The following definitions shall apply to the terms used in this Part
11 in connection with the development of a retirement community development
within the Retirement Community Overlay:
ASSISTED LIVING UNIT
A dwelling unit that provides a residential living environment
assisted by congregate meals, housekeeping and personal services for
persons, age 55 or older, who have temporary or periodic difficulties
with one or more essential activities of daily living, such as feeding,
bathing, dressing or mobility. Minimum unit size is 350 square feet.
An assisted living unit shall include accessory uses, including dining
rooms, bathing areas, common areas, offices and other space necessary
to provide the above services.
INDEPENDENT APARTMENT UNIT
A dwelling unit containing living areas, bedroom areas, kitchen
areas and bathrooms, including studio-style apartments, which houses
one or more people over the age of 55 in a manner in which they may
live independently while receiving one or more meals per day in a
congregate setting. Minimum unit size is 450 square feet.
INDEPENDENT ATTACHED DWELLING
A dwelling unit attached to one or more other dwelling units,
all units having separate grade-level entrances, and all units being
separated from each other by vertical party walls running from grade
to roof with no offsets at floor levels, constructed in accordance
with the Warminster Township Building Code and other ordinances of
Warminster Township. Such dwelling unit shall contain living areas,
bedroom areas, kitchen areas and bathrooms, and house one or more
people over the age of 55 in a manner in which they may live independently.
No single building shall consist of more than six units. Minimum unit
size is 500 square feet. Accessory structures, except patios, are
prohibited for the independent attached dwellings.
MEMORY CARE UNIT
A special care unit in a designated separate and secure area
for individuals with memory loss which provides board, shelter and
twenty-four-hour supervised care and assistance to seniors with Alzheimer's,
dementia or other memory disorders. Memory care units are specially
designed to improve the safety and quality of life for people with
dementia. Memory care units will have access to a secure courtyard.
Minimum unit size is 225 square feet. A memory care unit may include
accessory uses, including dining rooms, bathing areas, common areas,
offices, clinics, therapy areas, medical facilities and other space
necessary to provide the above services.
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
A facility which has a primary purpose of providing housing
and care for people over the age of 55 or where either the husband
or wife is over age 55 and shall consist of independent attached dwellings,
independent apartment units, assisted living units, memory care units,
and retirement community accessory uses, all as defined herein. For
purposes of this Part 11, assisted living means the provision of lodging,
nursing, medical or health-related services at the same or another
location to an individual pursuant to an agreement effective for the
life of the individual or for a period greater than one year, including
mutually terminable contracts, and in consideration of the payment
of an entrance fee with or without other periodic charges.
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY ACCESSORY USES WITHIN A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
No accessory uses or structures shall be permitted other
than the following: Any use necessary for the operation of the facility
or for the benefit or convenience of the residents and their guests,
including, but not limited to, kitchen and dining facilities, places
of worship, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and uses, retail
and banking facilities, beauty salons and barbershops, gift shops,
classrooms, security facilities, conference rooms, common areas, guest
rooms, administrative offices, medical offices, postal center, pharmacy,
maintenance facilities, craft and music rooms, library and television
room and heating and cooling equipment structures, provided that the
accessory use is for the primary benefit of the retirement community
residents and provided that there is no exterior announcement of the
use.