Purpose. The primary purpose of this zone is to promote and encourage the continuation of agricultural activities and related support businesses in those areas most suitable for such activities. Consequently, residential uses are generally secondary and limited, and any future inhabitants in this zone must be willing to accept the impacts associated with normal farming practices and related support businesses. This zone also acknowledges the rural and agrarian character of the area, characterized by a mixture of farms, sparsely developed residential uses, and rural businesses; this zone will continue this development trend. These areas are not likely to be served by public sewer or water facilities.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-13A are permitted within this zone, provided that in addition to the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Locational criteria. Applications for subdivision or land development shall be accompanied by the following information. The following information is required to allow the Township to ensure that the highest quality farmland is protected, and to ensure that new development affects agricultural operations to the minimum extent feasible. Unless otherwise required by Chapter 180, Subdivision and Land Development, the following information is not required for proposed subdivisions comprised of the lesser of 10 lots or 15% of the parent tract, as of the effective date of this chapter:

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-13B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. This zone is meant to encourage the continued use of the land for rural, forest, and agricultural purposes, and to permit low-density residential development which will not require extensive public services or facilities. This area is not meant to support intensive agricultural operations. Areas of the Township classified as rural resource are, for the most part, not served by public utilities and are rural, forested, or agricultural in nature. These areas are designed to support rural-style living and development, and are designated separately from the agriculture classification because they are either predominantly wooded, or are located in proximity to existing or planned residential areas. They are not intended to encourage large influxes of residential growth.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-14A are permitted within this zone, provided that, in addition, the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-14B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. This zone is meant to accommodate suburban detached residential growth within the Township. This zone coincides with availability of sewer and water utility service areas; however, the actual availability of these services is likely to occur at different times, in different areas. As a result, permitted densities have been adjusted according to the availability of these public utilities.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-15A are permitted within this zone, provided that, in addition, the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-15B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. This zone seeks to accommodate the higher-density housing needs of the Township. A wide range of housing types are encouraged with densities exceeding those permitted elsewhere in the Township. These zones are located around existing multifamily developments and major transportation routes. Both public sewer and water facilities can be made available to these areas.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-16A are permitted within this zone, provided that in addition to the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-16B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. The purpose of this zone is to provide for a mix of different types of residential and neighborhood commercial uses in a traditional village-type setting. This zone includes those areas where there is currently a mix of residential and business-type uses. The locations of the village/mixed-use areas are convenient for the residents in the surrounding neighborhoods, and as such, are intended to encourage them to support the businesses in the village areas. Uses have been limited to those that residents are likely to need on a daily or regular basis. Overall, retail size has been restricted to prevent the establishment of intensive commercial uses that exceed the local orientation of this zone. These zones have been sized to permit a grouping of several businesses at locations efficiently serving several residential neighborhoods, simultaneously.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-17A are permitted within this zone, provided that, in addition, the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-17B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. The purpose of this zone is to provide basic convenience commercial goods and services to local residents. Uses have been limited to those that residents are likely to need on a daily or regular basis. Overall, retail size has been restricted to prevent the establishment of intensive commercial uses that exceed the local orientation of this zone. These zones have been sized to permit a grouping of several businesses at locations efficiently serving several residential neighborhoods, simultaneously. Finally, several larger and more intensive uses have been allowed because of their provision of commercial conveniences for local residents; however, numerous protective requirements have been imposed to protect adjoining land uses.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-18A are permitted within this zone, provided that in addition to the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-18B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. The intent of this zone is to allow for more intense commercial uses, office uses, and high-tech, light industrial uses, in appropriate areas of the Township. This zone is not intended to accommodate heavy industrial uses, such as heavy manufacturing, truck terminals, or warehousing, as this zone is intended to encourage additional commercial and light industrial type uses in those areas of the Township where there is currently these and other similar type uses that will also help to build the tax base and are more compatible with other types of development.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-19A are permitted within this zone, provided that in addition to the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-19B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. This zone provides for a wide range of industrial activities that contribute to the well-being of the Township by diversifying its economy and providing valuable employment opportunities. The required lot sizes have been kept small to accommodate the startup industries that are likely to emerge; however, larger and heavier industries have also been permitted. This zone provides for light industrial uses as permitted by right, but requires acquisition of a conditional use for heavier and potentially more-objectionable types of industrial uses. These areas have been located near existing public utility service areas and along major roads. Design standards have been imposed to create attractive site designs and moderate the objectionable impacts associated with industrial uses. Substantial setbacks are used to protect adjoining residences.

Permitted uses. Only the following uses listed in Table 204-20A are permitted within this zone, provided that in addition to the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met. Uses permitted by special exception are subject to the approval by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VI. Uses permitted by conditional use are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a public hearing set forth with the provisions of Article VII.

Area and design requirements. Unless further specified in the specific criteria for certain uses established in Article IV and all applicable general provisions in Article III are met, all new permitted uses within this zone shall comply with the following area and building dimensional requirements set forth in Table 204-20B.[1]

Compliance with other standards of this chapter. All uses shall comply with all applicable provisions contained within:

Purpose. The purpose of the Airport Overlay Zone is to:

Relation to other zones. The Airport Overlay Zone shall not modify the boundaries of any underlying zone. Where identified, the Airport Overlay Zone shall impose certain requirements on land use, construction, and development in addition to those contained in the other applicable zones for the same areas.

Conflict. Wherever and whenever the requirements of § 204-22 of this chapter are at variance with the requirements of any other section of this chapter, the most restrictive, or that imposing the higher standards shall govern.

Establishment of airport zones and boundaries. There are hereby created and established certain zones within this § 204-22, Airport Overlay Zone, defined in § 204-12C of this chapter and depicted on Figure 2, which include:

Permit applications.

Variances. In addition to the provisions set forth in Article VI of this chapter relating to variances, any request for a variance shall include documentation in compliance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 77, Subpart B (FAA Form 7460-1 as amended or replaced). Determinations of whether to grant a variance will depend on the determinations made by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) and PennDOT's BOA as to the effect of the proposal on the operation of air navigation facilities and the safe, efficient use of navigable air space. In particular, the request for a variance shall consider which of the following categories the FAA has placed the proposed construction in:

Use restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this § 204-22 of this chapter, no use shall be made or established within the Airport Overlay Zone in such a manner as to:

Preexisting nonconforming uses, structures, and trees. The regulations prescribed by this § 204-22 of this chapter shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering, or otherwise change to, or alteration of any use, structure, or tree not conforming to the regulations of this § 204-22 of this chapter as of the effective date of this chapter, or otherwise interfere with the continuance of a nonconforming use, structure, or tree. No nonconforming use or structure shall be altered and tree permitted to grow higher, so as to increase the nonconformity (relating to height and the use restrictions set forth in Subsection G). A nonconforming use, structure or tree, has been abandoned for more than one year or more than 80% torn down, physically deteriorated, or decayed, may only be reestablished consistent with the provisions herein this § 204-22.

Obstruction marking and lighting. Any permit or variance granted pursuant to the provisions of this § 204-22 of this chapter may be conditioned according to the process described in of this Subsection F to require the owner of the structure or object of natural growth in question to permit North Middleton Township, at its own expense, or require the applicant requesting the permit or variance, to install, operate, and maintain such marking or lighting as deemed necessary to assure both ground and air safety.

Purpose. The purpose of the Historic Resources Overlay Zone is to promote the general welfare of North Middleton Township through the following goals:

Applicability.

General provisions.

Demolition, removal or relocation of historic resources (Class I or II).