To promote, protect and facilitate the public health, safety and general welfare, coordinated and practical community development, proper density of population, emergency management preparedness and operations, the provision of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, recreational facilities, public grounds, the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, or industrial use, and other public requirements; as well as the preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment and preservation of wetlands and floodplains.

To prevent the overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, and loss of health, life, or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.

To provide for the use of land for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing, including single-family and two-family dwellings, and a reasonable range of multifamily dwellings in various arrangements.

To accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population and employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.

To have a better quality of life for all of those living, working, shopping, learning, etc., within the community.

To maintain a financially viable community. Broadly speaking, if we can maintain an attractive place to live and an attractive place to do business, the community will prosper. The presence of the Gettysburg College, the Gettysburg Seminary, and the Gettysburg National Park with its related visitor activities have the potential of bringing into the community enough new money to maintain a healthy economy and tax base. It therefore follows that the Borough, the College, the Seminary and the National Park Service should cooperate closely to maintain a healthy relationship. This spirit of cooperation must also be extended to Cumberland Township and Straban Township because many of the actions necessary to improve the quality of life within the Borough must necessarily involve the entire area surrounding the Borough. In fact, many of the actions that need to be taken are virtually impossible without the cooperation of the entire area.

To protect our natural resources. It has been determined that our most important natural resources are the physical aspects of the land, that is, the overall appearance of the area, and our historical heritage — the Gettysburg Address, President Eisenhower's home and other historical events and places.

To protect natural and historic resources from exploitation and desecration. With the proper planning, these resources can be protected.

To develop in the proper areas and regulate development so that it does not adversely impact our natural and historic resources.

To encourage the complete cooperation of the Borough, the townships and the National Park Service. The first and most important is the development of an area-wide sewage treatment facility. Second is an area-wide water treatment and distribution facility; this would include the development of water resources. There are a number of actions that must take place to revitalize the downtown area. This area must provide a unique shopping experience for the resident as well as the visitor, in order to successfully compete with present and future shopping centers. A circumferential highway system, a shuttle bus service for visitors, first-class parking facilities, and reduced traffic congestion will improve the attractiveness of the Borough. On-street parking could be eliminated; this would enhance the appearance of the shopping area. The off-street parking must be first class: paved, illuminated, and landscaped, with walkways to the main streets. The rear of all buildings in the present shopping area would have to be upgraded and be inviting to the shopper.

To protect and enhance this historic area, through two significant actions that have been already taken — the enactment of the Borough Historic District Ordinance [Chapter 11] and the Borough Sign Ordinance [Chapter 19]. Efforts should be made to install authentic period ornamental lighting, plant trees and develop landscaped mini-parks. Entrances should be made more attractive. Unsightly objects, such as TV antennas, and unnecessary traffic signs should be eliminated. In order to maintain the vitality of the downtown area, the County Offices should be retained in the downtown area.

To develop affordable/attainable housing, housing for age-qualified persons, and market-rate housing. This could give new life to certain areas and would stimulate upgrading of other substandard housing.

To stimulate commercial development within the Borough. A sufficient amount of commercial development must take place in order to raise the tax base and provide the necessary income to properly operate the Borough. With historic development and reasonable zoning, certain commercial interests will want to become part of the community. Zoning, of course, is of prime importance. If the community can be properly zoned, everything can be kept in its proper place. We are indeed fortunate that up to this point in time the community has developed in a fairly reasonable and acceptable manner. There are indications that this may not continue indefinitely. It is therefore essential that we plan for the future. If we can plan properly for a quality environment, many of the other qualities of good living will follow.

To help achieve the specific goals listed in the Gettysburg Borough Comprehensive Plan, adopted May 13, 1996 (as may be amended).

Application. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all buildings, structures, uses, land, and all accessory buildings, structures and uses. Nothing in this chapter shall require any change in plans or construction of a use for which a building permit has been heretofore issued prior to the effective date of this chapter.

Interpretation.

Severability. Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole, or of any part thereof.

Amendment. The Borough Council may amend, or repeal, this chapter at any time in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1] Before voting on the enactment of any proposed amendment, the procedures prescribed in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, shall be followed.