Source: https://ecode360.com/31084579
Timestamp: 2020-08-04 09:00:40
Document Index: 115139700

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', 'art 8', '§ 800', '§ 801', '§ 802', '§ 803', '§ 804', 'art 9']

Township of Ross, PA ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
Ch 27 Pt 8 ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
§ 27-801 Establishment of Zoning Districts.
§ 27-802 Ross Township Zoning Map.
§ 27-803 Land Annexed or Otherwise Acquired.
§ 27-804 Statement of Purpose for the Zoning Districts.
§ 27-805 Transitional Uses.
Part 8 ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
An interactive zoning map, complete with districts, is available online.
[Ord. 2035, 12/9/2002, § 800; as amended by Ord. No. 2400, 7/17/2017]
In order to carry out the stated purpose of this chapter, the Township is hereby divided into zoning districts as shown on the Official Zoning Map and designated as follows:
One-Family District
One- and Two-Family District
One- and Two-Family and Townhouse District
Multi-Family District
Community Commercial District
General Commercial/Light Industrial District
Transportation Overlay District
Rochester Road/Lowries Run Conservation Corridor Overlay District
Mixed Use Overlay District
[Ord. 2035, 12/9/2002, § 801; as amended by Ord. 2288, 4/12/2010]
The locations and boundaries of the areas classified within each of these zoning districts are set forth on the Zoning Map attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference, and adopted at the time of enactment of this chapter. All notations, references, explanatory matter and other information on the Zoning Map are adopted and incorporated herein by this reference. The Zoning Map shall be kept on file for public inspection in the Zoning Officer's office of the Township.
The Zoning Map is amended by the addition of a Transportation Overlay Map, attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "A,"[1] which shows the boundaries of the study area and the initial Transportation Overlay District.
Editor's Note: The Transportation Overlay District Map, Exhibit A, is on display in the Zoning and Building Department of Ross Township.
The Zoning Map is amended by the addition of the Rochester Road/Lowries Run Conservation Corridor Overlay District Map, attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "B,"[2] which shows the boundaries of the study area and the initial Transportation Overlay District.
Editor's Note: The Rochester Road/Lowries Run Conservation Corridor Overlay District Map, Exhibit B, is on display in the Zoning and Building Department of Ross Township.
[Ord. 2035, 12/9/2002, § 802]
All land annexed to, or otherwise acquired for, the Township after the effective date of this chapter, shall be automatically classified as an R-1, One-Family District, and shall remain so classified until a zoning plan for the annexed or acquired areas has been adopted by the Township Commissioners. The Planning Commission shall recommend to the Board of Commissioners appropriate zoning for the annexed area within 90 days of the effective date of such annexation or acquisition.
[Ord. 2035, 12/9/2002, § 803; as amended by Ord. 2288, 4/12/2010]
One- and Two-Family and Townhouse Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3). It is the purpose of these districts to provide for low density residential development in areas where such density now exists, and in additional areas to protect the natural resources and the environmentally sensitive areas.
Multi-Family Residential Districts (R-4, R-5). It is the purpose of these districts to provide a wide range of higher intensity development in portions of the Township with convenient and adequate access to the commercial and light industrial zones and major transportation thoroughfares.
Regional Commercial Districts (C-1). It is the purpose of these districts to allow an admixture of higher intensity commercial and residential uses, both reflecting existing land use patterns and projecting future development.
Community Commercial District (C-2). It is the purpose of this district to allow an admixture of medium intensity commercial and residential uses, both reflecting existing land use patterns and projecting future development.
Neighborhood Commercial District (C-3). It is the purpose of this district to allow an admixture of low intensity commercial and residential uses both reflecting existing land use patterns and projecting future development.
General Commercial-Light Industrial District (I-1). It is the purpose of this district, in keeping with the existing character of the Township and the projected development to encourage quality light industrial and general commercial development in and around the main thoroughfares, which development will relate to the adjacent residential areas in a positive way.
Transportation Overlay District. (TD-1). It is the purpose of this overlay district, to monitor development, expansion, change in use within the TD-1 in order to insure that any development, expansion, change in use within the overlay does not create anymore than the traffic capacity assigned to the lot notwithstanding the fact that the development, expansion or change in use would be permitted in the underlying district.
