North Centre Township Columbia County
City Zoning Code

RR Rural Residential District. This district is intended to set aside areas of the municipality where low density residential uses can be located without interfering with the agricultural or woodland areas surrounding them and to provide a transition between agricultural activities and residential development in the Township. Areas designated for this zone include sections of the Township where this type of development already exists and areas where further development of this nature could occur without creating conflicts with adjoining land uses. Development in this zone is not currently served by public or community sewer or water facilities, nor are such services expected to be made available in these areas in the foreseeable future. As a result, lot sizes are designed to safeguard the health of residents and preserve the peaceful, rural character of these portions of North Centre Township.

SR Suburban Residential District. The purpose of this district is to provide an area within the municipality where low to moderate density residential development can be accommodated, and a safe, family home environment can be promoted. Included in this district are areas currently developed as well as areas of the Township were additional growth of this type could logically occur. Higher density residential could be permitted in this district where the developer provides public or community sewer facilities and/or water supplies. Although densities may vary throughout the zone, they are intended to assure sufficient, usable open space is reserved.

V Village District. The purpose of this district is to identify areas of North Centre Township which can support the logical growth and coexistence of residential, retail, public/semi-public uses and service activities serving small, rural "cross-roads" markets, i.e., Fowlersville. Density requirements in this zone are intended to assure new development will be consistent with the maintenance of a rural village atmosphere. Higher density residential, commercial, and limited industrial operations are permitted in this district provided that they can be adequately served by sewer, water and transportation infrastructure.

A Agricultural Preservation District. It is the intent of this district to preserve and protect the rural and farming characteristics of the North Centre Township, and to encourage the continuation of agricultural production to the extent possible. Land cultivation and farm-related activities and businesses are permitted in these areas, as are limited low density residential uses. The agricultural designation is intended to encourage farmers to invest in farm improvements and to discourage land speculation for non-agricultural uses in these areas. Options for open space residential development are however provided in this district in an effort to preserve private property rights while conserving significant amounts of the municipality's valuable agricultural and open lands.

W/C Woodland/Conservation District. The purpose of this district is to encourage the conservation of land where the economics of building and supplying public services and facilities is not in the best interest of the Township. This zone includes large tracts of wooded of forested lands, as well as steep slope areas, floodplains, and some wetland or hydric soil areas. The regulations of the district are intended to limit development of steep slopes; preserve natural drainageways; protect water supply and wildlife habitat areas; and encourage uses which will enhance the Township's environmental protection objectives.

FP General Floodplain District (Overlying District). The intent of this district is to prevent the loss of property and life; the creation of health and safety hazards; the disruption of commercial and governmental services; and the extraordinary and unnecessary expenditure of public funds for flood protection and relief. To achieve this end, permitted uses must be floodproofed against such flood damage. In these floodplain areas, development and/or the use of land shall be permitted in accordance with the regulations of the underlying district; provided, that all such uses, activities, and/or development shall be undertaken in strict compliance with the floodproofing and related requirements of all Township codes and ordinances.

The locations and boundaries of the zoning districts are hereby established as shown on the Official Zoning Map, which is made a part of this chapter together with all future notations, references and amendments.

No change of any nature shall be made to the Official Zoning Map, except in conformance with the procedures set forth in § 27-1101 of this chapter. The final authority as to the current status of zoning districts shall be the Official Zoning Map. Any changes made to the zoning districts shall be made on the Official Zoning Map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the Township Supervisors. All such changes shall be recorded on the Map's "Revision Block" and shall include the date of the amendment, a brief description of the change, and the initials of the individual making the change.

Designation of District Boundaries. The district boundary lines, except for the floodplain districts, are intended to generally follow the center lines of streets, highways, railroad rights-of-way, existing lot lines, municipal boundary lines, or streams or may be designated on the Official Zoning Map by a specific dimension from a road center line or other boundary as indicated.

Interpretation of District Boundary Locations. Where uncertainty exists with respect to the actual location of a district boundary line in a particular instance, the Zoning Officer shall request the Zoning Hearing Board to render its interpretation with respect thereto; provided, however, no boundary shall be changed by the Zoning Hearing Board. (The Board may request recommendations from the Township Planning Commission prior to making such decisions.) If the true location of the boundary cannot be determined by interpretation of the Zoning Hearing Board, a request for corrective action shall be filed with the Township Supervisors.

Extension of District Regulations for Severed Lots. Where a district boundary line divides a contiguous lot (a lot not bisected by a public street or road) which was in single ownership at the time of adoption of this chapter or amendment thereto, the Zoning Hearing Board may permit the extension of the regulations for either zone into the remaining portion of the lot for a distance not to exceed 50 feet beyond the district line; provided, that they determine such extension is consistent with the purposes of this chapter, including all floodplain management regulations.