Green Lane City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
Title; Legislative Intent; Community Development Objectives; Interpretation
§ 415-1 Short title; effective date.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Green Lane Zoning Ordinance of 1971." This chapter shall become effective December 8, 1971.
§ 415-2 Declaration of legislative intent.
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Borough, is in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan, and is designed to lessen congestion in the roads and highways, to secure safety from fire, panic and other danger, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue congestion of population, to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements, to conserve the value of buildings and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Borough of Green Lane.
§ 415-3 Community development objectives.
A.
As any other community, Green Lane has its own heritage, individuality and a set of goals its citizens want to achieve. The plans of the Borough reflect the following list of goals:
(1)
Preservation and protection of Green Lane's heritage wherever and whenever feasible.
(2)
Borough guidance by the Comprehensive Plan which encompasses the orderly development and/or redevelopment of the community.
(3)
Borough cooperation and coordination with its neighbors on matters of community development and common concern.
(4)
Preservation and development of recreational and open space amenities wherever and whenever possible.
(5)
Direction of the Borough's efforts toward an overall program for community improvements.
(6)
Recognition by Green Lane that improvements must be related to the fiscal capabilities of Green Lane to support needed changes and facilities.
(7)
Borough maintenance and improvement on its assets while attempting to correct its problems.
(8)
Protection of cultural, historic features and resources, and other important features, including natural features and landscapes which have a special character or use, and which affect or are affected by their environment.
[Added 3-11-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-04]
(9)
Encourage the maintenance and management of forested or wooded open space, and promote the conduct of forestry as a sound and economically viable use of forested land throughout the Borough subject to specific requirements and regulations contained in § 415-127 and other general performance standards that may apply. Protect prime agricultural land and promote the establishment of agricultural security areas, and encourage the continuity, development, and mobility of agricultural operations to the extent feasible given the fact that Green Lane Borough is a largely developed and built-out community.
[Added 3-11-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-04]
B.
The residential development plan identified areas which are recommended for residential use; densities were also proposed for each type. The Borough of Green Lane intends to utilize the plan to:
C.
As the existing land use map shows, about 69.85%, or 138.67 acres, of the Borough are in various types of developed use. Whenever redevelopment occurs in the future, it should correlate with the proposed use in that area. The following is a set of common residential development objectives:
(1)
The orderly location and timing of development so as to facilitate the provision of indicated community facilities, especially public water and sewer.
(2)
The fostering of residential areas with unity, variety and well-defined focal points such as shopping facilities, schools and landmark structures.
(3)
The maximizing of the beneficial aspects of land use and circulation system relationships.
(4)
The adapting of residential subdivision design concepts so as to encourage the incorporation of aesthetically pleasing natural features through the use of advanced land development principles.
(5)
The avoidance of conflicting land uses and avoidance of land use circulation system conflicts.
§ 415-4 Interpretation.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Borough. The Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with which this chapter is enacted and which is reflected in the provisions of this chapter, has been formulated to implement the purposes set forth in § 415-2 hereinabove, in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward the following objectives, in addition to those set forth in § 415-3.
A.
Guiding and encouraging the future development of Green Lane Borough in accordance with Comprehensive Planning of land use and population density that represents the most beneficial and convenient relationships among the residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas within the Borough having regard to their suitability for the various uses appropriate to each of them and their potentiality for such uses, as indicated by topography and soil conditions, existing man-made conditions, and trends in population, in the direction and manner of the use of land, in building development, and in economic activity, considering such conditions and trends both within the Borough and with respect to the relation of the Borough to surrounding areas.
B.
Protecting the character and the social and economic stability of each of such areas and encouraging their orderly and beneficial growth.
C.
Protecting and conserving the value of land and buildings throughout the Borough, depending upon necessity or circumstances; appropriate to the various zoning districts established herein.
D.
Aiding in bringing about the most beneficial relation between land use and the circulation of traffic throughout the Borough, having particular regard to traffic to and from the expressways, and to avoidance of congestion in the streets and the provision of safe and convenient access appropriate to the various land uses.
E.
Aiding in providing a guide for public policy and action in the efficient provision of public facilities and services; in the provision of safe and proper sanitary sewage disposal; and for private enterprise in building development, investment and other economic activity relating to land use; insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purposes set forth in § 415-2 and with the aforesaid minimum requirements therefor. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such manner as will facilitate attainment of the said objectives, and all others permitted by law.
§ 415-5 Conflict.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinances or enactments, 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. Where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or land, or upon the height and bulk of buildings, or prescribes larger open spaces than are required by the provisions of another ordinance, enactment, rule, regulation or permit, then this chapter shall control.