DRAFT April 9, 2009, PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO LYNN TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF LYNN TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA AMENDING THE LYNN TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF AN AGE QUALIFIED COMMUNITY OVERLAY DISTRICT (“AQC-OD”) UPON THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL (“RR”) AND VILLAGE CENTER (“VC”) ZONING DISTRICTS; ESTABLISHING A USE TO BE KNOWN AS AN AGE QUALIFIED COMMUNITY {(“AQC”); PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN ACCESSORY USES WITHIN AN AQC; ESTABLISHING RESTRICTIONS ON DWELLING TYPES, DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND FACILITIES SERVING AN AQC: AND ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR FUTURE AMENDMENTS TO THE LYNN TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGE QUALIFIED COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE AGC-OD. WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, permits the Board of Supervisors ("Board") of Lynn Township ("Township") to amend its Zoning Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Board is desirous of preserving the generally rural and semi- rural character of the Township, but recognizes the desirability of the Township as a place to live and the increasing pressure for growth; and WHEREAS, the Board wants to encourage a more efficient use of land and public services so that economies secured may be a benefit to all; andWHEREAS, the Board wishes to foster a sense of place and community by providing a setting that encourages the natural intermingling of everyday activities within a recognizable neighborhood; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that the general population is aging and as such, there exists a demand for living arrangements which address the physical and social needs of older persons in the community; and WHEREAS, the Board wants to provide housing opportunities for older persons consistent with applicable federal and state laws and regulations; and WHEREAS, the Board is desirous of promoting communities for aging persons Which are pedestrian-oriented with open space and facilities for social activity, recreation, and community functions, consistent with the physical and social needs of older persons; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that age qualified communities tend to create less burdens upon the public school system, generate less traffic, involve lower water and sewage flows, and require fewer parking spaces than housing which is not age- qualified; and WHEREAS, the Board believes that the creation of an overlay district to permit housing for older persons in accordance with stringent criteria adds flexibility and options with respect to development without mandating particular living arrangements; andWHEREAS, the Board has determined that the health, safety and general welfare of the Township will be promoted and served by establishing an age qualified ‘community zoning use. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Board of ‘Supervisors that the Lynn Township Zoning Ordinance is amended as follows: 1. Section 310 of the Ordinance is amended to add the following new district Age Qualified Community Overlay District (‘AQC-OD") 2. The Lynn Township Zoning Map is amended and revised by creation of an overlay district known as the AQC-OD upon the Rural Residential ("RR") and Village Center ("VG") zoning districts. 3, Section 900 of the Ordinance is amended to add the definition of Age Qualified Community as Section 981: An age qualified community is a master planned residential development that is age qualified in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. 4, Section 900 of the Ordinance is amended to add the definition of Zoning Overlay District as Section 982: A zoning overlay district is a special purpose zoning district that is superimposed over existing zoning jurisdictions, with development in accordance with the overlay district regulations, which is an option to development in accordance with the base zoning district regulations, An overlay district is designated to provide additional land use options, standards and regulations for specific areas of the Township based upon specific conditions as more specifically described with respect to each overlay district, An overlay district may encompass more than one zoning district or may encompass only portions of a zoning district. Zoning overlay districts are delineated on the Zoning Map,