A.
Permitted uses. Uses are permitted by right, as special exceptions, and as conditional uses in residential districts in accordance with § 200-19.
D.
Off-street parking and loading. Off-street parking and loading shall be provided in accordance with Article XII.
G.
Performance standards. Any activity or use in residential districts shall comply with the performance standards of Article II.
H.
Natural and landscaped areas. Except as provided for in specific sections of this article, all portions of a tract not occupied by buildings and required improvements shall be maintained as landscaped areas consisting of natural environmental features and/or planted vegetation.
I.
Permanent open space.
(1)
Permanent open space: design standards. Permanent open space to be provided in accordance with certain sections of this article shall be designed in accordance with the following standards:
(a)
Permanent open space shall be so designated on the submitted plans, and the plans shall contain a notation stating, "Permanent Open Space shall not be separately sold and shall not be further developed or subdivided."
(b)
Permanent open space shall be contiguous to the development, not separated by existing streets, and shall not be a part of any lot within the development, except as a conditional use, permanent open space may be separated from the development by existing streets.
(c)
Each area of permanent open space shall contain not less than 10,000 square feet.
(d)
Permanent open space areas shall be designed as a continuous system of open space and shall be interconnected with open space areas on abutting parcels whenever possible.
(e)
Permanent open space shall be provided with safe and convenient access to the residentially developed area of the tract by adjoining frontage on streets or easements capable of accommodating pedestrian, bicycle, and maintenance vehicle traffic. The permanent open space shall contain appropriate access improvements and shall be provided with perimeter parking areas where appropriate.
(f)
Permanent open space shall predominantly consist of natural environmental features or planted and maintained vegetation that may contain walking, biking, or equestrian trails. Permanent open space may also contain impervious surface areas, such as tennis courts, clubhouses, or other active recreation facilities, but such active recreation facilities shall consist of less than 25% of the permanent open space.
(g)
Permanent open space shall be configured so as to create areas of adequate size and shape to permit a variety of uses, active or passive, throughout the system.
(2)
Permanent open space: environmentally sensitive area. The environmentally sensitive area of a tract or portions thereof may be counted toward permanent open space to be provided in accordance with certain sections of this article, provided that the following criteria are met:
(a)
Active recreational facilities to meet the needs of the residents or users of the development are provided outside of the environmentally sensitive area of the tract.
(b)
Use of environmentally sensitive areas for passive recreation shall not include structures and shall not conflict with the primary purpose of environmentally sensitive areas to conserve and protect specific natural resources.
(3)
Permanent open space: offer of dedication. Permanent open space to be provided in accordance with certain sections of this article shall be offered for dedication to the Township, although the Township need not accept any such offers.
(4)
Permanent open space: ownership and maintenance. Provision for ownership and maintenance of the permanent open space shall be made in a manner so as to ensure its preservation. This shall be accomplished in one of the following manners:
(a)
The Township may accept dedication of the permanent open space or any interest therein for public use and maintenance, but the Township need not accept a dedication of the permanent open space if offered.
(b)
With permission of the Township, and with appropriate deed restrictions in favor of the Township and in language acceptable to the Township Solicitor, the developer may transfer the fee simple title in the permanent open space or a portion thereof to a private, not-for-profit organization among whose purposes is the conservation of open space land and/or natural resources, provided that:
[1]
The organization is acceptable to the Township and is a bona fide conservation organization with a perpetual existence;
[2]
The conveyance contains appropriate provision for proper retransfer or reverter in the event that the organization becomes unable or unwilling to continue to carry out its functions; and
[3]
A maintenance agreement acceptable to the Township is entered into by the developer, the organization and the Township.
(c)
The developer shall provide for and establish an organization for the ownership and maintenance of the permanent open space consistent with the requirements for unit owners' associations found in the Pennsylvania Uniform Planned Community Act or Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act. If such an organization is created, the deeds for the permanent open space and for all individual lots within the development shall contain the following requirements in language acceptable to the Township Solicitor:
[1]
Such organization shall not dispose of the permanent open space by sale or otherwise except to the Township or other government body unless the Township has given prior approval. Such transfer shall be made only to another organization that shall maintain the permanent open space in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
[2]
The organization and all lot owners within the development shall agree to maintain the permanent open space. If private ownership fails to do so, the Township may proceed to maintain deteriorating open space and may assess and lien the properties within the development accordingly.
[3]
All lot owners shall be required to become members of the organization and pay assessments for the maintenance of the permanent open space, which may be increased for inflation and which may provide for professional management.