It is the intent of this section to regulate the operation of home occupations so that the average neighbor, under normal circumstances, will not be aware of the existence of the home occupation except for a permitted sign and required parking. Any home occupation or expansion of a home occupation shall be a conditional use, and in addition to the criteria in §
124-44 and all other applicable standards of this chapter, the following standards shall apply:
A. The home occupation(s) must be clearly incidental
and secondary to the use of the dwelling as a residence.
B. The total area used by all home occupations on the
premises does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross floor
area of the dwelling unit, including basement, and accessory structures
as existed at the effective date of this chapter, but not to exceed
five hundred (500) square feet in any case.
C. No outdoor display or display visible from outdoors
or outdoor storage of materials, goods, products, supplies or equipment
used in the home occupation(s) shall be permitted.
D. There shall be no visible evidence that the residence
is being operated as a home occupation except for the permitted sign
and required parking area.
E. The home occupation(s) shall be conducted only by
a member of the family residing in the dwelling, and not more than
one (1) person other than residents of the dwelling shall be employed
on the premises.
F. Off-street parking shall be provided on the premises
as required by this chapter to prevent parking on any public or private
right-of-way.
G. No home occupation use shall generate nuisances such
as traffic, noise, vibration, glare, odors, fumes, electrical interference
or hazards to any greater extent than what is usually experienced
in the residential neighborhood.
H. No goods or items for retail or wholesale sale shall
be permitted except for art, craft or similar items produced or created
on the premises, and the display area for the same shall not exceed
one hundred fifty (150) square feet. Mail order or sales businesses
not involving customer contact on the premises or wholesale brokering
not involving stock on the premises shall be permitted.
I. The professional practice of medicine, dentistry,
architecture, law and engineering, artists, beauticians, barbers and
veterinarians and similar types of professional practice uses shall
be limited to practitioners who reside on the premises.
J. Section
124-20, Performance Standards, shall also apply to home occupations.
K. The Borough Council may require documentation that
adequate sewage disposal will be provided for the proposed home occupation.
L. The Borough Council shall attach any and all necessary conditions to assure compliance with this §
124-14, and such conditions may include hours of operation, water use restrictions, sewage disposal requirements, screening and other conditions deemed necessary.
The Matamoras Floodplain Development Ordinance
(Borough Ordinance No. 202) shall apply to all zoning districts; and all uses, structures
and buildings shall comply with the standards of said ordinance, in
addition to the requirements of this chapter.
The following performance standards shall apply to all commercial, manufacturing and other nonresidential uses. (As used in this §
124-20, "borough" shall mean the Borough Council for conditional uses and the Zoning Hearing Board for special exceptions.)
A. Yards and buffers. Unless otherwise regulated by this
chapter, where a commercial or manufacturing use is proposed contiguous
to any existing residential use or any R-1 or R-2 District, side and
rear yard setbacks shall be increased to ten (10) feet. Storage of
equipment, supplies, products or any other materials shall not be
permitted in any front, rear or side yard setback areas. Additional
setbacks, buffer areas or fencing may be required by the borough if
the nature of the proposed use as determined by the borough so requires.
In the case of a conditional use or special exception, the borough
may require landscaped buffers in any yard in order to assure the
protection of adjoining uses by providing visual barriers that block
the glare of lights, reduce noise, serve as a protective barrier by
blocking physical passage to dangerous areas and reduce air pollution,
dust and litter and to otherwise maintain and protect the rural character
of the district.
(1) In determining the type and extent of the buffer required,
the borough shall take into consideration the design of the project
structure(s) and site, topographic features which may provide natural
buffering, existing natural vegetation and the relationship of the
proposed project to adjoining areas.
(2) The width of the required buffer, as determined by
the borough, shall not be less than twenty percent (20%) of the required
setback distances.
(3) A mix of ground cover and shrubbery vegetation and
canopy trees of such variety compatible with the local climate may
be required so that a dense screen not less than four (4) feet in
height will be formed within three (3) years of planting.
(4) Berms and landscaped walls or fences compatible with
the principal building design may be incorporated in the required
buffer.
(5) In any case, special consideration shall be given
to existing residential uses and sites where residential uses are
likely to be developed. In cases where the adjoining use is a commercial
use or when two (2) or more adjacent properties are developed under
a common site plan, the width and density of the buffer may be reduced
if the borough shall determine that the proposed use and adjoining
use(s) are not incompatible.
