Traditional Neighborhood Development District

Traditional Neighborhood Development District Ordinance Summary

This document outlines Section 218 of the Hollidaysburg Borough zoning ordinance, establishing regulations for Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Districts. The goal is to integrate new development with existing neighborhoods using smart growth principles and urban design patterns found in historic areas.

Purpose and Intent

The ordinance aims to:

• Harmonize new development with existing Borough neighborhoods.
• Encourage neighborhood design that reflects historic urban patterns.
• Create pedestrian-scaled environments that are compact and safe for walking, while still allowing automobiles.
• Promote mixed-use development (residential, light commercial, institutional) so residents have accessible destinations like schools, shops, parks, and libraries within walking distance.
• Foster connections between built and natural environments through parks, squares, courtyards, and other green spaces.
• Maintain density to ensure efficient resource use and reduce urban sprawl, while enhancing social interaction.
• Provide flexibility for developers to meet both their needs and those of the Borough through varied housing types, densities, and uses.
• Align with Commonwealth legislative goals under Municipalities Planning Code Article VII-A regarding pedestrian-scaled and mixed-use development.

Relationship to Other Ordinances

• This section creates different land use and design requirements than other Borough ordinances.
• If there’s a conflict, the more restrictive regulation applies.
• All other Borough ordinances remain in full force unless specifically overridden by this section.

Key Definitions

The ordinance defines several terms critical to its application:

• Accessory Dwelling: A detached, habitable unit on a single-family lot providing basic living functions.
• Attic: Space between the top floor ceiling and roof.
• Bakery: Place producing and selling baked goods for off- or on-premises consumption.
• Basement: Lowermost part of a structure with floor area below ground level on two or more sides.
• Crawlspace: Low-height space under a house, insufficient for standing upright.
• Cul-de-sac: Street intersecting another at one end and terminated by a vehicular turnaround at the other.
• Fitness Center/Gym: Facility for weightlifting, heart-rate-raising exercises, or physical wellness activities.
• Hanging Shingle Sign: Sign hanging from a bracket attached to a building, advertising permitted goods/services.
• Landscaping Screen/Island: Visual and physical buffer made of approved plant material, masonry, wood, or organic materials — not chainlink fencing.
• Laundromat: Self-service laundry with coin-operated machines for individual customers.
• LCD Sign / LED Sign: Off- or on-premise signs using Liquid Crystal Display or Light Emitting Diodes.
• Light Fixture: Lights attached to tall poles along public streets, illuminated dusk to dawn.
• Master Plan: Narrative and map-based document describing overall development concept; used to coordinate detailed plans.
• Mid Block: Point equidistant from each end of a street block.
• Mixed Use Building: Structure housing more than one primary use, at least one of which must be residential.
• Natural Condition: Topography and vegetation unaltered by clearing/grading, protected permanently.
• Off Premises Advertising Sign: Directs attention to business/activity conducted elsewhere.
• On Premise Advertising Sign: Directs attention to business/activity or products sold/manufactured on-site.
• Premises: Area occupied by a business or enterprise; if multiple businesses occupy one building, each area is a separate premises.
• Roof Sign: Any sign erected or maintained on or above a building’s roof.
• SIC Code: Standard Industrial Classification System published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes Referenced

The document lists specific SIC codes relevant to permitted uses, including:

• 5231 – Paint, Glass, and Wallpaper Stores
• 5251 – Hardware Stores
• 5399 – Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores
• 5411 – Grocery Stores
• 5421 – Meat and Fish Markets (including Freezer Provisioners)
• 5431 – Fruit and Vegetable Markets
• 5441 – Candy, Nut, and Confectionary Stores
• 5451 – Dairy Product Stores
• 5461 – Retail Bakeries
• 5499 – Miscellaneous Food Stores
• 5611 – Men’s and Boy’s Clothing and Accessory Stores
• 5621 – Women’s Clothing Stores
• 5632 – Women’s Accessory and Specialty Stores
• 5641 – Children’s and Infant’s Wear Stores
• 5651 – Family Clothing Stores
• 5661 – Shoe Stores
• 5699 – Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessory Stores
• 5714 – Drapery, Curtain, and Upholstery Stores
• 5719 – Miscellaneous Home Furnishings Stores
• 5734 – Computer and Computer Software Stores
• 5735 – Record and Prerecorded Tape Stores
• 5736 – Musical Instrument Stores
• 5912 – Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores
• 5932 – Used Merchandise Stores
• 5941 – Sporting Goods Stores and Bicycle Shops
• 5942 – Book Stores
• 5943 – Stationery Stores
• 5944 – Jewelry Stores
• 5945 – Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops
• 5947 – Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Shops
• 5949 – Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Stores
• 5992 – Florists
• 5993 – Tobacco Stores and Stands
• 5994 – News Dealers and Newsstands
• 5995 – Optical Goods Stores
• 7521 – Automobile Parking

These codes help define what types of commercial establishments are permitted under the TND district regulations.