Any portion of a lot once used as a yard or as lot area per
family in compliance with the area requirements of the district regulations
of this chapter shall not be counted again as required yard or lot
area per family for another building.
An unenclosed porch no more than one story or 15 feet in height
and 12 feet in depth may be erected in the front or rear yard, provided
that no portion of said porch shall be closer to a side lot line than
the required width of the side yard.
A buttress, chimney, cornice, pier or pilaster projecting no
more than 12 inches from the wall of the building may project into
a required yard.
In the C Commercial District, service roads may be constructed
within the front and rear yards of the building lot.
[Amended 8-10-1975 by Ord. No. 587; 10-13-2003 by Ord. No. 957]
A. Vegetation hedge or fence.
(1) A vegetation hedge or fence no more than 48 inches in height may
be erected in the front and side yard of any structure, except on
corner lots.
(2) A vegetation hedge or fence no more than 72 inches in height may
be erected in the rear yard of any structure.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the line of demarcation between
rear and side yards shall be the rear wall of the structure.
(4) A vegetation hedge or fence not more than 120 inches in height maybe
erected in any yard used for public schools, public parks, public
recreation or public institution areas.
(5) On corner lots, no vegetation hedge or fence exceeding 36 inches
in height shall be erected within 50 feet of the intersecting street
lines, except split rail and chain link fences not more than 48 inches
in height may be enacted.
B. Barbed wire may be used only as follows:
(1) Barbed wire may be strung directly above an existing permitted fence
at a height not less than five feet above ground level and shall not
be strung more than two feet in height above an existing permitted
fence.
(2) No barbed wire shall be strung within any Township right-of-way.
(3) All parts of barbed wire must be visible to the naked eye at all
times.
[Added 4-11-1983 by Ord.
No. 702; amended 9-13-2004 by Ord. No. 965; 11-22-2010 by Ord. No. 1011; 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 1089; 7-11-2022 by Ord. No. 1108]
A. In all residential districts, accessory buildings and uses, with the exception of Little Free Libraries and as provided in §
450-23D, shall be installed only in the side or rear yards as defined in Article
II and shall not exceed a height of 10 feet when the use is a building, except garages for motor vehicles which shall not exceed a height of 12 feet.
B. In all residential districts, accessory buildings and uses, with the exception of Little Free Libraries and as provided in §
450-23D, shall be placed on the lot in conformance with the rear and side line footage requirements as set forth in §
450-13A, except when the accessory building or use covers a ground area of 120 square feet or less, in which case an accessory use or building may be installed within five feet of the side and rear lot line.
[Added 7-13-2020 by Ord.
No. 1089]
A. Accessory use. Little free libraries which comply with the definition
and standards of this chapter shall be permitted within all zoning
districts.
B. Location within a lot.
(1)
Little free libraries may be placed in a front, side or rear yard. When placed within a front yard, a little free library may be no closer than one foot to any sidewalk, street curb, or front lot line. When placed within a side or rear yard, any part of a little free library or its substructure may be located up to the side or rear lot line, except where otherwise prohibited as in §
450-29 ("clear sight triangle"). Little free libraries may be placed within the public right of way, in a fashion similar to a mailbox. However, any damage incurred because of the location shall be the sole responsibility of the owner.
(2)
Little free libraries shall not:
(a)
Obstruct vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian traffic, either physical
or by a person utilizing the little free library.
(b)
Obstruct access aisles or paths utilized by persons in wheelchairs
or for ADA accessibility.
C. Design and installation standards.
(1)
Little free libraries shall not exceed eight cubic feet in size.
(2)
Little free libraries shall be constructed in such a manner
that no person or child is able to enter.
(3)
Little free libraries shall be anchored to the ground or otherwise
securely attached to something having a permanent, anchored location
on the ground.
D. Signage and graphic content. No signage or graphic content may be
displayed on a little free library except the name of the little free
library.
This chapter shall not apply to land or buildings owned or leased
by the Township of Wilkins or any municipal authority or public service
organization created by said Township.
The following uses may be authorized as special exceptions with
such conditions as are deemed appropriate by the Zoning Hearing Board.
