[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 200]
1.
Except as otherwise expressly stated in this chapter or where the
context clearly indicates otherwise, and subject to other provisions
of this section: (A) words and phrases appearing in this chapter,
which are defined in this Part or other provisions of this chapter,
shall be construed according to such definitions; and (B) words and
phrases not defined in this Part or other provisions of this chapter
shall be construed according to their common and approved usage, provided
that any such undefined words and phrases, which are technical words
and phrases or such others as have acquired a peculiar and appropriate
meaning, shall be construed according to such technical and appropriate
meaning. Words used in the present tense include the future. The singular
includes the plural and the plural the singular. The masculine gender
includes the feminine and the neuter. The words "shall" or "must"
are mandatory. The word "person" includes an individual, corporation,
partnership, incorporated association or other similar entity. The
words "includes" or "including" shall not limit the term to the specified
example but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances
of like kind and character. The phrase "used for" includes "arranged
for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for," or "occupied
for."
2.
Any reference in this chapter to any ordinance of the Township, to
any federal or state law or statute, or to any regulation, study,
map or survey issued or prepared by the Board of Supervisors, or any
officer or official of the Township, and/or by any federal or state
public body, or a public officer or official thereof, shall include
such ordinance, law, statute, regulation, study, map, and survey,
with all amendments and supplements thereto, and any new ordinance,
law, statute, regulation, study, map, and survey substituted for the
same, as in force at the time of application hereunder.
3.
Any reference in this chapter to any governmental agency, department,
board, commission or other public body or to any public officer or
other public official shall include an entity or official which or
who succeeds to the same functions as those performed by such public
body or official at the time of application hereunder.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 201; as amended by Ord.
152, 12/8/2008, § I; by Ord. 158, 12/14/2009, § I;
by Ord. 172, 2/14/2011, §§ VII, VIII, and IX; by Ord.
174, 2/14/2011, §§ I, II, and VII; by Ord. 184, 10/10/2011,
§§ I, III; by Ord. 186, 11/14/2011, § I;
by Ord. 196, 8/12/2013, §§ V, VI, and VIII; and by
Ord. 205, 12/14/2015, §§ XVII — XXIII]
An intentional and absolute relinquishment and cessation
of a use without intention to resume such use for a period of time,
or the voluntary discontinuance of a use for a continuous period of
time.
A subordinate building or structure, the use of which is
entirely incidental to that of the principal or main building or structure,
used for an accessory use and located on the same lot.
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to and located
on the same lot occupied by the principal use to which it relates.
A residential community that is intended and operated for
occupancy by persons aged 55 and older, is governed by a declaration
of covenants, conditions and restrictions that limits the occupancy
of dwellings to persons aged 55 and older, and otherwise qualifies
as "housing for older persons" in accordance with the Fair Housing
Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq. (2007) and
its implementing regulations.
Any adult bookstore, adult cabaret, adult minipicture theater,
adult theater or massage establishment, as defined herein and which,
under § 5903 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5903,
must exclude minors or may not knowingly distribute to minors.
ADULT BOOKSTOREA commercial establishment, having as a substantial or significant portion of its stock in trade, whether for sale or rental, books, magazines, videos, novelties, or other materials which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specific sexual activities" as defined herein.
ADULT CABARETA cabaret, tavern, theater, or club which features strippers, male or female impersonators or similar entertainers who exhibit, display, or engage nudity, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse, as defined in § 5903 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5903.
ADULT MINI-MOTION PICTURE THEATERAn enclosed building offering video presentations distinguishing or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities," as defined herein, for observation by patrons within private viewing booths and/or by use of token or coin operated projectors or other video machines.
ADULT THEATERAny business, indoor or outdoor, that exhibits a motion picture show or other presentation that, in whole or in part, depicts nudity, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse, as defined in § 5903 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5903.
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTAny establishment or business which provides the services of a massage or body manipulation, including exercises, heat and light treatments of the body, and all forms and methods of physiotherapy, unless operated by a medical practitioner, chiropractor or professional physical therapist licensed by the state. This definition does not include an athletic club, school, gymnasium, reducing salon, spa or similar establishment where massage or similar manipulation of the human body is offered as an incidental or accessory service.
The cultivating of the soil, the raising and marketing of
livestock and poultry, dairying and the marketing of products of the
soil that are produced on the premises including, but not by way of
limitation, nursery, horticultural and forestry products, but excluding
commercial swine and commercial poultry facilities. The keeping of
horses or dogs, and any similar animals considered as domestic pets,
for domestic purposes shall not be considered an agricultural use.
Intensive agriculture shall include, but is not limited to,
the following activities: the raising of poultry, mushroom houses,
fattening pens and hog farming, and similar agricultural activities.
The characteristics of intensive farming shall include the following:
relatively small lot areas, strong offensive odors, substantial stormwater
runoff, large concentrations of animal waste, noise, extensive use
of chemicals, compost and manure storage.[1]
An area of the Township comprising more than 500 acres of
land used for the agricultural production of crops, livestock and
livestock products under the ownership of one or more persons and
designated as such by the procedures set forth in the Agricultural
Area Security Law, Act of June 30, 1981, P.L. 128, No. 43, as amended,
3 P.S. § 901 et seq.
Soils classified by the United States Department of Agriculture,
Soil Conservation Service, in the Soil Survey of Chester and Delaware
Counties, 1963. The term, unless otherwise specified, refers to Land
Capability Classes I, II and III that are those soils that may be
considered prime agricultural soils.
A commercial establishment, including permanent buildings
and/or other structures erected for entertainment purposes. Such entertainment
may include rides, booths for the conduct of games or sale of merchandise,
buildings for shows and other forms of entertainment, and restaurants.[2]
Any system of wires, rods, discs, panels, flat panels, dishes,
whips, or other similar devices used for the transmission or reception
of wireless signals. An antenna may include an omnidirectional antenna
(rod), directional antenna (panel), parabolic antenna (disc) or any
other wireless antenna. The antenna does not include the wireless
support, as defined in this section.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
See "dwelling types."
A landowner, developer or equitable owner, as hereinafter
defined, who has filed an application for subdivision and/or land
development with the Township, including his heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns. When pertaining to a wireless communications
facility, an applicant is any person that applies for a WCF structure
or wireless communication facility building permit, zoning approval,
and/or conditional use approval.
[Amended by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
The establishment and maintenance of a suitable vegetative
cover; the application of mulches or mechanical devices such as a
wood fiber blanket or erosion control netting; the erection of dikes
or other structures or barricades to prevent erosion.
A managed residential development, licensed by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, consisting of one or a combination of dwelling types,
as defined herein and common facilities such as common rooms, entertainment
facilities, auditorium, chapel, dining facilities, kitchen and food
preparation facilities, laundry facilities, administrative offices,
medical examination facilities, limited treatment and therapy facilities
or similar uses, and providing assistance with activities of daily
living such as meal service, laundry service, housekeeping, social
and recreational activities and transportation, in a group setting
to persons who require help or aid with activities of daily life,
but do not require skilled nursing care.
See "personal care facility."[3]
A nonstructural covering that projects from a wall for the
purpose of shielding a doorway or window from sun glare or the weather.
An awning is permanently attached to a building in an open position
or can be raised or retracted to a position against the building when
not in use.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A cloth, plastic or other flexible material attached to a
structure, pole, or any other object by rope, wire or framing that
is anchored on one or more edges or at all four corners.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A structure designed to store farm products and to shelter
livestock and farm equipment.
The flood selected to serve as the basis on which the floodplain
management provisions of this chapter have been prepared; the one-hundred-year
flood.
The one-hundred-year flood elevation. Within the approximated
floodplain, the base flood elevation shall be established as a point
on the boundary of the approximated floodplain that is nearest to
the site in question.
That portion of a building that is partly below and partly
above grade and has at least 1/2 its height, measured from the finished
floor to the finished ceiling, below the average grade of the adjoining
ground. A basement shall be counted as a story if the vertical distance
between the ceiling and the average level of the adjoining ground
is more than five feet or is used for business or dwelling purposes,
other than a game or recreation room and/or a garage.
A dwelling containing guest rooms available for short-term
overnight rental and providing breakfast service to overnight guests.
An earthen structure, a minimum of six feet in height with
a 1:3, height to width, slope along its length and at its ends, designed
as an integral part of a landscape screen, as illustrated below.
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An area of land bounded by streets, roads, or other types
of rights-of-way.
The Board of Supervisors of East Coventry Township, Chester
County, Pennsylvania.
A term usually applied to the intensity of sensation resulting
from viewing a surface, opaque or transmitting, from which light comes
to the eyes. Everything that is visible has some degree of brightness.
A designated area of land, containing a landscaped screen,
as defined herein, between two uses intended to protect one use from
another use that is incompatible, or to provide privacy between two
uses, or intended to protect the view(s) of or from a use.
Any structure, permanently located on the ground, having
enclosing walls and a roof; a mobile home and a trailer used or to
be used for human occupancy.
The ratio of the total ground floor area of all buildings
on a lot to the total area of the lot on which they are located or
the percentage of the lot area covered by buildings.
The calculated square footage of any building or structure
as determined by the outside face of the foundation at grade level,
and which includes any roofed overhangs that are supported by posts
or additional foundation support.
The vertical distance from the grade plane, as defined herein,
to the average height of the highest roof.
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Also see "basement." For structures other than buildings, see
"height."
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A document issued and signed by the Building Inspector authorizing
the erection, alteration, or enlargement of a building or structure.
The document shall indicate that the proposed activity complies with
the applicable codes and ordinances of the Township.
A building or structure in which is conducted or intended
to be conducted or designed to be conducted, the principal use of
the lot on which the building or structure is located.
Except in the case of an interior lot, the building setback
line shall be a line, within and extending the full width of a lot,
parallel to the street line and setback a distance therefrom equal
to the depth of the minimum required front yard. To the extent that
the street line is curved, the building setback line shall be concentric
therewith. In the case of an interior lot (where preexisting or approved
by relief), the building setback line shall be a line, within and
extending the full width of the lot, which is (1) parallel to the
intervening lot line nearest the street line, and (2) setback from
such intervening lot line a distance equal to the depth of the minimum
required front yard.
For the purpose of measuring lot width at and along the building
setback line, the following shall apply:
Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B2 below, the building
setback line, for the purpose of measuring lot width, shall be the
minimum building setback line as defined in Subsection A, above.
In the case of a lot having its entire street frontage within
the turnaround, measured from reverse curve to reverse curve, of a
cul-de-sac street, the building setback line, for the purpose of measuring
lot width, shall be a curved line that is (a) parallel to and concentric
with the street line, and (b) set back from the street line a distance
equal to at least the depth of the minimum required front yard but
in no case more than twice the depth of the minimum required front
yard.