(6) Design details of buffers shall be included on the
site plan, and buffers shall be considered improvements for the purposes
of guaranteeing installation in accord with the requirements for land
developments in the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to
maintain all buffers in good condition and to replace any dying or
dead plants or deteriorating landscape material.
B. Operations and storage. All facilities and operations
of the principal use, including the storage of raw material, finished
products, fuel, machinery and equipment and any other materials or
supplies, shall be enclosed and carried out within a building or shall,
as required by the borough, be provided with larger setbacks and/or
buffers to afford protection to adjoining uses and any public road
rights-of-way. Storage of materials, supplies or products in motor
vehicles, truck trailers or other containers normally used to transport
materials shall not be permitted.
C. Fire and explosion hazards. All activities involving
any manufacturing, production, storage, transfer or disposal of inflammable
and explosive materials shall be provided with adequate safety devices
against the hazard of fire and explosion, and adequate fire-fighting
and fire suppression equipment and devices standard in the industry
shall be required. Burning of waste materials in open fires is prohibited.
The relevant provisions of federal, state and local laws and regulations
shall also apply. Details of the potential hazards and details of
planned safety and accident response actions shall be provided by
the developer for review by the local fire company(s). In the case
of a conditional use or special exception, additional buffer areas
or fencing may be required by the borough if the nature of the proposed
use as determined by the borough so requires.
D. Radioactivity or electric disturbance. No activities
shall be permitted which exceed federal standards for radioactivity
emissions or electrical disturbance adversely affecting the operation
of any equipment other than that of the creator of such disturbance.
All applicable federal regulations shall apply.
E. Noise. Any noise source which, due to intensity, frequency, duration, location, lack of shielding or other reason which causes injury, damage, hurt, inconvenience, annoyance, or discomfort to others in the legitimate use and enjoyment of their rights of person or property shall be prohibited. Noise shall comply with Matamoras Borough Code Chapter
78, Nuisances, §
78-12.
[Amended 12-3-2002 by Ord. No. 270]
F. Vibration. No vibration shall be permitted which is
detectable without instruments at the property line.
G. Lighting and glare.
(1) No light source shall be exposed to the eye except
those covered by globes or defusers. Other lighting shall be indirect
or surrounded by a shade to hide visibility of the light source. Lighting
design should be an inherent part of the architectural design. All
streets, off-street parking areas and areas of intensive pedestrian
use shall be adequately lighted. Appropriate lighting fixtures shall
be provided for walkways and to identify steps, ramps and directional
signs. The applicant shall provide the specifications of the proposed
lighting and its arrangement on the site; and all required lighting
shall be considered improvements for the purpose of regulation by
the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
(2) No direct or sky-reflected glare, whether from floodlights
or from high-temperature processes such as combustion or welding or
otherwise, shall be permitted so as to be visible at the property
line. This restriction shall not apply to signs otherwise permitted
by the provisions of this chapter.
H. Smoke. No emission shall be permitted from any chimney
or otherwise of visible gray smoke of a shade equal to or darker than
No. 2 on the Power's Micro-Ringelmann Chart, published by McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company, Inc., and copyright 1954.
I. Odors. No emission shall be permitted of odorous gases
or other odorous matter in such quantities as to be readily detectable
without instruments at the property line of the parcel from which
the odors are emitted.
J. Other forms of air pollution. No emission of fly ash,
dust, fumes, vapors, gases and other forms of air pollution shall
be permitted which can cause any damage to health, to animals, vegetation
or other forms of property or which can cause any excessive soiling.
K. Surface and ground water protection.
(1) All activities involving the possible contamination
of surface or ground water shall be provided with adequate safety
devices to prevent such contamination. Details of the potential hazards
(including the groundwater characteristics of the area in which the
use is proposed) and details of planned safety devices and contamination
response actions shall be provided by the developer. In the case of
a conditional use or special exception, the borough may require a
plan to be submitted for review and approval and may require security
for ensuring contamination response. Monitoring wells and water quality
testing may also be required by the borough.
(2) The developer shall also provide details about the
use of groundwater and any processes that could result in the depletion
of groundwater supplies. No use shall be permitted which would result
in the depletion of ground water supplies.
L. Landscaping. Any part or portion of a site where existing
vegetation has been disturbed and which is not used for building,
other structures, loading or parking spaces and aisles, sidewalks,
designated storage areas or other improvements shall be provided with
an all-season ground cover and shall be landscaped in accord with
an overall landscape plan. In the case of a conditional use or special
exception, additional landscaping, screening and/or buffers may be
required by the borough where buffers are determined by the borough
as necessary to protect adjoining uses. Said landscaping plan shall
be submitted for review and approval by the borough as part of the
zoning approval process.
