Article 7
Residential Forest District (RF)

§14-701 Purpose.

The regulations of the Residential Forest District are designed to allow limited residential development at low densities in predominantly wooded or forested areas. It is recognized that this district contains ecologically sensitive land, which needs regulation to protect and preserve its environmental integrity for future generations.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §700)

§14-702 Permitted Uses.

1.    Conservation areas and structures for the conservation of open space, water, soil, forest, and wildlife resources.

2.    Park and recreation areas and forest preserves.

3.    Single-family dwellings.

4.    Home occupations, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2612 of this Chapter.

5.    Customary accessory uses and buildings incidental to any of the above permitted uses as provided for in Article 22 of this Chapter.

6.    Forestry activities, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2220 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §701)

§14-703 Conditional Uses.

Upon approval by Borough Council, the following conditional uses are permitted, provided the use complies with the conditions listed herein and the applicable requirements specified in Article 26 of this Chapter:

A.    Golf courses, country clubs, and semi-public or private recreation areas and structures operated by membership clubs solely for the benefit of their members and not for gain, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2618 of this Chapter.

B.    Riding academies, public or private stables, provided that no building in which animals are kept (e.g., barn, stable, shed, shelter, etc.) and no animal training ring or other enclosure which concentrates animals shall be located within 100 feet of any lot line or road right-of-way.

C.    Family day care homes, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2607 of this Chapter.

D.    Group day care homes, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2608 of this Chapter.

E.    Group family dwellings, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2606 of this Chapter.

F.    Day care centers, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2609 of this Chapter.

G.    Guest homes subject, to the conditions listed in §14-2610 of this Chapter.

H.    Home businesses, subject to the conditions listed in §14-2612 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §702)

§14-704 Lot Area, Building Height, and Yard Requirements.

A lot width, lot area, lot coverage, yard setback, and building height requirement of not less than the dimensions shown in the following table, unless otherwise specified heretofore in this Section, §14-703, or elsewhere in this Chapter shall be provided for every dwelling unit and/or principal nonresidential building or use erected, altered, or established in this district.

A. District Requirements.

 

Lot Requirements

Yard Requirements

Min. Lot Area

Min. Lot Width

Max. Lot Coverage

Each

Use

Front

Side

Rear

All Permitted Uses

 

 

If landscape has slope in excess of 15% - also see Article 20 of this Chapter.

Nonresidential building or single-family detached1

2.4 acres

250 ft.

10%

75 ft.

50 ft.

75 ft.

1 Maximum gross residential density is one dwelling unit for every 2.4 acres - see lot averaging regulations in §14-2206.

B.    No building shall exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less, unless authorized as a special exception.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §703)

§14-705 Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements.

Off-street parking shall be provided for in accordance with Article 24 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §704)

§14-706 Signs and Advertising Structures.

Signs shall be permitted in accordance with Article 25 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §705)

§14-707 Supplementary District Regulations.

The supplementary district regulations in Article 22 shall apply, where applicable, as additional requirements for this district.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §706)

§14-708 Environmental Improvements and Energy Conservation Requirements.

The environmental and energy requirements in Article 23 shall apply, where applicable, as additional requirements for this district. In addition to compliance with the requirements of Article 23, the following shall be met for this district:

A.    In order to preserve forested land and to assure the environmental conservation of the district, on lots with existing tree crown cover of 50 percent or greater on June 11, 2001, the overall lot area and each individual property shall preserve sufficient mature trees to maintain 50 percent tree crown cover, over the area, for shade and buffer purposes. Where existing trees must be removed for development of the property (lot), the proposed development activity shall incorporate a reforestation plan to achieve the 50 percent tree cover.

B.    Removal of trees, shrubs, and other vegetative cover (excluding noxious weeds and plants as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture) shall be limited to 50 percent of the site, to prevent erosion and destruction of the natural forested habitat.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §707)