Jackson Township Butler County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 9
AO Airport Overlay District
§ 27-901 Purpose.
The AO Airport Overlay District identifies those areas of the Township which lie within the Butler County and Zelienople Airport Overlay boundaries as identified on the Jackson Township Overlay Map and recognizes their effect on land development.
§ 27-902 Findings.
It has been determined that obstruction and high-density development have the potential for endangering the lives and property of users of the Butler County and Zelienople Airports, and the property or occupants of land in their vicinity, and that obstructions may affect existing and future instrument approach minimums of those airports, and further, that obstruction may reduce the size of areas available for the landing, takeoff and maneuvering of aircraft, thus limiting the utility of those airports.
§ 27-903 Boundaries.
The boundaries for the Airport Overlay Zoning Districts for the Butler County and Zelienople Airports are set forth in Appendix A, Airport Zoning Map.
§ 27-904 Restrictions.
A.
No material change shall be made in the use of the land and no structure shall be erected or otherwise established until subdivision or land development approval has been granted, where applicable, and all required federal, state and local permits have been issued.
B.
Each application for a required local permit shall indicate the purpose for which the permit is desired, with sufficient information to determine whether the resulting use or structure would conform to the regulations herein prescribed.
D.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Part 9, no use of land or water identified in any underlying zoning district shall be permitted which will:
(1)
Create electrical interference with navigational signals or radio signals between the aircraft and airport.
(2)
Make it difficult for pilots to distinguish between airport lights and others.
(3)
Result in glare in the eyes of pilots using the airport.
(4)
Impair visibility in the vicinity of the airport.
(5)
Create bird-strike hazards.
(6)
Endanger or interfere with the landing, takeoff or maneuvering of aircraft intending to use the airport.
E.
In the area lying within the limits of the horizontal zone and conical zone, no special permit shall be required for any structure less than 75 feet of vertical height above the ground, except when, because of terrain, land contour or topographic features, such tree or structure would extend above the height limit prescribed for such zones.
F.
In the new zones lying within the limits of the transition zones beyond the perimeter of the horizontal zone, no permit shall be required for any structure less than 75 feet of vertical height above the ground, except when such structure, because of terrain, land contour or topographic feature, would extend above the height limit prescribed for such transition zone.
§ 27-905 Nonconforming uses.
A.
The regulations prescribed in this Part 9 shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering, or other change or alteration of any structure or tree not conforming to the regulations as of the effective date of this Part 9, or otherwise interfere with the continuance of any nonconforming use, except as provided in § 27-906 (relating to permits and variances). Nothing contained herein shall require any change in the construction, alteration of which was begun prior to the effective date of this chapter and is diligently prosecuted.
B.
Notwithstanding the preceding provision of this section, the owner of any existing nonconforming structure or tree is hereby required to permit the installation, operation, and maintenance thereon of such markers and lights as shall be deemed necessary by the Airport Manager to indicate to the operators of aircraft in the vicinity of the airport the presence of such airport obstruction. Such markers and lights shall be installed, operated, and maintained at the expense of Butler County and the Borough of Zelienople.
§ 27-906 Variances.
Any request for a variance in accordance with Part 21 of this chapter shall be accompanied by a determination from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation, or other regulatory agency with jurisdiction, as to the effect of the proposal on the operation of air navigation facilities and the safe efficient use of navigable airspace. Additionally, no application for a variance may be considered by the Zoning Hearing Board unless a copy of the application has been furnished to the appropriate Butler County and Zelienople Airport officials for review and comment at least 15 days prior to the hearing.