[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003]
The regulations of this district are designed to promote the
development of subdivisions of higher-density residential housing
and manufactured homes, grouped in a homogeneous community-type setting,
to accommodate a variety of residential uses, including retired and
senior citizens residential communities.
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003; as amended by Ord. 2006-73, 4/13/2006]
1.
Certain permitted uses set forth in the R-2 Medium Residential District, subject to the requirements and restrictions set forth in R-2 Medium Residential District, Part 9, § 27-902, Subsection 1, as set forth below.
A.
The R-2 District permitted uses in an R-4 District include:
(1)
Single-family detached and semidetached dwellings.
(2)
Churches and similar places of worship and parish houses.
(3)
Public parks and public playgrounds.
(4)
Municipal buildings and community facilities, such as police
and fire-protection facilities, museums, libraries, etc., provided
that they do not contain restaurants, cafes, membership clubs or other
places offering food, beverages, dancing or entertainment.
(5)
Publicly owned nursery, kindergarten, elementary, middle and
high schools.
(6)
Bed-and-breakfasts, subject to the conditions set forth in § 27-1423, Subsection 1B, of this chapter.
B.
Subdivisions of single-family dwellings or manufactured home lots
on not less than 25 acres, provided that either the lots are held
by a single proprietor or group of proprietors strictly for the purpose
of lot rentals to individual owner/occupants, or if such lots are
sold to individual owners, the lots are subject to a declaration of
covenants, conditions and restrictions which establishes a homeowners'
association. Such subdivisions are referred to as "communities" under
this Part, unless specified otherwise.
(1)
A manufactured home shall be, upon assembly, at least 18 feet
wide throughout 80% of its length, containing not less than 600 square
feet of floor area. A mobile home is not a manufactured home for the
purpose of this Part. A manufactured home shall be treated the same
as a single-family dwelling and referred to as a "residential dwelling"
in this Part, unless specified otherwise.
(2)
These communities shall be subject to the following regulations:
(a)
Scope. All communities established in the R-4 District and all
expansions thereof are subject to all applicable regulations of this
subsection and all other Township, county or state ordinances, regulations
and guidelines which would be applicable.
(b)
Community Size. Each community shall be located on a tract of
not less than 25 contiguous acres. It shall not be bisected or divided
by any public street, right-of-way or alley but must have direct access
onto a public street or a private street meeting Township standards.
(c)
Density. No individual lot for single-family, duplexes or end
units of multifamily dwellings shall be less than 6,000 square feet.
Lots for interior dwellings in a multifamily dwelling unit may be
less than 6,000 square feet, provided that the width, depth, and yard
requirements are met as more fully described in this Part.
(d)
Multiple-Family Dwelling Use. A community may have multiple-family
dwelling development, including but limited to duplexes, triplexes,
quadruplexes, and hexoplexes, subject to the following limitations:
1)
No community shall have multiple-family dwelling
development in excess of 50% of the total number of residential dwelling
units.
2)
No community may have triplex dwelling development
in excess of 20% of the total number of multiple-family dwellings
permitted within in a community.
3)
No community may have quadruplex dwelling development
in excess of 20% of the total number of multiple-family dwellings
permitted within in a community.
4)
No community may have hexoplex dwelling development
in excess of 20% of the total number of multiple-family dwellings
permitted within in a community.
5)
No interior lot of a multiple-family dwelling shall
be less than 24 feet in width nor less than 100 feet in depth.
(e)
Yard Requirements, Single-Family Dwellings. A single-family
residential dwelling shall have:
1)
A minimum of 50 feet from any perimeter street line
or 20 feet from any perimeter lot lines.
2)
A minimum front yard setback of 30 feet, measured
from the edge of a community street.
3)
A minimum back yard setback of 25 feet from any
other residential dwelling.
4)
A minimum side yard setback of 10 feet from interior
lot lines.
(f)
Yard Requirements, Multiple-family Dwellings. A multiple-family
residential dwelling shall have:
1)
A minimum of 50 feet from any perimeter street line
or 20 feet from any perimeter lot lines.
2)
A minimum front yard setback of 30 feet, measured
from the edge of a community street.
3)
A minimum backyard setback of 25 feet from any other
residential dwelling.
4)
A minimum side yard setback of 25 feet from any
other multiple-family dwelling or other residential dwelling.
(g)
Yard Requirements, All Other Buildings. No service building
or accessory building for community residents, common or general use
shall be located at less than the following:
(h)
Community Streets and Sidewalks or Walkways. A street and sidewalk
or walkway installed exclusively for community residents' use shall
have a durable surface capable of supporting residential traffic and
shall conform to the following regulations:
1)
A community street for two-way traffic shall be
at least 24 feet wide. A traffic pattern in the community shall allow
for efficient access to all points.
2)
A community street for one-way traffic shall be
at least 12 feet wide.
