East Coventry Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 1
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
§ 27-101 Short Title.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 100]
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as, the "East Coventry Township Zoning Ordinance of 2008."
§ 27-102 Statement of Community Development Objectives.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 101, as amended by Ord. 152, 12/8/2008, § I]
1.
The objectives of this chapter are derived from and conform to the comprehensive planning process and other planning activities of East Coventry Township and its policies for resource protection, land use, growth management, housing, circulation, and the provision of community facilities and services. The particular objectives for community development which East Coventry Township seeks to achieve through this chapter are those contained in the East Coventry Comprehensive Plan of 2003, consistent with the requirements for such as prescribed in § 606 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, as amended. Those particular objectives, as articulated among the overall set of Community Goals and Objectives within the Comprehensive Plan, are as follows:
A.
To preserve, protect and manage the Township's natural resources including streams and other water bodies, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife habitats, preclude development in floodplains and on steep slopes and poor soils.
B.
To protect the Township's valuable cultural and historic resources from degradation or destruction and promote the adaptive reuse of older buildings and structures, and enhance residents' experience of the Township's environmental resources through the protection of scenic landscapes and roads.
C.
To conserve the Township's agricultural lands and encourage the long term viability of agricultural operations and the supporting agricultural industry.
D.
To provide for development in an orderly manner that preserves the rural character of the Township by guiding higher density residential, commercial and industrial development to areas with accommodating zoning, compatible and supportive land uses, available infrastructure, and other urban facilities and services.
E.
To provide for a variety of housing types and densities to meet current and future residents' needs.
F.
To promote the use of flexible and creative planning, open space management, land stewardship, and engineering practices to facilitate protection and enhancement of the natural, cultural, agricultural, scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Township.
G.
To promote innovative development designs that enhance their surroundings by means of building scale and orientation; incorporate surrounding historic and cultural features; provide proper traffic circulation, on-site parking and site access; incorporate high quality architecture and site landscaping; retain scenic views; and establish adequate buffers to separate incompatible land uses.
H.
To promote a safe, efficient transportation system and to provide adequate and efficient community facilities and services within the Township.
§ 27-103 Interpretation.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 102]
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, the provisions thereof shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any other ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulation shall be controlling. Where the provisions of this chapter impose time limitations on actions by the Township, its Board of Supervisors, its Planning Commission, the Township Engineer or any other agencies, which time limitations are not required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code or other applicable statute, or which are shorter than required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code or other applicable statute, the time limitations set forth in this chapter shall be deemed directory and not mandatory, and any longer time periods provided by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Code or other applicable statute shall prevail.
§ 27-104 Scope.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 103]
From and after the effective date of this chapter, the use of all land, every building or portion of a building erected, altered in respect to height or area, added to, or relocated, and every use hereinafter established within any building or property or use accessory thereto in East Coventry Township shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. Any building, structure or use of a building or land existing at the effective date of this chapter which is not in conformity herewith may be continued, extended or changed only in accordance with the regulations herein contained relating to nonconforming buildings and uses.
§ 27-105 Other Applicable Regulations.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 106]
Specific references herein to other applicable regulations, e.g., Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, are not in limitation of and do not waive the applicability of any other regulations not specifically referenced. Any applicable regulation more stringent than those herein shall apply. Preemption of any regulation herein by regulation of other authority shall not be presumed. Applicability of this chapter shall be determined by the Zoning Officer in consultation with the Township Solicitor. Such determination shall be documented.