Child day care centers shall be permitted by right in the ID Institutional district and as a special exception in SC Shopping Center district, C Commercial District and the LI Limited Industrial District.
(a) Child day care centers shall accommodate seven or more children, as defined in Chapter 1250.
(b) Where permitted in a given district, the child day care center may be part of a church, school or other institution. In all districts where permitted, the facility may be an independent use. These facilities are not permitted as part of a residence.
(c) Minimum lot size shall be not less than 750 square feet per child, and shall in no case be less than that required by the district in which the facility is located.
(d) Not less than 75 square feet of outdoor play area per child shall be provided, excluding parking areas, garage areas or other areas not suited for play.
(e) Not less than 40 square feet of indoor play area per child shall be provided, excluding bathrooms, hallways and other areas not suited for play.
(f) No day care center shall be placed closer than 750 feet from another day care center.
(g) A fence at least four feet high shall be placed around all outdoor play areas. Such fences must reach the ground to prevent children from crawling underneath.
(h) The Zoning Hearing Board may require planting and screening consistent with the character of uses adjacent to the facility.
(i) Outdoor play activities shall be limited to the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
(j) Signs shall comply with Chapter 1282.
(k) Parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 1284.
(l) Each facility shall be fully protected by smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
(m) Each facility shall provide for the discharge and pick up of children on a driveway, approved parking area or directly in front of the facility. In any case, the area selected for discharge and pick up must be free from traffic hazards to children.
(n) No part of a facility may be located within 300 feet of gasoline pumps or underground gasoline storage tanks or any other storage area for explosive materials.
(o) Each facility must hold an approved State Department of Public Welfare license and meet all current DPW regulations and any applicable state or local building and fire safety codes.
(p) Where the foregoing regulations differ from those of the State Department of Public Welfare, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
(q) A permit for operation shall be obtained from the township.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)