This Chapter shall be known and cited as the “Clifton Township Zoning Ordinance of 1989.”

(Ord. 1-1989, 11/18/1989, §1.1)

   No building, structure or land situated in whole or in part in Clifton Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, shall be used or occupied and no building or part thereof shall be erected, moved, enlarged, or structurally altered unless in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter. Any nonconforming use in existence at the effective date of this Chapter may be continued only in conformance with the provisions hereof.

(Ord. 1-1989, 11/18/1989, §1.2)

   This Chapter is hereby adopted in accordance with the requirements of the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §10101 et seq., as amended, and the Township’s Comprehensive Plan. In addition to carrying out the objectives of the Township’s Comprehensive Plan, and promoting health, morals, safety, and general welfare of the habitants of the Township, this Chapter is designed to regulate the following:

      A.   The location, height, bulk, and size of buildings and other structures.

      B.   The relation of such buildings or structures to roads and highways, their intersections and interchanges, to steep slopes and natural bodies of water, to public buildings and public grounds, to airports and heliports, to historic buildings and places, and to floodplains and wetlands.

      C.   The percentage of a lot that may be occupied, the size and use of yards, courts, and other open spaces.

      D.   The density and distribution of population.

      E.   The uses of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residences and other purposes.

(Ord. 1-1989, 11/18/1989, §1.3)

   The provisions of this Chapter shall be interpreted as the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and general welfare. Where this Chapter conflicts with any rule, regulation or ordinance, the greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises, upon the height or bulk of a building or upon requiring larger open spaces shall prevail, regardless of its source.

(Ord. 1-1989, 11/18/1989, §1.4)

   This Chapter shall not apply to any existing or proposed building or extension thereof which is used or is to be used by a public utility corporation, if, upon petition of the corporation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission decides after a public hearing that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.

(Ord. 1-1989, 11/18/1989, §1.7)