M. Stormwater management and soil erosion control.
(1) A stormwater management plan and soil erosion control
plan shall be provided by the applicant. Said plan shall be prepared
and implemented pursuant to the standards contained in the Borough
Subdivision Ordinance, County Conservation District standards and generally accepted
engineering principles appropriate for the proposed use and a ten-year
design storm. Upon the recommendation of the Borough Engineer, a twenty-five-year
or greater design storm, if topographic, soil or other considerations
so dictate, and/or additional controls may be required.
(2) The protection of the quality of groundwater and surface
water shall be an integral part of all proposed stormwater management
practices; and all stormwater management plans shall include an element
specifically addressing water quality. The plan shall provide for
the minimization of the discharge of first flush sediments off the
project site or directly to infiltration structures. Containment of
first flush sediments shall be accomplished by accepted and proven
engineering design and practice, including but not limited to the
use of grass buffer/filter strips, grass swales, detention basins,
sediment traps and special inlet devices.
N. Waste materials. No liquid, solid, toxic or hazardous
waste shall be stored or disposed in any commercial area, either above
or below ground level, except for the temporary storage thereof pending
removal from the premises. Such temporary storage and handling of
waste shall be in a designated area and shall be conducted in compliance
with all applicable state and federal regulations in order to prevent
any water, soil or air contamination and shall be screened from view
of adjoining properties and any public road right-of-way by fencing
or other buffers. In addition, no waste discharge is permitted into
any reservoir, sewage or stormwater disposal system, stream, open
body of water or onto the ground.
O. Handicapped access. Access for handicapped persons
to all uses shall be provided in accord with all applicable state
and federal requirements.
P. Sewage disposal. All uses and expansion of uses shall
be provided with adequate sewage disposal facilities in accord with
all applicable Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
(PADER) and borough standards.
Q. Water supply. All uses and expansion of uses shall
be connected to the borough public water supply system.
R. Other regulations. Documentation shall be provided
by the applicant demonstrating that the project complies with all
other applicable local, state and federal regulations, and said proposal
has obtained all required permits, certifications and authorizations,
including but not limited to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation,
the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, the Pennsylvania
Department of Labor and Industry, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
[Added 5-5-2002 by Ord. No. 264]
The following regulations shall apply to commercial
communications devices (CCD), including but not limited to cellular
phone antennas, antennas for communications service regulated by the
PA Public Utility Commission, other commercial antennas and associated
facilities. Such CCD and support structures and associated facilities
shall be permitted only in the districts as provided on the Schedule
of Uses in this chapter and this §
124-21.
A. Purposes:
(1) To accommodate the need for communications devices
while regulating their location and number in the Borough in recognition
of the need to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
(2) To minimize the adverse visual effects of communications
devices and support structures through proper design, siting and vegetative
screening.
(3) To avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from
communications device support structure failure and falling ice, through
engineering and proper siting of support structures.
(4) To encourage the joint use of any commercial communications
device support structures and to reduce the number of such structures
needed in the fixture.
B. Use regulations. A permit shall be required for every
CCD and support structure installed at any locations, and the following
use regulations shall apply:
(1) Existing tall structures. A CCD site with a CCD that
is attached to an existing communications tower or other tall structure
in the allowed districts where the height of the CCD does not exceed
the height of the existing structure by more than 15 feet shall be
permitted in all the districts as an accessory use, and conditional
use approval shall not be required. Any subsequent installations above
the initial fifteen-foot height increase shall be a conditional use.
The applicant shall provide the following information:
(a)
Evidence from a Pennsylvania-registered professional
engineer certifying that the proposed installation will not exceed
the structural capacity of the building or other structure, considering
wind and other loads associated with the antenna location.
(b)
Detailed construction and elevation drawings
indicating how the antennas will be mounted on the structure to document
compliance with the applicable requirements.
(c)
Evidence of agreements and/or easements necessary
to provide access to the building or structure on which the antennas
are to be mounted so that installation and maintenance of the CCD
and associated equipment can be accomplished.
(2) New structures; conditional use. A CCD site with a CCD that is either not mounted on an existing structure or is more than 15 feet higher than the structure on which it is mounted shall require conditional use approval in accord with this §
124-21 and shall be permitted only in the allowed districts.
(3) Associated use. All other uses ancillary to the CCD
(including business office, maintenance depot, vehicle storage, etc.)
are prohibited from the CCD site, unless otherwise permitted and approved
in the zoning district in which the CCD site is located. This shall
not prohibit the installation, as accessory structures, of equipment
containers not intended for human occupancy to house only equipment
necessary for the operation of the CCD.
