Laurel Springs City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 270-1 Title; content.
A.
This chapter is a comprehensive ordinance regulating and limiting the uses of land and the uses and locations of buildings and structures, regulating and restricting the height and bulk of buildings and structures and determining the area of yards and other open spaces, regulating and restricting the density of housing and populations; dividing the Borough of Laurel Springs into districts for such purposes; adopting a map of said Borough showing boundaries and the classifications of such districts; establishing rules, regulations and standards governing the subdivision and development of land within the Borough; establishing a Joint Land Use Board (combined Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment) and prescribing penalties for the violations of its provisions.
B.
This chapter shall consist of text and a Zoning Map, said map being entitled "Zoning Map, Borough of Laurel Springs." The map, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is declared to be part of this chapter and is on file and shall be kept on file with the Borough Clerk and Joint Land Use Board Secretary. If and when changes are made in boundaries or other matters included on said Zoning Map, such changes in the map shall be made promptly after the amendment has been approved by the Borough Council.
§ 270-2 Short title.
The short form by which this chapter may be known shall be the "Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Laurel Springs."
§ 270-3 Purpose; objectives.
A.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., in order to promote and protect the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity, morals and general welfare and in the furtherance of the following related and more specific objectives:
(1)
To secure safety from fire, flood, panic, and other natural and man-made disasters.
(2)
To provide adequate light, air, and open space.
(3)
To ensure that the development of the Borough does not conflict with the development and general welfare of neighboring municipalities, the county, and the state as a whole.
(4)
To promote the establishment of appropriate population densities and housing concentrations that will contribute to the well-being of persons, neighborhoods, communities and regions and preservation of the environment.
(5)
To encourage an appropriate and efficient expenditure of public funds by the coordination of public development with land use policies and plans.
(6)
To provide sufficient space and appropriate locations for a variety of residential, recreational, commercial, and open space, both public and private, according to their respective environmental requirements in order to meet the needs of all New Jersey citizens.
(7)
To encourage the location and design of transportation routes which will promote the free flow of traffic while discouraging the location of such facilities and routes which would result in congestion, blight, or safety hazards.
(8)
To promote a desirable visual environment through creative development techniques and good civic design and arrangements.
(9)
To promote the conservation of historic sites and districts, open space, energy resources and valuable natural resources in the Borough and to prevent urban degradation of the environment through Improper use of land.
(10)
To encourage planned and comprehensive developments which incorporate the best features of design and relate the type, design, and layout of residential, commercial, and recreational development to the particular site and its surroundings.
(11)
To encourage senior citizen community housing construction.
(12)
To encourage coordination of the various public and private procedures and activities that shape land development with a view of lessening the cost of such development and to promote more efficient use of land.
(13)
To promote utilization of renewable energy sources.
B.
These general objectives shall include, among others, the specific purposes set forth in the statements of intent of the various regulations for the respective zoning districts.
§ 270-4 Interpretation of standards.
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements. Where this chapter imposes a greater restriction than is imposed and required by other provisions of law or by other rules, regulations or resolutions, the provisions of this chapter shall control. Where other laws, rules, regulations, or resolutions require greater restrictions than are imposed by this chapter, the provisions of such other laws, rules, regulations, or restrictions shall control.
§ 270-5 Prohibited uses in general.
All uses not expressly permitted in this chapter are prohibited.
§ 270-6 Applicability of definitions.
Definitions as set forth in Article II shall apply through this chapter.
§ 270-7 Applicability.
A.
The regulations set forth in this chapter for each zoning district shall be minimum regulations, unless otherwise specified, and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land.
B.
In all zoning districts, after the effective date of this chapter, any new building or structure or any tract of land shall be constructed, developed, and used only in accordance with the regulations specified for each district.
C.
In all zoning districts, after the effective date of this chapter, any existing building or other structure or part thereof or any tract of land which is not in conformity with the regulations for the district in which it is located shall be deemed as nonconforming and subject to the regulations of Article IX, § 270-48 et seq.
§ 270-8 Compliance required.
A.
Any and all initial erection, enlargement, alteration, moving or change in use of any structure shall require an application to the Zoning Enforcement Officer and a determination by that officer as to compliance with the Code of the Borough of Laurel Springs.
B.
All applicable requirements shall be met at the time of initial erection, enlargement, alteration, moving or change in use of a structure and shall apply to the entire structure or structures, whether or not the entire structure or structures were involved in the initial erection, enlargement, alteration, moving, or change in use.
C.
No building or structure shall be erected, moved, altered, added to, or enlarged unless in conformity with this chapter.
D.
No building or structure shall be designed, used, or occupied and no land shall be used or occupied for any purpose or in any manner other than as specified in this chapter.
E.
Where an application for a permit has been made and/or where preliminary plans were lawfully submitted to any governmental agency having applicable jurisdiction, or where actual construction has begun and diligently pursued before adoption of this chapter or any changes herein, no change in plans, construction or intended use of any building, structure or land shall be required in conformity with said changes.
§ 270-9 Types of regulations.
The following minimum and uniform regulations shall apply in the respective districts:
A.
Use regulations, including uses by right, accessory uses and conditional uses.
B.
Area and bulk regulations, including required front, side and rear yards, maximum permitted height, and maximum allowable lot coverage.
C.
Off-street parking regulations, including minimum required parking spaces.
D.
Off-street loading regulations, including minimum required loading spaces for specified uses.
