In this chapter, words, terms, and phrases shall have the following
meanings:
ABANDONMENT
Where a building or land is abandoned for six consecutive months for residential uses and 12 consecutive months for nonresidential uses, whereby the owner discontinues the use or occupancy, the building or structure shall be declared abandoned and may be required to be removed. In the case of abandonment of a nonconforming use, Article
XVIII applies.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure detached from a principal building on the same
lot and incidental and subordinate to the principal building or use.
ACCESSORY USE
A use of land or of a building or portion thereof customarily
incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building
and located on the same lot with such principal use.
ADULT USE
Any establishment that permits patrons to hear, view, read,
lease, purchase, trade, exchange, and/or participate in activities,
publications, movies, videotapes, and/or live or televised performances
which have as their dominant theme explicit sexual activities and/or
the exhibition of human anatomy which is not normally seen in public
or in other commercial or club-type operations and which may or may
not exclude minors by virtue of age. Implicit in this definition are
the following: bookstores, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, tattoo
parlors, fortune tellers, tarot card readers, body piercing, phrenology,
and any other operation which qualifies for inclusion by virtue of
the above wording, regardless of the type of other uses or operations
which may also be conducted on or in the property or properties involved.
ALLEY
A narrow service access to the rear of urban buildings providing
service areas, parking access, and utility easements.
ALTERATION
Any change or rearrangement in the supporting members of
an existing building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders,
or interior partitions, as well as any change in doors, windows, means
of ingress and egress, or any enlargement to or diminution of a building
or structure, or the moving of a building from one location to another.
ALTERATION, INCIDENTAL
Modifications to an existing structure that are of a cosmetic
nature, replacement of utilities, or rearrangement of non-load-bearing
partitions.
AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any mechanical, electrical, electromechanical device, machine,
or apparatus whatsoever for the playing of games and amusements, which
devices or apparatus are commonly known as "pinball machines," "video
games," and "jukeboxes," or upon which games are played, or any device
on which music is played after the insertion therein of a coin or
other disc, slug, or token or for which fees are paid to an attendant.
ANTENNA
Any device or mechanism used in the collection, transmission,
routing, or receiving of telecommunications transmissions, radio signals,
or radio frequency energy, including, but not limited to, use by or
provisions of wireless communications, cellular communications, and
personal communications services.
ANTENNA SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Any pole, telescoping mast, tower, tripod, or any other structure
which supports or has attached to it an antenna or antennas.
APARTMENT UNIT
One or more rooms with individual access, private bath and
kitchen facilities, comprising an independent, self-contained dwelling
unit in a building.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has
filed an application for development including his heirs, successors,
and assigns.
ASSISTED-CARE FACILITY
Residences for frail individuals that provide rooms, meals,
personal care, and supervision of self-administered medication. The
facility may also provide other services such as recreational activities,
financial services, and transportation.
AUTOMOBILE-ORIENTED USE
In contrast to pedestrian-oriented uses, these uses are generally
related to, dependent on, or designed to accommodate customers traveling
in automobiles. They are generally located in more remote parts of
a community than pedestrian-oriented uses. Frequently, amenities such
as sidewalks, trees, benches, and similar amenities are not provided
in locations where these uses are found. Typical automobile-oriented
uses are drive-through establishments; big box retail establishments;
automobile sales, repair, and service; wholesale businesses; and similar
uses.
BASEMENT
An enclosed area located partly or completely below grade.
A basement shall be considered a story for the purpose of height measurement
if the basement ceiling is five feet or more above the average grade
level around the building.
BIG BOX RETAIL
Retail store establishments in freestanding, one-story buildings,
with floor areas of 100,000 square feet or more. Examples of such
uses are Walmart, Costco, and various retail clubs such as Sam's and
similar establishments.
BILLBOARD
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location
other than the premises on which the sign is located.
BOARD
The Folcroft Borough Zoning Hearing Board.
