Borough of New Hope issued the following announcement on Feb. 24.
You can read this notice, the proposed ordinance and map as a PDF by clicking here.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Hope Borough (“Borough”) Council (“Council”) during its regularly scheduled meeting to be held on March 15, at 7:00 p.m., at the New Hope Borough Community Room, 125 New Street, New Hope, PA 18938, will hold a public hearing on and will consider for enactment, an ordinance (“Ordinance”) which amends a portion of Article II (Definitions) and Article V (Zoning District Regulations) of the Borough Code pertaining to zoning. The Ordinance to be considered and acted upon is titled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF NEW HOPE, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE NEW HOPE BOROUGH ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II (DEFINITIONS) AND ARTICLE V (ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS) OF NEW HOPE BOROUGH’S ZONING ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE A DEFINITION OF “BUILDING FOOTPRINT” AND TO REMOVE THE RB – BOROUGH RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (275-29) AND REPLACE THIS WITH RB-1 – BOROUGH RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT (275-29) AND ADD THE RB-2 BOROUGH RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT (275-29.1). THE ZONING MAP IS BEING REVISED TO DEFINE THE TWO ZONING DISTRICTS.
The public hearing will be held for the purpose of receiving comments and recommendations of interested individuals residing within the Borough concerning the proposed Ordinance. The proposed Ordinance to be considered and acted upon on March 15, 2022 has been drafted for the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the Borough.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Borough Code, the following is a brief summary of the proposed Ordinance:
First, the proposed ordinance would amend Section 275-6: Terms Defined to include a new definition of “Building Footprint”, defined as the area that is the outer edge of the outside walls of a building. Including any cantilevered section of the building, but excluding open porches, decks, patios, steps or stoops.
Second, the proposed ordinance would remove Section 275-29 Borough Residential District and replace it with two new designated Districts, RB-1 Borough Residential 1 District (Section 275- 29) and RB-2 Borough Residential 2 District (Section 275-29.1) as depicted within the Borough's revised Zoning Map.
RB-1 District
The purpose of the creation of a new RB-1 District is to recognize that existing properties are smaller in size, and therefore the Zoning Ordinance should reflect less stringent side yard, lot size, and lot width dimensional setbacks and a coordination of front yard setbacks, building footprint, and height in a comparative fashion with adjoining properties along the roadway(s) on which a property is situated. These dimensional changes will maintain and control consistent sizing of prospective improvements to existing dwelling structures or proposed new additions. An anticipated benefit will be that minor modifications to existing dwellings within the new RB- 1 District will not automatically require a property owner to seek zoning relief, for example, to allow for an expansion of a non-conforming dimension, through the administrative process of the Borough's Zoning Hearing Board. The Zoning provisions applicable to the RB-1 District will carry over Principal and Accessory Uses by right; Uses by special exception to continue to be approved by the Zoning Hearing Board; and now, Council will consider any interpretative center (Section 275-15L) as a Conditional Use. Additionally, detached and attached family dwelling units will be permitted by right within both RB-1 and RB-2 Districts.
RB-2 District
The new Zoning Ordinance provisions applicable to the RB-2 District will not reduce lot size or particularly side yard setback dimensions but will also incorporate front yard setbacks, building footprints, and height considerations within a comparative review of adjoining properties, as in the RB-1 District. Side width lot dimensions are modified within the proposed Amendment for the RB-2 District but rear yard dimensions will remain as permitted within the current RB District provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Because lot sizes in the RB-1 District are smaller, storage of recreational vehicles/travel trailers will be prohibited but, storage of recreational vehicles/travel trailers in the RB-2 District will continue to be subject to grant of special exception approval by the Zoning Board as is currently required in the existing RB District; and interpretative center as a Use will be subject to Borough Council approval as a Conditional Use. Specified Principal and Accessory Uses will carry over and so, interested parties should review the proposed Amendments enclosed.
If you wish to attend the hearing and are a person with a disability requiring an auxiliary aide, service, or other accommodation to participate in it, please contact the Borough at 215-862-3347 to discuss how the Borough can best accommodate your needs.
A true and correct copy of the proposed ordinance is available for inspection by the public at the New Hope Borough Office Building lobby, 123 New Street, New Hope, PA 18938, at the Bucks County Law Library during regular business hours or available from the offices of this newspaper. Additionally, an electronic copy of the proposed ordinance is available on the New Hope Borough website here.
Original source can be found here.
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