A term used to describe the size of buildings or other structures
and their relationship to each other, to open areas such as yards
and/or lot lines and includes: the size, height and floor area of
a building or other structure; the relation of the number of dwelling
units in a residential building to the area of the lot (usually called
density); and all open areas in yard space relating to buildings and
other structures.
A frame-like structure enclosed on a minimum of two sides built to mark an existing bus stop of a regional transportation system and to shelter pedestrians from the weather while waiting for buses in a public or private regional transportation system. Bus shelters may contain limited advertising space in accordance with § 27-1314, "Signs," of this chapter.
The diameter of a tree, where required to be planted under
this chapter, measured in inches at six inches from the ground surface.
A lot or land upon which two or more campsites or recreational
vehicle sites, tents or other individual camping units are located,
established, or maintained for occupancy by recreational vehicles
of the general public as temporary living quarters for recreational
or vacation purposes utilized on a seasonal basis.
A plot of ground within a recreational vehicle park intended
for the accommodation of a recreational vehicle, tent, or other individual
camping unit for seasonal use.
A structure, other than an awning, made of fabric, metal
or other material that is supported by columns or posts affixed to
the ground and may also be connected to a building.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A roofed-over structure, open on at least two sides, used
in conjunction with a dwelling for parking or other temporary storage
of private motor vehicles.
That portion of a street or alley paved or otherwise intended
for vehicular traffic. Where vertical curbs are provided, the area
between the sides of the curbs facing the cartway shall be included
in the cartway.
A separate and subordinate cartway within the right-of-way
of a major street or road which is parallel to, and connected at controlled
intervals with, the principal cartway and which serves as the means
of access to abutting lots; a service road.
Land used or intended to be used for the burial of the deceased,
including crematories, mausoleums, mortuaries and pet cemeteries when
operated in conjunction with the cemetery and located on such land
as used for the cemetery.
The approval statement signed by the Board of Supervisors
which certifies the historical appropriateness of a particular request
for the erection, alteration, reconstruction, restoration, demolition,
or razing of all or part of any building or structure within a historic
district and authorized the issuance of a building permit for said
request.
An historic district that has been delineated by the Township
and certified for historical significance by the Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission in accordance with the Historic District Act.
A building or structure identified by the Township which
is listed in the National Register of Historic Places or located within
a registered historic district and certified by the Secretary of the
Interior as being of historical significance to the district.
A building used for divine public worship and education by
a congregation, but excluding buildings used exclusively for residential,
burial, recreational or other uses not normally associated with worship.
The term "church" shall also include temples, synagogues, mosques
and other similar places of worship.
The felling of all trees on a tract of land or any portion
thereof, at one time.
An area of unobstructed vision at a street intersection,
defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from
the intersection measured on the center lines of the streets.
An arrangement of residential structures that allows for
grouping of the structures by reducing lot area and yard requirements
and incorporating the remaining area as open space.
The installation of one or more wireless communications facilities,
including antennas, on a previously approved and constructed WCF structure.
The term includes the placement, replacement or modification of previously
approved accessory equipment.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
A use of land or improvements thereto for the purpose of
engaging in retail, wholesale or service activities for profit.
The raising of hogs or pigs for sale or for profit as the
principal use on the lot, but not including the incidental raising
of hogs or pigs as an accessory use to a principal agricultural use.
The raising of any form of poultry for sale or for profit
as the principal use on the lot, but not including the incidental
raising of chickens, turkeys or geese for domestic consumption on
the premises as an accessory use to a principal agricultural use.
Any real estate designated for common ownership solely by
the unit owners in a condominium, any real estate within a planned
community which is owned by or leased to the homeowners' association,
or any area or space designed for joint use of tenants occupying a
mobile home development.
A parcel, parcels of land, greenway, an area of water or
a combination of land and water designed and intended for the use
or enjoyment of the residents, consisting of landscaped or natural
terrain including lakes and streams. Common open space shall be substantially
free of buildings (but may include such buildings or other improvements
as are in the development plan as finally approved and as are appropriate
for the recreational uses). Common open space shall not include street
rights-of-way, yards, required areas for buildings, off-street parking
areas or similar functions. Common open space may include recreational
uses such as tennis courts, squash courts, playgrounds, golf courses,
swimming pools or other like uses. Common open space may also include
stormwater detention or retention facilities, provided that the area
devoted to such facilities shall not be included as part of the required
minimum open space area. For ownership purposes, any open space owned
by the Township shall be considered "public open space;" all other
open spaces shall be considered "private open space."
The document adopted on May 19, 2003, by the Board of Supervisors,
in accordance with the provisions of Act 247, as the Comprehensive
Plan for the Township of East Coventry, including the Pottstown Metropolitan
Regional Comprehensive Plan - Update 2015, as adopted by the Board
of Supervisors by Resolution No. 2015-06 on June 8, 2015, and any
amendments thereto.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-247, 11/9/2020]
For the purposes of administering the floodplain district
provisions, a space that will remain totally dry during flooding;
the structure is designed and constructed to prevent the passage of
water and water vapor.
A use which is permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to express standards and criteria prescribed for such use in this chapter. A conditional use is allowed (possibly with conditions attached) or denied upon application to the Board of Supervisors pursuant to public notice and hearing, and recommendation by the Planning Commission as set forth in Part 14.
Real estate, portions of which are designated for separate
ownership, and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership
solely by the owners of those portions, and is created under the Pennsylvania
Uniform Condominium Act, P.L. 286, Act No. 82, as amended, 68 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 3101 et seq. A form of ownership of real property, not
a type of use. Real estate is not a condominium unless the undivided
interests in the common elements are vested in the unit owners.
A privately owned lot comprised primarily of open land. The
purpose of the conservancy/sanctuary lot is to provide surrounding
residents with visual access to open space land, while keeping the
land under private ownership and maintenance. Except for the portion
of the lot specifically designated for the house, yard and related
accessory uses, the remainder must be deed restricted and used in
conformance with the standards for open space as set forth in this
chapter. Public access to conservancy/sanctuary lots is not required.
A plan for the conservation of precipitation and soils meeting the standards established and revised from time to time by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Chester County Conservation District and by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. See § 22-306, Subsection 1, of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. [Chapter 22].
Any disturbance of the existing surface of the land or the
erection of structures thereon, including the cutting of trees or
clearing of brush; provided, however that the entering upon the premises
for purposes of surveying, staking, or the clearing of lines necessary
to obtain data on existing conditions shall not be deemed "construction."
A managed residential development, authorized to operate
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, designed to provide a range of
senior housing options, specialized services, support and security
and three levels of health care including independent living, assisted
living, and long-term and short-term skilled nursing care, together
with an array of ancillary facilities intended to meet the social,
recreational, cultural and religious needs of the residents.
See "nursing home."
A retail establishment that sells a variety of prepared and
non-prepared foods, beverages, over-the-counter drugs, sundries and
household supplies, which may also include the retail sale of motor
vehicle fuels provided such fuels sale is clearly incidental to the
said retail sale of foods, beverages, drugs, sundries and supplies.
An alteration of a building, structure, historic resource
or land by change of use, theretofore existing, to a new use which
imposes other special provisions of a law governing building construction,
equipment, exits or zoning regulations. In the case of dwelling units,
the creation of two or more dwelling units within an existing single-family
detached dwelling, with the resulting units each having independent
kitchen, bath, and sleeping facilities.
The Planning Commission of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
A single access local street intersecting another street
at one end and terminated at the other end by a permanent vehicular
turnaround.
A facility used for providing to the public instruction in
the performing arts, limited to dance, music, and theater, and the
fine ads, including drawing, painting, photography and sculpture.
Act of November 26, 1978, P.L. 1375, No. 325, as amended,
32 P.S. § 693.1 et seq.
Used as a basis for calculations or measurements as a level
from which elevations are measured in surveying.
The land and buildings the principal use of which is the
supervision and care of seven or more individuals and including staffed
professional supervision necessary to serve such purposes. Such use
may, but need not, be in support of and operated by another nonresidential
use. Education may be an ancillary use in connection with the day
care function. Care shall be exercised on a daily basis only and the
facilities of a day care center shall not include provisions for overnight
accommodation. Operation of a day care center may be by a public agency,
a private nonprofit organization or a private commercial entity and
shall be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A dwelling where day care services are provided for four,
five or six children who are not related to the caregiver or owner
of the property and who are 15 years of age or younger. Care shall
be exercised on a daily basis only and shall not include overnight
accommodation. Operation of a day care home shall be licensed by the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The diameter of a tree at breast height measured 3.5 feet
from the ground surface.
A unit for expressing the relative intensity of sounds on
a scale from zero for the average least perceptible sounds to about
130 for the average pain level.
The absence of routine maintenance and repair which can lead
to a building's or structure's structural weakness, decay and deterioration
resulting in its demolition.
The razing or destruction, whether entirely or in significant
part, of the exterior of a building, structure, or historic resource.
Demolition includes the removal of a building or structure from its
site or the removal, stripping, concealing or destruction of an historic
resource, including, without limitation, the facade or any significant
exterior architectural features that are integral to the historic
character of the resource, for whatever purpose, including new construction
or reconstruction.
The total number of dwelling units existing and/or to be
constructed on a lot or tract divided by the total gross area thereof,
as defined herein as "gross lot area" or "gross tract area," expressed
in dwelling units per acre.
The total number of dwelling units existing and/or proposed
to be constructed on a lot or tract divided by the total net area
thereof, as defined herein as "net lot area" or "net tract area,"
expressed in dwelling units per acre.
The Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
or its representative having jurisdiction in the Township.
A structure designed to retard surface water runoff for a
period of time sufficient to provide for a reduced rate of discharge
through a controlled outlet, and to retard the velocity and cause
the deposition of sediment, and as a means of preventing erosion.
For the purpose of calculating the net lot or net tract area, the
area of a detention basin shall be measured as 20 feet outward from
the one-hundred-year storm event elevation contour within the basin,
or as recommended by the Township Engineer and approved by the Board
of Supervisors.
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the
permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision
of land or a land development.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including,
but not limited to: the construction, reconstruction, renovation,
repair, expansion, or alteration of buildings or other structures;
the placement of manufactured homes; streets and other paving; utilities;
filling, grading and excavation; mining; dredging; drilling operations;
storage of equipment or materials; and the subdivision of land.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings,
whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential
building on a lot, or lots, regardless of the number of occupants,
whether owners or renters.
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially
or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective
occupants by means of, or for the purpose of, streets, common areas,
leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
The following shall be excluded from the definition of development/land
development: (a) the conversion of an existing single-family detached
dwelling or a single-family semi-detached dwelling into not more than
three dwelling units unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
and (b) the addition of an accessory building, including farm buildings,
on a lot or lots, subordinate to an existing principal building.
The provisions for development including a plat of subdivision,
all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and
other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets,
ways and parking facilities, common open space and public facilities.
The phrase "provisions of the development plan," when used in this
chapter, shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to
in this definition.
