Source: https://www.ecode360.com/15594170
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 08:41:39+00:00

Document:
§ 94-38 Apartments and townhouses.
§ 94-41 Effect on previously approved actions.
§ 94-43 Curbs and gutters.
§ 94-46 Environmental impact report.
§ 94-47 Fences and walls.
§ 94-53 Off-street parking and loading.
§ 94-56.1 Required improvable area.
§ 94-63 Soil erosion and sediment control.
§ 94-69.1 Wind and solar energy systems.
All developments shall conform to design standards encouraging sound development patterns within the Borough. Where an official map or master plan has been adopted, the development shall conform to them.
Character of the land. Land identified in the Master Plan as critical areas or which flood, have improper drainage, shallow depth to water table, steep slopes, rock formations, utility easements or similar features shall not be used as buildable areas unless adequate and acceptable methods are formulated by the developer to solve the problems by methods meeting this chapter and all other regulations.
All applicable performance standards encompassed elsewhere in the Code of the Borough of Washington, including, but not limited to Chapter 44A, Flood Damage Prevention, and Chapter 70, Sewers, are hereby incorporated by reference in this chapter.
Where any performance standard in this Chapter 94 conflicts with any other standard elsewhere in the Code of the Borough of Washington, the more restrictive standard shall govern and be applied by the approving authority.
Towers are regulated under §§ 94-69.1 and 94-86.1, and this § 94-37 shall not apply to same.
Apartments and townhouses shall have site plan approval and public or private central water supply and a central sanitary sewer system approved by appropriate state and local agencies.
Each overall development shall have a compatible architectural and landscaping theme.
No complete dwelling unit shall have its entire living area level lower than the finished grade along the front of the structure; except that on side hill locations, the number of stories above ground on the uphill side shall not exceed two stories, with a third story permitted above ground on the downhill side. The height of the building measured from the foundation on the downhill side shall not exceed 40 feet.
Usable recreation areas. For any garden apartment building or group of such buildings containing a total of more than 24 dwelling units, there shall be reserved and improved within the Borough of Washington, in addition to the minimum space between buildings and the off-street parking space herein required, a minimum open space equivalent to 15% of the total land area in the Borough of Washington within the garden apartment house site for usable recreation space, provided that no single contiguous usable recreation space shall be smaller than one acre, except where a smaller area shall be approved for limited purposes by the Planning Board, and no building containing dwelling units shall be more than 500 feet from the nearest usable recreation space. Usable recreation space shall be approved for such use by the Planning Board incidental to site plan approval as hereinafter provided. In no case shall swampy or poorly drained land be approved for such purpose, nor shall any part of any recreation area to be devoted to and used for baseball or football fields, swimming pools, children's playground and the like be within 200 feet of any public street line or within 100 feet of the boundary of any abutting property zoned for residential use. Swimming pools, ballfields, play courts and other recreation facilities shall be confined to these approved recreation areas. All lighting fixtures shall be so designed, located and shielded that light radiating therefrom shall be reasonably confined to the recreation areas.
Approved bedrooms. Where the number of bedrooms per unit has been approved as part of the site plan, no other room shall be used for sleeping purposes.
Bikeways may be required depending on the development's location in relation to schools, recreation areas, shopping facilities and other populated areas. Bicycle traffic shall be separated from motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic as much as possible. Bikeways shall generally not exceed a grade of 3%, except for short distances, and shall be a minimum of eight feet wide, Bikeways shall have a minimum four-inch bituminous stabilized base course and a two-inch FABC surface course. Where bike paths intersect a street, the curbing shall be ramped for access to the street grade.
A strip of land 20% of the average width and depth of the property when a nonresidential use abuts a residential zone on the side or rear, respectively, shall be designated as a buffer area and so indicated on the plat. Buffer areas shall be located along residential property lines and shall be of uniform width. In no case should the width of the buffer exceed 50 feet. If the buffer is less than 20 feet wide, the applicant may be required to erect and landscape a six-foot-high stockade fence within the buffer area parallel to the lot line of the abutting residential lot and set back a distance appropriate for the landscaping treatment in the buffer area. Buffer areas between parking and loading areas and streets shall be at least 15 feet wide.
Buffer areas shall be maintained and kept clean of all debris, rubbish, weeds and tall grass. Any screen planting shall be maintained permanently, and any plant material which does not live shall be replaced within one year or one growing season.
No structure, activity, storage of materials or parking of vehicles shall be permitted in the buffer area, except access drives from public streets, one unlighted directional sign per each direction of traffic per access drive, and permitted signs as specified in the district regulations.
Requirements for planting in the buffer area.
A solid and continuous landscaped screen shall be planted and maintained to conceal the parking and loading areas, eliminate the glare of vehicle lights throughout the year and camouflage the building from the abutting residential areas. The landscape screen shall consist of evergreen trees, such as hemlock, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, etc. Trees shall be planted in an area five to 20 feet from the residential line in a zigzag pattern and not more than 10 feet apart, except where otherwise authorized by the approving authority. Evergreen trees shall not be less than five feet high when planted, and the lowest branches shall be not more than one-foot above the ground.
In addition to the landscaped screen, shade trees, such as sugar maples, scarlet oaks, pin oaks, willow oaks. Norway maples, sweet gum, ash, etc., shall be planted by the applicant at a distance of not more than 40 feet from each other.
The height of the landscaped screen shall be measured in relation to the elevation of the edge of the parking and loading area. Where the landscaped screen is lower than the elevation of the parking or loading area, either the required height of the screen shall be increased equal to the difference in elevation or the parking or loading area shall be moved to allow the plantings to be located in an area with a similar elevation as the parking or loading area.