A. Living quarters in an accessory structure as an accessory use to
a single-family house to accommodate domestic employees of the residents
of the principal building.
B. The accommodation of not more than two nontransient roomers as an
accessory use to a single-family house, provided that no sign is displayed.
C. Temporary structures and trailers used in conjunction with construction
work may be permitted only during the period that the construction
work is in progress. Permits for temporary structures shall be issued
for a six-month period.
D. Uses similar to those permitted in the Commercial and Manufacturing
Districts may be authorized in the respective districts utilizing
the following criteria:
(1) The proposed use conforms to the district provisions and all general
regulations of this chapter.
(2) The proposed use shall not involve any element or cause any condition that may be dangerous, injurious or noxious to any property or persons and shall comply with the performance standards of §
450-51.
(3) The proposed use shall be sited, oriented and landscaped to produce
a harmonious relationship of buildings and grounds to adjacent buildings
and properties.
(4) The proposed use shall produce a total visual impression and environment
which is consistent with the environment of the neighborhood.
(5) The proposed use shall organize vehicular access and parking to minimize
traffic congestion in the neighborhood.
(6) The proposed use shall preserve the objectives of this chapter and
shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
E. Parcels of land held in single and separate ownership which are composed
of contiguous lots originally subdivided prior to 1969 into lots having
areas or width less than those permitted in the district, where resubdivision
subject to this chapter will result in undue hardship, in the case
of substantial improvements, having been made to the property under
and subject to any then-existing regulations, which improvements render
resubdivision impractical or unusually burdensome.
F. Fences not conforming to the standards of this chapter if they do
not unreasonably interfere with light, air or view of any other property,
whether or not abutting, and are not likely to endanger public safety
by reason of design or construction.
G. Adult uses.
[Added 8-18-1992 by Ord.
No. 825]
(1) In the M Manufacturing District, the following special uses are permitted
as special exceptions: adult bookstores, adult mini motion-picture
theaters, adult motion-picture theaters, adult entertainment and adult
motels and other uses similar in nature.
(2) Specific conditions for special exceptions for adult bookstores,
adult mini motion-picture theaters, adult motion-picture theaters,
adult entertainment, adult motels and other uses similar in nature
in the M District:
(a)
Adult bookstores, mini motion-picture and motion-picture theaters,
entertainment and motels regulated. In the development and execution
of this section, it is recognized that there are some uses which,
because of their very nature, are recognized as having serious objectionable
characteristics, particularly when several are concentrated under
certain circumstances thereby having a deleterious effect upon the
adjacent areas. Special regulation of these uses is necessary to ensure
that these adverse effects will not contribute to the blighting or
downgrading of the surrounding neighborhood. These special regulations
are itemized in the following subsections of this section. These regulations
are for the purpose of preventing a concentration of these uses in
any one area and preventing the establishment of these uses in close
proximity to other permitted uses in the M District.
(b)
Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions
shall apply:
ADULT BOOKSTORE
An establishment having a substantial or significant portion
of its stock-in-trade, including but not limited to videocassettes,
movies, books, magazines and other periodicals which are distinguished
or characterized by their emphasis on matters depicting, describing
or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical
areas, as defined below, or an establishment with a segment or section
devoted to the sale or display of such material.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment consisting of the use of live dancing, posing,
acting or other theatrical presentation involving personnel whose
actions are distinguished or characterized by emphasis on the use
of the human body in a manner intended to or resulting in arousal
of sexual excitation or sexual titillation or a prurient interest
or intended to or resulting in producing lustful emotions.
ADULT MINI MOTION-PICTURE-THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity for accommodating less
than 50 persons used for presenting material distinguished or characterized
by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified
sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined herein,
for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTEL
A hotel presenting adult motion pictures by means of closed
circuit television or any other method of transmission, the material
being presented having as a dominant theme or presenting material
distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting,
describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas, as defined herein, for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTION-PICTURE-THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity for accommodating 50
or more persons used for presenting material having as a dominant
theme or presenting material distinguished or characterized by an
emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified
sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined herein,
for observation by patrons therein.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
[1]
Human genitals or pubic regions.