BUFFER
A strip of land intended to separate one use or district
from another by providing an open, unobstructed space intended to
absorb, shield, or block noise, light, view, or other impacts of the
use having the greater impact. Buffers shall be planted with grass
or other ground cover and may be part of the required yards. Buffers
are often employed between a residential district and an abutting
nonresidential district having greater impacts. There shall be no
structures, equipment, storage, parking, or trash disposal in buffer
areas. Dimensions of buffers shall be as required by the zoning district.
BUILDING
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having a roof
or other covering and designed or used for shelter or enclosure of
any person, animal, property, or equipment of any kind.
BUILDING CODE OFFICIAL (BCO)
The individual designated by Borough Council to enforce the
provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and other ordinances. The BCO may perform duties of the Zoning Officer in certain circumstances outlined in Article
XX. The Borough Manager is also included in this term and may perform or direct the performance of certain enforcement functions.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The ratio obtained by dividing the gross floor area of all
principal and accessory buildings on a lot by the total area of the
lot upon which the buildings are located.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average level of
the ground surrounding the structure to the top of the highest point
of the roof for flat roofs and to the ridge of the gable, hip, and
gambrel roofs. Chimneys, spires, towers, steeples, mechanical equipment,
tanks, vessels, antennas, and similar projections of the buildings
not intended for human occupancy shall not be included in calculating
the height, unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter.
BUILDING LINE
A line that is parallel to the street right-of-way line which
establishes the actual location of the front wall of the principal
building on the lot.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
A line parallel to the street right-of-way line at a distance
that is equal to the depth of the front yard required for the district
in which the lot is located.
BUSINESS/INDUSTRIAL PARK
A tract of land that has been planned, developed, and operated
as an integrated facility for a number of individual industrial or
business establishments, with special attention to circulation, parking,
utility needs, aesthetics, and compatibility.
CAR WASH, INDUSTRIAL
A place of business where the primary service is cleaning,
washing, and waxing of commercial vehicles with more than two axles.
CAR WASH, RESIDENTIAL
A place of business where the primary service is cleaning,
washing, and waxing of automobiles and trucks with a maximum of two
axles.
CELL SITE
A tract or parcel of land that contains the wireless, cellular,
or personal communications service antenna, its antenna support structure,
accessory buildings, and parking and may include other uses associated
with and ancillary to providing wireless communications, cellular
communications, or personal communications services.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A document issued by a duly authorized local authority allowing
the occupancy of a building and certifying that the structure or use
has been constructed or will be used in compliance with all applicable
local codes and ordinances.
CHILD DAY-CARE CENTER
A facility that is licensed to provide care for seven or
more children unrelated to the operator, where the child-care areas
are not being used as a family residence.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE
A motor vehicle designed or used to transport passengers
or property if the vehicle:
A.
Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds or
such lesser rating as the Department of Motor Vehicles shall adopt
under its applicable provisions;
B.
Is designed to transport 10 or more passengers;
D.
Is transporting hazardous materials;
E.
Is motorized construction equipment;
F.
Includes snowplow attachments during non-snow events;
G.
Has permanent decals depicting a for-profit company; and
H.
Has ladder racks or other general contractor equipment in plain
view that is used for commercial purposes.
COMMON DRIVEWAY
A single driveway providing vehicular access to two or more
properties. Generally, 1/2 of the driveway is in ownership of one
owner and the other half in ownership of the abutting owner. New common
driveways shall not be permitted in the Borough after adoption of
this chapter.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
Land within or related to a development, not individually
owned or dedicated for public use, that is designed and intended for
the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development and
their guests. This land may include such complementary structures
and improvements as are necessary and appropriate.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES (CDOS)
A reflection of the policy goals and vision of the Borough
of Folcroft in fundamental municipal areas such as land use, population
density, housing, economic development, transportation, natural resources,
and other areas deemed necessary for inclusion by the Borough created
in lieu of a recent Comprehensive Plan. The adopted CDOs for the Borough
are located following the Table of Contents in this chapter.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A comprehensive, long-range plan intended to guide the growth
and development of a community or region, and one that includes analysis,
recommendations, and proposals for the community's population, economy,
housing, transportation, community facilities, land use, and related
areas.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use specifically listed within this chapter pursuant to Article
IX of the MPC and the applicable provisions of Article
XVI of this chapter. Borough Council may only authorize such use after meeting the requirements of Article
XVI and the MPC.