If the buffer area includes existing growth of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubbery, but not enough to provide a suitable screen as required above, existing trees and shrubbery may remain and shall be supplemented by additional evergreen plantings to provide the required landscape screen. In the event that the approving authority finds that further planting of evergreens will not grow satisfactorily in said buffer areas, stockade fence(s) six feet high shall be erected in the buffer area.
The approving authority shall have the power to waive any of the buffer requirements if it determines that an adequate buffer can be provided in less than 20 feet while maintaining the purposes of this section. The approving authority shall review the proposed plat and the standards and purposes for buffers, considering the location of buildings, parking areas, outdoor illumination and topographic features of the area and existing features such as trees and streams; the efficiency, adequacy and safety of the proposed layout of driveways, streets, sidewalks and paths; the adequacy and location of existing green areas and buffer areas; the adequacy and location of screening and parking areas; structures and uses; and similar features.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions contained herein to the contrary, where a nonresidential development abuts the Age-Restricted Residential Zone District created by Ordinance No. 14-2005, the buffer area shall be 10 feet in width.
Editor's Note: See § 94-79.1, AR-7 Age-Restricted Residential Zone District.
Nothing in this chapter shall require any change in a building permit, site plan or zoning variance which was approved before the enactment of this chapter, provided that construction shall have been started within six months from the effective date of this chapter and the project shall be continuously pursued to completion; otherwise said approvals and permits shall be void.
The purpose of this section is to provide flexibility in design options, aid in reducing development costs and provide a method of preserving land for open spaces, common property, conservation areas, floodplains, school sites, recreation areas, parks and/or land for other public purposes by permitting a reduction in lot size without increasing the number of lots or permitted number of dwelling units.
All dwelling units shall be connected to approved and functioning central water and central sanitary sewer systems.
The maximum number of lots or dwelling units shall be as set forth in Article VII.
Land area equal to a minimum of 20% of the total tract's land area shall be set aside for open space, conservation areas, floodplains, school sites, recreation and park areas, common property or lands for other public purposes, singularly or in combination, except that land utilized for street(s) shall not be included as part of the above 20%. Land with slopes exceeding 30%, swamps and floodplains shall be computed at 1/2 their acreage in determining whether sufficient acreage has been set aside for common property, open space, conservation areas, floodplains, school sites, recreation and park areas or land for other public purposes. No more than 1/3 of the required areas to be set aside may be lands in excess of 20% slopes, floodplains or swamps. Lands to be set aside that are not offered to the Borough shall be dedicated to a homeowners' association as outlined below.
The minimum size shall be five acres.
Lands for public recreation purposes shall be improved by the developer, including equipment, walkways and landscaping, in order to qualify for acceptance by the Borough.
It shall be an integral part of the development and designed, improved and located to best suit the purpose(s) for which it is intended.
Every parcel accepted by the Borough shall be conveyed by deed at the time final plat approval is granted.
Concurrence of governing body procedure. A copy of the proposal to dedicate land to the Borough shall be transmitted to the governing body. The acceptability of the land shall be subject to the approval of the approving authority and the governing body. Both shall be guided by the Master Plan, the ability to assemble and relate such lands to an overall plan, the accessibility and potential utility of such lands to serve the intended purpose and such existing features as topography, soils, wetlands and tree cover, as these features may enhance or detract from the intended use of the land.
Concrete curb shall be installed along all streets. The standard curb section shall be 10 feet in length with preformed expansion joint material on not more than twenty-foot centers and shall be set in accordance with approved lines and grades, and radial curbs shall be formed in a smooth curve. The finish shall be a smooth float finish with corners rounded. Curbing shall meet the design standards of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as amended. The curbing shall be designed to provide barrier-free curb ramps constructed in accordance with the Design Standards for Curb Ramps for the Physically Handicapped of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
All storm drainage systems shall be designed to meet the standards set forth in the Management of Surface Water as adopted in Chapter 57 of the Borough's Code.
Easements shall be along side and/or rear property lines where possible, shall not be less than 15 feet wide, shall be dimensioned on the plat and shall be identified as follows:"_____ easement granted to the Borough of Washington as provided for in the Washington Development Regulations Ordinance."
A description of the development specifying what is to be done and how it is to be done during construction and operation and practical alternate plans to achieve the objective(s).
An inventory of on-site environmental conditions and an assessment of the probable impact of the development upon them; water supply; geology; soils and properties thereof, including capabilities and limitations; sewerage; topography; vegetation; noise characteristics and levels; land use; aesthetics; and history. Air and water quality shall be described with reference to standards of the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of New Jersey, and soils shall be described with reference to Soil Conservation Service categories and characteristics.
A list and the status of the approvals needed from federal, state or county agencies, including comments of these governmental agencies.
An evaluation of any adverse environmental impacts which cannot be avoided, including air and water pollution, noise, sedimentation and siltation, increase in Borough services and consequences to the Borough tax structure.
A description of steps to be taken to avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts during construction and operation, including maps, schedules and other explanatory data.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the approving authority may waive all or part of an environmental impact report if sufficient evidence is submitted to support a conclusion that the development will have a slight or negligible environmental impact or that the complete report need not be prepared to evaluate the environmental impact of the development.
Fences and walls shall not be located in any required sight triangle and shall not exceed four feet in height in the front yard nor six feet in height behind the front yard setback line. Fences or walls located in the front yard shall be at least 50% open.
Membership by all owners of property or interests in the project shall be mandatory. Required membership and their responsibilities shall be in writing between the organization and each member in the form of a covenant, with each agreeing to liability for his pro-rata share of the organization's costs.
The organization shall be responsible for liability insurance (with the municipality carried as a named insured), taxes, maintenance and any other obligations assumed by the organization and shall hold the municipality harmless from any liability. The organization shall not be dissolved and shall not dispose of any common open space or common property by sale or otherwise, except to an organization conceived and established to own and maintain such open space or property for the benefit of such development. Thereafter such organization shall not be dissolved or dispose of any of its open space or property without first offering to dedicate the same to the Borough.
