East Vincent Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 1
ZONING
§ 27-101 Short Title.
[Ord. 162, 6/12/2002, § 100]
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as, the "East Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance of 2002."
§ 27-102 Purpose.
[Ord. 162, 6/12/2002, § 101]
1.
This chapter has as its purposes:
A.
To promote, protect and facilitate the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development, proper density of population, civil defense, the provision of adequate light and air, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, public grounds and other public improvements.
B.
To prevent the overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flooding, panic or other dangers.
C.
To preserve prime agriculture and farmland.
D.
To provide for residential housing of various dwelling types; as well as,
E.
To accommodate reasonable overall community growth.
§ 27-103 Interpretation.
[Ord. 162, 6/12/2002, § 102]
In interpreting the language of this chapter to determine the extent of the restriction upon the use of the property, the language shall be interpreted, where doubt exists as to the intended meaning of the language written and enacted by the governing body, in favor of the property owner and against any implied extension of the restriction. Where the provisions of this chapter impose time limitations on actions by the Township, Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Code Enforcement Officer, Township Engineer or any other agency, 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. 162, 6/12/2002, § 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, or relocated, and every use hereinafter established within any building or property or use accessory thereto in East Vincent 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 non- conforming buildings and uses (Part 18).
§ 27-105 Conflict.
[Ord. 162, 6/12/2002, § 103]
1.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinance or enactment, or with any rule, regulation or permit adopted or issued thereunder, except insofar as the same may be inconsistent or in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter.
2.
In the case where any general provision of this chapter governing a given use conflicts with a more specific provision of this chapter, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
§ 27-106 Statement of Community Development Objectives.
[Ord. 162, 6/12/2002, § 107]
1.
The objectives of zoning, as embodied in this chapter, are derived from and conform to the comprehensive planning process and activities of East Vincent 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 Vincent Township seeks to achieve through this chapter are those contained in the East Vincent Comprehensive Plan of 1994, consistent with the requirements for such as prescribed in § 606 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247 as amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq. 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 and environment including quality streams and other water bodies, wetlands, woodlands, and other wildlife habitats, preclude development in floodplains and on steep slopes and poor soils, and enhance residents' experience of the Township's environmental resources through the protection of scenic landscapes and roads.
B.
To protect the Township's valuable cultural and historic resources from degradation or destruction and promote the adaptive re-use of older buildings and structures.
C.
To conserve the Township's agricultural lands and encourage the long-term viability of agricultural operations and supporting agricultural industry.
D.
To provide for development in an orderly manner which preserves the rural character of the Township by guiding higher density residential, commercial and industrial development to Township areas with accommodating zoning; compatible and supportive land uses, available infrastructure, and other urban facilities and services.
E.
To provide for a variety of residential housing types and densities to meet current and future needs of the Township's residents.
F.
To promote the use of flexible and creative planning, open space management, land stewardship, and engineering practices within the Township to facilitate protection and enhancement of its natural, cultural, agricultural, scenic, historic and recreational resources.
G.
To promote innovative and efficient development designs within the Township that enhance their surroundings through careful attention to 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, where appropriate, 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.
§ 27-107 Applicability to Municipal Use.
[Ord. 162, 6/12/2002, § 108]
Except as expressly addressed by any specific provision of this chapter, the provisions hereof shall not apply to regulate municipal use on any lands by the Township of East Vincent, and any such municipal use shall not be subject to the provisions hereof.
§ 27-108 Other Applicable Regulations.
[Ord. 162, 6/12/2002, § 109]
Specific references herein to other applicable regulations (e.g., Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) are advisory and do not waive 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 or other authority shall not be presumed. Applicability of this chapter shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer in consultation with the Township Solicitor.