A disability of a person which has continued, or can be expected
to continue indefinitely, which disability is attributable to mental
retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism; is found to be attributable
to any other condition found to be closely related to mental retardation
because such condition results in similar impairment of general intellectual
functioning or adaptive behavior to that of mentally retarded persons
or requires treatment and services similar to those required for such
persons; or is attributable to dyslexia resulting from such disability.
A developmentally disabled person shall mean a person having a developmental
disability as defined above.
A means of lighting a sign or other object by means of a
light source which is located within or directly on the sign or other
object to be lit.
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to dispense medical marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19 of the Medical Marijuana Act.[4]
[Added by Ord. 212, 5/8/2017]
A network of spatially separated antenna sites connected
to a common source that provides wireless service within a geographic
area or structure.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
A generally circular line around a tree, the circumference
of which is determined by the outer reaches of the tree's widest branch
points.
An accessway located exclusively on a portion of one lot
that is intended for vehicular use and access to the principal structure(s)
located on such lot and which is privately owned.
[Added by Ord. 215, 8/14/2017]
Any lot upon which trash, debris and other refuse are periodically
and illegally deposited; not a permitted use.
A building consisting of one or more dwelling units designed
and occupied principally for residential purposes.
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent
occupancy, contained in one unit, or in two or more units designed
to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated
for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for
occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations
and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
A room or group of rooms within a building used, intended
to be used or capable of being used as a complete housekeeping facility
for one family, providing living, sleeping, cooking, dining and sanitary
facilities.
It is the intention to include within this definition of
dwelling types all recognized housing types, architectural types or
building types, or combinations thereof, including, but not necessarily
limited to, single-family detached, single-family attached dwellings,
duplex or twin dwellings, fourplex dwellings, apartments, and the
like, whether such dwelling units are for lease or for sale.
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHEDA building designed for and occupied as a residence, containing one dwelling unit and having no common or party wall with an adjacent dwelling.
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TWO-FAMILY DETACHEDA building designed for and occupied as a residence containing two dwelling units and having no common or party wall with any adjacent dwelling.
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SINGLE-FAMILY SEMI-DETACHEDA building designed for and occupied as a residence, containing one dwelling unit and having a common or party wall with another building, and having yards on all but one side.
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TWO-FAMILY SEMI-DETACHEDA building designed for and occupied as a residence, containing two dwelling units and having a common or party wall with another building, and having yards on all but one side.
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SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHEDAn attached building, arranged, designed and intended for the exclusive occupancy as a residence for one family, each building separated by common, or party, wall which does not provide access between buildings, and each building having at least one separate entrance from the outside. Each single-family attached building at the end of a building group shall have one side yard in accordance with the applicable district regulations.
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TWO-FAMILY ATTACHEDA building designed for and occupied as a residence, containing two dwelling units and having two or more common or party walls with other buildings, with the exception that a two-family attached building at the end of a building group shall have one common or party wall with another building and shall have one side yard in accordance with the applicable district regulations.
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MULTI-UNITA building designed for and occupied as a residence, containing three or more dwelling units. Multi-unit shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, apartment houses and garden apartments.
ROW HOMEA single-family attached dwelling as defined herein.
GARDEN APARTMENTSA multi-unit building, not exceeding three stories in height, containing three or more separate dwelling units in which no more than six dwelling units have common hallways and entrances. The term shall not be construed to include single-family attached dwellings.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED (ADULT COMMUNITY)A building designed for and occupied as a residence, containing four dwelling units, each having two common or party walls between it and another dwelling unit in the building.
 |
As applied to the light emitting diodes of electronically
controlled signs, a color scheme that draws from a color palette of
browns, tans, grays, and greens, such colors being muted and flat
in an emulation of the natural colors found in soil and rocks.
A permanent right granted for limited use of private land,
normally for a public purpose (e.g., utility, drainage, public access).
The owner of the property shall have the right to make any other use
of the land that is not inconsistent with the rights of the grantee.
A legal agreement between a property owner and an appropriate
conservation organization or governmental entity through which the
property owner establishes certain use restrictions, which may include,
without limitation, historic resource facade easements, over all or
portions of the property for conservation purposes.
Land and/or buildings specifically designed, arranged, and
intended for the primary purpose of education, including pre-school,
elementary, and secondary schools, or colleges, either private or
public, including schools relating to religious organizations and
vocational schools.
The effective date of this chapter shall be __________ except
that, with respect to the subject matter of any amendment to this
chapter, the effective date of this chapter shall mean the date on
which the particular amendment became or becomes effective.
Buildings or structures and equipment erected and used for
the purpose of transmission, switching or transforming of electrical
current between customers and the utility company facilities, not
including the storage of materials, trucks, repair facilities or housing
of repair crews, such buildings or structures being effectively screened
to blend the installation with the surrounding landscape.
A condition that 1) constitutes a clear and immediate danger
to the health, welfare, or safety of the public, or 2) has caused
or is likely to cause facilities in the right-of-way to be unusable
and result in loss of the services provided.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
A professional engineer, licensed as such by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the engineer for the Township.[5]
A person who holds equitable title to real estate.
Ownership by a person who does not have legal title to real
estate; a trustor under a deed of trust.
For purposes of administering the floodplain district provisions,
a space which will remain dry during flooding, except for the passage
of some water vapor or minor seepage; the structure is substantially
impermeable to the passage of water.
A point on the boundary of the floodplain area that is closest
to the development site.
The Federal Aviation Administration.
Any exterior face of a building or structure.
Any number of individuals, living together on a non-transient
basis, legally related through blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship,
including individuals placed for foster care by an authorized agency,
or up to five unrelated individuals living and cooking together and
functioning as a single housekeeping unit using certain rooms and
housekeeping facilities in common. Excluded from the definition of
"family" are occupants of a club, fraternity house, lodge or rooming
house.
A "family" shall also be deemed to include any number of mentally or physically handicapped persons occupying a dwelling unit as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit, if such occupants are handicapped persons as defined in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. Such unrelated individuals shall have the right to occupy a dwelling unit in the same manner and to the same extent as any family unit as defined in Subsection A hereof.
Any building used for storing agricultural equipment or farm
produce or products, housing livestock or poultry, or processing dairy
products. The term "farm building" shall not include dwellings, but
shall include a barn, silo, and incidental storage sheds.
The Federal Communications Commission.
Any area where agricultural animals are held or maintained
for the purpose of feeding or fattening for sale when not incidental
to a farm.
A freestanding assembly of wood, glass, metal, plastic, wire,
wire mesh, masonry or vegetation, singly or in combination with other
materials, 2 1/2 feet high or higher, erected to secure or divide
one property from another or part of a property from a remaining part,
to assure privacy, to protect the property so defined or to enclose
all or part of the property. A freestanding masonry wall is considered
a fence.
Material, exclusive of structures, placed or deposited so
as to form an embankment or raise the surface elevation of the land.
A right-of way for a vehicular access roadway or driveway
for the orderly and free passage, in all seasons and under all weather
conditions, of fire apparatus and other emergency equipment to all
necessary areas around buildings, facilities, developments.[6]
Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 851, No. 166, as amended, 32
P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
The total enclosed area in the horizontal planes of a principal
structure, and all accessory structures as measured from the outside
face of all exterior walls.
The sum of the horizontal areas of all rooms used for habitation,
exclusive, of the hallways, stairways, unfinished basements not included
in height calculations, daylight basements, attics, bathrooms, closets,
unheated areas, rooms without at least one window or skylight, garages
and accessory buildings.
A quantitative unit for measuring illumination equivalent
to the illumination produced by a plumber's candle (standard source)
measured at a distance of one foot. One lumen per square foot.
See "lot line, front."
An accessory building or part of a principal building, used
for the storage of motor vehicles, not exceeding a gross vehicle weight
which would require for its operation a commercial driver's license,
and/or for the storage of materials and equipment owned and used by
the owner or tenant of the premises.[7]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-247, 11/9/2020]
Map 3, entitled "Geology and Watershed Boundaries," in the
East Coventry Township Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources
Plan.
Brightness in the field of view that is sufficiently greater
than the amount of light to which the eye is adapted, to cause annoyance,
discomfort or loss of visual performance and visibility.
A tract designed and improved for the playing of golf, with
a minimum of 2,800 yards of play in nine holes. A golf course may
include accessory uses such as a club house, snack bar, golf equipment
pro-shop, driving range and practice areas, provided that these uses
are clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the property
as a golf course and are intended to serve the users of the golf course.
Private golf courses may also include swimming pools, tennis courts,
and other recreational facilities provided solely for use by club
members and their guests. Uses excluded from this definition include
driving ranges as a principal use and pitch-and-putt or miniature
golf courses.
The elevation, relative to a given datum, of the ground surface
prior to any excavation or fill.
The elevation, relative to a given datum, of the ground surface
after completion of any excavation or fill.
The elevation, relative to a given datum, of the ground surface
to be achieved by excavation or fill.
A reference plane representing the average of the finished
grade adjoining a building at the exterior walls. Where the finished
grade slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall
be established by the lowest points within the area between the building
and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than six feet from
the building, between the building and a point six feet from the building.
A dwelling operated by a responsible individual, family or
organization with a program to provide a supportive living arrangement
for individuals where special care is needed by the individual served
due to age, emotional, mental or physical handicap. This definition
shall expressly include facilities for the care of developmentally
disabled persons. "Group homes" shall be licensed where required by
an appropriate governmental agency, and a copy of such license must
be delivered to the Township prior to the beginning of such use. "Group
homes" shall be subject to the same limitations and regulations by
the Township as a single-family dwelling. It is the express intent
of this definition to comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988, P.L. 100-430.
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to grow and process medical marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19 of the Medical Marijuana Act.[8]
[Added by Ord. 212, 5/8/2017]
A building or structure used to grow and process medical
marijuana by a licensed grower/processor that meets all requirements
of the Medical Marijuana Act.[9]
[Added by Ord. 212, 5/8/2017]
The Chester County Health Department.
A contractor that routinely performs heavy construction or
excavation work generally requiring the outdoor storage and transport
to and from the construction site of construction trucks, materials
and heavy equipment.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-231, 3/11/2019]
For structures that are buildings, see "building height."
For structures other than buildings, the height shall be the vertical
distance measured from the elevation of the proposed mean level of
the ground along the front of the structure to its highest point.
See "height of a tower-based WCF."
[Amended by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
The vertical distance measured from the finished grade of
the ground (immediately adjacent to the tower-based WCF), including
any base pad, to the highest point on the tower-based WCF, including
antennas mounted on the tower and any other appurtenances.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
An area to accommodate all phases of operation of rotor-wing
aircraft (helicopters) with suitable space to allow development of
service facilities as desired.
An area on a roof or on the ground to accommodate touchdown
and liftoff of rotor-wing aircraft (helicopters) for the purpose of
picking up and discharging passengers or cargo, with no service facilities.
