It is the specific intent of this article:
A. To encourage innovation in residential development and meet the growing
demand for housing by permitting, through a unified development plan,
a variety of housing types, layouts and designs.
B. To encourage more flexible land development which preserves natural
features and resources such as stream corridors, steep slopes, floodplains
and woodlands.
C. To require a designated amount of open space throughout the development
to ensure that the recreational needs of residents are met and to
provide buffer areas between groupings of dwellings.
This type of development is permitted in the R-5 District only
when the following have been met:
A. The development is in conformance with Article
VII of the Municipalities Planning Code, as last amended.
B. The site for a planned residential development shall consist of a
contiguous area of at least 100 acres.
A building may be erected, altered or used and a lot may be
used or occupied for any of the following purposes and no others:
A. Single-family detached dwelling.
B. Single-family semidetached dwelling (twin).
D. Townhouses; a maximum of six units shall be permitted in each townhouse
row.
Provided all commercial uses front on a collector street or
a street of a greater classification, a building may be erected, altered
or used and a lot may be used or occupied for any of the following
purposes and no others:
A. Retail stores, shops or service establishments for the conducting
of any retail business or service serving primarily the residential
development.
B. Professional or business offices.
C. Schools, nursery schools and day-care centers, churches, community
activity centers, nursing homes and retirement homes.
D. Banks, savings and loan associations.
Required parking shall be permitted within the required front
or side yard. However at least 50% of these yards for a residential
use must be maintained as a green space.
Lighting for buildings, accessways, parking areas and recreational
areas shall be so arranged as not to reflect toward public streets
or cause any annoyance to building occupants or surrounding property
owners or residents.
Exterior storage areas for trash and rubbish shall be well screened
on three sides and contained in airtight, vermin-proof containers.
Interior storage areas for trash and rubbish shall, at all times,
be kept in an orderly and sanitary fashion.
The following standards must be met as a condition of approval
for an R-5 planned Residential District:
A. The planned residential development shall consist of a contiguous
area of at least 100 acres. The area shall not include any portion
of the tract located within existing rights-of-way nor any areas previously
developed. Point intersection along the perimeter of the tract shall
not constitute the assemblage of a contiguous tract. The contiguous
area of tract shall be defined as not having less than 600 feet of
area that adjoins the other.
B. The development shall be served by municipal sanitary sewer systems
and public water systems. The applicant shall be required to construct
the sanitary systems at his expense and to Perkiomen Township's or
Perkiomen Township Municipal Authority's standards and specifications.
The public water system shall be constructed at the applicant's expense
and according to the standards and specifications of the water company
having jurisdiction. Upon completion of said construction, all sanitary
sewer systems shall be offered for dedication to the Perkiomen Township
Municipal Authority and the water system to the water company having
jurisdiction.
C. At least 30% of the gross area of the planned residential development
shall be open space and recreation. No less than 1/2 of the open space
shall be adequate for the development of active recreation facilities.
These facilities may include, but are not limited to, playgrounds,
swimming pools, tennis courts, ball diamonds, recreation centers and
basketball courts. The number and dimensions of such facilities will
be in accordance with the standards published by the American Recreation
Association and approved by the governing body. Those areas not suitable
for active recreational activities shall contain a walkway system
of a minimum length of 1/2 mile.
D. The proposed planned residential development shall have a minimum
of 600 feet of frontage along Class I (major arterials), Class II
(collector roads) or Class III (secondary roads). In addition, all
access shall be required for a planned residential development site
through all existing arterial, collector or feeder roads.
E. Areas designated for specific uses/dwelling types, as permitted in
this chapter, shall not overlap and shall be distinctly separate geographic
areas. Such areas shall not include required common or public open
space or recreational uses. The areas designated for specific uses/dwelling
types shall be explicitly separated by boundary lines on all plans,
and the net residential density for each specific use/dwelling types
shall be noted on all plans.
F. For multifamily uses/dwelling types, common parking and open space
area directly serving the multifamily units, as well as yard area
for all types of multifamily structures, including unlotted multifamily
structures, shall be allowed to be included in defining the area used
in calculating the net residential density for such uses/dwelling
types. Where an unlotted multifamily structure, common courtyard and
other open space directly service adjacent multifamily units and yard
areas, they shall not be considered common open space.
G. Site design. The Board of Supervisors shall determine if these have
been met:
(1)
All buildings and structures shall be designed with due regard
to the topography and natural features of the site. The effects of
prevailing winds, seasonal temperatures and hours of sunlight on the
physical layout and form of the proposed buildings shall be taken
into account.
(2)
All buildings and structures shall be sited so as to enhance
privacy and ensure natural light for all principal rooms.
(3)
Variations in setbacks shall be allowed when necessary to create
a more pleasing layout.
(4)
Buildings, structures and other facilities near the periphery
of the planned residential development shall be designed so as to
be harmonious with neighboring areas.
(5)
Planting strips shall be provided along all property lines at
the periphery of the development where necessary to protect the privacy
of neighboring residents.
(6)
The natural features of the planned residential development
site shall be a major factor in determining the siting of all buildings
and structures, and the results of the natural features and open space
analysis shall be considered.
(7)
Conventional siting practices such as building setbacks from
streets and minimum distances between buildings should be varied in
order to produce attractive and interesting arrangement of buildings.
(8)
Buildings and structures shall be located and sited so as to
promote pedestrian and visual access to common open space wherever
possible.
(9)
Buildings and structures shall be located and arranged so as
to promote privacy for residents within the planned residential development
and maintain privacy for residents adjacent to the planned residential
development. Higher buildings shall be so located within the development
so as to have no adverse impact (e.g., excluding natural light or
invasion of privacy) on adjacent lower buildings.