North Coventry Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
Preamble
§ 370-1 Short title.
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the "North Coventry Zoning Ordinance."
§ 370-2 Purpose.
This chapter is enacted under and pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, as amended,[1] in order to promote, protect and facilitate the public health, safety, and welfare through:
A.
Coordinated and practical community development, including accommodation of reasonable overall community growth;
B.
Provision for proper population density and prevention of overcrowding of land;
C.
Provision of housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing;
D.
Provisions for adequate light, air, open space, and recreation;
E.
Provision for adequate parking and loading;
F.
Provision for safe and efficient travel by vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians;
G.
Provision of adequate sewer facilities and a reliable and adequate water supply;
H.
Provision for the protection and preservation of natural, scenic, and historic values in the environment, and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers, and floodplains and the preservation of agricultural land and related activities;
I.
Provision for schools, public ground, and other public improvements;
J.
Protection against loss of health, life, or property from fire, flood, or other dangers; and
K.
Fulfillment of the purposes of Article I, Section 27 (the Environmental Amendment) of the Pennsylvania Constitution which states: "The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustees of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people."
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
§ 370-3 Community development objectives.
This chapter is enacted to implement the spirit and intent of the 2001 North Coventry Township Comprehensive Plan, 1992 Open Space, Recreation, and Environmental Resources Plan, the 1995 Act 537 Wastewater Treatment Plan and Re-rating Study, and other applicable codes, ordinances, or studies, as amended, which have been formulated according to the following objectives:
A.
Promote the maintenance and preservation of the historic structures and sites that contribute to the Township's heritage and help to define its character.
B.
Protect and conserve natural resources, landscapes, and habitats that are an integral component of the Township's character.
(1)
Direct growth away from areas with sensitive natural resources and toward those areas most suitable for development in terms of available infrastructure (i.e., sewer, water, transportation), compatible land uses, and least impact on protected resources.
(2)
Enforce ordinance standards that protect the Township's sensitive environmental resources, including stream corridors, floodplains, woodlands, steep slopes, wetlands, and groundwater sustainability.
(3)
Protect wildlife habitat and strive to enhance the natural diversity of the Township's plants and animals.
(4)
Promote stormwater management techniques and wastewater disposal methods that emphasize the recharge of groundwater and protect the quality of surface and groundwater.
C.
Protect agricultural lands from undesirable impacts of change. Implement both public and private measures for preserving open space, farmland, and natural landscapes.
D.
Direct orderly growth and development which preserves the remaining rural areas and villages of the Township, respects existing land uses, and establishes a balance between growth and the protection of natural and cultural resources.
(1)
Direct growth toward existing centers of development and areas with adequate infrastructure while protecting open space, agriculture, scenic viewsheds, and environmentally sensitive areas. Discourage scattered, unplanned growth.
(2)
Recognize the unique characteristics of the Township's villages through specialized zoning districts to maintain village character.
(3)
Integrate commercial, office, industrial, higher density residential development, and open space in appropriate areas, such as the Town Center, consistent with available water and sewer infrastructure, adequate transportation facilities, and compatibility with adjacent land uses.
(4)
Allow for a limited amount of nonresidential development in the Township that will provide for a more diverse tax base, services for residents, and some local employment opportunities without over-zoning for commercial, office, and industrial uses.
E.
Plan for the housing needs of present and future residents in appropriate areas of the Township.
(1)
Direct housing development, particularly higher and medium density uses, away from environmentally sensitive areas and into areas consistent with the Future Land Use Plan and served by necessary facilities and services.
(2)
Encourage creative site design and flexible land use ordinance standards to accommodate housing that blends into the character of the surrounding landscape.
(3)
Allow for a variety of housing types designed to meet the full range of age, income, and family housing needs of Township residents.
(4)
Encourage the location of a retirement community within the Township to meet the extended care needs of Township residents.
(5)
Establish areas where neo-traditional village communities with a variety of housing types and limited commercial and service uses could be appropriate to provide another lifestyle option for Township residents.
F.
Provide for a safe, efficient, and diversified transportation system that addresses both current and future needs of the Township.
(1)
Coordinate and integrate land use development with transportation infrastructure so that higher intensity land uses are located in the vicinity of major transportation facilities.
(2)
Implement coordinated access management strategies along major transportation corridors. Discourage strip commercial development that creates multiple access points along these corridors.
(3)
Provide for alternative transportation needs, including a network of sidewalks, pedestrian and biking paths, trails, and routes that connect major centers of activity and recreation.
G.
Continue to provide community facilities and services to meet the needs of existing and future residents and landowners in a manner that is consistent with the Township Comprehensive Plan and the statutory and fiscal capabilities of the Township.
§ 370-4 Interpretation and scope.
A.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, the provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the purposes of this chapter. From and after the effective date of this chapter, the use, construction and development of all land, structures, buildings, signs or portions thereof, will be subject to the regulations herein. Any existing buildings, land, or uses not in conformity with the regulations herein shall be considered nonconforming, but may be continued or changed subject to regulations herein regarding nonconformities except for developments falling within the provisions of Section 508(4) of the Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10508(4).
B.
The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to municipal uses related to public recreation and open space. Where the Township has acquired, by any means, open space, including easements for public trails, and the acquisition of such property or easement rights effectuate a nonconformance in lot size for the residue, the residue shall be considered a nonconforming lot but not subject to the minimum lot size, minimum lot width or any area or bulk provisions of this Zoning Chapter.
[Added 3-12-2007]
§ 370-5 Construal of provisions.
A.
Where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or land, or upon 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. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance, or regulation imposes greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulation shall be controlling.
B.
The following uses and any references therein within the North Coventry Township are deleted as permitted uses by right, through a special exception or upon conditional use approval, said uses being otherwise provided for the Pottstown Metropolitan Region in other municipalities comprising the Pottstown Regional zoning and planning organization and being otherwise provided for in accordance with the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Requirements of which North Coventry Township is a member:
[Added 2-26-2007]
(1)
Mobile home parks.
(2)
Truck stop.
(3)
Adult uses.
(4)
Heavy industrial.
(5)
Quarry.
(6)
Landfills.
(7)
Junkyard.
(8)
Power plant.
(9)
Refinery.
(10)
Campground with hookups for sewer and water or that allow permanent residents, a "permanent residency" meaning a residency of more than two weeks for any given individual, group, family or invitee thereof within any sixty-day period.
(11)
Transfer station.
§ 370-6 Repealer.
The North Coventry Township Zoning Ordinance No. 30 of December 9, 1968, and its amendments are hereby repealed.
§ 370-7 Effective date.
The effective date of this chapter is September 23, 1996, except that with respect to the subject matter of any amendment as it may affect the nonconforming uses, or otherwise, the effective date of this chapter shall mean the date upon which the particular amendment became or becomes effective.