Plants that have no woody parts. Stems and branches remain
green and soft and die down to the ground in winter.
The Act of June 13, 1961, P.L. 282, No. 167, as amended,
53 P.S. § 8001 et seq.
All buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts that
are shown on the Historic Resources Map.
An official list, appropriately documented, of historic resources
in the Township and their classification as Class I, Class II and
Class III.
A map adopted as part of this chapter showing historic properties
and their respective classifications.
A place where a significant event or pattern of events occurred.
The East Coventry Township Historical Commission established
and created under and by this chapter.
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted
as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential
dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic,
whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions,
to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with
residential use. The business or commercial activity must satisfy
the following requirements:
The business activity shall be compatible with the residential
use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
The business shall employ no employees other than family members
residing in the dwelling.
The display or sale of retail goods shall be limited to 20 square
feet of floor area, and there shall be no stockpiling of inventory
of a substantial nature.
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including,
but not limited to, parking, signs, or lights.
The business activity may not use any equipment or process which
creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical or electronic
interference with radio or television reception, which is detectable
in the neighborhood.
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage
discharge, in volume and type, which is not normally associated with
residential use in the neighborhood.
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling
and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
The business may not involve any illegal activity.
An activity conducted for profit or non-profit by persons
residing on the premises that is clearly subordinate to the principal
use of the property as a single-family detached dwelling, has little
or no impact on the area in which it is located, and is defined by
the following characteristics:
The occupation is conducted by the inhabitants of the dwelling.
The occupation does not involve customer or client visits to
the dwelling and there is no direct sale of products.
There is no exterior indication including, but not limited to,
signs, advertising or other display, that a home occupation is located
on the premises.
Commercial delivery and pickup of goods and supplies is limited
to no more than once a week, exclusive of normal postal and parcel
service typically serving a residential area.
The floor area devoted to the occupation does not exceed 25%
of the floor area of the dwelling or 500 square feet, whichever is
less.
An association comprised exclusively of homeowners or unit
owners, organized as a profit or nonprofit corporation or as an unincorporated
association, and operated in accordance with approved bylaws, for
the purpose of governing and operating the association and administering
to the needs of residents through the management and maintenance of
common property and facilities owned by the association or its members.
An accredited medical facility within which the diagnosis,
treatment and care, both inpatient and outpatient, of human ailments
are performed, but excluding facilities for the mentally retarded
and the emotionally disturbed.
A building or buildings arranged or intended for sheltering
six or more tourists or transient guests for compensation which may
provide individual cooking facilities for guests, and providing sufficient
off-street parking facilities adjacent or convenient thereto.
A dwelling in which weekly or monthly sleeping accommodations
are provided for non-owners for rent to not more than five guests
whether or not the serving of meals is included, provided that there
shall be at least five off-street parking spaces on the lot of the
rooming house.
A soil that formed under saturated conditions. See Appendix in the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22] for list of hydric soils.
The quantity of light measured in foot-candles or lux.
The density of luminous flux on a surface.
Any surface or constructed material, which is impenetrable
to the passage of water or other liquids under normal conditions and
thus produces stormwater runoff from precipitation. All buildings,
including roof overhangs, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks,
stone driveways or parking areas, and other such areas in concrete
or asphalt, shall be considered components of impervious cover. In
addition, other areas determined by the Township Engineer to be impervious
within the meaning of this definition shall also be considered as
contributing to total impervious cover. For purposes of determining
compliance with maximum impervious cover limitations on any lot or
tract, impervious cover shall be measured as a percentage of net tract
area, defined herein.
A self-contained attached residential dwelling unit resulting
from the conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling
into two dwelling units and inhabited by at least one person related
by blood, marriage or legal adoption to the family members who live
in the primary dwelling unit. The secondary unit shall contain a kitchen
and bath facilities, have direct access to the outdoors or to a hall
from which there is direct access to the outdoors and be physically
subordinate to the primary unit that exists in the dwelling.
A means of lighting a sign or other object by means of a
light source which is located beyond the sign or other object to be
lit but which is directed or reflected upon the sign or other object.
Any use permitted in the LI Limited Industrial Zoning District
that involves the fabrication, production, repair, alteration and/or
storage of a product(s) within a building and/or outdoors. Such uses
do not include customer oriented retail sales.
A public or private benevolent establishment devoted to the
shelter, maintenance and care of (A) minor children, (B) homeless,
aged or infirm persons, or (C) members of a religious community.
A paved surface providing vehicular access within and between
parking areas and/or loading areas.
An area of land with or without buildings used for storage
of used and/or discarded materials, outside a completely enclosed
building including, but not limited to, wastepaper, rags, metal, building
materials, house furnishings, machinery, parts thereof, or vehicles,
thereof, with or without the dismantling, processing, salvage, sale
or other use or disposition of the same. The deposit or storage on
a lot of two or more unlicensed, wrecked, or disabled vehicles, or
the major part thereof, is a "junkyard" and shall not be permitted.
A not-for-profit establishment where five or more pets are
kept, trained, raised or bred, excluding boarding and grooming provisions
unless as part of a private club's activities.
A for profit establishment where five or more pets, not owned
by the owner or occupant of the premises, are kept, boarded, groomed,
trained, raised or bred.
A building or group of buildings within which the principal
uses are facilities for scientific research, investigation, testing
and experimentation, but not including the manufacture of products
for sale.
Any activity which causes land to be exposed to erosion,
including clearing, grading, filling and any other activity, excepting
agricultural activities resulting in the movement of earth or stripping
of vegetative cover or removal of hazardous or invasive alien vegetation
(see definition of "woodland disturbance" under this section of this
chapter; includes, without limitation, earthmoving.
See "sanitary landfill."
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land including
the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such
option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is
authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner,
or other person, having a proprietary interest in land.
The use of plant material, walls, fencing or earthen berms, or combinations thereof, to: (A) aid in the concealment of such features as parking and loading areas; (B) to provide privacy and/or protection between two incompatible land uses; or, (C) to provide a visual and/or sound barrier. Where a wall, fence or berm is employed, such structures shall be not less than six feet in height. The landscape screen shall meet the requirements of § 22-428 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
The planting of turf or other appropriate ground cover or
the planting of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubbery, other
than for agricultural purposes, and including the maintenance and
replacement thereof, for control of erosion, retention of precipitation,
protection against elements or promotion of human comfort and welfare.
A description of traffic conditions along a given roadway
or at a particular intersection. As defined by the Highway Capacity
Manual, level of service, ranging from A to F, measures the operational
conditions within a traffic stream in terms of such factors as speed,
travel time, delay, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort
and convenience.
The production or processing of materials by the employment
of machines, soldering irons, stamping machines, kilns, aluminum banding
devices and the like. Such activity is not likely to produce noises,
odors, or other emissions detectable off the premises by a person
having normal senses.
Light emitted by a lighting installation, which extends beyond
the boundaries of the lot on which the installation is sited.
Horses, cattle, sheep or other large animals kept or raised
on an agricultural property or on any property meeting the provisions
of this chapter. A large animal is one which stands over 30 inches
at the shoulder or weighs over 200 pounds.
An area of land, upon a lot or lots upon which a principal
use is located, which is provided and maintained for the exclusive
purpose of the temporary parking of a commercial motor vehicle for
the loading and/or unloading of merchandise or other materials related
to the principal use of the lot or lots.
An additional partial story of a dwelling which shall not
exceed 550 square feet of floor area and shall include no more than
one finished bedroom and one bathroom.
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon in accordance with this chapter, the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22] and/or other applicable law.
The area of land contained within the property lines of a
parcel, tract or lot as described in the deed or as shown on an approved
subdivision plan.
The gross lot area excluding the following areas:
Any area (1) within a street ultimate right-of-way; or (2) within
any other ultimate right-of-way, whether public or private, that provides,
or is intended to provide, access to more than one lot by way of vehicular
and/or pedestrian circulation.
Any area, easement or right-of-way to be used for emergency
access, drives or fire lanes.
Any existing easements or rights-of-way for gas, oil, natural
gas, electric or communications transmission facilities, whether below
or above grade, that do not exclusively serve the lot.
Any sanitary sewer easement area.
Any area overlain by the one-hundred-year floodplain.
Any area of prohibitive steep slope.
Any area of seasonally high water table soils and hydric soils.
Any area of wetlands.
Any riparian buffer area. The net lot area shall be used to
determine the area, bulk, coverage, dimensional and density requirements
as provided in this chapter.
A lot at the junction of, and abutting on two or more streets.
The ratio or percentage of the total ground floor area of
all buildings on a lot to the gross area of the lot on which they
are located.
The distance along a straight line drawn from the midpoint
of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line.
The uninterrupted linear or curvilinear extent of a lot measured
along the street right-of-way from the intersection of one side lot
line to the intersection of the other side lot line.
A lawful pre-existing lot, existing as of December 31, 2002,
or lot approved to provide relief, having limited frontage on a public
or private road where such frontage is intended primarily to provide
access to the lot. The strip of land used for access shall be a fee
simple part of the lot. An interior lot shall include, without limitation,
a flag lot.
A property boundary line of any lot held in single and separate
ownership, except that, in the case of any lot abutting a street,
the lot line for such portion of the lot as abuts the street shall
be deemed to be the same as the street line, and shall not be the
center line of the street, or any other line within the street line
even though such may be the property boundary line.
Front lot line shall mean the line separating such lot from
the ultimate street right-of-way.
A line opposite and most distant from the front lot line.
If the rear lot line is less than 10 feet in length, or if the lot
forms a point at the rear, the rear lot line shall be deemed to be
a line 10 feet in length within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum
distance from the front lot line. In the case of a corner lot, any
lot line that is not a front lot line or a side lot line.
Any lot line that is not a front or rear lot line. In the
case of a corner lot, any lot line that intersects a front lot line
may be considered a side lot line.
A lot extending between and having frontage on an existing
or proposed arterial, collector or local street, and a local street,
and with vehicular access solely from the latter.
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines of a lot
(or in the case of a corner lot, between the side lot line and the
opposite front lot line of the lot) measured at and along the building
setback line. The measurement of lot width at and along the building
setback line shall be as provided in and by the definition herein
of "building setback line."
For purposes of administering the floodplain district provisions,
the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement).
An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking
of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement
area is not considered a building's lowest floor; provided, that such
enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation
of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of this chapter.
An area intentionally grown or planted with a mix of native
species, wildflowers and grasses, mowed at least annually and maintained
to reduce or eliminate non-native and invasive plant species.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-256, 11/14/2022]
Areas of land which have been disturbed or changed by grading
or filling to such extent that the natural soil conditions no longer
prevail.
A low, constantly wet area, often fed by small intermittent
streams, that supports unique plant, animal and insect life.
A plant community or area of vegetation dominated by grasses
and/or forbs, often managed through annual or seasonal mowing.