CONSTRUCTION
The building, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension,
expansion, alteration, or relocation of a structure, including the
placement of mobile homes.
CONVENIENCE STORE
A retail store containing less than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area and that is open 15 to 24 hours per day. It is designed to attract and depends upon a large volume of traffic and should have sufficient off-street parking in accordance with Article
XIII.
CUBIC CONTENT
The total three-dimensional volume of a building (height
multiplied by length multiplied by width), but excluding that portion
of a stack or other projection that is higher than the highest point
of the principal building.
DENSITY, GROSS
The number of dwelling units per acre. This term refers to
all of the land within the boundaries of a particular area, including
streets, rights-of-way, easements, etc.
DENSITY, HIGH
For the purposes of this chapter, this term refers to residential
development that has over 15 dwelling units per acre.
DENSITY, LOW
For the purposes of this chapter, this term refers to residential
development with under seven dwelling units per acre.
DENSITY, MEDIUM
For the purposes of this chapter, this term refers to residential
development of seven to 15 dwelling units per acre.
DENSITY, NET
The number of dwelling units per acre. This term refers to
land within the boundaries of a particular area, but excludes streets,
rights-of-way, and easements in its calculation.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the
permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision,
land development, or any other development.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate
including, but not limited to, buildings, streets, and other paving,
utilities, dredging, filling, grading, excavation, or drilling operations
and the subdivision of land.
DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE
An establishment primarily engaged in the receipt, storage,
and distribution of goods, products, cargo, and materials, including
shipment by rail or motor vehicle.
DRIVE-THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment which offers in-car service or takeout service
including, but not limited to, financial institutions, food stores,
and restaurants, but not including drive-in theaters.
DRIVEWAY
A private way used exclusively for circulation and ingress
and egress to a street by the landowner or visitors of the lot.
DWELLING
A building or unit designed and constructed for residential
use.
DWELLING UNIT
A grouping of rooms designed, occupied, or intended for occupancy
as separate living quarters, with cooking, sleeping, and sanitary
facilities provided within the dwelling unit for the exclusive use
of a single family maintaining a household.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A building containing three or more dwelling units, including
units that are located above one another.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED (TOWN/ROW HOUSE)
A single-family dwelling unit within a building that has
at least one party wall in common with other dwelling units in the
same row, known as a "townhouse" or "row house." After the effective
date of this chapter, no such building shall be constructed with more
than six attached units.
ENFORCEMENT NOTICE
A notice by an applicable Borough official concerning a violation
of existing law.
FACADE
The wall of a building exterior that adjoins or fronts on
a public street, park, or plaza.
FAMILY
Any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping
unit when said individuals are related by blood, marriage, or adoption,
including foster children; or not more than four unrelated individuals
living together as a single housekeeping unit with single kitchen
facilities.
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME
A home, other than the child's own home, operated for profit
or not-for-profit, in which child care is provided at any one time
to four, five, or six children unrelated to the operator. All required
certifications and other requirements must be met before operation
begins.
FAMILY-BASED COMMUNITY RESIDENCE FACILITY
A dwelling, licensed by the appropriate state agency, shared
by persons requiring special care and their supervisors, who live
together as a single housekeeping unit in a family-like environment.
This facility is designed to create a residential environment for
the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, retarded, handicapped,
or similar groups unable to live without supervision. The maximum
number of residents shall not exceed four, excluding supervisors.
These facilities shall not be used to accommodate persons recovering
from the effects of drugs or alcohol or inmates of penal institutions.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors
of a building measured from the exterior face of exterior walls or
from the center line of a wall separating two buildings, but not including
interior parking spaces, loading space for motor vehicles, or any
space where the floor-to-ceiling height is less than six feet. Gross
floor area also includes, but is not limited to, the following:
A.