(4) CCD as a second principal use. A CCD shall be permitted
on a property with an existing use subject to the following land development
standards:
(a)
The CCD facility shall be fully automated and
unattended on a daily basis and shall be visited only for periodic
maintenance.
(b)
The minimum lot area, minimum setbacks and maximum
height required by this chapter for the CCD and support structure
shall apply, and the land remaining for accommodation of the existing
principal use(s) on the lot shall also continue to comply with the
minimum lot area, density and other requirements.
(c)
The vehicular access to the equipment building
shall, whenever feasible, be provided along the circulation driveways
of the existing use.
(d)
The applicant shall present documentation that
the owner of the property has granted an easement filed of record
or other legal interest for the land for the proposed facility and
that vehicular access is provided to the facility.
C. Standards.
(1) Location requirement and number. The applicant shall
demonstrate, using technological evidence that the CCD must go where
it is proposed, in order to satisfy its function in the company's
grid system. The applicant shall also provide information about the
location of the other proposed CCD sites anticipated in the grid system.
The number of CCD to be installed at a site by an applicant shall
not exceed the current minimum necessary to ensure the adequacy of
current service required by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) license held by that applicant The applicant must document the
need for the additional CCD to ensure the adequacy of current service.
(2) Collocation; new tower. If the applicant proposes
to build a tower (as opposed to mounting the CCD on an existing structure),
the Borough shall require the applicant to demonstrate that it contacted,
in writing, owners of tall structures within an eight-mile radius
of the site proposed, asked for permission to install the CCD on those
structures, and was denied for reasons other than economic ones. This
would include smokestacks, water towers, tall buildings, CCD support
structures of other cellular phone companies, other communications
towers (fire, police, etc.) and other tall structures. The Borough
may deny the application to construct a new tower if the applicant
has not made a good-faith effort to mount the CCD on an existing structure,
thereby documenting that there exists no other support structure which
an reasonably serve the needs of the owner of the proposed CCD. A
good-faith effort shall demonstrate that one or more of the following
reasons apply to a particular structure:
(a)
The proposed equipment would exceed the structural
capacity of the existing structure and its reinforcement cannot be
accomplished.
(b)
The proposed equipment would cause radio frequency
interference with other existing equipment for that existing structure
and the interference cannot be prevented.
(c)
Such existing structures do not have adequate
location, space, access or height to accommodate the proposed equipment
or to allow it to perform its intended function.
(d)
Addition of the proposed equipment would result
in electromagnetic radiation from such structure exceeding applicable
standards established by the FCC governing human exposure to electromagnetic
radiation.
(e)
A market-competitive agreement could not be
reached with the owners of such structures.
(3) CCD height. The applicant shall demonstrate the CCD is at the height required to function satisfactorily and is no taller than necessary for the use and any other potential users as determined in Subsection
C(8) below. The Borough may, as a condition of approval, require the CCD support structure to be designed and constructed to be stackable (structurally capable of being increased in height) to a height that will assure that additional carriers can be accommodated if such additional height is required in the future.
(4) Parcel size; setbacks. If a new CCD support structure is constructed or if the CCD height exceeds the height of the existing structure on which it is mounted by more than 15 feet, the minimum parcel size and setbacks in this Subsection
C(4) shall apply.
(a)
Separate parcel. If the CCD is manned and/or
the parcel on which the CCD and support structure is a separate and
distinct parcel, the zoning district minimum lot size shall apply
and the setback for equipment containers, other accessory structures
and guy wire anchors shall be a minimum of 25 feet. The distance between
the base of the support structure and any adjoining property line
or public road right-of-way shall not be less than the height of the
CCD structure. The lot shall be of such size that all required setbacks
are satisfied.
(b)
Lease, license or easement. If the CCD is unmanned
and the land on which the CCD and support structure is leased, or
used by license or easement, the setback for any part of the CCD,
the support structure, equipment containers, or any other accessory
structures, and guy wire anchors shall be a minimum of 25 feet from
the line of lease, license or easement. The distance between the base
of the support structure and any adjoining property line (not lease,
license or easement line) shall not be less than the height of the
CCD structure, and the distance between the base of the support structure
and a public road right-of-way shall not be less than 50 feet.