[3]
The female breast below a point immediately above the top of
the areola.
[4]
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely
or opaquely covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
[1]
Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal.
[2]
Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or sodomy.
[3]
Fondling or other erotic touching of the human genitals, pubic
region, buttock or female breast.
(c)
Limitations. Regulated uses include but are not limited to the
following:
[2]
Adult motion-picture theater.
[3]
Adult mini motion-picture theater.
(d)
Regulated uses shall be permitted subject to following restrictions:
[1]
No such regulated uses shall be allowed within 1,000 feet of
another existing adult use.
[2]
No such regulated use shall be located within 500 feet of the
property line of any existing residentially zoned property, an existing
church or other place of worship or any existing school or property
used as a private or public park or playground.
[3]
The distance provided for in this section shall be calculated
by following the shortest route of ordinary pedestrian travel along
the public thoroughfare from the main entrance of a proposed regulated
use to the main entrance of any existing regulated use or the property
line of any existing residentially zoned property, any existing church
or other place of worship or any existing school, private or public
park or playground.
H. In the M Manufacturing District, communications towers, including
tower-mounted communications antennas and any related communications
equipment building, subject to the provisions of § 450-74.
[Added 8-13-2001 by Ord.
No. 936]
I. Communications antennas mounted on an existing public utility transmission tower, building or other structure, subject to the provisions of §
450-59.
[Added 8-13-2001 by Ord.
No. 936]
[Amended 5-14-1979 by Ord. No. 644; 4-9-1996 by Ord. No. 884]
A. Off-street parking.
(1) Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the
specifications of this section in any district whenever any new use
is established or an existing use is enlarged.
[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 986; 2-25-2013 by Ord. No. 1031]
Use
|
Parking Spaces Required
|
---|
Bowling alleys
|
5 for each alley, plus any additional parking requirements for
an establishment containing a bar/lounge in addition to a bowling
alley, as indicated under "restaurants"
|
Business professional offices
|
1 for every 300 square feet of gross floor area in banks and
professional offices with on-site customer service; or the greater
of 1 space per employee or 1 space per 400 square feet of gross floor
area for offices without on-site customer services; or 1 space for
each 100 square feet of gross floor area accessible to the public
for personal service establishments, plus 1 space for each employee
on the peak shift
|
Churches
|
1 for every 6 seats in the principal meeting room
|
Clubs
|
1 for every 50 square feet of aggregate floor area in a meeting
room/auditorium for clubhouses and civic, fraternal and labor meeting
halls, plus 1 for every employee on the largest shift
|
Dwellings
|
2 for each dwelling unit
|
Family day care facilities
|
1 for each employee, plus a dropoff/pickup location for every
3 individuals served
|
Family day care homes and group homes
|
2 for each home, plus 1 dropoff/pickup location for every 3
individuals served
|
Funeral homes
|
1 for every 50 square feet of gross floor area per parlor in
the funeral home, plus 1 for every remaining 300 square feet of gross
floor area
|
Gas stations
|
1 for every 200 square feet of floor area with not less than
8 spaces in any and all events
|
Hospitals and group homes
|
1 for every 3 beds, plus 1 for every employee on the largest
shift
|
Hotels/motels
|
1 for every rental unit, plus 1 for every 2 employees, plus
1 for every 4 seats in a main gathering area or restaurant
|
Medical offices
|
1 for every doctor, plus 1 for every employee and 2 for each
chair, examination or treatment room or patient service area
|
Outdoor commercial entertainment
|
1 for each 4 customers, computed on a basis of maximum capacity
at any 1 time, plus 1 for every 2 employees on a peak shift
|
Restaurants (all classifications)
|
1 for every 50 square feet of public floor space, plus 1 for
every 3 outdoor seats, plus 1 for every employee working on the largest
shift
|
Areas of public assembly
|
1 for every 4 seats
|
Schools:
|
|
|
Adult education
|
1 for every 3 students, plus 1 for each member of the staff
|
|
K through 8 education
|
|
|
|
Bused or public transportation
|
1 for every 7 students, plus 1 for each member of the staff
|
|
|
Nonbused or private transportation
|
1 for every 3 students, plus 1 for each member of the staff
|
|
9 through 12 education
|
|
|
|
Bused or public transportation
|
1 for every 5 students, plus 1 for each member of the staff
|
|
|
Nonbused or private transportation
|
1 for every 3 students, plus 1 for each member of the staff
|
|
Stores, shops and specialty retail
|
1 for every 175 square feet of gross leasable floor space
|
|
Theaters or places of entertainment
|
1 for every 3 seats
|
|
Uses not otherwise listed
|
1 for each 3 persons at maximum permitted occupancy, or 1 for
each 300 square feet of gross floor area of the building or lot area
devoted to such use, whichever is the greater
|
|
Warehouses and bus garages
|
1 for every 2 employees
|
(2) Off-street parking spaces shall have a width of not less than nine
feet and an area of not less than 171 square feet.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(3) Any off-street parking lot shall be graded for proper drainage and
surfaced so as to provide a durable and dust-less surface.
