1. R-1 -Rural Residential District. This district is intended to encourage low density development in new single-family residential neighborhoods and to facilitate the orderly growth of existing developments. To maintain the community's rural character, minimum lot sizes, building setbacks and buffer requirements have been established. In order to create an appropriate residential atmosphere, compatible public and semipublic uses such as churches and recreational facilities are permitted in this district while industrial and commercial activities, with the exception of home occupations, are discouraged.
2. R-2 - Moderate Density Residential District. This district applies to areas within the Township that are or will be connected to public water and sewer and where higher density residential development already exists or could be located in the future without conflicting with other land uses. Densities may vary throughout this district, but a principal concern is to reserve adequate open space.
3. VC - Village Center District. The purpose of this district is to establish areas that can support basic neighborhood type residential and commercial uses, including small retail and service and repair shops, restaurants, office and service related establishments. Such uses are intended to encourage new small business activity that is compatible with the rural residential character of the Township's small village centers.
4. RRC - Rural Roadside Commercial District. This district is intended to provide low intensity commercial uses that are compatible with adjoining farmland, provided that buffer yard requirements are met. This use would be encouraged along Route 64 in the western end of the Township in order to provide commercial development opportunities while providing for adequate setbacks and other standards that will not impact negatively on the productive farmland.
5. GC - General Commercial District. The intent of this district is to provide space for commercial operations serving both Township residents and a broader regional market and to protect the character of residential and agricultural areas from large scale commercial development. Standards within this district are intended to minimize the interference of commercial operations with other uses in the vicinity, to minimize traffic hazards caused by poor access or inadequate carrying capacity of public roads, and to provide for off-street parking and loading.
6. LI - Light Industrial District. This district is intended to encourage construction and continued use of areas in the Township for general or light industrial and manufacturing purposes, including industrial parks. Regulations developed for this district prohibit uses or activities which would substantially interfere with the utilization of these areas for industrial purposes. However, reasonable standards are applied to minimize unenclosed storage areas and to ensure adequate buffer strips, or screening, between this district and all other adjoining districts.
7. AG - Agricultural District. The purpose of this district is to preserve and protect the practice of farming, emphasize the economic importance of farming to the community and the nation and ensure the preservation of prime soils for future generations. Limited residential and agricultural-related activities are permitted in this district; uses which would substantially interfere with agricultural enterprises are discouraged.
8. O/R. - Open Space and Recreation District. This district is intended to encourage the conservation of land in those areas where the terrain, environmentally sensitive lands and other important natural features would not be feasible for development or in the public interest. These areas are limited principally to seasonal uses, recreational, forestry related activities and similar types of activities that will not significantly change the character of this environment.
9. HI - Highway Interchange District. The purpose of this district is to provide an area for commercial development keyed to the major interstate road network, represented by intersecting I-80 and Route 220. Reasonable limitations are needed, however, in terms of height, scale density and open space to assure compatibility with surrounding farm land and woodland areas. The intent would also be to ensure an attractive entrance to the Township at this highway interchange to encourage travel related businesses to locate nearby.
(Ord. 3/9/1993B, § 201)