A facility for the examination and treatment of ill and afflicted
human outpatients provided, however, that the patients are not kept
overnight except under emergency conditions. This includes doctors
and dental offices and clinics.[10]
Marijuana for certified medical use as set forth in the Medical
Marijuana Act.[11]
[Added by Ord. 212, 5/8/2017]
To reduce to the smallest amount or extent possible. "Minimize"
shall not mean complete elimination but shall require that the most
substantial efforts possible under the circumstances have been taken
to reduce the adverse effect(s) of the action required to be minimized.
"Minimize" shall include, but not be limited to, the requirement that
the placement of dwellings and other structures and the locations
of roads, stormwater management facilities, and other land disturbance
shall be planned and designed to reduce the adverse effect(s) of the
activity in question to the smallest amount possible under the circumstances
consistent with otherwise permitted development.
The minimum front, side or rear yard setback distance measured
from its corresponding lot line of the lot as required by the applicable
zoning district, which is open and unobstructed from the ground to
the sky, except for permitted accessory structures and signs.
The replacement of existing work with equivalent materials
for the purpose of a structure's routine maintenance and upkeep.
An action undertaken to accomplish one or more of the following:
Avoid or minimize impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude
of the action and its implementation.
Rectify the impact by repairing, rehabilitating or restoring
the impacted environment.
Reduce or eliminate the impact over time by preservation and
maintenance operations during the life of the action.
Obtain a Memorandum of Agreement relating to a historic resource.
If the impact cannot be minimized in accordance with Subsections
A1 through A4 above, compensation for the impact by replacing the
environment impacted by the project or by providing substitute resources
or environments.
See "dwelling mobile/manufactured home."
A parcel of land in a mobile/manufactured home park, improved
with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary
for the erection thereon of a single mobile/manufactured home.
A concrete pad on which a mobile/manufactured home is placed
at least six inches in thickness with a base of at least six inches
of 2B stone and with at least six tie-down rings to which the mobile/manufactured
home shall be secured. The pad shall be equal in length and width
to the dimensions of the mobile home to be placed thereon.
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land under single ownership
which has been planned and improved for placement of mobile homes
for nontransient use, consisting of two or more mobile/manufactured
home lots.
When pertaining to a wireless communications facility, the
improvement, upgrade, expansion or replacement of existing wireless
communications facilities or accessory equipment on an existing WCF
structure if the improvement, upgrade, expansion or replacement does
not substantially change the physical dimensions of the WCF structure.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
A WCF structure that consists of a single pole, designed
and erected on the ground or on top of a structure, to support communications
antennas and connecting appurtenances.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Any subdivision, other than for single-family detached dwellings
and single-family semi-detached dwellings or any single lot on which
two or more principal uses exist or are proposed, regulated by special
provisions of this chapter.
Any garbage, refuse, industrial, lunchroom or office waste,
and other material including solid, semi-solid (not greater than 20%
liquid), or contained gaseous material resulting from the operation
of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments
and from community activities, excluding radiological and biological
waste.
The Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted
and amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., known as the "Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code," together with amendments and supplements
thereto and any new statutes substituted therefor, as in force at
the time of application under this chapter.
An institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, display
and exhibition of objects of lasting interest or value.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended,
16 U.S.C. §§ 470-470w-6.
Standards promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior against
which historic resources nominated to the National Register are evaluated.
A list maintained by the Secretary of the Interior composed
of buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts of national,
state or local significance in American history, architecture, archaeology,
engineering and culture.
Map 4, entitled "Natural Conditions," in the East Coventry
Township Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources Plan.
The process by which landscapes are transformed, over time,
from open, seasonal cover to more permanent vegetation. In the East,
the natural change is from open space to woodland.
See "tract area, net" and "lot area, net."
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land containing two or more mobile home pads for rent for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the mobile home is to be affixed (including at a minimum the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads and the construction of streets) is completed on or after the effective date of the floodplain regulations set forth in Part 4 of this chapter.
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to
the adoption or amendment of this chapter but which fails to conform
to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located
by reason of such adoption or amendment.
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed
to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provisions of this
chapter or amendment hereto where such structure lawfully existed
prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment, or prior to the
application of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason
of annexation. Such nonconforming structures include, but are not
limited to, nonconforming signs.
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply
with the applicable use provisions of this chapter or amendment hereto
where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of
this chapter or amendment, or prior to the application of this chapter
or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
Any wireless communications facility not included within
the definition of "tower-based wcf." This term includes wireless supports
and any wireless communications facilities connected thereto.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Plant material that is undesirable or offensive, due to threats
to health or prolific and uncontrollable growth. For the purpose of
this chapter, noxious vegetation shall include, but not be limited
to, ragweed, multiflora rose, Canada thistle, Japanese honeysuckle,
oriental bittersweet, tree of heaven, poison ivy, and other invasive
plants, as listed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry.
A facility, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
that provides skilled nursing care and related medical or other personal
services for 24 hours per day and seven days per week to individuals
who require full-time care or supervision, but do not require hospital
care.
Any wall, dam, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel, rectification, culvert, building, fence, stockpile, refuse, fill structure, or matter in, along, across or projecting into any channel, watercourse or flood prone area, that may impede, retard, or change the direction of the flow of water either by itself or by catching or collecting debris carried by such water, or which is placed where the flow of the water might carry the same downstream to the damage of life and property. For purposes of the floodplain regulations provided in Part 4 and elsewhere in this chapter, the planting, cultivation and harvesting of field and orchard crops or the grazing of livestock including the maintenance of necessary appurtenant agricultural fencing shall not be considered an "obstruction" subject to such floodplain regulations.
A map, legally adopted by the Board of Supervisors pursuant
to Article IV of the MPC, showing (A) officially dedicated, ordained,
opened or planned streets, existing and proposed watercourses and
public grounds, including widenings, narrowings, extensions, diminutions
and openings or closings thereof, (B) existing public parks and other
public properties, and those proposed for acquisition by the Township
by condemnation, purchase, dedication or otherwise, (C) pedestrian
ways and easements, (D) railroad and transit rights-of-way and easements,
(E) flood control basins, floodways and floodplains, stormwater management
areas, stormwater management basin easements, and drainage easements,
and (F) support facilities, easements and other properties held by
the Township and other public agencies.[13]
Act of January 19, 1968, P.L. (1967) 992, No. 422, as amended
by the Act of December 18, P.L. 994, No. 153, as amended, 32 P.S.
§ 5001 et seq. (providing for the acquisition and preservation
of open space lands).
A plan which provides for the long-term management over time
of private, public, or common open space.
The owner of a mobile home park, or his authorized agent,
who is duly licensed for maintaining a mobile/manufactured home park
in the Township.
A parking space or spaces as required by this chapter, no
part of which shall be located within any public or private street
right-of-way.
An off-street surfaced area designed solely for the parking
of motor vehicles, including driveways and passageways servicing the
parking lot and maneuvering space appurtenant thereto.
A reasonably level space designated for the parking of one motor vehicle, surfaced to permit use under all weather conditions, the dimensions of which are consistent with § 27-1306, Subsection B1, of this chapter, exclusive of passageways, driveways or other means of circulation and access and to which there is access from a street, alley, or driveway. For residential dwellings, parking spaces within garages shall not be considered in the calculation of the minimum number of required off-street parking spaces.
The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan of East Coventry
Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, dated April 2017, which comprises
a chapter of the East Coventry Township Comprehensive Plan, and any
amendments or supplements thereto.
[Amended by Ord. No. 228, 12/10/2018]
A plant community or area of vegetation dominated by grasses
which is actively or periodically grazed by livestock or which is
managed through mowing.
An area to be used as a visual and/or auditory barrier, consisting
of a mound, berm, or strip of land planted and maintained as an effective
barrier separating parcels or uses of land.
Any individual, firm, trust, condominium, partnership, joint
venture, unincorporated association, business association or corporation,
whether public or private or other legal entity cognizable at law;
provided that "person" does not include, or apply to, the Township
or to any department or agency of the Township.
[Amended by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
A personal care home, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
that provides care to adults who do not require hospitalization or
skilled or intermediate nursing care.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
As defined by Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, §§ 195.2
and 192.3.
[Added by Ord. 209, 12/12/2016]
A contiguous area of land controlled by a single landowner
and developed as a single entity for a number of commercial and other
similar uses, the development plan for which may or may not correspond
in lot size, bulk or other design standards in any one commercial
district created from time to time under the provisions of this chapter.
A person duly designated by the Board of Supervisors to perform
the duties of planner as specified herein.
The map or plan of a subdivision of land or land development,
whether preliminary or final.
The final plat, or engineering layout of streets and lots,
easements, common open spaces and public grounds which has been duly
approved by all necessary officials and bodies and recorded in the
Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Chester County, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory.
Sites in which federally and/or state recognized RTE species
of flora and/or fauna have been observed in the past, yet are not
identified by the PNDI and/or the Chester County Natural Areas Inventory.
Sites which provided suitable habitat for federally and/or state
recognized RTE species of fauna.
The region consisting of the following municipalities: Borough
of Pottstown (Montgomery County); Douglass Township (Montgomery County);
East Coventry Township (Chester County); Lower Pottsgrove Township
(Montgomery County); New Hanover Township (Montgomery County); North
Coventry Township (Chester County); Upper Pottsgrove Township (Montgomery
County); and West Pottsgrove Township (Montgomery County).
See "agriculturally suited soils."
The single primary use of a building, other structure, or
lot, serving as the basis for classification as to use category.
Areas of land or water that include parks, playgrounds, trails,
paths and other public areas, and the sites for schools, sewage treatment,
refuse disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities.
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board
of Supervisors, the Township Planning Commission or the Zoning Hearing
Board intended to inform and obtain public comment prior to taking
action in accordance with this chapter and the Municipalities Planning
Code.
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Sunshine Act.
Notice of a public hearing published once each week for two
successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township.
Such notice shall state the time and place of any hearing and the
particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The
first publication shall not be more than 30 days, and the second publication
shall not be less than seven days, prior to the date of the hearing.
A building or structure and its equipment used for the transmission
and exchange of telephone, radio telephone, gas, power, sewer and
water facilities, provided that in a residential district these shall
not include public business facilities, storage of materials, trucks
or repair facilities or housing of repair crews.
An agency which, under public franchise or ownership, or
under certificate of convenience and necessity, provides the public
with communication, gas, power, rail, transportation sewer or water
facilities or other similar service.
Recreational pursuits that require developed facilities and
physical alteration to the area in which they are performed. These
recreational activities are typically organized or self-directed,
often performed with others, require equipment, have rules and take
place at prescribed places, sites or fields. Examples of active recreation
area include, but are not limited to, playgrounds, ball courts and
fields and swimming pools. Active recreation shall exclude amusement
parks. Areas of land designed for active recreation shall satisfy
the following criteria:
[Amended by Ord. No. 2019-234, 9/9/2019]
The land has a slope of 5% or less determined by the ratio of
the change in elevation (rise) over the horizontal distance (run)
as measured between three adjacent contour intervals of two feet each,
expressed as a percentage such that they delineate slope of 5% or
less, and is suitable for active recreational uses without interfering
with adjacent dwelling units, parking, driveways and roads; and,
The land does not constitute a "wetland" under federal or state
regulations; and,
The land is not included in, or made part of, stormwater management
facilities, including detention/retention basins, swales, culverts
and any associated appurtenances thereto.
