500 Spencer Rd, Avondale, PA 19311

Agricultural-Conservation Zone

First, areas contained within this Zone correspond to sensitive and/or important natural features as identified by the Township's Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, it includes prime farmlands, soils with severe development constraints, steep slopes, important groundwater recharge areas, geologic faults, threatened and/or endangered wildlife habitats, floodplains, exceptional-value watersheds, and any combination of these.; This Zone also acknowledges large areas of the Township that are publicly-owned and/or are subject to conservation easements that preclude their use for anything other than open space or rural land uses. Finally, the Zone includes areas contained within the officially-designated PA Scenic Rivers System associated with the Lower Brandywine Creek; this designation calls for maintenance of the pastoral character of the designated corridors.; Because of the importance of each of these purposes, this Zone will limit permitted uses to those that are rural in character. Furthermore, development intensity will be restricted through the use of specified design and performance standards, so that each use will remain compatible within the intended rural/conservation character. Last, a wide range of agricultural uses and activities will be permitted as a means of strengthening the Township's agricultural economy; however, intensive agricultural operations will be subject to specific design and performance criteria. These measures are aimed at enhancing compatibility. Nonetheless, future inhabitants of this Zone must be willing to accept the impacts of normal farming practices and farm-related businesses.