[Amended 3-1-2005 by Ord. No. 278]
(5) CCD support structure safety. The applicant shall
demonstrate that the proposed CCD and support structure are safe and
the surrounding areas will not be negatively affected by support structure
failure, falling ice or other debris, electromagnetic fields, or radio
frequency interference. All support structures shall be fitted with
anti-climbing devices, as approved by manufacturers. The applicant
shall submit certification from a Pennsylvania registered professional
engineer that a proposed CCD and support structure will be designed
and constructed in accordance with current Structural Standards for
Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures, published
by the Electrical Industrial Association/Telecommunications Industry
Association, and applicable requirements of any applicable building
code. Within 45 days of initial operation, the owner and/or operator
of the CCD and support structure shall provide a certification from
a Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer that the CCD and support
structure comply with all applicable regulations.
(6) Fencing. A fence to provide an effective barrier to
prevent entry to the facility shall be required around the CCD support
structure and other equipment, unless the CCD is mounted on an existing
structure. The fence shall be a minimum of eight feet in height. The
applicant shall supply keys to emergency responders to provide access
in case of emergency.
(7) Performance standards. The performance standards listed in §
124-20 of this chapter shall be applicable to this section.
(8) Collocation; other uses. In order to reduce the number
of CCD support structures needed in the community in the future, the
proposed support structure shall be required to accommodate other
users, including but not limited to other cellular phone companies,
and local fire, police, emergency management, and ambulance companies.
The applicant shall show evidence of written contract with all wireless
service providers who supply service within the region for purpose
of assessing the feasibility of collocated facilities. The applicant
shall provide a report detailing the number and type of carriers which
can be accommodated on the proposed structure, including the anticipated
height requirements of other potential users. The proposed structure,
if evidenced by need as determined by the Borough, shall be constructed,
including increased height, to provide available capacity at reasonable
cost for other providers should there be a future additional need
for such facilities. The Borough may, as a condition of approval,
require the CCD support structure to be designed and constructed to
be stackable (structurally capable of being increased in height) to
a height that will assure that additional carriers can be accommodated
if such additional height is required in the future.
(9) Licenses; other regulations; insurance. The applicant
must demonstrate that it has obtained the required licenses from the
FCC, the PA Public Utility Commission and other agencies. The applicant
shall also document compliance with all applicable state and federal
regulations. The applicant shall submit the name, address, and emergency
telephone number for the operator of the CCD, and a certificate of
insurance evidencing general liability coverage in the minimum amount
of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and property damage coverage in the
minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence covering the CCD and support
structure.
(10)
Access; required parking. The applicant must comply with the requirements of §
124-18, Off-street parking and loading, in this chapter.
(11)
Color and lighting; FAA and PennDOT notice.
CCD support structures under 200 feet in height should be painted
silver or have a galvanized finish retained, in order to reduce visual
impact. Support structures may be painted green up to the height of
nearby trees. Support structures 200 feet in height or taller, or
those subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations
shall comply with the said regulations. No CCD support structure may
be artificially lighted except in accord with FAA requirements. The
applicant shall provide a copy of the response to Notice of Proposed
Construction or Alteration forms submitted to the FAA and PennDOT
Bureau of Aviation, and the CCD and support structure shall comply
with all FAA and PennDOT requirements.
(12)
Communications interference. The applicant shall
document that the radio, television, telephone or reception of similar
signals for nearby properties will not be disturbed or diminished.
(13)
Historic structures. A CCD shall not be located
on a building or structure that is listed on a historic register or
within 500 feet of such a structure.
(14)
Discontinued use; bond.
(a)
Should any CCD or support structure cease to
be used as a communications facility, the owner or operator or then
owner of the land on which the CCD and support structure is located
shall be required to remove the same within one year from the abandonment
of use. Failure to do so shall authorize the Borough to remove the
facility and assess the cost of removal to the foregoing parties.
The Borough may also file a municipal lien against the land to recover
costs of removal and attorney's fees. In the case where there is no
separate parcel, the lien shall be against the entire parent parcel
of land upon which the CCD and/or support structure is located by
lease, license or easement.
(b)
The operator of every CCD shall provide a bond
to cover the cost of CCD and associated equipment removal. Nothing
herein shall legally bind the governing body to effect the removal
of any CCD, which shall remain the ultimate responsibility of the
owner of the property upon which the CCD is located and the owner
of the CCD.
[1]
Amount. The amount of the bond shall be established
by the governing body based upon size and nature of the proposed facility,
but in no case shall the amount be less than $20,000.