Rochester Road/Lowries Run Conservation Corridor Overlay District (RLD-1). It is the purpose of this overlay district to promote the preservation and retention of open spaces; promote the use of coordinated pedestrian paths, street lighting, signs, street trees, landscaping and screened parking areas which encourages the development of a "country village atmosphere," promote the use of flexible and innovative residential development design concepts that preserve and incorporate the unique natural features of the site into the design processes; and to preserve the existing "country atmosphere" of the corridor area.
[Ord. 2035, 12/9/2002, § 804]
When a property of one zoning designation, as indicated on the Official Zoning Map, is located in such a way that any of the property lines directly abut another zoning district, the uses in that abutting zoning district may be permitted as a conditional use with the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approval of the Board of Commissioners.
The criteria established for each use in each zoning district shall apply unless modified by the conditions, safeguards, standards and criteria set forth in this section.
Buffer Area. Developments shall have a minimum buffer area established around the entire perimeter of the property of 35 feet; provided, however, that when the maximum natural ground surface slope, perpendicular to and within 100 feet of the perimeter, at any point on the perimeter is greater than 10%, the width of the buffer area shall be increased by one foot for each 1% increase in grade in excess of 10%; and, provided further, in the case of small or irregular properties, where the minimum buffer area prescribed as aforesaid would create a special hardship the Board of Commissioners, after receiving the recommendation of the Planning Commission, may reduce such minimum buffer area or eliminate it in its entirety, in its sole discretion. The buffer area shall be preserved in its natural state; provided, however, that additional planting and screening may be required. Vehicular and pedestrian access to the development through the buffer area shall be so constructed as to minimally disturb said buffer area.
Height. The maximum building height authorized in the zoning district in which the property is located shall not be exceeded; provided, however, that where two districts abut, the lesser authorized building height shall prevail.
Signage. No sign or other advertising device shall be authorized on the sides, roof or rear of any building or structure.
In evaluating whether to authorize any of the uses referred to in Part 9 of this chapter, the Board of Commissioners shall determine that the proposed use will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, nor substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property or properties, nor be detrimental to the public welfare. In the course of its evaluation, the Board of Commissioners shall consider, among other things, the effect and overall compatibility of the proposed use from the standpoint of:
The density of population.
The height, size, shape and location of proposed buildings and other structures.
The adequacy and location of off-street parking facilities.
The potential for increased traffic conditions.
The existence and location of natural and artificial buffering facilities including, screen planting.
The proposed method of treatment of any facilities to be located on a roof or portion thereof, or anywhere on or about the exterior facade of the proposed buildings and other structures.
Lighting (including type, source, magnitude, exposure angle and location).
Odors and noise.
Signs and other display devices.
In granting its approval for a specific use, the Board of Commissioners shall impose such reasonable conditions and safeguards, in addition to those otherwise specified in this chapter or incorporated herein by reference, as it may deem necessary to protect and preserve the appropriate use or development of adjacent property or properties; to protect and advance the public welfare; and to promote and foster the development of the Township in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan. The Board of Commissioners may require that such conditions and safeguards be incorporated in a plan of lots or other appropriate recordable form and filed in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Allegheny County. Each situation shall be deemed to be separate and individual, and the decision made by the Board of Commissioners shall apply only to the case in point and shall in no way be construed to establish precedent.
Additional Requirements to be Submitted with Application.
The site plan shall indicate all property lines and location of existing structures adjacent to and abutting the proposed development to a depth of 200 feet.
The applicant shall provide photographs of the present site and the surrounding contiguous area to a depth of 200 feet.
Floor plans and elevations (not to be considered to require working drawings or construction drawings) and perspectives or models showing the bulk of the proposed buildings or structures shall also be provided. The elevations or perspectives shall identify the major materials on the exterior of the proposed buildings and other structures.
Upon request by the Planning Commission or Board of Commissioners, the applicant shall furnish by affidavit concerning features and effects of the proposed use upon the adjacent properties and the surrounding neighborhood.