[Added 5-20-2002 by Ord. No. 414]
In expansion of the community development objectives contained in Article I, § 182-2 of this chapter, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this article with respect to the OSC Open Space Conservation District to establish reasonable standards and criteria to protect major open space lands, parks, preserves and agriculturally utilized lands in the Township. It shall further be the intent of this District:
A.
To provide appropriate restrictions for such lands
consistent with the recommendations of the Township's Comprehensive
Plan, and Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan and
to ensure that lands are dedicated to such use for the future.
B.
To protect the existing vistas into and rural character
of large tracts of undeveloped land in the Township.
C.
To protect unique landforms and visual and physical
access to the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek which are major
amenities, and which form portions of the Township boundaries.
D.
To allow certain recreational uses which are consistent
with the open space preservation goals of this District.
E.
To reduce the negative impacts of suburbanization
and sprawl, and to protect these areas from inappropriate uses.
In an OSC Open Space Conservation District,
land may be used and occupied for the following uses or combination
of the following uses and no other:
A.
Open space preserve, including natural areas, wildlife
sanctuary, forest or woodland preserve, reforested land, or similar
uses.
B.
Municipal parkland devoted to active and passive recreational
uses.
C.
Agriculture as defined in this chapter, as well as
the raising and sale of livestock and fowl, including associated grazing
or pastureland.
D.
Municipal buildings, offices, garages and other municipal
uses, provided that no more than five percent(5%) of a tract located
in the OSC District may be devoted to any one or combination of such
uses.
E.
Accessory uses customarily incidental to any of the
permitted uses, provided that no more than 5% of a tract located in
the OSC District may be devoted to any one or combination of accessory
uses.
(1)
Accessory uses in an OSC District may include
a single-family house occupied by a groundskeeper, security guard,
maintenance worker or by an individual(s) performing similar functions;
provided, however, that such house shall be considered in the above
five-percent limitation.
(2)
Accessory uses for agricultural uses in an OSC District may include stands for the sale of products harvested on-site, subject to the restrictions of Article IV, § 182-40C(4) of this chapter.
F.
Communications antennas, in accordance with the provisions of § 182-21.1 of this chapter, mounted on an existing public utility transmission tower, existing building or other existing structure, and communications equipment buildings. Communications towers are permitted only as a conditional use pursuant to § 182.38.3. herein.
In addition to requirements stipulated in § 182-38.3 herein, compliance with the additional standards enumerated herein shall be demonstrated in any application for conditional use. In addition, procedures outlined in § 182-204 shall be applicable.
A.
Said uses shall be sited on areas of the tract which
are least visible from any abutting public road(s) and from residences
on abutting lots or tracts.
The following general regulations shall apply
in the OSC Open Space Conservation District:
A.
Area and width. No specific lot area or lot width
shall be required in the OSC District. However, adequate area shall
be provided to meet all other requirements of this district and sufficient
width to allow safe access/egress shall be provided, subject to the
review and approval of the Township Engineer and/or the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation, depending upon the jurisdiction of the
road(s) upon which a lot in the district abuts.
B.
Height. The height for principal and accessory structures shall be governed by the provisions of § 182-42 of this chapter. In addition, the height for communications towers shall be governed by the requirements contained in § 182-21.2. of this chapter, should said use be approved as a conditional use.
C.
Building coverage. The maximum building coverage on
any lot in the OSC District shall be 5%.
D.
Impervious coverage. The maximum impervious coverage
on any lot in the OSC District shall be 10%.
E.
Parking. Any parking necessary to serve any of the permitted or conditional uses in this District shall be provided in accordance with the regulations of Article XXII of this chapter. Wherever practical, gravel or other all-weather porous pavement treatments shall be utilized in this District. Handicapped parking shall be paved.