The organization shall be allowed to adjust the assessment to meet changing needs.
The organization shall clearly describe in its bylaws all the rights and obligations of each tenant and owner, including a copy of its covenants, model deeds and articles of incorporation. The master deed shall state that every tenant and property owner shall have the right to use all common properties.
The articles of incorporation, covenants, bylaws, model deeds and other legal instruments shall ensure that control of the organization shall be transferred to the members based on a percentage of the dwelling units sold and/or occupied and shall clearly indicate that, in the event that such organization shall fail to maintain the common open space or common property in reasonable order and condition, the Borough may serve written notice upon such organization or upon the owners of the development setting forth the manner in which the organization has failed to maintain the common open space or common property in reasonable condition, and said notice shall include a demand that such deficiencies of maintenance be cured within 35 days thereof and shall state the date and place of a hearing thereon which shall be held within 15 days of the notice. At such hearing, the designated Borough body or officer, as the case may be, may modify the terms of the original notice as to deficiencies and may give a reasonable extension of time, not to exceed 65 days, within which they shall be cured. If the deficiencies set forth in the original notice or in the modification thereof shall not be cured within said 35 days or any permitted extension thereof, the Borough, in order to preserve the common open space and common property and maintain the same for a period of one year, may enter upon and maintain such land. Said entry and maintenance shall not vest in the public any rights to use the common open space and common property except when the same is voluntarily dedicated to the public by the owners. Before the expiration of said year, the Borough Council shall, upon its initiative or upon the request of the organization theretofore responsible for the maintenance of the common open space and common property, call a public hearing upon 15 days' written notice to such organization and to the owners of the development, to be held by the Borough Council, at which hearing such organization and the owners of the development shall show cause why such maintenance by the Borough shall not, at the election of the Borough Council, continue for a succeeding year. If the Borough Council shall determine that such organization is ready and able to maintain said open space and property in reasonable condition, the Borough shall cease to maintain said open space and property at the end of said year. If the Borough Council shall determine that such organization is not ready and able to maintain said open space and property in a reasonable condition, the Borough Council may, in its discretion, have the Borough continue to maintain said open space and property during the next succeeding year, subject to a similar hearing and determination in each year thereafter. The decision of the Borough Council in any such case shall constitute a final administrative decision subject to judicial review.
The cost of such maintenance by the Borough shall be assessed pro rata against the properties within the development that have a right of enjoyment of the common open space and common property in accordance with assessed value at the time of imposition of the lien and shall become a lien and tax on said properties and be added to and be a part of the taxes to be levied and assessed thereon and enforced and collected with interest by the same officers and in the same manner as other taxes.
The objective is to minimize undesirable off-site effects. All area lighting in places such as parking lots or for security shall provide translucent fixtures with shields around the light source. The light intensity at ground level shall be a maximum of 1.0 footcandle. The total quantity of light radiated above a horizontal plane passing through the light source shall not exceed 7.5%. For recreation purposes, more-intense lighting may be permitted. In all instances, no lighting source shall shine or reflect into windows or onto streets and driveways. No lighting shall be a yellow, red, green or blue beam nor be rotating, pulsating or of other intermittent frequency.
Insofar as is practical, lots shall be rectangular, lot lines shall be straight and side lot lines shall be either at right angles or radial to street lines.
Each lot must front upon an approved, paved street.
Through lots with frontage on two streets are permitted, provided that access shall be to the street with the lower traffic function.
Extra width for street widening in accordance with an adopted Master Plan or Official Map shall either be dedicated or, if not dedicated, shall be anticipated by increasing the lot size in anticipation of future right-of-way.
Where there is a question as to the suitability of a lot(s) due to rock formations, flood conditions or high water table, the approving authority may, after adequate investigation, withhold approval of such lots.
The transfer of title to one or more adjoining lots, tracts or parcels of land owned by the same person or persons shall not constitute a subdivision of land when such lots, tracts or parcels all conform to the requirements of this chapter and are shown and designated as separate lots, tracts or parcels on the Tax Map or atlas of the municipality.
Whenever land has been dedicated to the Borough in order to meet the minimum street width requirements or to implement the Official Map or Master Plan, the Construction Official shall not withhold a building and/or occupancy permit when the lot depth and/or area was rendered substandard due to such dedication and where the owner has no adjacent lands to meet the minimum requirements.
Monuments shall be the size and shape required by N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.12 (the Map Filing Law, as amended) and shall be placed in accordance with said statute and indicated on the final plat.
Editor's Note: Former § 94-52, Nonconforming uses, structures and lots, was repealed 11-8-1989 by Ord. No. 15-99.
Access to and from lots. Drives shall be limited to two to any street; except when the frontage exceeds 500 feet, the number of drives may be based on one drive for each 250 feet of property frontage. The center lines of access points of drives shall be spaced at least 65 feet apart. Each drive shall handle no more than two lanes of traffic, be at least 50 feet from the street line of any intersecting street and be at least 20 feet from any property line. Curbing shall be either depressed at the driveway or have the curbing rounded at the corners, with the access drive connected to the street in the same manner as another street. This subsection shall not govern one- or two-family residences, which are covered by § 94-53K.
Access to parking and loading spaces shall be by on-site aisles to permit each vehicle to proceed to and from each space without moving another vehicle. Parking spaces shall not be an extension of any street right-of-way.
Buffers. Parking and loading areas for six or more vehicles shall be buffered from adjoining streets and single-family residential uses meeting the objectives of § 94-40.
