Part 4
R-1 Low Density Residential District

§27-401 Purpose of District.

The purpose of the R-1 Low Density Residential District is to:

A.    Preserve the predominantly residential atmosphere where single-family and semidetached homes dominate, such that a high level of dwelling quality continues to exist.

B.    Preserve spacious lawns and open space for landscaping or other uses.

C.    Provide for the orderly expansion of low density residential development.

D.    Exclude uses not compatible with such low density residential development.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-16)

§27-402 Permitted Uses.

Permitted uses in the R-1 Low Density Residential District are as follows:

A.    Dwellings, single-family.

B.    Dwellings, two-family.

C.    Private swimming pools.

D.    Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to the above uses.

E.    No impact home-based businesses. [Ord. 841]

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-17; as amended by Ord. 841, 10/7/2019, §3(B))

§27-403 Conditional Uses.

Conditional uses in the R-1 Low Density Residential District are as follows:

A.    Churches.

B.    Public schools.

C.    Other appropriate public uses and essential services.

D.    Townhouses, subject to conditional use requirements and §27-408.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-18)

§27-404 Special Exception Uses.

Special exception uses in the R-1 Low Density Residential District are as follows:

A.    Conversions of existing buildings to any permitted use, or special exception uses in paragraph .C or .D, provided that all regulations pertaining to conversions are met. See §27-1317.

B.    Home occupations, provided that no facade shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being utilized for any purpose other than that which is permitted by right in this Chapter.

C.    Office combined with residence, provided that no more than two employees are employed.

D.    Professional offices, provided that the limitations set forth in Part 6 pertaining to professional offices are met.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-19)

§27-405 Height Regulations.

The height of all buildings shall be not greater than 40 feet.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-20)

§27-406 Area and Bulk Regulations.

Area and bulk regulations in the R-1 Low Density Residential District are as follows:

A.    Dwelling, Single-Family.

(1)    Minimum lot size–12,000 square feet.

(2)    Minimum lot width–80 feet.

(3)    Minimum any one side yard setback–10 feet.

(4)    Minimum aggregate side yard setback–20 feet.

(5)    Minimum front yard setback–35 feet.

(6)    Minimum rear yard setback–30 feet.

(7)    Maximum impervious coverage–25 percent.

B.    Dwelling, Two-Family.

(1)    Minimum lot size per unit–10,000 square feet.

(2)    Minimum lot width–100 feet.

(3)    Minimum any one side yard setback–15 feet.

(4)    Minimum aggregate side yard setback–30 feet.

(5)    Minimum front yard setback–35 feet.

(6)    Minimum rear yard setback–20 feet.

(7)    Maximum impervious coverage–30 percent.

C.    Townhouses.

(1)    Minimum lot size for initial three dwelling units–23,600 square feet with at least 3,600 square feet of lot area for each additional dwelling unit. [Ord. 652]

(2)    Minimum lot width per structure–140 feet.

(3)    Minimum lot depth–100 feet.

(4)    Minimum side yard setback–20 feet.

(5)    Minimum front yard setback–35 feet.

(6)    Minimum rear yard setback–30 feet.

(7)    Maximum impervious coverage–55 percent.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-21; as amended by Ord. 652, 4/15/1996, §3(b))

§27-407 Yard Regulations.

Yard regulations in the R-1 Low Density Residential District are as follows:

A.    Accessory uses–§27-1310.

B.    On each corner lot there shall be two front yards, each abutting a street.

C.    There shall be a minimum distance between all principal buildings of 15 feet. [Ord. 604]

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-22; as amended by Ord. 604, 5/7/1990, §I)

§27-408 Townhouse Design Standards.

1.    Each townhouse dwelling unit shall incorporate varied architectural modes and setbacks and shall contain not less than three nor more than eight dwelling units joined by a common wall.

2.    An overall structure of attached dwelling units shall not be permitted with one common roofline or with equal front and rear yard setbacks for all dwelling units. Similarly, the appearance of the front and rear wall of the building shall have a distinction between dwelling units by varying the unit width or height by providing different exterior materials on the facade or by changing the roof lines. Setbacks shall vary from every dwelling unit to the next so that every two units are offset from the adjoining units by a minimum of 2 feet front and rear.

3.    If topographical or other barriers do not provide adequate privacy for existing uses adjacent to the townhouse development, structures located on the perimeter must be set back a distance sufficient to protect the privacy and amenity of adjacent uses or be permanently screened to the approval of the Planning Commission. Buffer areas consisting of hedges, evergreens or other suitable plantings may be required to sufficiently constitute an effective screen.

4.    All townhouse development is subject to the provisions of the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-23)