(4) Any lighting used to illuminate any off-street parking lot shall
be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises
in any R District.
(5) When determination of off-street parking results in a requirement
of a fractional space, any fraction shall be counted as one space.
(6) There shall be adequate provision for ingress and egress to all parking
spaces. Where a lot does not abut on a public or private alley or
easement of access, there shall be provided an access drive of not
less than eight feet in width in the case of a dwelling, and not less
than 24 feet in width in all other cases, leading to the parking or
storage areas and to loading or unloading spaces required hereunder.
(7) Parking spaces may be located on a lot other than that containing
the principal use only upon the grant of a special exception by the
Zoning Hearing Board, provided that safe, convenient pedestrian access
is assured and that a written agreement, approved by the Township's
Solicitor, shall be filed with the application for a zoning permit,
containing a guaranty that such parking spaces shall be available
so long as the principal use is continued.
(8) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross horizontal area of the several floors
of the building or improvements, as measured between the exterior
faces of the walls.
GROSS LEASABLE FLOOR AREA
The total floor area of the building or improvement designed
for tenant occupancy, excluding halls, corridors or other areas used
in common by the tenants of the building or improvement, expressed
in square feet and measured from the center line of joint partitions
and exteriors of outside walls.
B. Off-street loading. One off-street loading berth of not less than
35 feet by 10 feet shall be provided for every business and industrial
use with a floor area of more than 10,000 square feet, with one additional
berth required for each additional 25,000 square feet of floor area.
Access and space to maneuver shall be sufficient so that no truck
need back onto any public street or across any public sidewalk.
C. For establishments with drive-through lanes, the lane shall accommodate
four cars stacked within the lane.
[Added 2-25-2013 by Ord.
No. 1031]
D. Parking
pads as an accessory use.
[Added 7-11-2022 by Ord.
No. 1108]
(1) Parking
pads are permitted as an accessory use in the R-3 and R-4 zoning districts,
if the residential property meets one of the following exceptions:
(a) Residential properties that abut existing streets that provide a
cartway of 20 feet or less so that emergency vehicles may pass safely.
(b) Residential properties that do not have an existing private driveway
due to physical constraints to the property such as a steep hillside.
(c) Residential properties that have existing private driveways with
slopes exceeding 5% limiting the ability to park in inclement weather.
(d) Residential properties that have existing single-car garages abutting
a private driveway with a depth of 40 feet or less as measured from
the curb to the garage door.
(2) Parking
pads may be located within the required front, side and rear yard,
based upon the following provisions:
(a) Parking pads must abut an existing driveway, if a driveway is present,
or be parallel to an existing street.
(b) Where an existing driveway is present, parking pads must be constructed
of the same material as the existing driveway.
(c) Parking pads must abut the curb. Vehicles must be parked at least
one foot behind the curb and shall not encroach upon the cartway or
pedestrian accessway.
(d) Parking pads must be nine feet by 19 feet in diameter.
