(A) Lot area and lot width.
(1) Minimum lot area: 50,000 square feet, except ten acres for any lot that is beyond the number of lots allowed under division (E) below.
(2) Maximum lot area:
(a) For a single-family detached dwelling that is not on a principal agricultural lot, two acres maximum lot area;
(b) The maximum lot area shall not apply if the applicant can demonstrate by credible evidence that the area proposed for the lot:
1. Does not include more than two acres of Class I, II and/or III soils, as identified in official federal soils mapping or a more accurate professional study; or
2. Where additional lot area is needed to improve septic or water supply facilities for the lot, in the determination of the Sewage Enforcement Officer.
(c) The largest amount of Class I, II and III agricultural soils that is feasible shall be included on one principal agricultural lot.
(3) Minimum lot width: 150 feet.
(B) Minimum yards for principal and accessory buildings. Minimum yards for principal and accessory buildings, except for animal husbandry, the regulations provided in § 155.073 for such use shall apply.
(1) Front: 35 feet.
(2) Each of two sides: 15 feet.
(3) Rear: 30 feet.
(4) A smaller setback may be allowed for accessory buildings under § 155.075(C).
(5) The minimum lot width may be met at the proposed principal building setback line instead of the minimum building setback line if the applicant proves that such modification would result in a greater amount of preservation of agricultural land than would otherwise occur. This may allow a minimum 20 feet wide extension of a lot including a driveway between the bulk of the lot and a street. This provision applies in place of the limitations on flag lots in the subdivision and land development ordinance.
(C) Maximum impervious coverage. 50%.
(D) Maximum height. Three stories or 40 feet, whichever is more restrictive. No maximum height shall apply to agricultural structures.
(E) Limitations on subdivision and land development in the AC District.
(1) To preserve agricultural tracts, the AC District regulations limit the subdivision of lots from farms and establishes a maximum lot size to allow the retention of tracts of sufficient size to be productive for agriculture. This section is based upon § 604(3) and other provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, being 53 P.S. § 10604(3).
(2) Each tract existing on March 18, 2010 shall be permitted to subdivide new lots from the tract or establish new principal uses on the tract based upon the lot area of the tract as it existed on March 18, 2010, as follows:
Lot Area (Acres) | Number of Total Lots Of Less than 15 Acres Which May Result (including the existing/remainder lot): |
Lot Area (Acres) | Number of Total Lots Of Less than 15 Acres Which May Result (including the existing/remainder lot): |
At least 2.6 less than 10 | 2 |
At least 10 less than 20 | 3 |
At least 20 less than 30 | 4 |
At least 30 less than 40 | 5 |
At least 40 less than 50 | 6 |
At least 50 less than 60 | 7 |
At least 70 | 8, plus 1 lot for every 10 acres over 80 acres |
(3) The condition of the tract on March 18, 2010, or on the date on which the tract was first zoned AC District, shall be the basis from which the maximum development set forth in this division (E) above shall be calculated.
(4) No subdivision shall be permitted which shall increase the lot size of a lot used for residential purposes in excess of the maximum lot size, except as provided in division (E)(2) above.
(5) A subdivision, the sole purpose of which is to transfer land to increase the size of a tract
being used for agricultural purposes, where both the tract from which the land is taken and the tract to which the land is added will be 20 acres or greater after such subdivision, shall not be included when computing the permissible number of lots to be subdivided from a tract as set forth in division (E)(2) above.
(6) A subdivision to create a lot which will be transferred to the township, or a municipal authority created by the township, or that is deed restricted or restricted by a conservation easement so that the lot can never be used for a principal use shall not be included when computing the permissible number of lots to be subdivided from a tract as set forth in division (E)(2) above. For example, if a lot is created solely for the purposes of stormwater management or a water supply well, it shall not be limited by division (E)(2) above.
(7) Any subdivision or land development plan hereafter filed with the applicable approving body for subdivision or land development of a parent tract shall specify which lot or lots shall carry with it a right of further subdivision or establishment of principal uses, if any such right remains from the quota allocated to the parent tract on March 18, 2010, or on the date when such land was first included within the AC District. The right of further subdivision or establishment of principal uses shall also be included in the deed for the newly-created lot. If the designation of the right of further subdivision or establishment of principal uses was not included on a subdivision or land development plan of a parent tract, it shall be conclusively presumed that the largest lot remaining after subdivision shall carry the right of further subdivision or establishment of principal uses.
(8) In the event that a tract which was not classified as part of the AC District on March 18, 2010, or was thereafter classified as part of the AC District, the size and ownership of the tract and the development existing on the tract on the effective date of the change in zoning classification shall determine the number of lots which may be subdivided from, or the number of principal uses which may be established on such tract.
(9) The number of lots which may be created or principal uses which may be established shall be fixed according to the size of the parent tract. This number shall not be increased by the subdivision of such parent tract. Any subsequent owner of a parent tract, land remaining in the parent tract after subdivision or land which was formerly part of a parent tract shall be bound by the actions of his or her predecessor.
(10) In submitting an application for a subdivision/land development for a dwelling unit within the AC District, the applicant shall demonstrate that measures have been used to:
(a) Minimize the loss of valuable farmland;
(b) Cluster residential lots on the subject property and, if applicable, with those lots contained on adjoining farms;
(c) Minimize the length of property lines shared by all residential lots and adjoining farms;
(d) Assure adequate vehicular access to future residences not currently proposed; and
(e) Assure that the proposed plan can comply with the township’s subdivision and land development ordinance.
(11) Agricultural nuisance disclaimer: the following notice, or similar text pre-approved by the township, is required to be placed on every deed of any new lot that is created within the AC District, and such notice shall be disclosed to any buyer of such a lot prior to sale: