For the purposes of this Chapter, the Township is hereby divided into the following classes of districts:

Agricultural Preservation District

Blue Mountain Preservation District

Rural District

Rural Village District

Airport Hazard Overlay

Regional Use Overlay

In addition, there is hereby created an Environmental Protection District which shall overlay the above classes of districts, as set forth in Part 9.

(Ord. 4-81, 12/28/1981, §410; as amended by Ord. 2007-1, 3/8/2007, §§1–4)

1. Agricultural Preservation District. The purpose of this district is to protect agricultural land uses and farming operations from the intrusion of those land uses which tend to restrict or hinder such land uses and operations. This district is intended to clearly favor the continuation of rural land uses over the introduction of urban or suburban land uses. All normal agricultural land uses are permitted but other land uses are restricted. Public and community uses which complement the farm community are permitted. It is the Township’s intent to maintain this area for agricultural uses. [Ord. 2007-1]
2. Blue Mountain Preservation District. The purpose of this district is to protect the Blue Mountain and its wooded base. This portion of the Township is recognized as having physical characteristics, including steep slopes, areas of high water table, and stony soils, which warrant such protection. Further, the district is to protect the aesthetic beauty of the Blue Mountain area, to conserve the unique and sensitive natural features and resources present in the Blue Mountain zone. The Blue Mountain is recognized in the report, A Natural Inventory of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania, as an exceptional natural feature. This zone represents the confluence of unique natural systems which include: steep slopes, woodlands, boulder fields, springs, streams, wetlands, aquifer recharge zones, raptor migratory paths, and black bear and other wildlife habitat. Woodlands, agricultural operations and wildlife habitat are to be conserved. In order to achieve this purpose, this Chapter does provide for very low densities appropriate to the zone and flexible design standards where a perpetual Blue Mountain easement is offered to an IRS §501 C(3) and 170 (H) qualified natural land Blue Mountain organization or the Township. [Ord. 2007-1]
3. Rural District. The purpose of this district is to create an area where some additional development can occur in the Township in proximity to existing development and sewer and water facilities. The intent is to balance and harmonize the existing residential and agricultural land uses. Most agricultural uses are permitted, though restricted to some extent to insure that they do not unduly conflict with existing and future residential land uses. It is the Township’s intent to buffer the residential areas from agricultural uses, restrict certain offensive agricultural uses, and restrict agricultural uses from residential lots in this district. [Ord. 2007-1]
4. Rural Village District. The purpose of this district is to provide opportunities for convenience services and uses for Township residents. It is intended that a mixture of land uses such as presently exists should be allowed to continue. It is not the intent of this district to allow for substantial expansion of the village or to serve as a growth center. [Ord. 2007-1]
5. Regional Use Overlay. Refer to Part 6A.
   
6. Environmental Protection District. This purpose of this overlay district is to protect steep slopes, floodplains, and high water table areas wherever such areas may occur in the Township. The intent is to restrict the types of land uses and density of development to those which are compatible with the development limitations of these environmentally sensitive areas.

(Ord. 4-81, 12/28/1981, §420; as amended by Ord. 2004-3, 8/12/2004, Art. 1, §1; and by Ord. 2007-1, 3/8/2007, §§1–4)

1. Zoning Map. The boundaries of each district or zone are established as shown on the Official Zoning Map of Heidelberg Township which together with any explanatory matter thereon is declared to be part of this Chapter. The Official Zoning Map shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and by the Chairman of the Township Planning Commission. This map shall be located and displayed in the office of the Zoning Officer. Any subsequent amendment to this Chapter which involves matter portrayed on the Official Zoning Map shall be promptly reflected on the Official Zoning Map. The map which accompanies this Chapter is a replica of the Official Zoning Map at the date of the adoption of this Chapter.
2. Replacement of Official Zoning Map. In the event that the Official Zoning Map becomes damaged, lost, or difficult to interpret because of the nature or number of changes and additions, the Board of Supervisors may by resolution adopt a new Official Zoning Map which shall supersede the prior Official Zoning Map. The new Official Zoning Map may correct drafting or other errors or omissions in the prior Official Zoning Map, but no such correction shall have the effect of amending the original Official Zoning Map or any subsequent amendment thereof. Unless the prior Official Zoning Map has been lost, or has been totally destroyed, the prior map or any significant parts thereof remaining shall be preserved together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment.
3. Delineation of District Boundaries. The following rules shall apply as to the delineation of district boundaries:
   1. Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding with the center lines of streets, highways, public utility rights-of-way, or streams, such center lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.
   2. Where district boundaries are so indicated that they approximately coincide with lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be said boundaries.
   3. Where district boundaries are so indicated that they are approximately parallel to lot lines or the center lines of streets, highways, public utility rights-of-way, or streams, such district boundaries shall be construed as being parallel thereto. Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the map.
4. Interpretation of District Boundaries. In cases of uncertainty as to the true location of a district boundary line in a particular instance, the determination thereof shall be made by the Zoning Officer. Appeals of decisions by the Zoning Officer may be taken to the Zoning Hearing Board, as provided in §27-1103 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 4-81, 12/28/1981, §430)