An elevator shaft, stairwell, and attic space providing headroom
of six or more feet;
B.
The floor areas of roofed terraces, exterior balconies, breezeways,
or porches where over 50% of the perimeter is enclosed; and
C.
Any floor space used for dwelling purposes no matter where located
within a building.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS LEASABLE
The total floor area designed for tenant occupancy and exclusive
use, including basements, mezzanines, and upper floors. It is measured
from the center line of joint partitions and from outside wall faces.
FLOOR AREA, NET
The total of all floor areas of a building, excluding stairwells
and elevator shafts, equipment rooms, interior vehicular parking or
loading, and all floors below the first or ground floor, except when
used or intended to be used for human habitation or service to the
public.
FOOD PREPARATION/CATERING
The preparation, packaging, separation, shrink-wrapping,
and vacuum-sealing of food items for the purpose of later consumption;
or the preparation, cooking, and baking of raw food items, generally
in large quantities, for transport to off-site locations for consumption.
FOOD STORE
A retail establishment that primarily sells food items. A
food store shall have not more than 20,000 square feet of floor area.
FREESTANDING BUILDING
Any building located within a development site which is separate
from any group or cluster development on such site and which shall
comply with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
FRONT-YARD PARKING
Any parking in front of the front building line of a structure,
not including off-street parking that is provided as part of a driveway
and/or garage.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory use which is attached to or an integral part
of a residential building or dwelling unit or an accessory structure
used for the storage of motor vehicles and other personal property
owned and used by the residents of the residential building or dwelling
unit.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
A building or structure available to the general public in
which motor vehicles are temporarily stored, but which is not used
for the repair or maintenance thereof.
GASOLINE SERVICE STATION
Any area of land, including structures thereon, or any building
or part thereof that is used for the sale of gasoline or other motor
vehicle fuel or accessories, and which may include facilities for
lubricating, washing, or otherwise servicing motor vehicles, but which
shall not include painting, body, and fender repairs.
GASOLINE STATION, SELF-SERVICE
A property and/or place of business where flammable or combustible
liquids used as motor fuels are stored and dispensed from fixed equipment
into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles by a person other than the service
station attendant.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Those chemicals or substances that are defined as "physical
hazards" or "health hazards" in the most recently adopted version
of the Uniform Construction Code.
HEALTH HAZARD
A classification of a chemical for which there is statistically
significant evidence that acute or chronic health effects are capable
of occurring to exposed persons. The term "health hazard" includes
chemicals that are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive
toxins, neurotoxins, agents that are capable of acting on the hematopoietic
system, and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
HOTEL
A structure in which lodging is provided for the accommodation
of guests, offered to the public for compensation, which contains
an office supervised by a person in charge at all hours with a majority
of all rooms having direct access to the outside. "Hotel" does not
include boardinghouse, lodging house, rooming house, personal care
home, or group home.
IMPACT, HEAVY
Any use that poses a health hazard, a significant threat
from fire, or involves the use of hazardous materials in any way that
could endanger persons or property in the event of accidental discharge
or combustion.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
The coverage of a lot or tract area by materials that prevent
the percolation of water into the soil and generate stormwater runoff,
such as buildings, streets, parking areas, driveways, and any other
similar surfaces.
LABORATORY
A research, testing, experimental, or product development
facility, provided that any laboratory animals shall, at all times,
be kept within completely enclosed buildings. All chemical, biological,
or other substances, emissions, or by-products of the procedures or
operations conducted within the laboratory shall be confined to the
facility and not be permitted to escape or be emitted outside the
facility.
LANDSCAPED PLANTING AREA
An area landscaped with grass, ground cover, shrubs, or similar
plantings placed where required by this chapter and permanently maintained.
