MANCHESTER – Township Officials are taking a look at permitted accessory development within its many planned communities to make sure regulations are being followed.
The Township’s Department of Land Use and Planning is looking at communities known as “Senior Villages,” “Senior Projects,” “Senior Developments” and all existing planned community projects from the late 1960s to today.
According to a release from Mayor Joseph Hankins office, “the development review of these communities included existing and proposed conditions of the land such as topography, vegetation, landscaping, circulation, drainage, utility services and lighting.”
“The location of all proposed buildings (residential homes, club houses, maintenance buildings and all accessory structures) were all considered by the Township’s Planning Board members and its professionals including engineers, architects, planners, attorneys and various township personnel and public official’s during the site plan review process,” the release added.
Proposed accessory and ancillary development such as walkways, signs and recreational areas within the common grounds were also reviewed and considered during the site plan review process. The approved site plans did not account for any additional accessory or ancillary developments as all developments were intended to be maintained as per the original approval.
Deviations from the original approvals would require an application to the Planning Board or Zoning Board in the form of a site plan application or an administrative approval.
The mayor noted that throughout the years some revisions of the Township regulations were adopted to allow some minor accessory development to the residential dwellings as to accommodate the changing world.
These revisions considered the impact that the accessory development would have on surrounding properties and the community as a whole and revisions to the regulations weren’t taken lightly as all communities have their own uniqueness.
Some communities are fee simple, meaning the homeowner owns the lot on which their home is situated. Others are co-op’s where the land is owned by community. Some have detached homes, and others are attached such as duplexes and quads.
It was noted that one thing all of these communities have in common is that accessory residential sheds are not specifically permitted and as such, are prohibited. The permitted accessory residential development is limited to the following: patios, decks, three-season rooms, porches, patio covers, open-accessory structures as outlined in township code.
Driveways and fences are permitted per standard Manchester regulations and do vary amongst planned communities. With this in mind, all accessory development requires prior township approval in addition to any required Home Owner Association (HOA). and/or Planned Community Management approval.
HOAs may require stricter regulations than the township though they cannot conflict with them or allow a lesser standard.
Those with questions should contact the Township’ Department of Inspections, Land Use & Planning at 732-657-8121, with any inquiries regarding permitted development and necessary permits.
The first step in the process concerning how to seek approval for the improvement applied for, is applying for a Zoning Permit which is comprised of two important factors – whether the “use” is allowed and if so, to what limitations and/or restrictions.
One question that residents may have is whether an open and unroofed paver stone patio or a freestanding open-gapped deck are permitted? The answer to that is yes, but with the following conditions: it may not be more than three feet above ground level and may extend into a required side or rear yard to within 10 feet of a side or rear property line on fee simple lots.
Such paver stone patios, if at ground level, may extend to within five feet of a rear property line.
On lots where the ten-foot side yard setback cannot be met, the unroofed paver stone patio or freestanding open-gapped deck not more than three feet above ground level shall not extend beyond the principal structure’s existing side yard footprint.
Three-season rooms, porches, patio covers (with a roof overhang), and attached open gapped decks are permitted on “fee simple lots” within planned communities that have clear setback delineations and shall comply with all principal building minimum yard setback requirements and minimum setback requirements between buildings when applicable.
Open-accessory structures such as pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos are also permitted but limited to only pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos and must be on and entirely within permitted paver stone patios and open-gapped decks on fee simple lots. These structures cannot exceed 192 square feet or 12 feet in height.