[2]
Form. The bond shall be executed by a surety
company authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
to transact business within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[3]
Term; annual renewal. The bond shall be executed
in favor of the Borough and shall be for the use of the Borough. The
term of the bond shall be for one year, with automatic renewal.
[4]
It shall be the condition of the bond that if the applicant does not fully observe and comply with the provisions of this §
124-21 and any other applicable approvals or regulations, the governing body shall have authority to use such bond to effect the required compliance and/or removal of the CCD.
(15)
Fire suppression system. The applicant shall
provide details about any fire suppression system installed in any
structure or equipment container associated with the CCD. The applicant
shall provide the Fire Department of the Borough with the appropriate
fire-fighting and suppression materials.
(16)
Site plan. A full site plan shall be required for all CCD and support structure sites, showing the CCD, CCD support structure, building, fencing, buffering, access, and all other items required by §
124-44 of this chapter governing information required for conditional uses. The site plan shall not be required if the CCD is to be mounted on an existing structure and the CCD does not exceed the height of the existing structure by more than 15 feet.
D. Mini cell towers and antennas, distributed antenna systems and data
collection units shall be special exceptions in all zones and in public
rights-of-way.
[Added 5-9-2017 by Ord. No. 331]
(1) General:
(a)
Purpose. Mini commercial cell towers, including related antennas,
shall be permitted in order to support distributed antenna systems
(DAS).
(b)
Locations. Mini commercial cell towers and/or related antennas
shall be permitted on public property, private property, and public
rights-of-way, subject to the conditions specified herein.
(c)
Applicability. Mini commercial cell towers and/or related antennas shall be permitted as special exceptions and shall be subject to the provisions of §
124-44 hereof and all other applicable requirements of this chapter, except as otherwise specified in this section.
(2) Application requirements.
(a)
Submission requirements. The following shall be in addition
to all other applicable application requirements specified herein:
[1]
Coverage map and general information. A narrative description
and a map showing the coverage area of the provider's existing
facilities that serve customers in the Borough and the specific site
that is the subject of the application.
[2]
A statement of the telecommunications objectives for the proposed
location, whether the proposed facility is necessary to prevent or
fill a significant gap or capacity shortfall in the applicant's
service area, whether it is the least obtrusive means of doing so,
and whether there are any alternative sites that would have fewer
aesthetic impacts while providing comparable service.
[3]
A copy of a sworn statement by an authorized representative
that the applicant holds all applicable licenses or other approvals
required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission and any other agency of the federal or state
government with authority to regulate telecommunications facilities
that are required in order for the applicant to construct the proposed
facility.
[4]
A copy of a sworn statement by an authorized representative
that the applicant is in compliance with all conditions required for
such license and approvals.
[5]
A description of the number, type, power rating, frequency range,
and dimensions of all wireless telecommunications facilities proposed
to be installed.
[6]
A site plan and elevations drawn to scale. Plans shall include
microcell or roof-mounted antennas and all related equipment. Elevations
shall include all structures on which facilities are to be mounted.
[7]
A description of the proposals for camouflaging all facilities
from public view so that the facilities will not be rendered readily
visible. Where any facility or part thereof would be readily visible,
the application shall explain why it can't be made not readily
visible. Demonstration that the proposed methods will achieve the
desired effect of minimizing visibility.
[8]
If a ground-mounted or freestanding tower is proposed, the application
shall include an explanation as to why other, less obtrusive facility
types are not feasible.
[9]
The applicant shall also include an agreement to pay the reasonable
actual cost of peer review by a professional engineer to review the
test information submitted with the application.
(b)
Review and approval process.
[1]
The Borough must take action on the application within 150 days
from its submission.
[2]
If the application only involves adding an antenna to an existing
pole, action must be taken within 90 days.
[3]
No application shall be denied if the effect of such denial
would preclude telecommunications service to the subject area.
(3) Location requirements.
(a)
A mini commercial cell tower may be erected within a public
right-of-way if, in addition to other requirements, the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission has issued a certificate of public convenience
for its location; and, provided further, that it shall be determined
by the Borough that it shall not interfere with other utilities, visibility,
or other matters of public safety.
(b)
Such facility may be located in the right-of-way of a state
highway, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT).
(c)
Such facilities shall not be located in residential zones unless
there is evidence supporting the need for service.
(d)
No freestanding facilities shall be located within 1,000 feet
of other freestanding facilities unless they have been rendered not
readily visible, and mounting on a building or co-location is determined
to be infeasible.