Curbing. Off-street parking areas containing six or more spaces and all off-street loading areas shall have concrete curbing around the perimeter located in conjunction with an overall drainage plan. Curbing shall be ramped in accordance with the Design Standards for Curb Ramps for the Physically Handicapped of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, with ramps opposite each aisle.
Drainage facilities shall be installed in accordance with good engineering practice as approved by the Municipal Engineer and in accordance with the drainage provisions of § 94-44 and Chapter 57 of the Borough's Code.
Surfacing shall be approved as part of the plan approval. Areas to experience heavy traffic shall be paved with not less than five inches of compacted plant-mixed bituminous stabilized base course and a minimum two-inch-thick compacted wearing surface of bituminous concrete (FABC) or equivalent. All shall be constructed in accordance with the most-current Standard Specifications of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Landscaping in parking and loading areas shall be shown on the site plan. Trees shall be spaced so as not to interfere with driver vision, have branches no lower than six feet and be placed at the rate of at least one tree for every 10 parking spaces. All areas between the parking area and the building shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs and ground cover. Any plantings which do not live shall be replaced within one year or one season. A majority of the parking areas for more than 50 cars shall be obscured from streets by buildings, landscaped berms, natural ground elevation or plantings, singly or in combination.
1.5 spaces per efficiency unit; 1.75 spaces per 1-bedroom unit; 2.0 spaces per unit larger than 1 bedroom. For purposes of determining compliance with this subsection, a maximum of 1 parking space per unit may be located within a garage or carport.
5.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area,* excluding theaters.
*NOTE: Maximum 20% of gross floor area can be office use without additional parking for the office use. Office use above 20% shall require parking at the appropriate rate.
Location of parking and loading areas.
Loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use being served. No off-street parking or loading space shall have direct access from a street.
No loading and parking space shall be located in any required buffer area, and all spaces shall be set back a sufficient distance to prevent any part of a vehicle from overhanging the street right-of-way or property line.
Parking spaces located to serve residential uses shall be within 150 feet of the entrance of the building and within 300 feet of commercial/industrial uses.
No parking shall be permitted in fire lanes, streets, driveways, aisles, sidewalks or turning areas.
No parking shall be permitted within an established front yard setback, except on an approved driveway or parking space, or where otherwise specifically permitted by this chapter.
There shall be no parking in the front yard, except in an approved parking space or on an approved driveway.
No driveway shall be located less than five feet from the perpendicular extension of the property line to the curbline.
There shall be no plantings or structures more than 30 inches in height within the street right-of-way or within 10 feet thereof.
Where sidewalks exist, they shall be installed in accord with the sidewalk performance standards of this chapter.
Each such driveway shall have a maximum grade of 15%.
The intersection angle between the driveway and the street from which access is made is to be perpendicular where possible and within 15° of perpendicular in all cases.
Macadam pavement shall be required on a six-inch soil aggregate 12 or 15 base, with a two-inch bituminous concrete surface course.
No drive is to be located within 20 feet of the intersection of street right-of-way lines.
No more than one driveway opening is to be permitted.
Maximum size of the drive apron shall be 15 feet.
Minimum driveway width shall be nine feet.
Electricity. Electronic equipment shall be shielded so that there is no interference with any radio or television reception beyond the operator's property.
Air, water and environmental pollution. No use shall emit heat, odor, vibrations, noise or any other pollutant into the ground, water or air that exceeds the most-stringent, applicable state and federal regulation. No permit shall be issued for any use where a state permit is required until the state has ascertained and approved the level and quality of emission, type and quality of emission control and level of monitoring to be conducted.
Storage and waste disposal. No materials shall be deposited so that they can be transferred off the lot, directly or indirectly, by natural forces, such as precipitation, surface water, evaporation or wind. All materials which might create a pollutant or be a safety and health hazard shall be stored indoors and/or be enclosed in appropriate containers to eliminate such pollutant or hazard. No flammable or explosive substance shall be stored on a property except under conditions approved by the Fire Department.
Editor's Note: Former § 94-55, Principal uses, was repealed 11-6-1989 by Ord. No. 15-89.
All public services shall be connected to approved public utilities systems where they exist.
The distribution supply lines and service connections shall be installed underground, except lots which abut streets with existing overhead electric or telephone lines may be supplied from those overhead lines, but the service connections shall be installed underground. Should a road widening or an extension of service occur as a result of the development, any replacement, relocation or extension of existing overhead lines shall be underground.
Where soil conditions, rock formations, woods or other special conditions exist, the developer may apply to the approving authority for an exception from the terms of this section. If overhead lines are permitted, pole locations shall avoid horizons, there shall be selective tree cutting and a staggered alignment, and trees shall be planted in key locations to minimize the views of the poles and alignments, which poles shall follow rear lot lines and other interior locations and similar considerations to lessen the visual impact.
In the case of any subdivision of any existing multiple dwelling, there shall be individual sewage laterals, water services and utility services. There shall be no common sewage laterals, water lines or services or utility services or other utility appurtenances between any separate points and the point of connection to the utility collection or distribution system.
Any subdivision proposed shall divide the tract comprising the subdivision in such a manner that each resulting lot created shall contain a required improvable area of not less than 10,625 square feet. This requirement shall apply independently of any minimum lot area requirement set forth in Article VII of this chapter.
If a central sewage treatment and collection system is accessible, the developer shall connect to the system.
All storage areas, trash facilities, pits, lifts and working areas shall be within a building. All lubrication, repair or similar activities shall be performed in an enclosed building, and no dismantled parts shall be placed outside.
Floor drains shall not be connected to the sanitary sewer system.
