Subdivision of parent (agricultural) tract for nonagricultural use. In order to protect, preserve, and promote agricultural uses within the Effective Agricultural District, it is the intent that the creation of nonagricultural uses shall be regulated in order to retain tracts of sufficient size to be efficiently used for agricultural purposes and to avoid the fragmentation of the district, as follows:
A. Applicability. These provisions shall apply to all tracts of 25 acres or more held in single and separate ownership as of the effective date of this chapter, or when the tract was first placed within the Effective Agricultural District or a previous agriculture district, whichever is earlier. The parent tract and subsequent subdivided lots shall meet all applicable dimensional requirements. Regardless of size, no parcel or lot subsequently subdivided from its parent tract shall qualify for additional lots except as permitted pursuant to this section. All subsequent owners of parcels of land subdivided from a parent tract shall be bound by the actions of the previous owners of the parent tract. Likewise, any subsequent owner of any parent tract shall be bound by the provisions of this article and the actions of the previous owners such that for purposes of subdivision the number of new lots or dwellings erected on the parent tract shall be fixed according to the original number permitted on the parent tract, and this number shall not be increased by the further subdivision of the parent tract, thus transfer of ownership shall not create a new or additional right to subdivide.
Table 15, Bulk and Lot Requirements for Nonagricultural Uses: Effective Agriculture District |
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Regulation | Minimum Requirement |
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Density | Each parent tract containing 25 acres or more shall be permitted to subdivide not more than 1 farm parcel and/or non-farm parcel per every 25 acres that compose the parent tract, provided the remaining tract from which the parcel is divided shall not be reduced to less than 25 acres; the maximum number of parcels permitted for subdivision from the parent tract shall be determined by dividing the total area of the parent tract by 25; fractional values shall be rounded down to the next lowest whole number1 |
Lot size | Not less than 1 acre and not more than 2 acres2 |
Maximum building height | 35 feet |
Minimum front yard setback | See Table 14 |
Minimum lot depth | 200 feet |
Minimum lot width | 150 feet |
Minimum rear yard3 | 60 feet (25 feet for accessory buildings) |
Minimum side yard3 | 25 feet |
Maximum lot coverage | 10% |
NOTES: |
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1 | Exemptions from the provisions of this limitation: a) A subdivision, the sole purpose of which is to transfer land to increase the size of a tract being used for agricultural purposes, where both the parent tract from which the land is being taken and the tract to which the land is being transferred will be 25 acres or more after such subdivision; b) A subdivision, the sole purpose of which is to transfer not more than 1/2 acre of land to increase the size of an adjoining parcel, and which shall not result in the potential for creating additional lots for residential development. |
2 | If DEP regulations require an area greater than two acres for the dispersal of nitrate nitrogen, the land area necessary for this dispersal shall not be permitted to be a part of the lot. The owner of the parent tract from which the lot is created shall record all necessary documentation to establish and grant a plume easement over adjoining land on the parent tract to provide for the necessary dispersal of the nitrate nitrogen in the septic effluent. |
3 | On any non-farm parcel, no shrub or tree shall be planted within 20 and 30 feet, respectively, of any land used for agricultural purposes. |
B. Configuration. The layout of nonagricultural lots shall be grouped so that no more than one additional access to an existing public road will result from the parent tract. To allow for the nonagricultural development permitted in this district, yet to preserve prime agricultural soils and areas, the layout of lots shall create the least amount of disruption to agricultural practices, operations, and Class 1, 2, and 3 soils listed in order of preference as follows:
(1) Preference 1: development on nonproductive soils/areas adjacent to existing development. Lots that are subdivided from the parent tract for nonagricultural uses shall be adjacent to developed lots or lots which were subdivided previously for nonagricultural uses.
(2) Preference 2: development on nonproductive soils/areas. Lots that are subdivided from the parent tract for nonagricultural uses shall be on soils that can not feasibly be farmed due tract location, shape, or configuration, or physical features not conducive to farming, such as rock or poor soils.
(3) Preference 3: development on productive soils/areas. If it is proposed that lots can not be located in accordance with Subsections a and b, above, due to physical features, lots may be located on Class 1, 2, or 3 soils but in any case on the least agriculturally productive land or in an area that will minimize interference with agricultural practices or operations including but not limited to corners or removed areas of the tracts, along road frontage, and adjacent to other nonagricultural land uses. It shall be the burden of the applicant to demonstrate why the lot can not be subdivided in accordance with Subsections a and b.
C. Compatibility with agricultural activities. The placement of the proposed dwelling lot shall not conflict with agricultural operations. The Board may require the dwelling lot to be placed upwind from any agricultural activities, and shall consider any existing intensive agricultural activity in its evaluation of the proposed dwelling lot location.
D. Location near similar lots. In order to avoid the fragmentation of the agricultural area, the Board may require the proposed dwelling lot to be located at or near an intersection, near similar lots, or at a place where a grouping of dwellings exists or may reasonably be created in the future.
E. Additional information. In addition to all other information required by this chapter, the following information shall be submitted:
(1) Delineation and the calculated area of all Class 1, 2, and 3 agricultural soils.
(2) The location and uses of structures within 100 feet of the lot line.
(3) Delineation and the calculated area of the following: tract location, shape, wetlands, areas of at least 25% slope and rock outcrop areas, streams, utility easements and rights-of-way.
(4) Approximate location of future subdivision of lots from the parent tract, when less than the maximum number of lots permitted is proposed.
F. Process. The Township strongly encourages applicants to meet with the Planning Commission to discuss this development option in the form of an informal sketch plan prior to the official submission of an application. Sketch plans are useful tools to identify and correct potential design problems before the expenditure of significant time and expense, and can help to expedite the review and approval of the preliminary and/or final plan submissions.
G. Preexisting lots in single and separate ownership. Any use permitted in this article may be erected on any single undeveloped lot of record (parent tract) as of the effective date of this chapter. Such lot must be a parent tract in single and separate ownership. The parent tract must meet applicable requirements for minimum lot size, and all buildings erected on the lot must meet yard setback, lot coverage, and height regulations.
H. Identification of additional potential lots. Any subdivision or land development plan hereafter filed for a parent tract in the Effective Agricultural District shall specify the number of lots and which lot(s) shall carry with them the right to erect or place thereon any unused quota of lots as determined and limited by the provisions of this article.
I. Effect of subsequent agricultural rezonings. In the event a tract of land not originally classified as part of the Effective Agricultural District on the effective date of this chapter is hereafter classified as part of said district, the size and ownership of such tract of land and its classification as a parent tract shall be determined as of the effective date of the change in its zoning classification to the Effective Agricultural District.