§ 27-444. Recreational Community Development.

(a)

Purposes.

(1)

The purposes of Recreational Community Development are:

(A)

To provide for a residential community comprised of residential development and either an eighteen (18) hole golf course or an equestrian complex;

(B)

To maintain the average density of dwelling units per gross acre normally allowed in the zone in which the community is located; and

(C)

To provide for a variety of one-family dwelling types in a compatible recreation-oriented environment and setting.

(b)

Requirements.

(1)

The location of the development shall be appropriate for recreational activities requiring large amounts of land.

(2)

The development shall be located on a parcel of land containing at least three hundred fifty (350) contiguous acres.

(3)

The community shall consist of at least seventy (70) dwelling units and either an eighteen (18) hole golf course or an equestrian complex.

(4)

Not less than one hundred fifty (150) acres of the gross tract area shall be devoted to recreational facilities, the golf course or equestrian complex, and green area.

(5)

The main recreational facility shall be developed prior to, or concurrently with, the first stage of residential development.

(6)

The number of dwelling units permitted shall not exceed:

(A)

O-S Zone - One (1) unit per five (5) acres of gross tract area;

(B)

R-A Zone - One (1) unit per two (2) acres of gross tract area;

(C)

R-E Zone - One (1) unit per forty thousand (40,000) square feet of gross tract area; or

(D)

R-R Zone - One (1) unit per twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of gross tract area.

(7)

The types of dwelling units permitted shall be limited to one-family detached and attached dwellings. Not more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the total number of dwelling units shall be attached units or a combination of attached units and small-lot detached units.

(8)

At each stage of development, the number of record lots for the development of detached dwellings shall not be less than thirty-five percent (35%) of those for attached dwellings.

(9)

The minimum requirements for development of detached dwellings in the O-S, R-A, and R-E Zones shall be those which apply to the R-E Zone, with the following exceptions:

(A)

The minimum lot width at the front building line shall be one hundred (100) feet;

(B)

The minimum lot width at the front street line shall be twenty-five (25) feet; and

(C)

The minimum net lot area shall be thirty thousand (30,000) square feet.

(10)

With the exception of Section 27-444 (b)(16), in the R-R Zone, the applicable minimum requirements of the R-R Zone shall apply, except as follows:

(A)

The minimum lot width at the front building line shall be seventy-five (75) feet;

(B)

The minimum lot width at the front street line shall be twenty-five (25) feet; and

(C)

The minimum net lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet, except as provided for in subparagraph (D), below.

(D)

Single-family detached dwellings that are adjacent to, or within the immediate vicinity (300 feet) of, a golf course fairway, green, or teeing area may be developed on lots containing less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, but not less than five thousand (5,000) square feet, in accordance with the following:

(i)

Such lots shall not be located within three hundred (300) feet of the perimeter of the community;

(ii)

These lots are not subject to the provisions of Section 27-442;

(iii)

A maximum lot coverage of up to seventy-five percent (75%) may be allowed for such lots;

(iv)

The minimum front, side, and rear yards for each lot shall be established by the Planning Board and shown on the approved Detailed Site Plan; however, in no case shall any building be set back less than five (5) feet from any lot line; and

(v)

A review of the architectural elevations of the dwellings shall be included as part of the Detailed Site Plan review for the purpose of ensuring that a detached single-family character is attained.

(E)

Single-family detached dwellings that are located within a residential community with an equestrian complex shall have a maximum lot coverage of up to forty percent (40%) for each lot, or 7,500 square feet, whichever is smaller.

(F)

The maximum height for townhouses shall be forty-five (45) feet.

(11)

The minimum requirements for development of attached dwellings shall be those which apply to the R-T Zone (except those in Section 27-433(e)(1)(A) and (B)), including those which apply to common areas, except that there shall be not more than eight (8), nor less than two (2), attached dwellings in any one (1) group.

(12)

All lots (used for residential purposes) which are located along the perimeter of the community, and that abut property or streets not within the community, shall be limited to one-family detached dwellings, and shall be developed in conformance with the following requirements:

(A)

O-S Zone:

(i)

The minimum net lot area shall be five (5) acres;

(ii)

Not more than five percent (5%) of the net area of the lot may be covered by buildings and parking areas; and

(iii)

The yard requirements of Section 27-442, Table IV, shall be met. The lot frontage requirements of Section 27-442, Table III, shall be met for lots fronting on adjoining streets that are not within the Recreational Community Development.

(B)

R-A Zone:

(i)

The minimum net lot area shall be two (2) acres;

(ii)

Not more than ten percent (10%) of the net area of the lot may be covered by buildings and parking areas; and

(iii)

The yard requirements of Section 27-442, Table IV, shall be met. The lot frontage requirements of Section 27-442, Table III, shall be met for lots fronting on adjoining streets that are not within the Recreational Community Development.