It is intended that service stations not be stripped along available highway frontage or at each quadrant of a convenient intersection and that they be located within shopping centers and in office and industrial complexes as an integral part of the overall design. Ingress and egress shall be designed to recognize the turning movements generated. These access points shall be coordinated with the access points required for nearby uses, frequency of intersecting side streets, minimizing left turns off collector and arterial streets and maintaining building setbacks compatible with the required setbacks and landscaping. No service station shall have an entrance or exit for vehicles within 200 feet along the same side of a street as any school, playground, church, hospital, public building or institution, except where such property is on another street which the lot in question does not abut.
All shade trees shall have a minimum diameter of 2.5 inches measured three feet above the ground and be of a species approved by the approving authority. Trees shall be planted 50 feet apart along all new streets, located 20 feet from the curbline, and shall be balled with burlap, nursery-grown, free from insects and disease and true to species and variety. Stripping trees or filling around trees in the yard portion of a lot shall not be permitted unless it can be shown that grading requirements or thinning necessitates removal of trees, in which case those lots shall be planted to reestablish the tone of the area and to conform to adjacent lots. Planted trees that do not live shall be replaced by the developer during the next planting season.
Sidewalks shall be installed in locations determined by the approving authority to be in the interest of public safety, considering the probable volume of pedestrian traffic, the adjoining street classification, school bus stops and the general type of improvement intended. Where required, sidewalks shall be at least four feet wide and four inches thick, except at points of vehicular crossing where they shall be at least six inches thick and of Class B concrete. Where sidewalks cross curbs, curb ramps shall be provided as outlined in § 94-43, Curbs and gutters.
Sight triangles shall be required at each quadrant of an intersection of streets and of streets and driveways. The area within sight triangles shall be either dedicated as part of the street right-of-way, kept as part of the lot and identified as a sight triangle easement or retained as private property free of visual obstruction in accordance with the standards set forth herein. All applications for development wherein sight triangles are required shall provide them through easement or right-of-way dedications. No grading, planting or structure shall be erected or maintained more than 30 inches above the center-line grade of the intersecting street or driveway or lower than eight feet above their center lines, excluding street name signs and official traffic regulation signs. Where any intersection involves earth banks or vegetation, including trees, the developer shall trim and grade to provide the sight triangle. The sight triangle is that area bounded by the intersecting street lines and a straight line which connects sight points located on each of the two intersecting street lines and following distances away from the intersecting street lines: arterial streets at 130 feet; collector streets at 60 feet; and primary and secondary local streets at 35 feet. Where the intersecting streets are both arterial, both collectors, or one arterial and one collector, two overlapping sight triangles shall be required, formed by connecting the sight points noted above with a sight point 35 feet on the intersecting street. Any development requiring site plan approval shall provide sight triangles at each driveway, with the driveway classified as a local street for purposes of establishing distances. The classifications of existing and proposed streets shall be those shown on the adopted Master Plan or as designated by the approving authority where a new street is not included on the Master Plan. A sight triangle easement shall be expressed on the plat as follows: "Sight triangle easement subject to grading, planting and construction restrictions as provided for in the Washington Development Regulations Ordinance." Portions of a lot set aside for the sight triangle may be calculated in determining the lot area and minimum setbacks required by the zoning provisions.
Permits required; design and maintenance. No sign shall be erected, displayed or altered unless a permit shall have first been obtained from the Building or Zoning Officer. All signs shall be legible and in good repair and shall be of professional quality. Logos and graphics shall be harmonious with the overall design.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of Subsections A through D as Subsections B through E, respectively.
Residential zone districts and the OB Zone.
One nameplate sign or customary sign for permitted nonresidential uses, not to exceed more than two square feet in area per use in the residential zones and 12 square feet in area per use in the OB Zone. Said sign may be either a nonilluminated or illuminated nonflashing sign, provided that the direct source of light is shielded in such a manner that it is not visible from the street or any adjoining residential property.
Off-premises informational signs within the State of New Jersey Department of Transportation highway right-of-way of Route Nos. 57 and 31 for churches and nonprofit IRC 501(c) organizations located in the Borough, with a maximum size of 24 inches by 30 inches. Off-premises directional signs within the right-of-way of any state, county or municipal government for churches and nonprofit IRC 501(c) organizations located in the Borough with a maximum size of 18 inches by 24 inches.
A sign not more than 16 square feet in area advertising the name of a church on the premises, its pastor and its coming events.
For garden apartment or townhouse projects, one freestanding sign giving the name of the project, not more than 16 square feet in area with a maximum height of four feet and not closer than 10 feet to any street line.
A nonilluminated temporary sign pertaining to the lease or sale of the premises upon which it is placed, not exceeding eight square feet in total area, provided that it shall be removed within seven days after the closing of title or the execution of a lease.
None of the signs permitted in the residential districts or OB Districts shall be erected nearer any street or road than five feet back from the edge of the right-of-way, provided that a nameplate sign not more than 72 square inches in area, as regulated above, may be placed anywhere in the front yard.
No business establishment shall permit a total of more than four signs; provided, however, that no exterior wall shall contain more than two of the four permitted signs. The total sign area for the sign or signs permitted on the face of any wall shall not exceed 20% of the area of the face of the wall upon which such sign or signs are attached.
No sign or any part thereof shall be lighted by means of flashing, intermittent or rotating illumination. All lights used for the illumination of business establishments or for the illumination of business buildings or areas surrounding them, or for the illumination or display of merchandise or products of business establishments, shall be completely shielded from the view of vehicular traffic using the road or roads abutting such business properties. Floodlights used for the illumination of said premises or of any sign thereon, whether or not such floodlights are attached to or separate from the building, shall not project above the highest elevation of the front wall of the building or more than 18 feet above the street level of the premises, whichever is less.
No sign as permitted shall extend or project above the highest elevation of the wall to which it is attached; provided, however, that signs may project above said wall when they are an integral part of the building, and further provided that said signs shall not exceed a height of eight feet above the height of the building.
