Township of Lower Saucon, PA Article V Open Space Residential District (R80)

§ 180-24 Purpose.

The Open Space Residential District is intended to maintain the low-density residential district that preserves natural features and encourages nonhusbandry agricultural uses. Public sewer facilities may or may not be present, and the street system is not developed. Public water is available in some areas. The district is also intended to maintain low-density residential development in an area of the Township that is environmentally sensitive because of carbonate geology.

§ 180-25 Permitted uses.

The following uses and their accessory uses are permitted by right by the Zoning Officer, provided that the use type, dimensional and all other applicable requirements of this chapter are satisfied:

A. All the following uses require site plan approval in accordance with § 180-102.

(1) Recreational uses:

(a) Golf courses (see § 180-113).

(b) Recreation and park, public.

(2) (Reserved)[1]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection A(2), regarding forestry, was repealed 7-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04.

B. The following uses do not require site plan approval unless required by an overlay zone:

(1) General agriculture, excluding animal husbandry and greenhouses.

(2) Residential uses:

(a) Single-family detached dwelling.

(b) Single-family cluster developments (see § 180-116).

[Added 8-17-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-06]

(c) Residential group homes (see § 180-118).

[Added 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05]

(3) Service uses:

[Added 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-06]

(a) Nontower commercial communication facilities (see § 180-127.1).

(4) Forestry (see § 180-127.2).

[Added 7-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]

§ 180-26 Conditional uses.

The following uses and their accessory uses may be permitted when authorized as a conditional use by the Township Council, subject to the provisions of this chapter. All the following uses require site plan approval in accordance with § 180-102:

A. General agriculture, including greenhouses and animal husbandry (see § 180-103.1).

B. Service uses:

(1) Public utility facility (see § 180-123).[1]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(2), regarding antennae mounted on existing or otherwise permitted buildings or structures, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-06.

§ 180-27 Accessory uses.

Accessory uses are permitted by right and/or conditional use if accessory to a conditional use. The following accessory uses are permitted in this district, subject to all yard regulations and the applicable provisions of other zoning regulations:

A. Satellite dishes (see § 180-129).

[Amended 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-06]

B. Fences and walls (see § 180-97).

C. Home professional office/occupation; site plan required (see § 180-136).

D. Noncommercial pools and tennis courts (see §§ 180-130 and 180-135).

E. Parking spaces (see § 180-98).

F. Recreational vehicle or travel trailer storage (see § 180-133).

G. Residential accessory buildings (see § 180-131).

H. Signs (See Article XVIA).

[Amended 3-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]

I. Solar energy collection equipment (see § 180-129).

J. Windmills and other power-generating equipment (see § 180-129).

§ 180-28 Lot requirements.

The following dimensional requirements apply to each principal use permitted in the R80 District by right and by conditional use, subject to applicable provisions of this chapter:

A. Area: minimum 80,000 square feet.

B. Width: minimum 200 feet.

C. Maximum impervious surface: See charts provided in § 180-127.3 for single-family detached dwelling uses; 20% maximum for all other uses.

[Amended 4-6-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-02]

D. Height: maximum 35 feet.

§ 180-29 Yard requirements.

The following yard requirements apply to each principal use permitted in this district by right and by conditional use, subject to further applicable provisions of this chapter:

A. Front yard: minimum 50 feet.

B. Side yard: minimum 40 feet.

C. Rear yard: minimum 50 feet.