(C)

R-E Zone:

(i)

The minimum net lot area shall be forty thousand (40,000) square feet; and

(ii)

The lot frontage requirements of Section 27-442, Table III, shall be met for lots fronting on adjoining streets that are not within the Recreational Community Development.

(D)

R-R Zone:

(i)

The minimum net lot area shall be fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet;

(ii)

Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the net lot area may be covered by buildings and parking areas; and

(iii)

The yard requirements of Section 27-442, Table IV, shall be met. The lot frontage requirements of Section 27-442, Table III, shall be met for lots fronting on adjoining streets that are not within the Recreational Community Development.

(13)

Off-street parking and loading areas shall be provided, in accordance with Part 11.

(14)

Signs may be erected, in accordance with Part 12.

(15)

The development may be constructed with private streets rather than public ones. If private streets are provided, gates, guardhouses, or other buildings or structures, that are in keeping with the overall development scheme, may be located within the street right-of-way.

(16)

For small-lot detached units, the following requirements shall apply:

(A)

The minimum net lot area shall be five thousand (5,000) square feet;

(B)

The minimum lot width at the front street line shall be twenty-five (25) feet;

(C)

The minimum lot width at the front building line shall be forty (40) feet;

(D)

The side yards may be a minimum of zero (0) feet on one side and six (6) feet on the other side;

(E)

The front yard shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet;

(F)

The minimum distance between residential buildings shall be seven (7) feet; and

(G)

A maximum lot coverage of fifty percent (50%) shall be allowed.

(c)

Uses.

(1)

If the main recreational facility is a golf course, accessory uses to be associated with it shall be located interior to the Recreational Community Development and shown on the Conceptual Site Plan, and may include only the following uses:

(A)

Country club facilities, with overnight lodging (limited to fifty (50) rooms) for members and their guests;

(B)

Recreational facilities, such as picnic areas, swimming pools, tennis courts, and handball courts;

(C)

Eating and drinking establishments;

(D)

Pro shops;

(E)

Dry cleaning and laundry pick-up stations;

(F)

Barber and beauty shops;

(G)

Valet services;

(H)

Gift and souvenir shops;

(I)

Saunas and steam rooms; and

(J)

Any other uses which the Planning Board finds are related to golfing.

(2)

If the main recreational facility is an equestrian complex, at least one hundred (100) acres shall be permanently dedicated to trails, riding areas, stables, and grazing areas. Accessory uses to be associated with it shall be located interior to the Recreational Community Development and shown on the Conceptual Site Plan, and may include only the following uses:

(A)

Country club facilities, with overnight lodging (limited to fifty (50) rooms) for members and their guests;

(B)

Recreational facilities such as picnic areas, swimming pools, tennis courts, and handball courts;

(C)

Eating and drinking establishments;

(D)

Tack shops;

(E)

Indoor riding arena;

(F)

Dry cleaning and laundry pick-up stations;

(G)

Barber and beauty shops;

(H)

Valet services;

(I)

Gift and souvenir shops;

(J)

Saunas and steam rooms; and

(K)

Any other uses which the Planning Board finds are related to equestrian activities.

(3)

All uses accessory to the main recreational facility shall be located in general proximity to one another in order to establish a focal point of recreational activity without impairing residential tranquility by adverse impacts such as noise, lighting, and visibility.

(4)

Other uses allowed in the respective zones in which the Recreational Community Development is allowed may be included, in accordance with the provisions applicable to those uses (in the respective zones).

(d)

Covenants.

(1)

Covenants which insure the perpetual maintenance of the recreational activity shall be filed in the land records. The covenants shall apply as long as the land remains classified in the same zone it was in when developed. A copy of the proposed covenant shall be furnished to the Planning Board for concurrent approval with the Conceptual Site Plan.

(e)

Site plans.

(1)

Conceptual Site Plan.

(A)

A Conceptual Site Plan shall be approved for all Recreational Community Developments, in accordance with Part 3, Division 9, of this Subtitle. No grading, building, or use and occupancy permit shall be issued for any Recreational Community Development, except in accordance with the approved Conceptual Site Plan (and Detailed Site Plan).

(B)

In addition to the submittal requirements of Part 3, Division 9, the Conceptual Site Plan shall include the staging of development.

(C)

In addition to the criteria for approval in Part 3, Division 9, the Planning Board shall find that all development and use shall reflect a cohesive community capable of sustaining an independent residential/recreational oriented environment.

(D)

Notwithstanding other provisions in Part 3, Division 9, the Conceptual Site Plan shall remain valid for an unlimited period of time.

(2)

Detailed Site Plan.

(A)

A Detailed Site Plan shall be approved for all Recreational Community Developments, in accordance with Part 3, Division 9, of this Subtitle.

(CB-16-1989; CB-33-1994; CB-68-2008)