Antenna height shall be no greater than the distance of the antenna
from the property line of an adjacent tract and in no case shall the
height exceed 15 feet for a satellite dish antenna and 135 feet for
a pole antenna.
C. Minimum setback from a residential district shall be 110% of the
antenna's height.
D. Antennas shall be screened from view if visible from adjacent properties
to the degree that not more than 25% of the antenna height is visible
from grade level of adjacent properties.
E. An annual independent inspection report, prepared by a licensed engineer
in the State of Pennsylvania, must be submitted verifying the structural
integrity of the antenna, its supports, base, and appurtenances.
7. Specific Regulations for Non-Accessory Antennas in Mixed-Use and
Institutional Districts. The Board of Supervisors, in granting a conditional
use, shall find that:
A. The antenna must be where proposed for sound technological reasons.
B. The applicant has made bona fide efforts to have the antenna installed
on existing tall structures within the Township and adjacent communities,
including other antenna structures, but has been unable to do so for
reasons other than economic ones.
C. The antenna height and size are the minimum needed to function satisfactorily.
D. The applicant has planned for future shared use of his facility and
has agreed to share his antenna, where possible, with other users,
including other wireless communication, cellular communication, and
personal communication services providers, and local emergency services
agencies.
E. There is no other location on the property for the antenna that would
result in a less conspicuous installation while still providing reasonable
function.
F. The proposed antenna is safe and that adjacent and neighboring properties
will not be harmed by structural failure, falling ice or other debris,
electromagnetic fields, or radio frequency interference.
G. The antenna installation will be secure from unauthorized access
and will not pose climbing or electrocution hazards.
H. The normal operation of the antenna does not require individuals
to be in attendance.
8. Temporary Facilities for Special Events. A permit for a temporary
antenna for a special event lasting no more than 14 days may be issued
by the Zoning Officer with prior written notice. A specific location
and specific dates and times of antenna use must be outlined in the
written notice, and complete dismantling and removal of the antenna
must occur in compliance with the permit.
9. Permit Application. A permit shall be required to erect or install
any antenna greater than 15 feet above a structure, whether accessory,
by right, or conditional use, although a temporary installation of
a portable unit, not to exceed seven days, shall be permitted without
a permit for the purpose of determining the suitability of the site
for a permanent antenna installation.
A. All applications for an antenna permit shall be made to the Zoning
Officer, in writing, on a form furnished by the Township, and shall
be accompanied by plans, in duplicate and to scale, and under seal
by a professional engineer, showing:
(1)
Dimensions of the lot and locations of the buildings thereon.
(2)
Size of the antenna, including applicable diameter, and the
exact proposed location of the antenna on the lot.
(3)
Details of antenna design, including color, materials, and finishing.
(4)
Details of all antenna anchors, supports, and foundations.
(5)
Details of electrical connections, including electrical grounding.
(6)
Details of screening the antenna, where applicable.
B. In addition to the information required in the above subsection,
applications for by-right antennas in Industrial Districts and conditional
use antennas in Mixed-use and Institutional Districts shall include:
(1)
Elevation drawings illustrating the placement, height, color,
and material of the antenna.
(2)
Statement indicating the method used to determine the desired
height and placement, signals desired, and manufacturer's specifications
for installation.
(3)
Statement indicating what prior testing was done to determine
the location of installation and alternative placements considered.
(4)
Statement indicating consideration given to attaching antenna
to existing tall structures within the township and adjacent communities,
such as communications towers, water towers, smokestacks, buildings,
and similar structures.
(5)
Statement indicating consideration given to future shared use
of antenna facility.
10. Removal of Certain Antennas.
A. Nonconforming Antennas. If the Zoning Officer shall determine the
existence of a nonconforming antenna, except for legal nonconforming
antennas, he shall give written notice to the owner of the premises
on which such an antenna is located. Removal of the antenna shall
be effected within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such antenna
is not removed after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the
Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to cause the antenna to be removed
forthwith at the expense of the owner of the building or premises
on which such antenna is located.
B. Obsolete Antennas. An antenna, whether existing on or erected after
the effective date of this section, that is no longer being used,
shall be removed within 120 days upon cessation of such use by the
owner of the building or premises on which such antenna is located.
If the Zoning Officer shall find that any such obsolete antenna has
not been removed within 120 days upon cessation of such use, he shall
give written notice to the owner of the building or premises on which
such antenna is located. Removal of the antenna shall be effected
within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such antenna is not
removed after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Zoning
Officer is hereby authorized to cause the antenna to be removed forthwith
at the expense of owner of the building or premises on which such
antenna is located.
C. Unsafe Antennas. If the Zoning Officer shall find that any antenna
is unsafe, insecure, or is a menace to the public, he shall give written
notice to the owner of the building or premises on which such antenna
is located. Correction of the condition that caused the Zoning Officer
to give such notice shall be effected within 15 days after receipt
of the notice. If such condition is not corrected after the conclusion
of such fifteen-day period, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized
to cause the antenna to be removed forthwith at the expense of the
owner of the building or premises on which such antenna is located.
(1)
Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, the Zoning Officer
is authorized to cause any antenna to be removed summarily and without
notice, at the expense of the owner of the building or premises on
which such antenna is located, whenever he determines that such antenna
is an immediate peril to persons or property.
11. Violations and Penalty. Any person who violates a provision of this
section is guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion of
a day that the violation is committed, continued, or permitted, and
each offense is punishable by a fine in accordance with the schedule
of fines established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 11/25/2003, § 1503]
1. Location. Fences and walls shall be erected within property lines,
and no fence or wall shall be located so as to encroach upon a public
right-of-way.
A. No fence or wall in excess of 42 inches in height shall be permitted
within the minimum required front yard for each lot, except for fences
in agricultural districts for the enclosure of livestock.
B. No fence or wall shall be permitted within a sight triangle area.
2. Height. The maximum height for a fence or wall shall be eight feet,
measured from finished grade.
3. Appearance. Any portion of a fence construction intended or utilized
for the support of the fence shall be located on the inside of the
fence, facing the principal portion of the tract upon which the fence
is erected. The finished portion of the fence shall face the property
or right-of-way adjacent to the fence.
4. Permit Required. Except for fences in agricultural districts for
the enclosure of livestock, no fence or wall shall be constructed
without first obtaining a permit. Permit applications shall be accompanied
by a property survey or plot plan with the proposed location of the
fence or wall shown thereon. A permit application for a retaining
wall must be approved by the Township Engineer before such a permit
may be issued.
[Ord. 11/25/2003, § 1504]
1. Public Telephone Booth as Accessory Use. A public telephone booth
shall be permitted as accessory to non-residential principal uses,
subject to the following:
A. The location shall be approved by the owner of the property.
B. The location shall not be in a public right-of-way.