LIGHT INDUSTRY
Industrial processes where the finished item, material, or product does not exceed 30 cubic feet which are conducted in an enclosed building and comply with Article
XIX.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space or berth for the loading or unloading of commercial vehicles. Such spaces shall comply with Article
XIII.
LOT
A parcel of land that is or may be occupied by a building
and/or accessory structure or use, including open spaces and setbacks
as are required within the district in which the lot is located.
LOT AREA
The total horizontal area within the lot lines of a parcel.
LOT COVERAGE
The percentage of a lot that is covered by all combined structures,
paving, or any impervious surface. Also see definition of "impervious
surface."
LOT DEPTH
The distance along a straight line measured from the midpoint
of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line.
LOT LINE
A line of public record bounding a lot that divides one lot
from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public
space.
LOT LINE, REAR
Any lot line, except the front lot line, which is parallel
to, or within 45° of being parallel to, the front lot line and
does not intersect any street line, except in the case of corner lots.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured
at right angles to the lot depth at the building setback line.
LOT, CORNER
A lot bounded by intersecting streets on at least two sides.
Both yards adjacent to streets shall be considered front yards.
LOT, MINIMUM AREA OF
The smallest allowable lot area as established by this chapter
on which a use or structure may be located in a particular district.
MIXED USE
In districts where permitted, the placement of a residential
or office use above or adjacent to a commercial use that is generally
required to occupy the ground floor.
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
A single building containing more than one type of land use
or a single development of more than one building and use, where different
types of land uses are in close proximity, planned as a unified complementary
whole, and functionally integrated by shared vehicular and pedestrian
access, parking areas, landscaping, and other features.
MULTI-TENANT BUILDING
A building designed or converted to accommodate three or
more commercial tenants. Each tenant shall operate a use that is permitted
in the district where the building is located.
MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE (MPC)
Pennsylvania Act 247 of 1968 (P.L. 805) as amended, also
cited as 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., or any subsequent Act
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that replaces, supplements, or
repeals any or all of the provisions of Act 247. This law controls
planning, zoning, and land development in Pennsylvania.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
A structure for which construction was started after the
effective date of this chapter and includes any subsequent improvements
to such structures.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity that is clearly secondary
to the residential use and in which no persons other than members
of the resident family are engaged. The use shall not provide for
on-site parking in addition to that required for the residential use.
No equipment is used other than that normally used for household or
general office use.
NONCONFORMING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A building or structure that does not comply with the provisions
of this chapter, as amended, where such building or structure lawfully
existed prior to the effective date of this chapter or of amendments
thereafter.
NONCONFORMING LOT
Any lawful lot that does not conform to one or more of the
applicable provisions of the district in which it is located, either
on the effective date of this chapter or of amendments thereafter.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or a structure, which does not comply
with the applicable provisions of this chapter, where such use was
lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter
or amendments thereafter.
OFFICIAL MAP
A map adopted by ordinance by Borough Council pursuant to Article
IV of the MPC.
PARKING SPACE
A reasonably level space, having a surface slope not exceeding 6%, used for the parking of motor vehicles. Such space shall have an area as listed in Article
XIII that shall be exclusive of passageways, driveways, or other means of circulation or access.
PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED CONVENIENCE RETAIL
A small retail store or shop having a floor area of not more
than 500 square feet and intended to serve users of the various institutional
uses in the MC Municipal Center district and passing pedestrians.
PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED USE
A.
Retail/commercial uses that promote and encourage walking, window-shopping,
and general pedestrian activity. Examples of these uses are restaurants,
retail stores, food stores, service establishments, and similar businesses.
These pedestrian-oriented establishments should be located in centralized
areas and rely mainly on customers from nearby neighborhoods who could
walk to these establishments. Attractive paving, sidewalks, adequate
lighting, plazas, benches, and additional shade trees are an integral
part of pedestrian-oriented commercial development.
B.
In Folcroft, the RS Retail Service District is the principal
district that provides for and encourages pedestrian-oriented uses.
The MC Municipal Center district contains provisions that encourage
walking and overall pedestrian activity to a certain extent.