In shopping plazas or shopping centers or developments or in commercial buildings in which a number of stores or other business establishments are located and which shopping centers or buildings provide off-street parking in accordance with the terms of this chapter and use covered arcades or porches along a portion of the off-street parking area or court, such porches and/or marquees over the sidewalk areas shall be construed as integral parts of the building for the purpose of this section. Signs, subject to the limitations of this article, may be erected in front of each store or commercial unit within such shopping center or plaza, attached to the roof or marquee over the sidewalk area, and the sign area in each such case shall be computed with reference to the front wall area of each commercial unit or store along the sidewalk or marquee to which it is appurtenant.
Where a building has a canopy or marquee constructed as an integral part of said building, for the purpose of administering this section, the front line of said canopy or marquee shall be construed as being the face of the building.
Off-premises informational signs within the State of New Jersey Department of Transportation highway right-of-way of Route Nos. 57 and 31 for churches and nonprofit IRC 501(c) organizations located in the Borough with a maximum size of 24 inches by 30 inches. Off-premises directional signs within the right-of-way of any state, county or municipal government for churches and nonprofit IRC 501(c) organizations located in the Borough with a maximum size of 18 inches by 24 inches.
No sign shall extend further than 15 inches from the face of the building upon which it is attached; provided, however, that where a sign extends more than three inches from the face of said wall the bottom of said sign shall not be closer than 10 feet to the ground level below said sign.
The maximum height of any single sign shall not exceed five feet.
Not more than one overhanging sign shall be permitted on the exterior wall of a business establishment which faces on an abutting street. Corner lots shall be construed as having frontage on both streets, and one overhanging sign shall be permitted for that establishment on both abutting streets.
No overhanging sign shall project more than three feet from the wall to which it is attached; provided, however, that any business establishment may exceed the above-mentioned three-foot projection limitation at a ratio of one foot of projection for each five feet of space in excess of 15 feet between said sign and the nearest adjoining business or property. Notwithstanding any provisions of this article, no overhanging sign shall project more than six feet from the wall to which it is attached.
One freestanding or pylon sign advertising the name of the station or garage and the principal products sold on the premises, including any special company or brand name, insignia or emblem, provided that each such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet in area on a side and shall be hung within five feet of the property line and not less than 10 nor more than 20 feet above the ground.
One temporary sign located inside the property line and specifically advertising special seasonal servicing of automobiles, provided that said sign does not exceed seven square feet in area.
Directional signs or lettering displayed over individual entrance doors or bays, consisting only of the words "washing," "lubrication," "repairs," "mechanic on duty" or other words closely similar in import, provided that there shall be not more than one such sign over each entrance or bay, the letters thereof shall not exceed 12 inches in height, and the total of each such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
Customary lettering on a gasoline pump or other insignia which are a structural part of a gasoline pump, consisting only of the brand name of gasoline sold, lead-warning sign, a price indicator and any other sign required by law, not exceeding a total of three square feet on each pump; and, if illuminated, such signs shall be nonflashing and shall not in any manner constitute a traffic hazard with respect to adjacent streets or intersections.
A nonilluminated credit card sign not exceeding two square feet in area, which may be placed on or near the gasoline pump.
A front yard of not less than 50 feet shall be maintained for the main building.
The area of such freestanding sign shall not exceed 40 square feet on each of two sides.
The height of such freestanding sign above the elevation of the nearest curb shall not exceed 20 feet, and the lowest edge of the sign shall be no less than 10 feet above the elevation of the nearest curb.
No portion of such freestanding sign or any of its supporting members shall be closer than five feet to any property line or front street right-of-way line.
In addition to the foregoing provisions, the following requirements shall apply to signs in the B-2 Central Business District. Where there is a conflict between the provisions of Subsection C(1) to (6) above and the provisions of this Subsection C(7), the provisions of this subsection shall apply.
Flat wall signs. Business establishments located on the first floor of a building may have two flat wall signs, that is, signs attached to and parallel to the face of any building wall; provided, however, that no exterior wall shall contain more than one of the two permitted signs. Flat wall signs shall not exceed 36 inches in height and shall not project more than three inches from the surface of the building. The total sign area of any flat wall sign shall not exceed 5% of the area of the face of the wall to which the sign is attached.
Overhanging signs. In addition to the provisions in Subsection C(4) above, overhanging signs in the B-2 District shall maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet above the sidewalk, shall not exceed six square feet in sign area, shall not project more than three feet from the wall to which they are attached and shall not extend above the cornice line of the first-floor level except where necessary to maintain the minimum ten-foot clearance from the sidewalk.
Awnings with lettering. The outer decorative covering of all awnings shall be canvas or other fabric of similar weight and durability. Vinyl or metal awnings are not permitted. Lettering or graphics on an awning shall not exceed an average height of nine inches and shall be restricted to the awning valance. A minimum distance of 1 1/2 inches shall be maintained between the edge of the lettering or graphics and the top and bottom of the valance. Backlit waterfall awnings are not permitted.
Directory signs. A sign listing the tenants or occupants of a building or group of buildings and that may indicate their respective professions or business activities as well as a map or floor plan diagram indicating the location of the buildings and/or offices shall be permitted where there are multiple building tenants in a building. One directory sign, provided that the sign does not exceed 10 square feet, shall be permitted for each public access to the establishment which the sign advertises. Directory signs shall be in addition to the total number of signs permitted by this Subsection C.
Window signs. Window signs, including lettering, shall pertain only to the business occupying that portion of the premises in which the window is located, shall be applied to the interior of the window and shall not cover an area greater than 20% of the window glass. Except as provided in Subsection C(7)(d) below, there shall be no window signs on the second floor of a building.
Only A-frame or easel-frame signs are permitted.
No more than one sign shall be permitted for each business and only first-floor businesses may use such signs.
