Norristown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
Intent, Interpretation and Objectives
§ 320-1 Legislative intent.
This chapter is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of Norristown, and Article VI, Zoning, and Article VII, Traditional Neighborhood Development, of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code Act of 1968, as reenacted and amended. This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the municipality, and is designed to lessen congestion in the streets and highways; to secure safety from fire, panic and other danger; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue congestion of population; to facilitate schools, parks and other public requirements; to conserve the value of buildings; and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the municipality.
§ 320-2 Interpretation.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the municipality. 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 § 320-1.
§ 320-3 General objectives.
A.
The general objectives of this Zoning Chapter, in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, are:
(1)
Guiding and encouraging the future development of the municipality in accordance with comprehensive planning of land use and population density that represents the most beneficial and convenient relationships among the residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational areas within the municipality, 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 municipality and with respect to the relation of the municipality 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 municipality, depending upon necessity of circumstances, appropriate to the various zoning districts established herein.
(4)
Bringing about, through proper timing, the gradual conformity of land use with the Comprehensive Plan aforesaid and minimizing conflicts among the uses of land and buildings.
(5)
Aiding in bringing about the most beneficial relation between land use and the circulation of traffic throughout the municipality, having particular regard to traffic to and from the expressways 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 for private enterprise in building development, investment and other economic activity relating to land use.
B.
Insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purpose set forth in § 320-1 and with the aforesaid minimum requirements therefor, the provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such manner as will facilitate attainment of said objectives and all others permitted by law.
§ 320-4 Community objectives.
A.
The general objectives of this Zoning Chapter, in accordance with Chapter 3, Goals, Objectives and Strategies, of the Comprehensive Plan of 2009, are to:
(1)
Improve and enhance the downtown to recreate a strong business district as an attractive hub for Norristown and as the County Seat, a viable destination for the surrounding region.
(2)
Maintain existing walkable neighborhoods, and their traditional character.
(3)
Adaptively reuse existing noteworthy buildings, revitalize sites that are vacant or underutilized, and create new attractive development in scale and proportion to the traditional character of Norristown.
(4)
Protect and preserve historic resources in order to maintain the character and charm of the historic districts and stimulate new economic development.
(5)
Enrich the quality of life in Norristown through cultural resources development and hospitality.
B.
Additional goals as noted in the Comprehensive Plan of 2009, are to:
(1)
Improve vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian circulation and safety.
(2)
Promote multi-modal transportation.
(3)
Create hybrid zoning districts for all of Norristown to improve the design and functionality of infill and redevelopment projects.
(4)
Encourage infill development to be compatible and complementary to existing neighborhood in terms of building facade orientation, scale, massing, the use of traditional building materials, and the location of streetscape features such as sidewalks, curbing, street trees and on and off-street parking.
§ 320-5 Conflict with other provisions.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinance or enactment or with any 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, provided that where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or land or upon the height and bulk of buildings or prescribes larger open spaces than are required by the provisions of such ordinance, enactment, rule, regulation or permit, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.