PERMIT
Written municipal permission issued by the appropriate local
official empowering the holder thereof to do some act not forbidden
by law, but not permitted without such authorization.
PERSONAL SERVICE SHOP OR ESTABLISHMENT
A business engaged in providing services involving the care
or appearance of a person, his or her clothing, or similar personal
needs. Included in this definition are barber, beautician, shoe repair,
laundry or cleaner, or similar establishment, but not including a
tattoo parlor, massage parlor, body-piercing establishment, or health
club/spa.
PHYSICAL HAZARD
A chemical that is a combustible liquid, compressed gas,
cryogenic, explosive, flammable gas, flammable liquid, flammable solid,
organic peroxide, oxidizer, or unstable or water-reactive material.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (PRD)
An area of land developed as a single entity in conformity
with a final development plan by a developer or group of developers
acting jointly, which is totally planned to provide for a variety
of residential uses and common open space.
PLANTED VISUAL SCREEN
A strip of trees, hedges, or other plantings adjacent to
the boundary of a property which, at time of planting, shall be not
less than six feet high and of sufficient density to constitute an
effective visual screen and thereby give visual protection to abutting
properties. Such screen shall consist primarily of dense evergreens
that shall be planted not farther than seven feet from one another
and shall be permanently maintained. Deciduous trees may be added
to create interest and variety.
PLAZA
An open space that may be improved and landscaped, usually
surrounded by streets, buildings, and/or one or more walls.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING OR USE
A building or use which is the primary building or use on
a lot as distinguished from a building or buildings relating to an
accessory, incidental, or subordinate use.
PRIVACY FENCE
A fence, including any gates, constructed of solid material
through which no visual, images may be seen.
PRIVATE COMMERCIAL SCHOOL
A building or group of buildings that does not secure the
majority of its funding from any governmental agency. Included in
this term are trade schools such as beauty salons, truck driving,
and others of a similar nature.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
The office of a member of a recognized profession maintained
for the conduct of that profession, such as a doctor, dentist, lawyer,
and other similar professions.
PUBLIC HEARING
In accordance with the MPC, a formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by Borough
Council or the Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain
public comment prior to taking action in accordance with this Act.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
All roads, streets, walkways, sidewalks, gutters, curbs,
sewers, waterlines, stormwater management facilities, landscaping,
streetlighting, traffic control devices, and other facilities to be
dedicated to or maintained by the Borough of Folcroft.
RECREATIONAL AREA
A place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports,
leisure time activities, and other customary and usual recreational
activities.
RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT
A building or use used as a place of religious worship and
teaching, which may include schools, day-care centers, auditoriums,
residences for persons serving the particular facility, and recreational
facilities.
RESTAURANT, STANDARD OR SIT-DOWN
Any premises used for the sale, dispensing, and/or serving
of food, refreshments, or beverages where the customer is normally
involved with an individual menu and is served by a restaurant employee
at the table, booth, or counter at which said items are consumed.
RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW)
Land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription, condemnation,
or other legal manner and occupied, or intended to be occupied, by
a street, crosswalk, electric transmission line, oil or gas pipeline,
waterline, watercourse, or similar uses.
ROOF LINE
The line the marks the lowest point of the roof.
ROOF RIDGE LINE
The line that marks the highest point of the roof. This term
is applicable to most roofs other than flat roofs.
SATELLITE ANTENNA
An antenna together with all attachments and parts, the purpose
of which is to receive communication from orbiting satellites. See
also "cell site."
SENIOR DAY-CARE CENTER
A facility which provides out-of-home care to four or more
elderly or disabled adults for not more than 16 consecutive hours
on any given day. Such facilities may also offer recreational and
educational programs.
SETBACK
The distance between the street right-of-way line or a lot
line and any building on a lot or tract.
SETBACK, REQUIRED
The minimum distance from the street right-of-way line or
any other lot line that establishes the area, commonly known as the
"building envelope," within which the principal structure must be
erected or placed.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of predominantly retail establishments planned, constructed,
and managed as a total entity, including both attached buildings and
freestanding buildings, with customer and employee parking provided
on site.
