1. Block Layout.
A. The length, width and shape of blocks shall be determined with due regard to:
(1) Provisions of adequate sites for buildings of the type proposed;
(2) Township zoning requirements;
(3) Topography;
(4) Requirements for safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including the reduction of intersections with arterial streets.
2. Block Length.
A. Residential blocks shall ordinarily be no less than 500 feet in length and no more than 1,800 feet in length.
B. In the design of blocks longer than 1,000 feet, special consideration shall be given to the requirements of satisfactory fire protection.
C. Where practicable, blocks along arterial and collector streets shall not be less than 1,000 feet long.
3. Block Depth.
A. Single family residential blocks shall be of sufficient depth to accommodate two tiers of lots, except:
(1) Where reverse frontage lots are required; or
(2) Where prevented by the size, topographical conditions or other inherent conditions of property, in which case the Township Planning Commission and Township Council may approve a single tier of lots.
4. Commercial and Industrial Blocks. Blocks in commercial, industrial, multifamily and planned residential developments may vary from the elements of design detailed above if required by the nature of the use. In all cases, however, adequate provision shall be made for traffic and pedestrian circulation, off-street parking, and loading areas.
5. General Lot Design Standards.
A. In accordance with the requirements of the Hanover Township Zoning Chapter, the size, shape, and orientation of lots shall be appropriate for the type of development and use contemplated.
B. Insofar as practical, side lot lines shall be at right angles to straight street lines or radial to curved street lines.
C. Where feasible, lot lines shall follow Township boundaries rather than cross them, in order to avoid jurisdictional problems.
D. Generally, the depth of residential lots shall be not less than one nor more than three times their width.
E. Depth and width of parcels intended for non-residential uses shall be adequate for the use proposed and sufficient to provide satisfactory space for on-site parking, loading and unloading, setbacks, and landscaping.
F. If, after subdividing, there exist remnants of land, they shall be either:
(1) Incorporated into existing or proposed lots, or
(2) Legally dedicated to public use, if acceptable to the Township.
6. Lot Frontage.
A. All lots shall have direct access to an existing or proposed public street or to a private street if it meets the Street Design Requirements of this Chapter.
B. Double or reverse frontage lots may be required to provide separation of residential development from arterial streets or to overcome specific disadvantages of topography or other natural features of the proposed subdivision tract.
C. All residential reverse frontage lots shall have a rear yard with a minimum depth of 75 feet, measured along the shortest distance from the proposed dwelling unit to the ultimate right-of-way and shall, within such rear yard and immediately adjacent to the right-of-way, have a planting screen easement of at least 10 feet in width, across which there shall be no right of access.
7. Lot Access.
A. Residential lots having direct access to an arterial street shall be avoided whenever possible. Where direct access to an arterial street cannot be avoided, adequate turn around space shall be provided behind the right-of-way line.
B. Where access is permitted to a state road or highway, authorization from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation must be proven by the display of a valid highway occupancy permit. Driveways to single family residences shall intersect streets at angles of no less than 60 degrees. All other driveways or access roads shall intersect streets at right angles, where practicable, and in no case less than 75 degrees.
C. Widths of access roads or driveways shall be in accordance with the following standards:
(1) Access roads for multi-family residential, mobile home parks and most non-residential subdivisions shall be no less than 20 feet in width, shall not exceed 40 feet in width at the street line and shall be clearly defined by use of curbing;
(2) Driveways for single family residential subdivisions shall be no less than 10 feet in width but shall not exceed 20 feet in width at the street line.
(3) Access roads and driveways for large volume traffic generators shall be of a width acceptable to the Township Engineer and Township Council, or to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, as the case may require.
D. To provide save and convenient ingress and egress, access road and driveway entrances shall be rounded at the following minimum radii:
(1) Access road entrances for multi-family residential developments, mobile home parks, and most non-residential subdivisions shall be rounded at a minimum radius of 10 feet; or at a radius determined by the Township Engineer, or the PennDOT where such approval is required for large traffic generators.
(2) Driveway entrances for single family residential subdivision shall be rounded at a minimum radius of 5 feet.
E. Access road grades or driveway grades shall not exceed the following grades within 50 feet of intersection with the street:
(1) Seven percent when access is to an arterial street;
(2) Ten percent when access is to a collector or local street.
F. The centerline of an access road or driveway at the point of access to a street shall not be located closer to a street intersection than the following distances:
(1) Fifty feet for single-family residential units.
(2) For multi-family residential developments, mobile home parks, and all non-residential subdivisions:
(a) One hundred fifty feet if either street is an arterial street;
(b) One hundred feet if either street is a collector street;
(c) Fifty feet if both streets are local streets.
(3) The centerline of an access road or a driveway shall not intersect a street within 400 feet of an interchange with a limited access highway.
(Ord. 52, Art. S-420, 3/8/78)