Table 1 identifies which land uses are permissible in each of
the Borough's zoning districts. After locating the zoning district in which the lot is
located, use the listing of uses described in the table to determine
what uses are permissible as a use by right, by conditional use and
as a use by special exception. If no symbol exists, the use is not
permissible in that zoning district. In accordance with the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, the Borough, having prepared a multi-municipal
Comprehensive Plan with the Boroughs of Etna and Sharpsburg, shares
land uses with the Boroughs of Etna and Sharpsburg. See the Zoning
Ordinances of Etna Borough and/or Sharpsburg Borough for any land
use not noted as permissible in any zoning district of Millvale Borough
and subsequent definitions.
In addition to the procedural requirements for applications
as outlined by the Borough (on record at the Millvale Borough Municipal
Building Administrative Office), the following serves as a general
guide for the content of applications applicable to this chapter:
A. Applications for land within the Riverfront Overlay as submitted
for Borough Planning Commission review.
(1) Step 1: Development Overview. In accordance with the Borough Application
Form for Land within the Riverfront Overlay, the Development Overview
shall present the overall proposed development, relationship(s) of
land uses, the scale, quantity and density of development, generally
anticipated phasing and vehicular/pedestrian circulation.
(2) Step 2: Immediate Phase-Specific Plan. Following Borough Planning
Commission review and recommendation associated with the Development
Overview, the Immediate Phase-Specific Plan shall present the portion(s)
of development that is proposed for immediate Borough approval.
B. Applications for land within the Design Overlay as submitted for
Borough staff review.
(1) Application form and plan package.
(2) Design Overlay Checklist. To uphold the intent of the community planning
and development objectives and policies, these design standards are
intended to apply to all development in the C District, including
those proposed as part of building permit.
(a)
Application review and approval process.
[1]
These standards apply to the formal review of proposed development
within the Design Overlay. The application review process is triggered
for any applicant seeking new construction or exterior changes or
alteration to an existing building. Conformance with the Design Overlay
standards may be reviewed concurrently with development, change of
land use or building permit application.
[2]
Any application identifying a proposed request for modification
to these standards shall be subject to Borough Planning Commission
review and recommendation. Borough Council reserves the right to grant
modifications to these standards based upon findings from application
review and subsequent Planning Commission recommendation.
(b)
The purpose of these standards is to provide regulations and
written and graphic standards to:
[1]
Implement the Borough's Comprehensive Plan and related planning
documents.
[2]
Create standards that are sensitive to the context of the Borough
and architectural character of the community's traditional neighborhoods
and downtown.
[3]
Address the legislative intent of each design standard within
this article.
[4]
Promote general consistency of the built environment within
the Borough. Buildings play a critical role in defining and activating
streets which in turn define the Neighborhood Development Overlay
area.
(c)
Overall intent for general consistency.
[1]
Borough intent.
[a] These standards are enabled by Section 708-A of
the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, titled "Manual of Written
and Graphic Design Guidelines."
[b] The sense of place within the neighborhood is intended
to create a more functional and attractive outcome for the quality
of life in the Borough.
[c] Images provided are intended to represent general
applications of design or preferred examples, not specific details
to specific sites.
[2]
Standards. Planning, design, construction and maintenance of
new and/or redeveloped buildings, structures, public realm, landscapes
and hardscapes are to be generally consistent with this article.
(3) Criteria.
(a)
Building location (build-to line).
[1]
Objective.
[a] Buildings are intended to be located close to sidewalks,
with parking located in the rear and/or side.
[b] Traditional development in the Borough's downtown
is intended to form a continuous street wall along all streets.
[2]
Standards.
[a] Buildings shall be located on a build-to line adjoining
the sidewalk.
[b] New buildings on a block shall be located in alignment
with existing buildings.
[c] For a lot with a front lot line of 30 feet or greater
in width, a maximum of 25% of the front face of the building may be
set back a maximum of three feet from the front line of the building.
[d] Buildings shall be located to anchor street corners,
except where a Borough open space may be located.
[e] No accessory structure, utilities or dumpsters
shall be located between the front line of a building and the front
lot line.
(b)
Building size and types.
[1]
Objective.
[a] Smaller footprint mixed-use buildings are intended
to predominate the building stock found in the overlay area.
