Montgomery Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 230-1 Short title; when effective.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Montgomery Township Zoning Ordinance of 1952, as amended in 1959." This amendment, revision and reenactment shall become effective five days after its adoption.
§ 230-2 Purpose.
A.
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Township, 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 dangers, 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 improvements, to conserve the value of buildings and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Township.
B.
Statement of community development objectives. The Comprehensive Plan of Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, adopted by resolution on January 4, 1971, and in particular those portions of the Plan entitled "The Statement of Objectives of Montgomery Township," "The Land Use Policies and Objectives," "A Plan for the Movement of People and Goods," "Community Facilities and Utilization Plan," and "Relationship of Montgomery Township to Adjacent Municipalities," shall constitute the statement of community development objectives of and for the Township of Montgomery, and this Zoning Ordinance shall implement said statement of community development objectives.
§ 230-3 Interpretation.
A.
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 Township. 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 purpose set forth in § 230-2 hereinabove, in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward the following objectives, insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purpose set forth in § 230-2 and with the aforesaid minimum requirements therefor:
(1)
Guiding and encouraging the future development of the Township 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 Township, 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 Township and with respect to the relation of the Township to surrounding areas.
(2)
Protecting the character and the social and economic stability of each of such areas and encouraging their orderly and beneficial growth.
(3)
Protecting and conserving the value of land and buildings throughout the Township appropriate to the various zoning districts established herein.
(4)
Bringing about through proper timing a gradual conformity of land use to the Comprehensive Plan aforesaid and minimizing conflicts among the uses of land and buildings.
(5)
Aiding in bringing about the most beneficial relations between land use and the circulation of traffic throughout the Township, having particular regard to traffic and to avoidance of congestion in the streets and the provision of safe and convenient access appropriate to the various land uses.
(6)
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 the development of water resources and for private enterprise in building development, investment and other economic activity relating to land use.
B.
The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such manner as will facilitate attainment of said objectives.
§ 230-4 Effect on existing provisions.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing Zoning Ordinance or enactment or with any other ordinance, 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, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.