Part 7
RSP Residential Semipublic District

§27-701 Purpose of District.

The purpose of the RSP District is to:

A.    Provide for the orderly development of semipublic uses while protecting, preserving and providing for the orderly development of low density residential areas.

B.    Provide for semipublic uses as permitted, conditional or special exception uses, thus ensuring their proper location and development while protecting neighboring residential uses.

C.    Exclude those uses not compatible with such development.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.2)

§27-702 Permitted Uses.

Permitted uses in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    Single-family dwellings.

B.    Two-family dwellings.

C.    Private swimming pools.

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

E.    New semipublic uses or conversion to semipublic uses, except for multi-family housing, housing for the elderly or nursing homes, where the structures are more than 75 feet from the principal building of the nearest private residential use, provided that all zoning regulations pertaining to the new use are met.

F.    Conversions of semipublic uses to single- or two-family dwellings or from other residential uses to single- or two-family dwellings, provided that all zoning regulations pertaining to conversions are met.

G.    Conversions of university owned residential uses to semipublic uses so long as the semipublic uses existed in that structure within the previous 3 years and the conversion otherwise meets current zoning requirements.

H.    Semipublic uses existing on the date of adoption of this Chapter, where the structures are more than 45 feet from the principal building of the nearest private residential use.

I.    Dormitories, fraternities and sororities, provided that they are at least 200 feet set back from the center line of University Avenue, Pine Street or Sassafras Street, whichever is closer.

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

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.3; as amended by Ord. 841, 10/7/2019, §3(E))

§27-703 Special Exception Uses.

Special exception uses shall be as follows:

A.    Rooming houses, provided that not more than four rooms of a residence are used for such purposes.

B.    Business or professional office buildings or conversions to business or professional office buildings, to be used only for the administrative functions of companies, corporations, social or philanthropic organizations or societies, educational institutions and offices of accountants, architects, brokers, engineers, lawyers and compatible professions.

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

D.    Conversions of residential uses to semipublic uses, or conversions of semipublic uses to other semipublic uses, where they are not permitted by §27-702.E, provided that all zoning regulations pertaining to conversions and zoning regulations pertaining to the new use are met.

E.    Professional offices.

F.    New semipublic uses where structures are less than 75 feet from the principal building of the nearest private residential use.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.4)

§27-704 Conditional Uses.

Conditional uses (see §27-1610) in the RSP District shall be as follows:

A.    Public uses and essential services.

B.    Public schools.

C.    Dormitories, fraternities and sororities when they are less than 200 feet set back from the center line of University Avenue, Pine Street, Sassafras Street or 18th Street, whichever is closer.

D.    Semipublic multi-family housing.

E.    Semipublic housing for the elderly.

F.    Semipublic nursing homes.

G.    Other semipublic uses.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.5; as amended by Ord. 789, 3/7/2011, §3(a))

§27-705 Area, Bulk and Density Regulations.

1.    Area and bulk regulations for the construction of new semipublic uses, except for nursing homes, multi-family housing and elderly housing in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    Minimum lot size–10,000 square feet.

B.    Minimum lot width–100 feet.

C.    Minimum side yard setback–20 feet.*

D.    Minimum front yard setback–30 feet.*

E.    Minimum rear yard setback–30 feet.*

F.    Maximum impervious coverage–55 percent.

G.    Height–three stories or 40 feet maximum.

*Note: Except for fraternities, sororities or dormitories which are more than 200 feet from the center line of University Avenue, Pine Street or Sassafras Street, where the minimum setback from any residential lot line shall be 100 feet.)

2.    Area and bulk regulations for the construction of new elderly housing, multi-family housing and nursing homes in the RSP District shall conform to the regulations of §§27-605, 27-606.D and .E, 27-1315, 27-1316 and 27-1401.

3.    Area and bulk regulations for private residential dwellings in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    Single-family dwellings shall conform to the regulations in §27-606.A and 27-1401.

B.    Two-family dwellings shall conform to the regulations in §27-606.B and 27-1401.

4.    Area and bulk regulations for conversions in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    Conversions to single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, businesses or professional offices: See §27-1317.

B.    Conversions to semipublic uses shall meet 75 percent of the requirements listed in subsection .1 above for new semipublic uses.

5.    Density regulations for semipublic uses in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    Semipublic uses within 200 feet of the center line of University Avenue, Pine Street or Sassafras Street–a minimum of 175 square feet of the habitable floor area per student.

B.    Semipublic uses further than 200 feet from the center line of University Avenue, Pine Street or Sassafras Street–a minimum of 120 square feet of habitable floor area per student.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.6)

§27-706 Yard Regulations.

Yard regulations in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    Accessory buildings–see §27-1310.

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

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.7)

§27-707 Screening Requirements.

Screening requirements in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    See §27-1314.

B.    All new semipublic uses or conversions to semipublic uses shall be screened from any abutting zone or private residential property.

C.    All semipublic use parking lots shall be screened from any abutting zone or private residential property.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.8)

§27-708 Off-Street Parking.

Off-street parking regulations in the RSP District are as follows:

A.    For university housing within 200 feet of University Avenue, Pine Street or Sassafras Street, there shall be one off-street parking space developed for each three beds, plus space for one dditional parking space for each three beds, to be developed if necessary. For new construction or conversions, the total number of parking spaces shall be based on the maximum housing capacity of the house as stipulated in §27-705.4. The maximum number of parking spaces which may be required two spaces for each three beds must be shown on all plans, although only the minimum number of parking spaces [one space for each three beds must be developed. After the residences are occupied, the Zoning Hearing Board, upon recommendation of the Zoning Officer or the Borough Council, may order such additional off-street parking spaces to be developed, up to the required two spaces for each three beds, as is necessary. For development of parking spaces, see §27-1403.

B.    All other uses–see Part 14.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-37.9)