In expansion of the declaration of legislative intent found in Article I, § 285-2, of this chapter, and the statement of community development objectives found in Article I, § 285-3, of this chapter, it is the intent of this article to maintain the rural character of certain portions of the Township, and promote the preservation of land and waterways which because of location or natural features have a unique character by:
A.
Minimizing the amount of new urban or suburban development
which occurs in the portions of the Township that are now rural in
character, and to blend that which does occur unobtrusively into the
rural environment.
B.
Discouraging the location of nonrural uses which do
not blend with and complement the rural character.
C.
Maintaining a sufficiently low density and intensity
of uses here to make unnecessary the provision of suburban-type improvements,
services, facilities and infrastructure.
D.
Avoiding inducement to further extend existing suburban
development by leapfrog or infill development.
E.
Preserving from development natural amenities including
prime agricultural soils and farms, woodlands, floodplains, steep
slopes, stream valleys and rock outcrops.
F.
Encouraging retention of woodlands, hedgerows, and
other vegetation to moderate the effects of storms, absorb pollutants
and noise, shelter wildlife and provide a diverse natural environment.
G.
Maintaining rural vistas, especially from public areas
such as roads and waterways.
H.
Locating housing units and other nonrural uses where
they are least visible and hidden by topography or vegetation and
thus minimize perceived density.
[Amended 9-14-2000 by Ord. No. 00-3; 8-14-2003 by Ord. No.
03-04]
A building may be erected, altered or used,
and a lot may be used or occupied for the following purposes and no
other:
B.
Agriculture.
D.
Natural open space uses of a passive nature and conducted
out-of-doors, including wildlife sanctuary, forest preserve, nature
center, arboretum, hiking, bicycling or bridle trails.
E.
Game farm, fish hatchery or similar uses designed
for the protection or propagation of wildlife.
F.
Wholesale plant nurseries.
I.
No-impact, home-based business.
J.
Commercial solar energy system by conditional use, pursuant to § 285-77.2.
[Added 7-18-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
K.
Commercial solar energy system as a matter of right on property owned
by Upper Frederick Township.
[Added 7-18-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
The following uses are permitted where authorized by approval of a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board, in compliance with § 285-87, herein:
A.
Swimming club, day camp, resident camp, tennis court,
golf course, country club and other recreational facility of an outdoor
nature, whether open to the public or restricted to private membership.
B.
Equine riding academy or boarding stable.
C.
Outdoor meeting place for cultural or artistic endeavors
such as concerts or exhibitions.
D.
Wholesale greenhouses.
Conventional lotting in this district shall
be subject to the following standards:
A.
Minimum lot size: 217,800 square feet (five acres)
gross lot area; 80,000 square feet net lot area.
[Amended 1-14-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-01]
B.
Minimum width at front building line: 300 feet.
C.
Minimum front yard: 100 feet.
D.
Minimum side yard: each 50 feet.
E.
Minimum rear yard: 100 feet.
F.
Maximum building coverage: 7%.
G.
Maximum height.
(1)
For any dwelling: 35 feet.
(2)
For any building accessory in any dwelling use: 14
feet, not exceeding one story.
(3)
For any nonresidential building or other structure:
35 feet, except that such height may be increased to a maximum of
60 feet or such increased height as may be warranted when approved
by the Zoning Hearing Board for such structures as water towers, barns,
silos, chimneys and stacks, provided that for every foot of height
in excess of 35 feet there shall be added to each yard requirement
one corresponding foot of width or depth.
[Amended 8-14-2003 by Ord. No. 03-04]
Land in the RP District may be subdivided in accord with the standards contained in Article X, Land Preservation District, of this chapter, with the exception that the following requirements shall supersede the LPD standards in the Rural Preservation District.
Applications for uses permitted by special exception in § 285-84 must be accompanied by materials demonstrating compliance with the following:
A.
Appropriate use. The function of the proposed facility
shall be appropriate to the location proposed and not one which would
more logically be located in another district. The proposed use shall
not have adverse impacts on neighboring uses due to noise, glare,
odor, dust, vibration or similar negative effect.
B.
Natural features. The buildings and uses shall preserve
to the maximum extent possible all floodplains, stream valleys, steep
slopes, woodlands, prime agricultural soils, and similar environmentally
sensitive areas and shall be planned to minimize perceived density
or intensity of development. After development, the site shall retain
an essentially rural or open character. Easements may be requested
by the Board of Supervisors for interconnection of trails and natural
features of Township-wide significance.
C.
Road capacity. The existing rural road system shall
be capable of accommodating peak traffic generated by the facility
in a safe and efficient manner or be capable of being improved to
that level of accommodation without jeopardizing the rural character
of the road system.
D.
Visual compatibility. The proposed facility must demonstrate
visual compatibility with its rural surroundings, or provide plans
to provide visual buffering with vegetative species compatible with
existing species on the site.
E.
Parking setback. No parking area shall be closer than
50 feet to any property boundary or right-of-way.
F.
Building coverage shall not exceed 10% of the gross
tract acreage.
G.
Paving coverage shall not exceed 10% of the gross
tract acreage.
