[Ord. 2015-691, 3/10/2015]
It is the specific intent of this Part to promote the safety,
morals and general welfare of the inhabitants of West Norriton Township
in their person and property by permitting group homes in the Township,
subject to the requirements of this Part. Additionally, permitting
group homes by special exception in residential districts will increase
the availability of housing and access to valuable services for Township
residents with disabilities without altering the essential character
of the neighborhood or district in which the group home is located.
[Ord. 2015-691, 3/10/2015; as amended by Ord. No. 2018-725, 10/9/2018]
1. Group homes are permitted in all residential districts as a use by special exception pursuant to Chapter
27, Part
18, §
27-1805, and the requirements and regulations herein. Prior to obtaining a permit and a special exception approval for a group home use, the applicant shall provide evidence of the following:
A. The lot upon which the group home or institutional residence is situated
shall meet the minimum area requirements established in the zoning
district regulations for the zoning district in which the use is to
be located. The group home shall not be located in an accessory building
or unit unless the primary building or dwelling unit is used for the
same purpose. Additionally, and in order to integrate group homes
into a neighborhood and create a deinstitutionalized setting for the
residents of group homes, no group home may be located within 625
feet of another group home as measured from the property line.
B. Residents of a group home shall maintain a single household unit
with shared use of living areas, eating areas, bathrooms and food
preparation and serving areas, and shall share mealtimes and housekeeping
responsibilities.
C. Accommodations in a group home shall be provided for no more than
the maximum number of occupants or residents as permitted by the applicable
building code, fire code, and any other similar code that sets forth
a maximum occupancy limit for a dwelling or building. Applications
for group homes shall specify the maximum number of residents or occupants
to be housed or cared for at the facility.
D. Applicants for group homes shall indicate the type of care, counseling
or treatment to be provided at the site to the extent permitted by
law. In each instance, medical care shall be incidental in nature
and shall not be a major element of the care being provided at the
facility.
E. Evidence shall be provided with the application for a group home
indicating that all applicable federal, state and/or county certification
and licensing requirements have been met for the particular type of
care provided. In the event an applicant is not subject to any such
licensing and certification requirements, the applicant shall provide
evidence that the applicant would be in compliance if subject to the
same health, safety and welfare standards as required by the applicable
federal, state and/or county agency.
F. Sewage and water facilities shall be sufficient to handle the anticipated
loading created by the proposed facility and shall meet all requirements
of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and/or
the applicable public or community Sewer and Water Boards or Authorities.
G. Arrangements for the collection, storage and disposal of solid waste
generated by the facility shall be made by the applicant and submitted
to the Township for approval as part the application for such a use.
H. Notwithstanding any provisions of the West Norriton Township Building
Code, the group home shall have the following installed throughout
the building and any attached accessory building(s):
(1)
A fire sprinkler system which complies with NFPA 13D, Standard
for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two- Family
Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, or the current corresponding section
of the NFPA as may be amended from time to time; and
(2)
A fire alarm system which complies with Chapter
11 of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, or the current corresponding section of the NFPA as may be amended from time to time.
I. The group home must comply with the West Norriton Township Building
Code, and an applicant seeking group home use shall provide with its
application evidence that the building's(s') size and layout are in
compliance with the applicable building codes for maximum number of
individuals intended to be housed in the building(s). To satisfy this
requirement, the Zoning Hearing Board may request that an applicant
provide a dimensioned floor plan indicating the size of each room,
including sleeping rooms, and identifying the maximum number of residents
who will occupy each sleeping room, to demonstrate that the group
home will not be overcrowded.
J. Off-street parking must be adequate to accommodate the needs of the
residents and staff. At a minimum, the group home must meet the minimum
requirements for the district in which it is located.
K. The group home will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood
or district in which the group home is located.
L. To the extent not already addressed above, the property, including
all buildings located thereon, must be in compliance with all applicable
federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, the International Fire Code
and the International Fuel Gas Code as may be adopted and in effect
by the Township.
[Ord. 2015-691, 3/10/2015]
The owner, operator or agent of a group home shall permit inspections
thereof by the Code Enforcement Officer annually. If the owner, operator
or agent does not permit such inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer,
the Township may seek any appropriate legal or equitable relief to
compel access to such property for such inspection.
[Ord. 2015-691, 3/10/2015; as amended by Ord. No. 2018-725, 10/9/2018]
1. The group home shall register with the Township, in writing, the
following: its location, general type of treatment/care, maximum number
of residents and sponsoring agency.
2. Any other registration of group home residents with any state and/or
county agency for emergency preparation purposes and to the extent
permitted by law shall also be provided to the Township, including
any updates in accordance with the applicable state and/or county
regulations.
[Ord. 2015-691, 3/10/2015]
1. All caretakers, administrators and staff must be duly licensed and/or
certified by, the Department of Public Welfare, Department of Health
and other federal, state or county agency, as may be required for
the particular type of care provided and the nature of the employee's
responsibilities. Every employee of the group home must have valid
criminal background clearances, licensure and/or certification with
the issuing agency or agencies while in employed by the group home.
2. The owner, operator or agent of any group home shall provide the
Township with a register of all employees and furnish proof of all
required licenses, certifications and criminal background clearances
for each employee prior to commencing operation in the Township. Thereafter,
an updated register and proof of licensure, certifications and criminal
background clearances shall be provided on at least an annual basis.
3. For every new person employed by the group home, the name of the
employee, along with proof of all required licenses, certifications
and criminal background clearances, shall be submitted to the Township
prior to the commencement of the employment.