Activities that offer constructive, restorative and pleasurable
human benefits and foster appreciation and understanding of open space
and its purpose. These recreational pursuits do not significantly
impact natural, cultural, scientific or agricultural features, can
be carried out with little alteration or disruption to the area in
which they are performed, and require only minimal visitor facilities
and services directly related to safety. Such uses include, but are
not limited to, hiking, biking and picnicking.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2019-234, 9/9/2019]
A vehicle that is: (A) built on a single chassis, (B) 400
square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection,
(C) designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light
duty truck or car, and (D) designed as temporary living quarters for
recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use and not for continued
occupancy or use as a permanent dwelling. The term "recreational vehicle"
shall include tent trailers, travel trailers, motor homes, mini motor
homes and any similar self-propelled or trailered vehicle used mainly
to provide easily transportable, temporary living accommodations.
Also included are boats, other watercraft, snowmobiles, all-terrain
vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles meant for rugged, off-the-road
use.
A location where materials such as paper, plastic, compost,
glass and aluminum, which are no longer useful for their intended
purpose, are temporarily accumulated for the manufacture of a new
product(s) at such location or for transportation off the premises
for use in the manufacture of a new product(s).
A surface or element of a luminaire designed to direct light
in a desired direction.
The restocking of an area with forest trees, including natural
regeneration as well as tree planting.
A professional registered as a landscape architect in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Any piece of equipment related to, incident to or necessary
for the operation of a WCF structure. By way of illustration, not
limitation, "related equipment" includes generators and base stations.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
A nonprofit use of land or a building as a place of worship,
convent, monastery or similar religious institution including rectory
and parish house.
An individual space offered for rent or lease within an apartment
building, motel, rooming house, bed and breakfast, dormitory, or professional
or commercial office building.[14]
A building, or portion of a building, including an indoor
seating area, whether open to the public or a private club, used for
the purpose of furnishing meals to the public.
An eating establishment where customers place orders at an
inside, or outside, walkup window or service area and where food is
either served for consumption within the building or is taken out
for consumption away from the premises.
A fast-food restaurant that also provides service to customers
who remain seated in automobiles and said service is provided either
through an exterior window or service area or directly to parked automobiles.
A commercial activity that provides for the sale of commodities
directly to consumers.
A reservoir, formed from soil or other material, designed
to permanently retain stormwater runoff from a specified amount of
stormwater runoff as defined by this chapter, to detain temporarily
additional stormwater runoff and/or to retain perennial or intermittent
surface water flow from permanent or intermittent streams. Retention
basins always contain water and include man-made ponds and lakes.
For the purpose of calculating the net lot or net tract area, the
area of a retention basin shall be measured as 20 feet outward from
the one-hundred-year storm event elevation contour within the basin,
or as recommended by the Township Engineer and approved by the Board
of Supervisors.
When pertaining to a wireless communications facility, the
surface of and space above and below any real property in the Township
in which the Township has a regulatory interest, or interest as a
trustee for the public, as such interests now or hereafter exist,
including, but not limited to, all streets, highways, avenues, roads,
alleys, sidewalks, tunnels, viaducts, bridges, skyways, or any other
public place, area or property under the control of the Township,
and any unrestricted public or utility easements established, dedicated,
platted, improved or devoted for utility purposes, but excluding lands
other than streets that are owned by the Township and also excluding
pedestrian trails, footpaths and equestrian trails under the control
of the Township. The phrase "in the right-of-way" means in, on, over,
along, above and/or under the right-of-way. "Right-of-way (ROW)" shall
include streets and roads owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
and any other Pennsylvania state agencies.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
The total width of any land dedicated as a street, alley,
crosswalk, utility or for any other public or private purpose, as
reflected on a recorded subdivision plat, boundary plat, or dedication
plat.
The total width of any land which is expected to be needed
for a street, alley, crosswalk, utility or for any another public
or private purpose, including lands privately owned, but intended
to be acquired by a public agency.
Any area within 100 feet measured from the top of the stream
bank or within 100 feet measured from the water's edge if no well-defined
stream bank is present along Pigeon Creek, Stony Run, Bickles Run,
the Schuylkill River and their perennial tributaries, within which
no land disturbance is permitted. These buffer areas shall consist
of permanent vegetation consisting of native trees, shrubs and forbs
along the above-mentioned watercourses that are maintained in a natural
state or managed to protect and enhance water quality, stabilize stream
channels and banks, and buffer land use activities from surface waters.
Riparian buffer areas are not required around intermittent or seasonal
watercourses.
See "street."
A building in which weekly or monthly sleeping accommodations
are provided for rent to no more than five persons whether or not
the serving of meals is included.
An engineered facility where municipal solid waste and those
residual wastes specifically designated as acceptable to the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection are delivered for the purpose
of disposal in and on the land in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Department of Environmental Protection. A sanitary landfill
shall be owned and/or operated or under the complete control of the
Township and/or an authority created by the Township for said purpose
of operating said landfill. No other type of landfill, dump or public
or private trash collection or transfer area shall be permitted anywhere
within the Township.
Any apparatus (including without limitation any reflector,
pedestal, base and/or other attachments, parts, components and support
structure or other elements) for, intended for or capable of the reception
only of television waves or signals from a transmitter or a transmitter
relay located in geostationary or other planetary orbit around the
earth.
The views and vistas, scenic roads, environments and features
as identified in the Township Open Space, Recreation and Environmental
Resources Plan, Scenic Resources Map.
Map 7, entitled "Scenic Roads and Views," in the East Coventry
Township Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources Plan.
See "landscape screen."
Those soils in which the groundwater surface is one foot
or less from the ground surface at certain or all times of the year
or as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Web Soil Survey Website. These soils
include, but are not limited to: Bowmanville (Bo), Chewacla (Ch),
Croton (CrA, CrB), Glenville (GnA, GnB, GnB2), Readington (RdA, RdB,
RdB2), Rowland (Ro, Rp), Wehadkee (We), and Worsham (WoA, WoB, WoB2).
The felling of certain, but not all, trees in an area for
the purposes of: (A) removing dead, diseased, damaged, mature or marketable
timber; (B) improving the quality of a tree stand or species; or (C)
meeting personal domestic needs.
Structures, buildings, or area of land or any portion thereof
that is used for the sale of gasoline or other motor vehicle fuels
and which may or may not include facilities for lubricating, washing,
sale of accessories, servicing and minor repair of motor vehicles,
but not painting or body work or the sale of new or used automobiles.
Any business or industry, but not including agricultural uses, dispensing
gasoline for its own use and vehicles will be deemed to be a service
station. A service station shall not include a convenience store as
defined herein.
INDIVIDUAL, ON-SITE SANITARY SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMThe disposal of sewage by use of septic tanks, or other safe and healthful means, approved by the Chester County Health Department, within the confines of the lot on which the use is located.
COMMUNITY SANITARY SEWAGE COLLECTION, TREATMENT, AND/OR DISPOSAL SYSTEMA sanitary sewage system in which sewage is carried from two or more individual dischargers by a system of pipes to one or more privately owned and/or maintained common treatment and disposal facilities, approved by the Chester County Health Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Treatment and disposal may occur either on-site or off-site.
PUBLIC SEWAGE SYSTEMOff-site system for the treatment and disposal of sewage in which sewage is conveyed by interceptor to a publicly operated treatment plant and disposed of through means approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
An accessory structure no greater than 400 square feet.
[Added by Ord. No. 228,
12/10/2018]
A group of three or more commercial establishments planned,
developed, operated and managed as an integrated architectural unit
providing convenient on-site parking and controlled vehicular and
pedestrian access.
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem or visual
that uses words, graphics, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers,
or letters for the purpose of communicating a message. Sign includes
the sign face and any sign-supporting structure.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing
the extreme limits of a sign face. Such perimeter shall not include
any structural or supporting elements lying outside the limits of
such sign and not forming an integral part of the display unless such
structural elements are purposely illuminated to form a part of the
display or convey a message by any other means. Signs that do not
form a square or rectangular pattern shall be considered to include
in sign area a square or rectangle as drawn at the outer limits of
the letters, words, or representations that convey a message.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
The rectangular, continuous area on the wall of a building
which extends from the top line of windows and doors on one floor
and the bottom line of the windows, roof or cornice above it and which
is uninterrupted by architectural details or openings.[15]
A sign depicting action, motion, or light or color changes
through electrical or mechanical means.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign displayed on an awning.[16]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
An off-premises sign that only contains a commercial message
and directs attention to a specific business, product, or service.[17]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign that is part of or attached to a canopy.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign that is designed so that the message on the sign can
be easily and periodically altered. Copy on changeable-copy signs
may be changed electronically or manually by means of movable letters,
numbers, or symbols.[18]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
An on-premises or off-premises sign designed to provide direction
to pedestrian and vehicular traffic to, into and out of or within
a site or complex.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign that identifies the names and addresses of multiple
residents, occupants, buildings, or business establishments located
at the property.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A freestanding sign with two identical faces of equal sign
area that are back to back and not more than two feet apart.[19]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign that displays electronic images, graphics or alphanumeric
text using internal illumination within the display area where the
message changes periodically.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
The part of the sign that communicates a message.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed
on or anchored in the ground and detached from any structure.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign installed or maintained by the federal, state, county,
or local government. Government signs include, without limitation,
traffic control signs; AMBER alerts; wayfinding, trail, park, and
interpretative signs; monuments and memorials.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A freestanding sign that rests at or near the ground or curb
level.[20]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign that designates the name and address of the property,
the name of an individual or business lawfully operating or performing
services at the property, or any combination thereof. An identification
sign identifies one individual, family, business establishment or
development.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign lighted by artificial lighting either internally or
externally.[21]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign erected by or at the direction of PennDOT or the Township
to regulate traffic, describe road conditions, supply directions,
or provide other traffic-related information.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign whose message relates to a business, product, service,
event, or activity that is sold, produced, conducted, or offered on
a premises other than the premises on which the sign is located.[22]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign whose message relates to a business, product, service,
event, or activity that is sold, produced, conducted, or offered on
the same premises on which the sign is located.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A building-mounted, double-sided sign with the sign face
generally perpendicular to the building wall but does not include
a sign located on a canopy or awning.[23]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A building-mounted sign erected upon or over the roof of
a building.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A nonpermanent sign that is displayed on private property
for a limited period of time and for a specific purpose, and not intended
to be a fixture on the property. Examples include, without limitation:
the sale or rental of the property on which the sign is located; the
identification of contractors performing work at the property; garage
or yard sales; the identification of candidates running for public
office; elections or events to be held on a specific date; and personal
expressions noncommercial in nature. A temporary sign must be removed
within the earlier of:
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign or a portion of a sign whose purpose is to indicate
the time and/or temperature.[24]
A sign affixed to or painted on a vehicle or trailer parked
at a specific location within view of a public street for a period
of four or more consecutive days so that its primary purpose is advertising
a business, service or product or directing people to a commercial
activity located on the same or nearby property.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or
structure in a manner parallel with the wall surface.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign approved by the Board of Supervisors of East Coventry
Township pursuant to a Township or regional wayfinding signage program
that directs the public to the location of sites of local or regional
interest.
