The purpose of the A District is to preserve the prime agricultural lands that are present within the Township. Residential land development activity should be limited within the A District in order to preserve the large contiguous tracts of prime agricultural land area within the Township. The goals, objectives and planning policies for agricultural preservation are further outlined within the Southern Berks Regional Comprehensive Plan.
One of the following, as a principal use, and no other, and its accessory uses, are permitted in the A District, provided that the use, type, dimensional, and all other applicable requirements of this chapter are satisfied:
A. 
General agricultural uses, subject to § 200-92A of this chapter.
B. 
Intensive agricultural uses, subject to § 200-92B of this chapter.
C. 
Single-family detached dwelling, subject to § 200-92C of this chapter.
D. 
Municipal low intensity outdoor recreation use.
E. 
Forestry activities.
F. 
Beekeeping involving 10 or more hives.
G. 
Tree nursery.
H. 
Cultivation greenhouse.
I. 
In-law quarters as accessory use subject to the supplementary regulations subject to §§ 200-121.1 and 200-121.2 of this chapter.
J. 
Accessory uses, including but not limited to no-impact home-based businesses as defined in § 200-10 of this chapter, and accessory structures to the above permitted uses when on the same lot as the permitted use.
K. 
Certain wireless communication facilities (WCFs), subject to § 200-133B(1).
[Added 8-15-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05]
One of the following, as a principal use, and no other, and its accessory uses are permitted in the A District when a conditional use is granted by the Board of Supervisors subject to and in accordance with Article XVIII of this chapter:
A. 
Home occupation, subject to § 200-90 of this chapter.
B. 
Bed-and-Breakfast, subject to § 200-121.1 of this chapter.
C. 
Accessory uses and structures to the above permitted uses when on the same lot as the permitted use.
D. 
Certain wireless communication facilities (WCFs), subject to § 200-133B(2).
[Added 8-15-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05]
E. 
Group homes, subject to § 200-121.5.
[Added 9-16-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-2]
One of the following, as a principal use, its accessory uses and no other, are permitted in the A District when a special exception is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board subject to and in accordance with Article XVIII of this chapter:
A. 
Public utility uses, subject to § 200-116 of this chapter.
B. 
Game preserve, wildlife sanctuary or similar conservation use.
C. 
Accessory uses and structures to the above permitted uses when on the same lot as the permitted use.
[Amended 3-21-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-01; 12-18-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-03]
Each of the following maximum and minimum dimensional requirements shall apply to each permitted use in the A District, except as specifically providing for in this chapter:
Minimum Regulations
Lot area
1 acre
Lot width
150 feet
Building setback
50 feet
Rear yard
30 feet
Side yard
Total
40 feet
One side
20 feet
Maximum Regulations
Building height
Farm buildings/silos
No maximum
Principal buildings
35 feet
Building coverage
15%
Lot coverage
20%
Woodland extraction
25%
All sections under Article XVI of this chapter shall apply as supplementary guidelines and specifications for the A District.