SIGN
Any object, device, display, or illustration which is used
to advertise, identify, display, direct, or attract attention to an
object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service,
event, or location by any means, including words, letters, numbers,
or symbols.
SIGN AREA
The entire face of a sign including the advertising surface
and framing, trim, or molding, but not including the supporting structure.
SIGN FACE
The area or display surface used for the message.
SIGN STRUCTURE
The supports, uprights, braces, and framework of the sign.
SIGN, ADVERTISING CLOTH
A sign that has its letters or design applied to cloth, canvas,
or other flexible material that is durable and weather-resistant.
SIGN, AWNING OR CANOPY
A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning,
canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over
a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area.
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY
A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations
that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the
surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than
eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a
changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter. A sign on which
the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication
of time or temperature shall be considered a "time and temperature
sign" and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter.
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL
A sign limited to directional messages principally for pedestrians
or vehicular traffic, such as "entry," "exit," "one way," "loading,"
"service area," "fire lanes," "parking," or a similar sign incidental
to the primary use and not itself advertising or naming that use except
as required by law.
SIGN, FREESTANDING
A detached sign which shall include any sign placed upon
or in the ground, supported by a post, stake, etc., and not attached
to any building.
SIGN, GROUND
A freestanding sign other than a sign supported by a post
or pylon placed upon or supported by the ground independent of any
other structure.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION
A sign giving the nature, logo, trademark, or other identifying
symbol, address, or any combination of the name, symbol, and address
of a building, business, development, or establishment on the premises
where it is located.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either
by lights on or in the sign or directed towards the sign.
SIGN, INCIDENTAL
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the property on which it is located, such as "no parking,"
"entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives.
No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the
lot on which a sign is located shall be considered incidental.
SIGN, MENU
A sign that depicts the menu of food and/or drink for sale
at an eating or drinking establishment.
SIGN, MULTI-FACED
A sign with two or more display areas or sides on which messages
can be displayed.
SIGN, NAMEPLATE
A sign indicating only the name and/or profession and address
of the person(s) residing or legally occupying the premises.
SIGN, NEON
A sign that is internally lighted by lamps, bulbs, tubes,
etc. that are filled with neon gas. Neon signs are prohibited throughout
the Borough.
SIGN, OFFICIAL/TRAFFIC
Any sign installed by a municipal or governmental agency
and intended to direct or control traffic; identify streets, parks,
and historical events; or provide other information deemed necessary
by that official agency.
SIGN, PROJECTING
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building
for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building.
After the effective date of this chapter, projecting signs shall not
be erected or placed in the Borough.
SIGN, SALES OR PRICE CHANGE
A type of temporary sign that has a high turnover, such as
those advertising "sales" and frequent price changes. These signs
are most commonly found on windows/doors of supermarkets, grocery
stores, and beverage distributors. In most cases, these signs are
constructed of paper, cardboard, or other lightweight materials.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
A sign that is used in connection with an event, situation,
or circumstance that is designed or intended to take place or be completed
within 30 days after the permit for the sign was issued or is intended
to remain on the location where it is placed or erected for not more
than 30 days.
SIGN, WALL
A sign posted on, suspended from, or otherwise affixed to
a wall or vertical surface of a building that does not project more
than 12 inches from the wall or vertical surface to which it is attached.
Signs shall not be painted on any surface.
SIGN, WINDOW
A sign attached or affixed to a window or door.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
An authorized use that may be granted only by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with express standards and criteria in accordance with Articles
XVII and
XXI of this chapter.
STREET
A public or private way used or intended to be used as a
means of vehicular and pedestrian travel and access to abutting properties
and space for public utilities that is maintained in compliance with
all Borough requirements for public or private streets.
STREET LINE
The line dividing the street and the abutting property. The
street line shall be the same as the street right-of-way line.
