1. Intent. The Conservation (C) Zoning District is established to protect Marysville’s most sensitive environmental areas. The Conservation Zoning District applies to lands identified in the Borough’s Comprehensive Plan as having severe limitations based on their slope, vegetative, historic, physiographic, geologic, hydrologic and soil characteristics. The district is intended to support policies established in the Comprehensive Plan for lands to be preserved for conservation by discouraging inappropriate urban land uses and development in these areas and maintaining open areas and appropriate low-intensity land uses. This Zoning District identifies these sensitive lands and distinguishes them from other areas in the township, which are identified in the Comprehensive Plan as appropriate for urban land uses.
2. Uses by Right. The following uses, buildings or structures are permitted by right within the Conservation District:
A. Conservation areas or structures for the conservation of open space, water, soil or wildlife or plant resources.
B. Pedestrian, hiking, horse or bicycle trails.
C. Game farm, such as deer, pheasant or other small animals; not involving a structure or structures.
D. Hunting or trapping.
E. Forestry.
F. Passive recreation.
G. Wildlife propagation and management.
H. Wildlife sanctuaries.
I. Public and private recreational areas.
J. Public utilities and facilities, excluding personal wireless service facilities, in accordance with § 27-1110.
K. Any use determined by the Zoning Officer to be of the same general character as the above listed permitted uses.
3. Uses Permitted by Conditional Use. The following uses, buildings or structures are permitted by conditional use when approval is granted by the Borough Council in accordance with Chapter 27, §§ 27-912 and 27-1115 through 27-1118:
A. Nurseries or tree farms in accordance with § 27-1116.
B. Open space developments in accordance with § 27-1115.
C. Primitive campgrounds in accordance with § 27-1117.
D. Single-family detached dwellings on existing lots of record in existence prior to January 13, 2005, the effective date of this Section in accordance with § 27-1118.
4. Accessory Permitted Uses, Buildings or Structures. Accessory uses, buildings or structures incidental to the principal permitted uses are permitted if located on the same lot except:
A. Storage buildings in accordance with § 27-802.2 shall be limited to 400 square feet.
B. Private antenna towers shall not exceed 50 feet in height.
C. Accessory buildings, structures or uses on land with 15% slope or greater shall not exceed a maximum impervious coverage of 5%.
5. Height Regulations. The height of a principal building shall not be more than 35 feet.
6. Lot Area Regulations. The minimum lot area shall be as listed below, except as modified by § 27-1115.
A. Property with a 0-7.99% slope - 2.5 acres.
B. Property with 8-14.99% slope on 50% or more of the site - 5 acres.
C. Property with 15-24.99% slope on 50% or more of the site - 10 acres.
D. Property greater than 25% slope on more than 50% of the site, single-family dwelling(s) shall be prohibited.
7. Lot Width. At the required minimum front building setback line, the lot width shall be a minimum of 200 feet.
8. Yard Regulations. Each lot shall have front, side and rear yards of not less than the depth and width indicated below:
A. Front yard - 50 feet.
B. Side yard - 40 feet on each side. On a corner lot, the side yard abutting the street shall not be less than 50 feet.
C. Rear yard- 50 feet.
9. Coverage Regulations. Impervious surfaces coverage shall not be more than 10%.
10. Woodland Preservation Requirements. In existing wooded areas (as of effective date of this Section) at least 80% of the number of trees of a minimum trunk caliber of 6 inches measured 4½ feet above the ground that currently exist shall be maintained or replaced immediately following construction and prior to occupancy. Replacement trees shall be a minimum of 2 inches in diameter measured at a height of 4½ feet above the finished grade. Only those areas necessary for the construction of buildings, structures and other uses for which a zoning permit has been issued shall be cleared of existing woodland.
11. Disturbed Area. No more than 33% of the total lot area shall be disturbed during construction.
12. Roofs and Exterior Finishes. Roofs and exterior finishes on structures shall be of a color that blends in with the natural environment.
(Ord. 462, 8/14/1995, §406; as amended by Ord. 560, 6/13/2005)