[b] Maintain a diversity of building types based on
the character of the overlay area and adjoining neighborhoods.
[2]
Standards.
[a] New buildings shall be designed to be compatible
in size with the predominate size of buildings on the same block.
[b] Vertical mixed-use buildings shall be maintained
and created in the overlay area.
(c)
Building height.
[1]
Objective.
[a] Redeveloped and infill buildings are intended to
reflect the predominate height pattern of established development
within the overlay.
[b] New buildings shall be at least two stories.
[2]
Standards.
[a] The minimum height of principal buildings in the
overlay shall be 20 feet.
[b] The maximum height of buildings shall be 50 feet.
[c] Additional height is encouraged at gateway and
corner locations for architectural features, such as designated entrances.
(d)
Building frontage.
[1]
Objective.
[a] Building configuration must reinforce the urban
character of the Borough.
[b] Buildings must be designed to reinforce public
streets and open spaces.
[c] Facade composition helps establish the visual interest
of a building and determine how it blends in with its surroundings.
[2]
Standards.
[a] Primary entrances of buildings must be located
on public streets or open spaces and must be easily identifiable;
buildings must not be oriented to front on parking or service areas.
[b] A minimum of 60% of the square footage of the facade
adjacent to the right-of-way on the ground floor shall be window surface
area. On each story above the ground floor, the facade of said story
shall have a transparency of at least 35% of the gross square footage
of said facade.
[c] No more than 30% of the window surface area for
the ground floor facade shall be blocked by interior fixtures, opaque
surfaces and/or signs unless such a fixture is used for the display
of merchandise visible to patrons from the street.
(e)
Building massing.
[1]
Objective. Vertically proportioned buildings are to predominate
neighborhood development.
[2]
Standards.
[a] Buildings are to be taller than they are wide or
have a facade design that emphasizes vertical proportions.
[b] Building massing should reflect human-scaled elements.
[c] Any new or redeveloped existing building visible
from the public right-of-way shall contain a minimum of two stories
from grade. Each story shall be capable of occupancy by a use as permitted
within the underlying zoning district/overlay.
(f)
Building materials.
[1]
Objective.
[a] Common architectural language is encouraged.
[b] Building materials must reinforce the sustainable
attitudes the Borough upholds.
[2]
Standards.
[a] Building facades visible from Borough streets should
use durable, high-quality materials with brick and finished wood preferred.
Masonry, stone and terra cotta, along with detailing, are acceptable
secondary materials.
[b] To retain established neighborhood character and
transparencies, the following materials are prohibited on all facades
visible from public streets: particle board, plywoods and plastic
sheathing; asphalt and fiberglass shingles as siding, vinyl siding,
mirrored glass, industrial metal panels, concrete masonry units including
prefinished types, exposed aggregate precast concrete block, exterior
finish insulation systems and simulated brick.
[c] Use of the following materials is discouraged:
vinyl siding, wood roof shingles, split-faced concrete, reflective
glass and imitation stone.
[d] Roofscapes must be considered as important aspects
of building design, as they are visible from the higher elevations
of surrounding communities and Route 28. Roofing materials must be
selected to be visually pleasing. Arrangement of mechanical equipment
must be orderly and either screened or painted.
(g)
Lighting.
[1]
Objective.
[a] Lighting must create a safe, attractive nighttime
environment.
[b] Lighting must express a hierarchy of pedestrian
and vehicular zones.
[c] Lighting must define building entrances as well
as highlight architectural and landscaping features.
[d] Lighting must provide the required functional lighting
for safety and clarity of movement.
[e] Lighting must minimize negative impacts such as
high illumination levels, distracting glare and spillover into surrounding
areas.
[2]
Standards.
[a] Building illumination. Illumination must be indirect
(no light source visible). Indirect wall lighting, overhead downlighting
or interior illumination which spills outside is encouraged.
[b] Building entrance and architectural features should
be clearly highlighted and defined.
[c] Parking areas should be well lit and accented to
provide a safe environment. Fixtures should be selected to minimize
distracting glare and hazardous interference of any kind while complementing
the scale of surrounding buildings.
[d] Open spaces. Maximum pole height of 14 feet should
be used.
(4) Building permit form is on file at the Millvale Borough Administrative
Offices.