1126 Station Rd, Palm, PA 18070

Village Commercial/Residential District

It is the intent of this article to provide regulations to preserve village character in designated areas, while permitting a reasonable variety of land uses in conformance with the goals of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Regional Comprehensive Plan, Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan, and the following objectives: Encourage the retention of the unique village atmosphere of the Village of Palm and the area along Route 29 north of Kraussdale Road by preserving the existing buildings and landscape to the greatest extent possible and by encouraging infill development of retail, office and residential uses that are compatible with the historic village setting in size, scale and architectural character; Encourage the retention of existing buildings by permitting a variety of commercial, office and residential uses which are compatible with the existing structural types, lot sizes and other physical, visual and historical characteristics of the Village Commercial District; Permit uses which allow conversion of existing buildings in a manner which maintains the visual character and architectural scale of existing development within the district; Discourage development of strip-type highway-oriented commercial uses which require incongruous architectural styles, excessive paved areas and numerous curb cuts; Encourage the consolidation of driveways, parking and curb cuts to provide more efficient, economical and safe access and parking; Encourage a coordinated pedestrian path system to provide efficient, pleasant and convenient pedestrian access from parking areas to and among the various permitted uses; Minimize visual and functional conflicts between residential and nonresidential uses within and abutting the district; Encourage the formation and continuance of an uncongested environment for business and professional offices intermingled harmoniously with residences and certain other commercial uses; Discourage overdevelopment of lots by limiting the maximum permitted development and the maximum impervious coverage; Encourage compact development that is served by central sewer and water services, and encourage extension of such utilities to serve village areas; Provide standards and criteria for village commercial development in appropriate areas of the Township in accordance with the Upper Perkiomen Valley Regional Comprehensive Plan.