Signs may be displayed only during the hours when the business is open.
Signs may be constructed of painted wood, metal or plastic with professional-quality painted messages, chalkboards, dry-erase boards or boards with changeable letters. No other construction materials are permitted.
Signs may be located only adjacent to the building within the side property lines as extended, in an entrance alcove, or adjacent to the curb.
No standing sign shall block pedestrian movement, access to benches, access to parking meters or access to motor vehicles. The Building or Zoning Officer may direct that any sign which violates this chapter or creates a safety hazard be removed, modified or relocated.
Decorative flags. Decorative flags must be double-sided and shall project from the facade on a pole that shall not exceed five feet in length. The lowest point of the flag must be at least seven feet above the sidewalk. They must be in good condition, not worn or faded.
Exterior lighting used for seasonal decoration that outlines the windows, doors or other architectural features of a building.
Second-floor business signs. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this chapter, a business located on the second floor of a building which is a distinct business from that located on the first floor of the same building shall be permitted one sign not more than 18 inches high or more than three feet wide to be placed or painted in the window of the business. The letters on the sign shall not exceed eight inches in height. Second-floor businesses may be listed on a directory sign located at the public access to the building. No other signs are permitted for second-floor businesses.
Permanent banners, streamers, advertising flags, inflatable object, twirlers or similar objects.
Unsafe signs. Whenever, in the opinion of the Building or Zoning Officer, any sign becomes unsafe or endangers the safety of a building or premises or endangers the public safety, the Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer shall send a registered letter to the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on which the sign is located, ordering that the sign be made safe or removed within 10 days of receipt of the letter. If the owner of the sign fails to remove, alter or repair it within 10 days after receiving the registered letter, the sign may be removed, altered or repaired by the Zoning Officer, in order to comply with the provisions of § 94-62 of the Borough Code, at the expense of the owner of the sign or the owner of the property upon which the sign is located. The Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer may cause any sign or sign structure to be removed or repaired summarily and without written notice if it is an immediate peril to persons or property by virtue of its construction or moorings.
Obsolete signs. Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, a product sold, or is not used for a permitted use hereunder shall be taken down and removed by the sign owner or the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure or land upon which such sign is located within 10 days after written notification from the Building or Zoning Officer. Upon failure to comply with the notice within the time specified in the order, the Building or Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to cause removal of the sign, and any expense incidental to the removal shall be paid by the owner of the sign or the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure or land upon which such sign is located.
Abandoned signs. The failure to keep a nonconforming sign painted or in good repair for a period of six months shall constitute abandonment, and such sign may not be reused and must be removed. Said sign shall be repainted or repaired, as necessary, within 10 days after written notification from the Building or Zoning Officer.
One freestanding sign, provided that said sign is not placed in the front half of the setback required for the principal building and is accessory to the business conducted on the property.
Said sign complies with the side yard requirements for the principal building.
The length of the permitted sign is not over 20% of the width of the building that the sign will set in front of, but in no case shall the length of the sign exceed 20 feet.
The height of said sign shall not exceed 1/2 the length as permitted above, but in no case shall the height of the sign exceed 10 feet.
Signs attached to a building may be permitted, as regulated in Subsection C.
No banner, flag, bunting or other sign made of plastic, cloth or other fabric shall be suspended or affixed in any way to any building or other support on a temporary or permanent basis in any zone except as an indication of the opening of a business or other commercial enterprise of the type permitted in the B-1 Highway Business District and then only for a period of 30 days from the date of such opening.
No temporary sign or portable roll-about sign constructed on a trailer or other wheeled support or constructed on skids or in any other manner to make the same mobile shall be permitted in any zone, except where erected on a temporary basis by the Borough of Washington or a political subdivision thereof to call attention to political events or holidays.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a nonprofit group, corporation, association, partnership or other body of any of the types permitted to be nonprofit corporations by the New Jersey Corporation Act may be permitted to erect a ground sign on premises occupied and used by such group, provided that such sign does not exceed 64 square feet in total sign area, is not located any closer than five feet from the boundary on the right-of-way, is removed two weeks after being placed there, and further provided that the same does not impinge upon adjoining properties or driveways in such manner as to cause a visibility problem or other safety hazard to pedestrians or vehicular or other traffic.
Signs indicating driveways, entrances, exits and the like intended to guide the flow of traffic shall be permitted in all nonresidential uses, in accordance with the standard sizing thereof as set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the United States Department of Transportation, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
Construction signs, nonresidential. No more than one sign naming the project under construction and the participating firms and individuals is permitted on the construction site beginning with the issuance of a building permit and terminating with the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or the expiration of the building permit, whichever comes first. Such signs shall not exceed an area of 64 square feet.
Construction signs, residential. Not more than two temporary ground signs for an approved residential development shall be permitted, provided that each sign does not exceed 12 square feet, shall be no closer than 15 feet to any street or side lot line, and shall be removed within 30 days after all the lots or units have been sold.
No sign with curved faces or more than two faces shall be permitted in any zone.
Temporary directional signs shall be permitted for providing directions to a garage or yard sale licensed pursuant to § 54-21. No permit shall be required for such signs.
Garage and yard sale signs shall not exceed 12 inches by 12 inches in size and shall include the name and address of the resident holding the sale. Such signs shall be displayed no earlier than one week prior to the sale and removed by 7:00 p.m. of the day of the sale.
There shall be no more than three off-site directional signs and two signs at the garage or yard sale or property locations.
Garage sale signs must be freestanding and located on the property of persons who authorize same or in the municipal right-of-way. No signs shall be posted on telephone poles, street signs, trees or fences.
All major site plans and major subdivisions shall incorporate soil erosion and sediment control programs meeting the requirements of the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act and the standards and specifications for soil erosion and sediment control in Washington Borough as adopted in Chapter 69 of the Borough Code.