[Added by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
A sign applied or affixed to a window or placed inside a
window and easily seen from the outside.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021]
The ownership of a lot which ownership is separate and distinct
from that of any abutting or adjoining lot.
A lot, tract, or parcel of land, or a contiguous combination
thereof, on which grading, construction, or land development is taking
place, or is proposed to take place; the location of the work.
An analysis of the natural features and historic resources
on a site intended to promote a site design that is sensitive to the
unique natural features of the landscape.
Measures taken following completion of land disturbance activities
which will stabilize the land surface and minimize exposure to possible
erosion or sedimentation.
The ratio of the change in elevation (rise) over the horizontal
distance (run) as measured between consecutive contour lines, expressed
as a percentage. See "steep slope" for the method of measuring steep
slopes.
Any device, structure or electronics that converts solar
energy into electrical energy, heats water or produces hot air or
similar function through the use of solar panels. The primary function
of solar energy equipment is to reduce on-site consumption of energy
produced by a public/private utility company.
A device containing one or more receptive cells equal to
or greater than two square feet, the purpose of which is to convert
solar energy into electrical or thermal energy.
A use which is permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to express standards and criteria prescribed for such use in this chapter. A special exception is allowed (possibly with conditions attached) or denied upon application to the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to public notice and hearing as set for the in Part 15.
A contractor that routinely provides residential or commercial
services, not requiring the outdoor storage of materials, supplies
or equipment, but utilizing three or more service vehicles.
[Added by Ord. No. 2019-231, 3/11/2019]
Any tree equal to or exceeding 24 inches dbh.
Any building, structure or portion thereof which is used,
in whole or in part, for the shelter or care of equine.[25]
Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communications towers,
antennas and other facilities which render them more visually appealing
or blend the proposed facility into the existing structure or visual
backdrop in such a manner as to render it minimally visible to the
casual observer. Such methods include, but are not limited to, architecturally
screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas painted
to match the existing structure and facilities constructed to resemble
trees, shrubs, silos and light poles.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Those areas of land in the Township that are characterized
by a change in elevation of 15% or greater (e.g., sloping 15 feet
or more vertical over a distance of 100 feet horizontal). Slopes shall
be deemed steep when there are three adjacent contour intervals of
two feet each expressed as a percentage such that they delineate slope
of at least 15%.
Areas of land with a slope between 15% and 25%, as defined in § 27-303, Subsection 2B(1)(b), of this chapter.
Areas of land with a slope greater than 25%, as defined in § 27-303, Subsection 2B(1)(a), of this chapter.
A structure or group of structures used for the storage of
customers' goods. Individual stalls or lockers are rented for such
storage to different tenants.
The keeping of new or used materials, merchandise, products,
equipment or vehicles for a continuous period greater than eight hours.
Excluded from this definition are the following:
Incident rainfall, which is conveyed from land surfaces into
surface swales, streams and rivers; frequently termed "runoff."
That portion of a building comprised between the surface
of any floor and the surface of any floor or roof next above, but
excluding attics.
Any watercourse with a defined bed and banks.
The streams identified in the Township Open Space, Recreation
and Environmental Resources Plan, Geology and Watershed Boundaries
Map of stream orders 1, 2, 3 and 4 together with their one-hundred-year
floodplains and hydric soils identified as very significant and significant.
A strip of land, including the entire ultimate right-of-way
thereof, publicly owned, dedicated and accepted for public use, or
privately owned, abutting and furnishing access to more than one lot,
primarily serving, or intended to serve, as a means of vehicular and
pedestrian travel, and which may also be used to provide space for
sewer, other utilities and sidewalks. The word "street" includes thoroughfare,
avenue, boulevard, court, drive, expressway, roadway, highway, lane,
alley, service-street, marginal access street, road or similar terms.
The following categories of streets are defined as follows:
ARTERIALA major street or highway with high vehicular speeds or high traffic volumes of considerable continuity and used primarily as a traffic artery between rural and urban areas. Arterial streets may be either principal arterials or minor arterials. Principal arterials serve major centers of activity and carry the highest proportions of area travel and most of the trips entering and leaving the Township, thus serving intra-area travel. Minor arterials interconnect with and augment the principal arterial system distributing travel to smaller centers of activity and allowing for more access to adjoining properties than principal arterials.
COLLECTORA major street which carries traffic from Local streets to arterial streets. Collector streets may be either major collectors or minor collectors. Major collectors may provide access to centers of activity, connect with principal arterials and allow for more access to adjoining properties than minor collectors. Minor collectors serve more to collect traffic from local streets and provide access to the smallest of activity centers.
LOCALEvery public or private street used for access to abutting properties. Local streets may be primary distributor roadways, secondary distributor roadways or local access streets. A primary distributor roadway is the highest order local street which moves traffic from lower order local streets to collector and arterial streets. A secondary distributor roadway is the middle order local street which carries traffic from local access streets to primary distributor roadways. A local access street is the lowest order local street which serves no through function and provides the greatest degree of access.
The dividing line between a lot and the outside boundary
or ultimate right-of-way line of a public street, road, or highway
legally open or officially platted; or between a lot and an undedicated
street or road over which the owners or tenants of two or more lots
each held in single and separate ownership have the right-of-way.
An arterial street or collector street as defined herein.
A street created by deed, easement or other formal recorded
instrument, whether paved or unpaved, that is: located on and furnishes
access to more than one lot; privately owned by the abutting landowners,
whose title shall abut or extend to the center line thereof; not laid
out on any Township plan of streets; and not offered or not required
to be offered for dedication to the Township. Maintenance, repair
and replacement of private streets are the responsibility of the abutting
landowners.
[Added by Ord. 215, 8/14/2017]
Deciduous hardwood trees, having a caliper of not less than
2 1/2 inches, planted adjacent to and outside of a street right-of-way,
such trees to be approved as to type by the Board of Supervisors.
Any change in, or addition to, the supporting structural
members of a building, or other structure, such as the bearing walls,
partitions, columns, beams or girders, or any change which could convert
an existing building or other structure into a different structure,
or adapt it to a different use.
One or more buildings enclosed by continuous exterior walls
and a continuous roof.
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
A structure that is designed to be repeatedly erected or
inflated, tents and inflatable structures or buildings that are picked
up and moved.
The division or re-division of a single lot, tract, or parcel
of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts or parcels or other
divisions of land of land, including changes in existing lot lines,
for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition
by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership
or building or lot development. The subdivision by lease of land for
agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving
any new street or easement of access or any residential dwellings,
shall be exempted from this definition.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016; amended
by Ord. 209, 12/12/2016]
The replacement of a WCF structure; or
For a tower-based WCF not in the ROW:
Any increase in the height of the tower-based WCF by more than
10% or by the height of one additional antenna array with separation
from the nearest existing antenna by more than 20 feet; or
Adding an appurtenance to the body of the wireless tower that
would protrude from the edge of the wireless tower by more than 20
feet or by more than the width of the wireless tower at the level
of the appurtenance; or
Any change that entails excavation outside of the current approved
site; or
Any change that would violate any conditions of approval previously
issued by the Township or the stealth technology of the existing WCF
structure; or
As otherwise defined under applicable FCC rules and regulations.
Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would
equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the
damage occurred.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvement
of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market
value of the structure determined not more than 30 days prior to the
start of construction of the improvement.
Substantial improvement includes any repair, restoration or
other improvement to structures that have incurred substantial damage
regardless of the actual repair, restoration or other improvement
work performed.
Substantial improvement however does not include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing
violations of state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications
that have been identified by the local code enforcement official and
which project is the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions.
Any alteration of a historic structure provided that the alteration
does not preclude the continued designation of the structure as a
historic structure.
The Act of October 15, 1998, P.L. 729, No. 93, as amended,
65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq., together with any amendments
thereto.[27]
Aboveground transmission pipeline facilities, including,
but not limited to, compressor stations, pumping stations, regulator
stations, launcher/receiver stations, and other surface pipeline appurtenances.
[Added by Ord. 209, 12/12/2016]
A pool or tank capable of containing water to a depth greater
than 12 inches for the purpose of swimming and/or other water-related
recreational activities. Farm ponds and stormwater basins are not
swimming pools unless specifically designed for that purpose. For
the purposes of this chapter, a private swimming pool, accessory to
a residential use and serving a single dwelling unit, shall not be
considered a structure.
A building and its equipment used for the transmission and
exchange of telephone or radio telephone messages between subscribers
and other business of a telephone company, providing that in residential
districts a telephone central office shall not include public business
facilities, storage of materials, trucks or repair facilities, or
housing of repair crews.
A single-family detached dwelling permissible as a separate
residence in addition to the principal dwelling on agricultural properties.
A development in which a purchaser receives the right in
perpetuity, for life, or for a term of years, to the recurrent, exclusive
use or occupancy of a lot, parcel, unit or segment of real property,
annually or on some other periodic basis, for a period of time that
has been or will be allotted from the use or occupancy periods into
which the development has been divided.
A support structure and the reception and/or transmission
antennas upon it intended for the transmission and/or reception of
radio, television, telephone or digital communications. For wireless
communications, see "wireless tower."
[Amended by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Any wireless tower and any wireless communications facilities
connected thereto.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
The Township of East Coventry, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The Planning Commission of the Township.
Any use owned, operated, conducted and/or maintained by the
Township.
One or more contiguous lots assembled and presented as a
single property for purposes of subdivision or land development.
The area of land contained within the property lines of a
parcel, lot or tract as described in the deed or as shown on an approved
subdivision plan.
|
1.
|
The gross tract area excluding the following areas:
| ||
|
A.
|
Any area within a street ultimate right-of-way; or (2) within
any other ultimate right-of-way, whether public or private, that provides,
or is intended to provide, access to more than one lot by way of vehicular
and/or pedestrian circulation.
| ||
|
B.
|
Any area, easement or right-of-way to be used for emergency
access.
| ||
|
C.
|
Any existing easements or rights-of-way for gas, oil, natural
gas, electric or communications transmission facilities, whether below
or above grade, that do not exclusively serve the lot.
| ||
|
D.
|
Any area comprising a stormwater management basin or drainage
easement and/or a sanitary sewer easement.
| ||
|
E.
|
Any area overlain by the floodplain district.
| ||
|
F.
|
Any area of prohibitive slope.
| ||
|
G.
|
Any area of seasonally high water table soils and hydric soils.
| ||
|
H.
|
Any area of wetlands.
| ||
|
I.
|
Any riparian buffer area.
| ||
|
2.
|
The net tract area shall be used to determine the area, bulk,
dimensional and density requirements as provided in this chapter.
