[Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Ambridge as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Housing standards — See Ch. 110, Art. II.
Zoning — See Ch. 310.
[Adopted 12-8-2015 by Ord. No. 1283[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 238 but was renumbered to maintain the organization of the Code.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
HALFWAY HOUSE AND/OR THREE-QUARTER-WAY HOUSE
A facility designed to provide residential and rehabilitative treatment services to persons being treated for drug and/or alcohol abuse or persons under the supervision of the courts or county or state or federal parole boards, either after being charged or convicted with a criminal offense, or in lieu of criminal charges.
A. 
A "halfway house" and/or "three-quarter-way house" is a conditional use in a C-2 District.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also § 310-90, Table of use regulations.
B. 
It is the intent of this article to permit halfway houses and/or three-quarter-way houses in a neighborhood of the Borough that is both close to social services and amenities but shifted away from strictly residential areas so as to lessen any impact on existing residential uses. Therefore, all such uses shall meet the following requirements:
(1) 
There is always a staff member on site at any time a person assigned there is present.
(2) 
There is provided one off-street parking space for each two beds, plus one for each staff member on shift.
(3) 
Any applicable license or certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other agency is obtained and maintained.
(4) 
The applicant demonstrates to the Borough Council that the proposal will satisfy a demonstrative need and shall be conducted in a responsible manner without detriment to surrounding properties.
A. 
A halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house must be licensed where required by an appropriate government agency(ies) and shall be in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations of the licensing body(ies). A copy of any required license must be delivered to the Borough prior to beginning the use.
B. 
A halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house shall be directly affiliated with a parent institution or organization which shall provide full-time supervision and administration to the residents of the house.
C. 
A common cooking and eating area must be provided; no cooking or dining facilities shall be provided in individual rooms or suites.
D. 
The residents of the halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house shall reside on premises to benefit from the services provided.
E. 
Necessary permits for water supply and sanitary waste disposal must be obtained.
F. 
The halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house shall not be located within 1,000 feet of any of the following uses:
(1) 
Amusement park;
(2) 
Camp (for minor activity);
(3) 
Child-care facility;
(4) 
Churches and similar places of worship;
(5) 
Community center;
(6) 
Library;
(7) 
Museum;
(8) 
Park;
(9) 
Playground;
(10) 
School;
(11) 
Other lands where minors congregate; or
(12) 
Another halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house.
G. 
Each application shall be accompanied by a statement describing the following:
(1) 
The character of the halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house;
(2) 
The policies and goals of the halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house, and the means proposed to accomplish those goals;
(3) 
The characteristics of the residents and number of residents to be served;
(4) 
The operating methods and procedures to be used; and
(5) 
Any other facts relevant to the proposed operation of the halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house.
H. 
Any use permit granted for the halfway house and/or three-quarter-way house shall be bound to the type and number of patients or offenders listed on the application.