The removal of soil is regulated in Chapter 73, Soil Removal, of the Borough Code.
All developments shall be served by paved streets. Streets not shown on the Master Plan or Official Map shall provide for the appropriate extension of existing streets, conform to the topography as far as practical, and allow for continued extension into adjoining undeveloped tracts.
Residential development bounded by any arterial or collector street shall control access to said streets by having all driveways intersect minor streets. Where circumstance(s) may dictate that a driveway enter an arterial or collector street, the lot shall provide on-site turnaround facilities, and abutting lots may be required to use one curb cut. All lots with reverse frontage shall have an additional 25 feet of lot depth to provide a buffer area, which shall be either planted with nursery-grown trees or, where topography permits, earthen berms may be created. Berms shall not be less than five feet in height, shall be stabilized by ground cover and be planted with evergreens and deciduous trees according to a landscaping plan.
Shall be grass-stabilized topsoil, minimum four inches deep.
No reserve strips shall be approved, except where the control and disposal of land comprising such strips has been given to the governing body.
Where a development adjoins or includes existing streets that do not conform to widths shown on the Master Plan or Official Map or the requirements of this chapter, additional land along both sides of said street sufficient to conform to the right-of-way requirements shall be either dedicated or anticipated in the development design by creating oversized lots in a subdivision, as well as increased building setbacks to accommodate the widening at some future date. The additional widening may be offered to the Borough and, if offered, shall be expressed on the plat as follows: "Street right-of-way easement granted to the Borough of Washington." If the subdivision is along one side only, 1/2 of the required extra width shall be anticipated.
Local streets shall be designed to discourage through traffic, and grades shall not exceed 10%. On arterial and collector streets, grades shall not exceed 4%. The minimum grade shall be 0.5%. Maximum grades on any street within 100 feet of an intersection shall be 4%.
No local streets shall be part of a four-way intersection. Intersecting street center lines shall be as nearly at right angles as possible, and in no case shall they be less than 60°. No more than two street center lines shall meet or intersect at any one point. Collector and/or arterial streets intersecting another street from opposite sides shall either be directly opposite each other without offset or shall have at least 250 feet offset distance between center lines. Any development abutting an existing street which is classified as an arterial or collector street shall adhere as closely as possible to having no more than one new street every 800 feet on the same side of the street. Intersections shall be rounded at the curbline with the street having the highest radius requirement, as outlined below, determining the minimum standard for all curblines: arterial at 40 feet, collector at 30 feet, and local streets at 20 feet.
Curved streets shall have a radius conforming to standard engineering practice so that the minimum sight distance within the curbline shall be 160 feet for a local street, 300 feet for a collector street and 550 feet for an arterial street.
Changes in center-line grade where the algebraic difference (A) exceeds 1% shall be connected by a vertical curve having a length equal to 30A for local streets and 50A for collector or arterial streets.
Dead-end streets of a permanent nature (where its extension is impractical or impossible) or of a temporary nature (where provision is made for the future extension of the street) shall provide a turnaround at the end with a right-of-way radius of not less than 50 feet and a curbline radius of not less than 40 feet. The center point for the radius shall be on the center line of the associated street or, if offset, to a point where the curbline radius is tangent to the curbline of the approaching street.
If a dead-end street is temporary, provisions shall be made for removal of the turnaround and reversion of the excess right-of-way to the adjoining properties as an off-tract responsibility of the developer creating the street extension when the street is extended.
A dead-end street shall serve no more than 20 lots or exceed a length of 600 feet.
No street shall have a name which duplicates or nearly duplicates in spelling or phonetic sound the name of existing streets so as to be confused therewith. The continuation of an existing street shall have the same name. The names of new streets shall be approved by the approving authority.
All streets, together with curbs, gutters, sidewalks, street signs and appurtenances thereto, shall be constructed in accordance with the standards adopted by the Borough.
Residential swimming pools shall be installed only in the side or rear yard and only on lots containing a residence with a pool as an accessory use to the residence. The pool shall be no closer than five feet to a side or rear lot line. A pool and associated decks and raised patios and equipment and other accessory buildings and structures shall occupy no more than the equivalent of 25% of the yard area in which they are located.
Editor's Note: Former § 94-67, Temporary permits and certificates of occupancy, was repealed 11-8-1989 by Ord. No. 15-89.
No area providing required front, side or rear yard space for one building shall be considered as meeting the yard requirements of another. A lot with frontage on two or more streets, including a corner lot, shall have building setback from each street not less than the required front yard, with all other yards to be considered side yards. No more than 25% of a yard area in which an accessory use is located is to be occupied thereby.
Where water is accessible from a servicing utility, the developer shall arrange for a connection to the system to serve each use.
Systems shall not be used for displaying any advertising except for reasonable identification of the manufacture or operator of the system. In no case shall any identification be visible from a property line.
Systems shall not significantly impair a scenic vista or scenic corridor as identified in the Borough's Master Plan or other published source.
The natural grade of the lot shall not be changed to increase the elevation of any wind turbine or solar array.
Wires, cables and transmission lines running between an energy system and any other structure shall be installed underground.
All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment shall be secured to prevent unauthorized access.
The design shall, to the extent reasonably possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend the facility into the natural setting and existing environment.
Installation shall conform to the National Electric Code as adopted by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Installation is subject to all local electric company requirements for interconnection.
Wind energy systems shall not be artificially lit, except to the extent required by the FAA or other applicable authority.
Wind turbines shall be designed with an automatic brake or other similar device to prevent overspeeding and excessive pressure on the tower structure.
The blades on the wind turbine shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant material.

References: § 94

§ 94

§ 94

§ 94

§ 94

§ 94

§ 94

§ 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 94
 § 54
 § 94