3)
Each residential dwelling site shall be accessible
from a community street; however, designated parking for a residential
dwelling site may be provided off the home site if it is in a group
parking facility as provided herein.
4)
Each community shall be provided with at least two
points of ingress/egress for vehicular traffic from public streets.
5)
No more than two community streets shall intersect
at any one point.
(i)
Off-Street Parking.
1)
Each residential dwelling site shall be provided with two parking spaces, excluding garage, as defined in § 27-1602 of this chapter. An additional space for each residential dwelling site shall be provided for in community parking areas.
2)
Parking spaces for a given residential dwelling
site shall be adjacent to each other, except that they may be in tandem
when neither parking space is located directly in front of any residential
dwelling.
3)
On-street parking is prohibited along all community
streets within the community, and all streets shall be posted "no
parking."
4)
As to each residential dwelling site, enclosed parking
areas shall not be permitted within five feet of interior lot lines;
open parking areas or adjacent enclosed parking areas shall not be
permitted within five feet of any interior lot lines, provided that
the foregoing sentence shall not apply to interior lot lines which
also contain common walls of multifamily dwellings.
5)
Each subdivision plan shall prohibit or provide
specifications for overflow common area parking and designate areas
for parking of buses, boats, motor homes, recreational vehicles and
other larger motor vehicles.
(j)
Utility Services.
1)
Each residential dwelling site shall be served by
a public water system.
2)
Each residential dwelling site shall be served by
a connection to the public sewer system approved by the Department
of Environmental Protection.
3)
Each residential dwelling site shall be serviced
by a connection to an electrical-distribution system.
4)
Any transmission line within the limits of the community
for telephone service, electricity or centralized television reception
shall be buried.
(k)
Common Open Space Areas.
1)
The community shall be provided with common open
space areas not less than 10% of the gross community area, excluding
stormwater management areas, which are for the enjoyment of all park
residents. The areas may include but are not limited to such facilities
as service buildings for meeting rooms, laundromats, storage cubicles
for residents, either individually or collectively, playgrounds, swimming
pools, fields and courts for various organized team sports, and landscaped
areas for passive recreation.
2)
The community shall have at least half its common
area at one continuous location, and not more than half its common
area may be in a buffer yard.
3)
No interior play area for children shall be less
than 1,000 square feet.
4)
The community open space areas may contain a wide
variety of facilities, at the discretion of the owner and approved
by the Township; however, it is the intent of this Part that all parks
contain well-maintained improvements for recreation for all ages served
by the community.
(l)
Fences within any land development proposing any community shall
meet the following requirements:
1)
The developer of any land development proposing
any community project shall be required to specify the design, material,
construction and installation and maintenance responsibilities of
fencing to be installed in the project, if any.
2)
All fencing within any community project shall be
of the same design, materials and construction. The fence design,
material, construction and installation and maintenance responsibilities
shall be specified upon the plan to be recorded and as a restriction
on the deed for each dwelling unit within the project.
3)
No fence shall be installed between the front building
line and the right-of-way of the adjoining street. For through (reverse-frontage)
lots, no fence shall be installed within five feet of the right-of-way
of the reverse frontage street.
4)
No fence within a side yard between dwelling units
in any community project shall exceed a height of three feet, and
no fence within the rear yard shall exceed a height of six feet, from
grade to the top of the fence. For the purposes of this section, posts
shall be included in the measurement of the height of the fence.
2.
Conditional uses. Upon approval by the Board of Supervisors, the
following conditional uses are permitted, provided that the uses comply
with the conditions listed herein and the applicable requirements
specified in Parts 14 and 20 of this chapter:
A.
Hospitals, nursing or convalescent homes, provided that they meet
and comply with all federal, state and local laws and obtain all necessary
licenses, certifications, and/or licenses.
B.
Clinics, professional offices and banks, subject to these requirements:
C.
Nonprofit, church-related homes for the elderly, including: 1) custodial
or sanitarium type of care; 2) intermediate care involving dormitory
areas with common meal facilities; and 3) individual residential living
quarters with separate cooking facilities, provided that the following
conditions are met:
(1)
A subdivision and/or land development plan shall be filed in
accordance with the Swatara Township Subdivision and Land Development
Ordinance.
[Amended by Ord. 2015-05, 8/13/2015]
(2)
Self-sufficient dwelling units for permanent guests of the home, which are separate and detached from the principal care facility, shall conform in all respects with the requirements for such dwelling units specified in Part 9 of this chapter. Although they maybe planned as clustered housing, such residential development shall be designed to facilitate subdivision or sale of individual units in accordance with the applicable lot area, lot width, and yard requirements of § 27-903 of this chapter.
D.
Semipublic and private recreation uses, such as golf courses, country
clubs, swimming and/or tennis clubs, provided that no principal building,
accessory structure, pool, tennis court, or parking area is located
within 100 feet of any street right-of-way line or lot line. Additionally,
swimming pools associated with these uses shall be completely enclosed
with a continuous, impenetrable fence no less than six feet in height
above the ground level, and the fence shall be equipped with a lockable
gate.