By its nature, the process of determining the net tract area is an
iterative process.
| ||
A facility where municipal solid waste is delivered for the
purpose of compacting the material for subsequent transport by larger
vehicles to a final disposal site or processing facility. A transfer
station may include the collection, separation and cleaning of municipal
solid waste material for the purpose of recycling.
Includes, but are not limited to, pipelines designed for
the transmission of a "gas" or "petroleum gas," except a "service
line," as those terms are defined by Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations,
§ 192.3; also included are pipelines designed for the transmission
of a "hazardous liquid," as defined by Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations,
§ 195.2.
[Added by Ord. 209, 12/12/2016]
An area and/or building for the maintenance and storage of
trucks and where cargo is stored and where trucks load and unload
cargo on a regular basis.
Any purpose for which a building or other structure or a
lot or tract of land may be designed, arranged, intended, maintained
or occupied, or any activity, occupation, business or operation carried
on in a building or other structure on a lot or tract of land.
Relief granted by the Zoning Hearing Board from strict conformity with the terms of this chapter pursuant to the provisions of Part 15 of this chapter and Articles VI and IX of the Municipalities Planning Code.
Perennial grasses, legumes or other long-lived plant materials,
such as Crown Vetch, Fescues, and Bluegrasses, etc., depending upon
the degree of refinement desired.
Fast growing grasses, usually annuals, such as rye, oats,
sudan, or other appropriate cover to prevent erosion until permanent
vegetation can be installed.
An area of land with or without buildings used for temporary
storage, display and wholesale sales of operable and licensed used
autos, trucks, boats, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles that are
in an operable condition. A vehicular auction is a commercial establishment,
subject to the use, development, and design standards of the zoning
district in which permitted, and other applicable ordinance provisions.
Vehicles stored on-site shall remain intact and operable and shall
not be dismantled, processed, salvaged, crushed, demolished, or sold
in parts. See "junkyard" for comparison.
The relative ability to see a given object from a designated
location. Views shall be further classified as:
UNOBSTRUCTEDThe ability to see most or all of an object; specifically where more than 85% of the object is visible.
FILTEREDThe ability to see some of the object; specifically where 15% to 85% of the object is visible.
HIDDENThe ability to see little or none of the object; specifically where less than 15% of the object is visible.
The temporary storage of goods and materials within a building,
generally for subsequent distribution to other locations, and not
involving retail activities.
Any area of land, whether natural or man-made which is, or
may be, hazardous to the public health, safety or welfare as a result
of either of the following conditions:
FLOODPLAINAs defined herein.
HIGH WATER TABLESoil in which the ground water exists at, or periodically rises to, a level too near the surface of the ground to permit a particular type of construction or installation.
INDIVIDUAL SYSTEMA safe, healthful, and adequate supply of water to a single user from a private well or spring located on the land of the user.
CENTRAL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMA system for supplying water from a common source or sources to all dwellings and other buildings within a development. The water supply source may be located on site and/or off-site. A central system can be further described as either of the following:
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMA system that is owned by a municipality, a public company, or a private company and which serves more than a single community or subdivision and may be interconnected with other water supply systems.
COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMA system that is owned by a municipality, a public company, or a private company which serves a single community or subdivision, is not interconnected with any other water supply system and meets the standards, which are applicable to a community water supply system under or pursuant to the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, Act of May 1, 1984, P.L. 206, No. 43, as amended, 35 P.S. § 721.1 et seq., for at least 26 dwelling units.
A permanent or intermittent stream, river, brook, run, creek,
pond, lake or other body of surface water, carrying or holding surface
water, having defined beds and banks, whether natural or man-made,
with perennial or intermittent flow.
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, rivulets, dammed
water, ponds, springs, and all other bodies of surface and underground
water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or
on the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act (53 P.S.
§ 11702.1 et seq.), as amended.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or
groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and
that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including
swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.
The on-site method or process for identifying jurisdictional
wetlands which is currently or hereafter adopted by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection.
A document that describes the investigation procedures and
findings of a wetlands delineation.
A commercial activity comprising the sale of commodities
in large quantities or in bulk, to retailers or jobbers, rather than
to consumers directly, including warehousing, loading and unloading,
and shipping of such commodities.
Native or introduced plants found naturally in the landscape
that are not dependant on man for their presence.
Any device, structure or electronics that converts wind energy
into electrical energy through the use of a wind turbine. Wind energy
equipment is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of energy
produced by a public/private utility company.
A device that converts wind energy into electricity through
the use of a generator and includes the nacelle, rotor, tower, and
base. A wind turbine is occasionally more commonly referred to as
a windmill or wind generator.
Transmissions through the airwaves, including, but not limited
to, infrared line of sight, cellular, PCS, microwave, satellite, or
radio signals.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
The set of equipment and network components, including antennas,
nodes, control boxes, towers, poles, conduits, ducts, pedestals, electronics
and other equipment, used for the purpose of transmitting, receiving,
distributing, or providing wireless communications services. The term
does not include the wireless communications facility structure.
[Amended by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Any structure, regardless of its primary purpose, that supports
the placement or installation of a wireless communications facility
and the wireless communications facilities attached thereto. This
term is composed of both tower-based WCFs and nontower WCFs.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Any personal wireless service as defined by the Telecommunications
Act of 1996, which includes FCC licensed commercial wireless telecommunications
services, including cellular, personal communications service (PCS),
specialized mobile radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobile radio
(ESMR) paging and similar services that currently exist or that may
be developed.
Any support structure that supports wireless communications
facilities, regardless of its primary purpose, including but not limited
to wireless towers, buildings, water towers, utility poles, flag poles
and light poles. This term does not include the wireless communications
facility attached thereto.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
Any wireless support that has a primary purpose of supporting
wireless communications facilities, including, but not limited to,
self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers and monopoles. This term
does not include the wireless communications facility attached thereto.
[Added by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016]
An ecosystem characterized by a more or less dense and extensive
tree cover. More particularly, a plant community consisting predominantly
of healthy trees and other woody vegetation, well stocked and growing
more or less closely together.
Any activity which alters the existing structure of a woodland.
Alterations include the cutting or removal of canopy trees, sub-canopy
trees, under-story shrubs and vines, woody and herbaceous woodland
floor species.
Any activity which constitutes a land disturbance, as defined
herein, within a woodland.
Woodland disturbance does not include the selective cutting
or removal of invasive alien trees, shrubs, vines or herbaceous species
including Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose), Eleagnus umbellata (Autumn
Olive), Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle), Celastrus orbiculatus
(Oriental Bittersweet), Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) and Polygonum
perfoliatum (Mile-a-Minute Weed) and all poisonous plants.
A description, by means of text and maps, of proposed actions
involving the removal of trees from a tract of land. Such plan shall
be prepared by a person(s) with demonstrable expertise in forest management
and shall document measures to be taken: (A) to protect water quality;
(B) to minimize impacts from skid trails and logging roads, landing
areas and the tree removal process; and (3) to assure site restoration.
The area between the principal structure on a lot and the
lot line of the lot.
YARD, FRONTA yard extending the full width of the lot along the front lot line and extending in depth the full width of the lot from a parallel line containing the nearest point of the foundation of the principal structure on the lot.
YARD, REARA yard extending the full width of the lot along the rear lot line and extending in depth the full width of the lot from a parallel line containing the nearest point of the foundation of the principal structure on the lot.
YARD, SIDEA yard extending in depth on the lot along a side lot line from the closest front yard line to the closest rear yard line, and extending in width on the lot from a parallel line containing the nearest point of the foundation of the principal structure on the lot.
[Added by Ord. No. 228,
12/10/2018]
The Zoning Hearing Board of the Township.
The map of the Township indicating the location of boundaries for each zoning district, as adopted by the Board of Supervisors. See § 27-302 of this chapter.
The officer appointed by the Board of Supervisors to administer the provisions of this chapter in accordance with the literal terms hereof, and who shall have such other powers and duties as provided in Part 17 of this chapter.
A document issued, signed and enforced by the Zoning Officer, which indicates that a proposed use, building or structure is in accordance with this chapter 27 and which authorizes an applicant to proceed with said use, building or structure.
[1]
Editor's Note: The definition of "agricultural products,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No.
2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[2]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "antenna array,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. 206,
7/11/2016.
[3]
Editor’s Note: The former definitions of "attached wireless
communications facility" and "attachment structure," which immediately
followed this definition, were repealed by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[5]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "equipment facility,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. 206,
7/11/2016.
[6]
Editor’s Note: The former definitions of “flood,”
“flood elevation, regulatory,” “flood fringe,”
“Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM),” “Flood Insurance
Study (FIS),” “flood, one-hundred-year,” “floodplain,”
“floodplain, approximated,” “floodplain districts,”
“floodproofing,” and “floodway,” which followed
this definition, were repealed by Ord. 214., 6/12/2017. For current
provisions, see Part 21, Floodplains. The former definition of "flag,"
which followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250,
10/11/2021.
[7]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of “garden
shed,” which immediately followed this definition, was repealed
by Ord. No. 228, 12/10/2018.
[8]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[9]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[10]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "microfacility,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. 206,
7/11/2016.
[11]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[12]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[13]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of “one-hundred-year
flood,” which immediately followed this definition, was repealed
6/12/2017 by Ord. 214. For current provisions, see Part 21, Floodplains.
[14]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "replacement
attachment structure," which immediately followed this definition,
was repealed by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016.
[15]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "sign, address directional,"
"sign, animated or moving" and "sign area or size," which immediately
followed this definition, were repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[16]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "sign, banner," which
immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250,
10/11/2021.
[17]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "sign, bulletin board"
and "sign, business," which immediately followed this definition,
were repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[18]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "sign, development,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No.
2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[19]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "sign, electronically
controlled" and "sign facade," which immediately followed this definition,
were repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[20]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "sign, home occupation,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No.
2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[21]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "sign, marquee," which
immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250,
10/11/2021.
[22]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "sign, on-site directional,"
"sign, political" and "sign, portable," which immediately followed
this definition, were repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[23]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "sign, real estate"
and "sign, residential," which immediately followed this definition,
were repealed by Ord. No. 2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[24]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "sign, undercanopy,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No.
2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[25]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "stealth," which
immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. 206, 7/11/2016.
[26]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "subject property,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No.
2021-250, 10/11/2021.
[27]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "support structure,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. 206,
7/11/2016.
