Hanover Township is hereby divided into districts of different types, each type being of such number, shape, kind and area, and of such common unity of purpose and adaptability of use that are deemed most suitable to carry out the objectives of this Chapter.

Every parcel of land and every building or other structure in the Township, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Chapter, shall be subject to the regulations, restrictions, and requirements specified for the district in which it is located.

(Ord. 45, Z-§ 300, 5/12/76)

For the purposes of this Chapter, Hanover Township is hereby divided into eight classes of districts which shall be designated as follows:

   RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS:

   PR   Planned Residential

   MR   Medium Density Residential NON-RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS:

   PC   Planned Commercial

   PIO   Planned Industrial-Office PUD Planned Unit Development

   AI   Airport-Industrial

   OTHER DISTRICTS:

   LU   Limited Use

   FH   Flood Hazard (Ord. 45, Z-§ 301, 5/12/76)

Districts are bounded and defined as shown on the map entitled "Zoning Map of Hanover Township, Lehigh County" that accompanies and which, with all explanatory matters thereon, is hereby made a part of this Chapter.

(Ord. 45, Z-§ 302, 5/12/76)

Where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries between districts as indicated on the Zoning Map, the Zoning Officer shall render his decision consistent with the following rules:

      A.   Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding with the center lines of streets or railroad rights-of-way, such center lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

      B.   Where district boundaries are so indicated that they approximately coincide with the lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be said boundaries.

      C.   Where district boundaries are so indicated that they are approximately parallel to street or railroad rights-of-way, such district boundaries shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at such distance therefrom as indicated on the Zoning Map.

      D.   Where district boundaries divide a lot, the location of such boundaries shall be determined by the use of the scale shown on the Zoning Map unless the boundaries are indicated by dimensions.

(Ord. 45, Z4303, 5/12/76)

   1.   Unless otherwise provided by law or specifically in this Chapter, no land or building or structure shall be used or occupied except for a use allowed as specified in this Section, in the zoning district with which the land or building or structure is located.

   2.   No use shall be permitted except in compliance with the laws of the State, County and Township, regarding water supply and waste disposal. The Township Sewage Officer shall inspect every system.

   3.   A use listed in Part 4 of this Chapter is permitted by right in any zoning district under which it is denoted by the letter P, provided that such use shall be subject to the conditions and requirements specified elsewhere in this Chapter. Such uses permitted by right shall be principal uses within the meaning of this Chapter, unless otherwise specified.

   4.   A use listed in Part 4 shall not be permitted in any zoning district under which it is denoted by the letter N. Such uses lawfully existing at the effective date of this Chapter shall be construed as nonconforming uses subject to the provisions of Part 12.

   5.   A use listed in Part 4 may be permitted as a special exception in any zoning district under which it is denoted by the letters SE, provided that approval for said use has been granted by the Zoning Hearing Board, pursuant to Part 14, and further provided that said use shall be subject to the conditions and requirements specified in Part 11 and elsewhere in this Chapter, and to such further requirements as the Zoning Hearing Board may establish in granting the special exception.

   6.   Any use lawfully existing on the effective date of this Chapter which is classified as requiring a special exception in the zoning district in which it is located shall be deemed to have been granted a special exception. Any change in the character and extent of operations or structure existing on the effective date of this Chapter shall require a special exception granted by the Zoning Hearing Board, pursuant to Parts 11 and 14.

   7.   The maximum lot coverage of 50% which was applicable to the Subdivision Plan of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park III, approved by the Board of Supervisors on June 12, 1974, shall continue to apply to LVIP III.

(Ord. 45, Z-§ 304, 5/12/76)

All areas annexed to the Township after the effective date of this Chapter shall automatically be classified in the LU -- Limited Use District, provided that the Township Supervisors may, after public notice and hearing, provide for the classification of such annexed areas or part thereof in another zoning district or districts.

(Ord. 45, Z-§ 305, 5/12/76)

   1.   As an aid in interpreting the provisions of this Chapter, the purposes for which the various zoning districts are established, the types of uses which should be permitted to further the goals and objectives of the adopted Township Comprehensive Plan are stated as follows:

      A.   Limited Use District (LU) - The purpose of this district is to designate and protect areas along streams and areas containing major drainage channels; areas which are part of highway interchange rights-of-way and critical access points to expressways; areas for recreation and open space; and areas which, by reason of steep slope, geologic condition or natural character warrant preservation through limited usage.

      B.   Planned Residential District (PR) - The purpose of this district is to provide for a type of residential development which will protect the natural features of the largest concentrated area of the Township remaining for new residential growth, while making development of this area feasible. This district is intended to permit flexibility in lot layout, lot sizes, housing types and the placement and bulk of buildings planned and developed as a single development.

      C.   Medium Density Residential District (MR) - The purpose of this district is to protect and enhance the characteristics of existing residential areas of the Township while permitting remaining, relatively small undeveloped areas to be feasibly developed for residential and related uses.

      D.   Planned Commercial District (PC) - The purpose of this district is to provide business areas to meet the needs of highway users and to help provide for convenient shopping, personal service and entertainment of Township residents.

      E.   Planned Industrial-Office District (PIO) - The purpose of this district is to encourage well planned modern industrial and office development in the most suitable and accessible areas of the Township, while protecting residential areas of the Township through the use of industrial development and performance standards.

      F.   Planned Unit Development District (PUD) - The purpose of this district is to provide for orderly use and development of those sections of the Township which exhibit a variety of existing uses and/ or represent diversified potential for future land use. The planned unit development concept is utilized to encourage totally planned residential developments, and non-residential complexes planned and developed as a single functional unit.

      G.   Airport-Industrial District (AI) - The purpose of this district is to provide for a totally planned and diversified airport facility and functionally related uses, while protecting other areas in the Township.

      H.   Flood Hazard District (FH) - The purpose of this district is to minimize flood losses by restricting uses dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flood and uses causing increased flood heights or velocities. It is also the purpose to protect the quality and quantity of surface and subsurface water supplies adjacent to and underlying flood hazard areas.

(Ord. 45, Z-§ 306, 5/12/76)