E.
Privately owned nursery, elementary, middle and high schools.
F.
Private institutions of higher education, convents and monasteries
provided that the following conditions are met:
G.
Group home dwellings, subject to the conditions listed in § 27-1423, Subsection 2E, of this chapter.
[Amended by Ord. 2017-07, 9/14/2017]
H.
Day-care centers, provided that the following conditions are met:
(1)
The property shall be served by public water and sewer facilities.
(2)
The applicant shall obtain written approval or licensure of
the day-care center from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
(3)
Plans for the construction or modification of the facility shall
be reviewed/approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry,
and written proof of said review/approval shall be provided.
(4)
Unloading and loading of children from vehicles shall only be
permitted on the driveway or on the approved parking area.
(5)
Off-street parking shall be provided at the rate of one space
for each employee, plus four spaces for the first 10 licensed capacity
slots for children, plus one space for each additional 10 slots for
children approved for the center. Off-street parking shall also be
provided for vehicles owned and operated by the facility as a part
of its day-care services.
(6)
Play areas for children shall be fenced and shall be located
no closer than 50 feet to any lot line or street right-of-way, except
that play area setbacks may be reduced to 25 feet from side and rear
lot lines when a dense screen planting is established and maintained
within the setback area.
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003; as amended by Ord. 2006-73, 4/13/2003]
1.
Lot and Yard Requirements. A lot area, lot width, lot coverage, yard depths and building height satisfying the requirements of the following table shall be provided for every dwelling unit and/or principal nonresidential building or use hereafter erected, altered or established in this zoning district, except as otherwise specified in § 27-10A03, Subsections 2 and 3 below.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-9, 7/14/2022]
|
Lot and Yard Requirements in the R-4 High-Density Residential
District
| ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Lot Requirements
|
Yard Requirements
| |||||||
|
Use
|
Minimum Lot Area
|
Minimum Lot Width
|
Maximum Lot Coverage
|
Front
|
One Side
|
Total Sides
|
Rear
| |
|
Nonresidential
|
3 acres
|
250 feet
|
20%
|
100 feet
|
20 feet
|
40 feet
|
75 feet
| |
|
Single-family detached
| ||||||||
|
No public utilities
|
1 1/2 acres
|
150 feet
|
25%
|
30 feet
|
15 feet
|
30 feet
|
30 feet
| |
|
Public sewer/on-lot water
|
21,780 feet
|
75 feet
|
30%
|
30 feet
|
10 feet
|
20 feet
|
25 feet
| |
|
Public water/on-lot sewer
|
1 1/2 acres
|
150 feet
|
25%
|
30 feet
|
10 feet
|
20 feet
|
25 feet
| |
|
Public sewer and water
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|
Single-family detached
|
7,500 feet
|
75 feet
|
30%
|
30 feet
|
10 feet
|
20 feet
|
25 feet
| |
|
Single-family semi-detached
|
6,500 feet
|
65 feet
|
40%
|
30 feet
|
10 feet
|
20 feet
|
25 feet
| |
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003]
Consistent with the requirements listed in this Part, the off-street
parking regulations of Part 16 shall apply where applicable to the
uses permitted in this district.
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003]
Signs shall be permitted in accordance with Part 17 of this chapter.
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003]
The supplementary district regulations in Part 14 shall apply,
where applicable, as additional requirements for this district.
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003]
The environmental and energy requirements in Part 15 shall apply,
where applicable, as additional requirements for this district.
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003]
Any building or structure attached to a principal building in
any manner shall comply in all respects with the provisions of this
Part for a principal building. No separate or detached building or
structure of any kind shall be permitted in any required front yard.
Accessory buildings shall not be permitted within five feet of any
side or rear lot line. No accessory building shall be used for human
habitation, and the total square feet of all accessory buildings on
each manufactured home site shall not exceed 500 square feet.
[Ord. 2003-59, 9/11/2003]
1.
The following projections shall be attached to a building, may be
permitted in required yards and shall not be considered in the determination
of yard size:
A.
Patios, paved terraces, decks or open, unroofed porches shall be
permitted in all yards, provided that such structures shall be no
closer than five feet to any lot line and not greater than five feet
above finished grade in the front and 10 feet in the rear.
B.
Projecting Architectural Features. Bay windows, cornices, eaves, fireplaces, chimneys, windowsills or other architectural features, provided that they do not extend more than five feet into any required yard nor closer than three feet to any adjacent property line; however, any canopies, porte cocheres or other roofs that extend more than five feet from the building line, as defined in Part I of this chapter, except as provided in § 27-10A02, Subsection 1B(7)(e), shall be subject to the yard requirements applied from the lot line to the edge of the roof.
