2900 Thompson Rd, Harleysville, PA 19438

Rural Residential District

In expansion of the Declaration of Legislative Intent found in Article I, §27-101 of this Chapter and the Statement of Community Development Objectives found in Article I, §27- 102 of this Chapter, the purpose of this Article, among others, is as follows: To preserve open land, including those areas containing unique and sensitive natural features such as woodlands, steep slopes, streams, floodplains and wetlands, by setting them aside from development.; To preserve scenic views and elements of the Township's rural character, and to minimize perceived density, by minimizing views of new development from existing roads; To provide greater design flexibility and efficiency in the siting of services and infrastructure, including the opportunity to reduce length of roads, utility runs, and the amount of paving required for residential development.; To create neighborhoods with direct visual access to open land, with amenities in the form of neighborhood open space, and with a strong neighborhood identity.; To reduce erosion and sedimentation by the retention of existing vegetation, and the minimization of development on steep slopes.; To preserve areas of the Township with productive agricultural soils for continued or future agricultural use, by preserving blocks of land large enough to allow for efficient farm operations.; To provide for the preservation and maintenance of open land within the Township to achieve the above-mentioned goals and for active or passive recreational use by residents.; To provide for a diversity of lot sizes, building densities, and housing choices to accommodate a variety of age and income groups, and residential preferences, so that the community’s population diversity may be maintained; To implement adopted township land use, transportation, and community policies, as identified in the township’s Comprehensive Plan