(4) Height and size limits. Facilities shall be the minimum functional
height and width required to support the proposed antenna installation,
unless a higher tower will facilitate co-location or other objectives
of this chapter; provided, however, that no mini commercial cell tower
shall exceed a height of 50 feet, and no attached antenna shall extend
more than five feet above the top of the tower.
(5) Aesthetics.
(a)
The facility shall not be an eyesore.
(b)
All facilities shall be designed and located to minimize their
visibility to the greatest extent feasible, considering the technological
requirements, by means of placement, screening, and camouflage. The
applicant shall use the smallest and least visible antennas feasible
to accomplish the owner operator's coverage or capacity objectives.
All wireless telecommunications facilities proposed for locations
where they would be readily visible from the public right-of-way or
from the habitable living areas within 100 feet shall incorporate
appropriate techniques to camouflage or disguise the facility, and
blend it into the surrounding environment, to the greatest extent
feasible.
(6) Lighting. All facility lighting shall be designed to meet, but not
exceed, minimum requirements for security, safety, and FAA regulations,
and in all instances shall be designed to avoid glare and minimize
the illumination of adjacent properties. Beacon lighting shall not
be included in the design of facilities unless required by the FAA.
Individual, private, family yard sales shall
be considered an accessory use in association with a permitted residential
use and shall be permitted in all zoning districts. Yard sales shall
comply with all the applicable requirements of this chapter and with
the requirements of the Matamoras Borough Yard Sale Control Ordinance,
as amended. Yard sales are meant to allow individuals to offer for
sale accumulated normal household items or arts and crafts; and the
buying and selling of commercial or surplus material shall be considered
a commercial operation and shall be prohibited except in districts
where such commercial use is permitted and only in accord with the
requirements of this chapter.
Gasoline service stations shall be subject to
the following conditions:
A. Plans shall be presented detailing traffic flow within
the station, points of ingress and egress and probable effects on
local traffic flow. Ingress and egress points shall not be located
closer than one hundred (100) feet of any intersection.
B. Service station operation shall be limited to sales
and minor repairs.
C. All vehicle and parts storage areas shall be so designed
and located as not to intrude into any required yard setback area.
Yard areas adjacent to residential districts shall be suitably screened.
D. Main or accessory buildings shall not be located closer
than fifty (50) feet to any residential district.
E. No lighting provided shall produce glare visible to
adjoining residences.
F. The minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000)
square feet.
Car washes shall be subject to the following
conditions:
A. Automatic, semiautomatic or self-service car washes
shall be limited to cleaning or waxing vehicles and shall be carried
out only within an enclosed building.
B. The lot shall be so graded that process water shall
not run off across the lot or onto a public street.
C. The car wash shall be designed to specifications provided
by the Borough Engineer and shall meet all requirements of the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Resources.
D. The lot area shall be sufficient to provide space
for the building, required yards, drives and storage area.
E. Automobile storage or waiting space shall be provided
at the rate of not fewer than five (5) vehicles for each bay in a
self-service car wash and not fewer than ten (10) vehicles for each
space or rated capacity within an automatic or semiautomatic car wash.
F. All vehicle storage spaces shall be designed and located
so as not to intrude into any required yards. Main or accessory buildings
shall not be located closer than fifty (50) feet to any residential
district.
G. All lot lines adjoining residential areas shall be
adequately screened.
H. Lighting provided shall not produce glare on adjoining
properties.
I. Hours of operation shall be limited so as not to inconvenience
residents on adjoining properties during normal sleeping hours.
It is the intent of this section to establish
minimum standards for the erection of dwelling units in the borough
in order to protect the public health, safety and general welfare
and to maintain the character of the community.
A. Foundations. All dwelling units shall be placed upon
a complete, permanent, frost-free foundation consisting of a full
basement or crawl space.
B. Floor space. Single-family dwellings and two-family
dwellings shall contain a minimum of six hundred (600) square feet
of interior gross floor area per dwelling unit, excluding basement
and accessory structures.
C. Mobile homes. A mobile home may be erected as a single-family dwelling and must comply with the requirements of this §
124-25 and the lot size, yard, height, floor area, water supply, sewage and other requirements of this chapter.
Any conversion of any building to a residential
use or the conversion of any dwelling to accommodate additional dwelling
units shall be considered a conditional use and, in addition to the
other applicable standards in this chapter, the standards in this
section shall apply.
A. General requirements. The conversion of any building
into a dwelling or the conversion of any dwelling so as to accommodate
an increased number of dwelling units or families shall be permitted
only within a district in which a new building for similar occupancy
would be permitted under this chapter and only when the resulting
occupancy will comply with the requirements governing new construction
in such district with respect to dwelling unit, living space, lot
coverage, dimensions of yards and other applicable standards.