STREET, INTERIOR
A public or private way serving the internally developed
areas of a site.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on
the ground or attached to something having a fixed location on the
ground.
SUPERMARKET
A large retail establishment that primarily sells food and
other convenience and household goods. A supermarket shall have not
less than 20,000 square feet of floor area and may contain branch
banking facilities, video rentals, a pharmacy, and eating areas.
SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE
Any body of water, tank, or receptacle of water having a
depth at any point of greater than two feet used or intended to be
used for swimming or bathing solely by the owner, his family, and
guests of the household and that is constructed, installed, established,
or maintained outside any building in or above the ground upon any
premises as an accessory use to the residence. Also see "swimming
pool, wading."
SWIMMING POOL, WADING
Small and sometimes portable pools generally intended for and used by children that do not comply with the above definition for private swimming pools and the requirements in Article
XV.
TOWER
Any pole, telescoping mast, monopole, tower, tripod, or any
other structure that is erected.
TOWNHOUSE BUILDING
A building containing single-family attached dwelling units
(townhouse units) in which each townhouse unit is attached only by
a party wall or walls to one or two other townhouse units. Townhouse
buildings erected after the effective date of this chapter shall contain
not more than six attached units.
TRACT
An area, lot, parcel, site, or property which is the subject
of a subdivision and/or land development.
TRACT AREA
The total acreage of a subdivision or land development. Tract
area shall be measured to the ultimate right-of-way line of public
streets.
TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD)
A development approach locating higher-density residential
and mixed uses at strategic points along the regional transit system.
The design and location of a TOD and the mix of uses emphasize a pedestrian-friendly
environment and reinforce the use of public transportation.
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT
A tract of land developed, operated, and maintained as a
single entity and containing two or more structures to accommodate
retail, service, commercial, office, industrial, and residential uses.
The development shall have common accessways, parking areas, and landscaping
and shall be developed following a common architectural scheme.
USE
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designed,
arranged, or intended or for which it may be occupied or maintained.
The term "authorized use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to
include any nonconforming use.
USE, AUTHORIZED
Any use allowed by this chapter as a use by right, accessory
use, conditional use, or use by special exception.
USE, PRINCIPAL
The specific primary purpose for which a lot or site is used.
VARIANCE
Relief granted pursuant to Articles
VI and
IX of the MPC and Article
XXI of this chapter.
WALKWAY
A hard-scaped pedestrian path of a width required in this
chapter that does not follow a course parallel to the public street,
as in the case of a sidewalk.
YARD
An unobstructed open space on the same lot with a principal
building that extends from a street line or lot line inward to and
around the principal building.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of
which extends from the front lot line to the nearest point of the
principal building. Yards adjacent to both streets on corner lots
shall be considered front yards.
YARD, INTERIOR
The area between a parking lot or an interior driveway in
a development and a principal building(s).
YARD, PERIMETER
The area between the public street abutting a development
and a principal building(s).
YARD, REAR
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of
which extends from the rear lot line to the nearest point of the principal
building.
YARD, REQUIRED
The open space between a lot line and the buildable area
or "building envelope" within which the principal structure must be
erected or placed.
YARD, SIDE
A yard extending between the inside lines of the front and
rear yards and in width from the side lot line to the nearest point
of the principal building.
ZONING DISTRICT
An area in the Borough of Folcroft in which regulations under
this chapter uniformly apply, including overlay districts.
ZONING OFFICER
The person appointed by Borough Council in accordance with
the MPC whose duty it shall be to administer this Zoning Ordinance
and such other ordinances as may be assigned by Council.
ZONING ORDINANCE
An ordinance that divides the Borough or other units of local
government into areas or zones that specify allowable uses for real
property, along with size and locational restrictions for buildings
within these areas.
ZONING PERMIT
Written permission issued by the Zoning Officer or other
appropriate municipal official empowering the holder thereof to erect
or alter a building or structure, including signs and fences, to change
the use of a building or land, and to change or extend a nonconforming
use. Also known as a "use registration permit" in the Borough of Folcroft.