(e) Only one parking pad is permitted per residential property.
(f) Parking pads must be constructed of an approved all-weather surface
such as bricks, concrete, asphalt or gravel. If a gravel parking pad
is proposed, the depth of the gravel shall be at least four inches
and the type of gravel must be approved by the Township prior to placement.
In no event shall vehicles be parked on grassy or open areas not designated
for off-street parking.
(3) Parking
pads may be used only for the parking of passenger automobiles with
a Class 2 or less registered gross or combination weight in pounds
as provided by the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, Act of June 17,
1976, P.L. 162, No. 81, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1916.
(4) Parking
pads must be used by the owner/occupant of the residential structure
and shall not be sublet.
(5) Parking
pads must be maintained. Property owners are required to ensure that
loose gravel does not present a hazard to pedestrians and that weeds
or other vegetation is not present within or around the parking pad.
(6) A
zoning permit is required for the placement of a parking pad.
No building in the rear of a principal structure and on the
same lot not extending through a block from street to street shall
be used in whole or in part as a dwelling unless there is provided
for such structures an unobstructed easement of access at least 20
feet wide to a street, and within the lines of such easement shall
be constructed a gravelled or other paved way sufficient in width
and thickness to accommodate fire apparatus or other emergency equipment.
Such building shall conform to all density district requirements for
a principal building, and the rear line of the required rear yard
for the principal building in front shall be considered the street
lot line for the building in the rear. This provision does not apply
to multiple-family dwellings in commercial areas.
[Added 2-11-1980 by Ord.
No. 650]
A. All applications for building or occupancy permits for any commercial,
manufacturing or industrial use of any property abutting a public
street accepted and maintained as a public street by the Township
of Wilkins or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall contain the following
information:
(1) A clear description or the land use and purpose for which the property
is to be used or reused.
(2) The precise location of all driveways and driveway approaches serving
all roads and abutting properties.
(3) The number of parking spaces existing or to be created on the property.
(4) The identity of any abutting property, whether or not within the
Township of Wilkins, from which vehicular traffic is to be connected
to the public street by transversing the property for which application
is made.
B. Where it appears from the application that the number of daily vehicular
trips to or from the property will exceed 100 or more, the applicant
shall provide a detailed report of existing and forecasted vehicular
traffic activity which may result from use of the property and the
public street.
C. The aforesaid report shall be prepared by a person qualified in the field of traffic engineering. In addition to the requirements of Subsection
B hereof, the report shall contain conclusions concerning the impact of the proposed land use or reuse on the flow of traffic, shall provide vehicle trip generation rates and vehicle trip deployment patterns, shall identify street capacity and/or safety deficiencies within the environs of the proposed development and shall recommend maximum size and gross weight limits for vehicles based on the width, grade, configuration and condition of the public street.
D. The Zoning Officer shall review the application, and where the information
supplied is incomplete or, to the officer's knowledge, inaccurate,
the Officer shall obtain an independent study by a person qualified
in traffic engineering, at the expense of the applicant.
E. No permit shall be issued for any building or use where it appears
from the traffic reports that the traffic generated by the use will
create a danger to the health, safety or welfare of the public or
of Township residents by reason of exceeding the capacity of public
streets, lack of proper traffic control at nearby major thoroughfares,
their intersections or interchanges or because the proposed use involves
vehicles in excess of the size or weight which can safely traverse
the public street by reason of street grade, width or configuration.
F. No part of any property in the commercial, industrial or manufacturing
districts, whether a use or occupancy permit has been heretofore or
is hereafter issued, shall be used as a right-of-way to connect the
land under permit to any abutting property for passage of vehicular
traffic unless a permit for such use is applied for and issued by
the Township of Wilkins.
[Added 2-9-2015 by Ord.
No. 1053]
Sidewalks shall be required within the public right-of-way for all properties abutting arterial streets in the C Commercial District upon the transfer of ownership of property, the new development of property, a subdivision or reverse subdivision of property, or a major renovation of infrastructure located on the property. All sidewalks shall be installed in accordance with the design standards of Chapter
379, Streets and Sidewalks.