B. Structural alterations. If the proposed project involves
structural alterations, the application shall include a certification
of a registered architect or engineer that the existing building is
structurally sound and that the proposed conversion will not impair
its structural integrity.
C. Parking. Off-street parking shall be provided in accord with §
124-18 of this chapter.
D. Sewage disposal. Documentation shall be provided by
the applicant that adequate sewage disposal will be provided in accord
with borough and PADER requirements.
Residential/commercial mixed uses in a single
principal structure are considered conditional uses in the C-1 and
C-2 Districts in accord with the following and all other applicable
standards in this chapter.
A. Uses permitted. The commercial uses in any residential/commercial
use building shall only be permitted in accord with the Schedule of
Uses.
B. Residential units. The number of residential units
in the structure shall be determined by the parking, sewage disposal
and other performance standards in this chapter, but in no case shall
the number of residential units exceed the density established for
the same by this chapter.
Adult businesses shall not be permitted in the
Borough of Matamoras. Said uses are prohibited due to the rural small
town character of the borough and said uses are not logically or sensibly
needed in the area. Said uses are more logically and sensibly provided
in areas that are more urbanized or are in the path of urbanization
and are thereby suited for adult businesses.
[Added 3-3-2009 by Ord.
No. 307]
It is the purpose of this section to eliminate the further construction
and operation of outdoor furnaces within the limits of the Borough
of Matamoras for the purpose of securing and promoting the public
health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare and prosperity of the
Borough and its inhabitants. It is generally recognized that the types
of fuel used, and the scale and duration of the burning of such furnaces,
create noxious and hazardous smoke, soot, fumes, odor, air pollution,
particles and other products of combustion that can be detrimental
to citizens' health and can deprive neighboring residents of
the enjoyment of their property or premises. Consideration has been
given to the sizes of residential lots within the Borough, the density
of structures, the proximity of houses to one another, and the predominance
of wooden structures.
A. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
OUTDOOR FURNACE
Any equipment, device, apparatus or structure, or any part
thereof, which is installed, affixed or situated outdoors for the
purpose of combustion of any type of fuel to produce heat or energy
used as a component of a heating system providing heat for an interior
space or water source. Specifically excepted herefrom is the use of
electric generators for temporary use during periods of electrical
stoppage or lack of access to utility-based power.
B. Regulations.
(1)
After the effective date of this section, outdoor furnaces shall
be prohibited and shall not be installed or maintained within the
Borough of Matamoras except as provided herein.
(2)
Any existing chimney stack shall be at least 20 feet or at least
two feet above the roofline of the highest structure within 200 feet,
whichever is higher when installed. Said chimney stack shall also
have a spark arrestor installed on top.
(3)
This section shall not be construed to be retroactive and shall
not require the removal of any outdoor furnace in existence within
the Borough of Matamoras at the effective date of this section.
(4)
For any existing outdoor furnace primarily designed for burning
wood or other solid material, no fuel other than natural wood without
additive, wood pellets without additive and agricultural seeds in
their natural state may be burned. Processed wood products and other
nonwood products, recyclable materials, plastics, rubber, paper products,
garbage and painted or treated wood are prohibited.
(5)
Outdoor furnaces are prohibited to burn between June 1 and August
30.
(6)
Outdoor furnaces and associated installation shall be subject
to inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Office and Building Codes
Enforcement Officer at any reasonable time to assure compliance with
the terms hereof.
(7)
Any existing outdoor furnace installation is subject to the
permit provisions of the Zoning and Building Code Ordinance, and including
compliance with all applicable state and federal statutes, including
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) Listing.
(8)
Nothing contained herein shall authorize the maintaining of
existing installation that is a public or private nuisance, regardless
of compliance herewith.
(9)
If any sentence, clause, section, or part of this section is,
for any reason, found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid,
such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect
or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections,
or parts of the section. It is hereby declared as the intent of the
Borough Council of the Borough of Matamoras that this section would
have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid sentence,
clause, section or part thereof not been included herein.
(10)
If an external (outdoor) fuel-burning device or appliance is
more than 50% torn down, physically deteriorated, or decayed, any
rebuilding or restoration of said external (outdoor) fuel-burning
device or appliance shall be a violation of this section.
(11)
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $500, pursuant to §
124-43. Every day that a violation of this section continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(12)
This section shall be incorporated into and be part of the Zoning
Ordinance of the Borough of Matamoras, effective immediately.