Ohara Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 455-1.1 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the "O'Hara Township Zoning Ordinance," and the map referred to herein and made a part of this chapter shall be known as the "O'Hara Township Zoning Map."
§ 455-1.2 Compliance.
A.
No building or structure shall be used, located, erected, constructed, altered, enlarged or moved, nor shall any building, structure or land be used or designed to be used except in full compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter and after the lawful issuance of all permits and certificates required by this chapter.
B.
Any application for a zoning permit shall be reviewed by the Zoning Officer for completeness. When the application is not approved in terms of completeness, the application shall be considered as it had not been filed and promptly returned to the applicant, specifying the defects found in the application and describe the requirements which have not been met. When an application has been approved in terms of completeness by the Zoning Officer, it shall be marked as submitted. The application may be forwarded to others for required review and approval. The Zoning Officer shall render a decision either approving or disapproving the application for a zoning permit within 30 days after the completed application is filed. Any disapproval of an application shall contain a written explanation setting forth the reason(s) for said disapproval and the manner in which the application can be corrected and/or modified to obtain the required approval.
§ 455-1.3 Interpretation.
The provisions of this Zoning Ordinance shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the Township of O'Hara. Where requirements imposed by any provision of this chapter upon the use of land, buildings or structures are less restrictive than a comparable condition imposed by any other ordinance, law rules or regulation or recorded restriction, the regulations which are more restrictive shall govern. Uses of land, buildings or structures not clearly permitted in the various zoning districts are prohibited. Unless a proposed use can clearly comply with all of the conditions and standards provided in this chapter, or if there is any ambiguity, indefiniteness or absence of standards in this chapter pertaining to an accessory use, conditional use or a special exception, such use shall not be permitted.
§ 455-1.4 Number of buildings on a zoning lot.
No more than one permitted use shall be located on a zoning lot except for lots in a riverfront unit development or a planned residential development, nor shall a single-family dwelling be located on the same zoning lot with any other principal building.
§ 455-1.5 Dwellings prohibited in Manufacturing District.
No residences shall be permitted in the Suburban Manufacturing District or in the Commercial District except where authorized as a special exception.
§ 455-1.6 Prohibited uses.
Land uses not specifically provided for in Article IV through Article XI are hereby prohibited. It is the intent of these regulations to facilitate the achievement of the stated community goals and objectives by establishing minimum performance standards which apply to all permitted and conditional land uses. These standards are designed to preserve the character of the community through the protection of health and safety and general welfare of current and future residents of O'Hara Township.
§ 455-1.7 Reduction in lot size prohibited.
No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this chapter shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this chapter.
§ 455-1.8 Community development objectives.
The Township Council, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act No. 247, as amended,[1] set forth the following statement of community development objectives:
A.
To protect, conserve and improve property values and amenities in existing residential areas through the adoption and enforcement of adequate municipal codes.
B.
To conceive and invite advanced residential and neighborhood design which will provide a superior living environment with open space and adequate public facilities.
C.
To initiate a program to encourage the reserving of land not suitable for attractive building purposes in its natural state and acquire for the public suitable land for open space and recreation.
D.
To guide commercial development in appropriate sites so as to permit the orderly provision of retail and service outlets with minimum adverse influences on adjacent residential areas, schools, highways and other lands.
E.
To establish programs for the long-term elimination of substandard housing and structural conditions.
F.
To set aside rights-of-way to allow safe and economical installation of future major roads at such time as they roads are needed, taking into consideration the safety of all the public.
G.
To avoid the further congestion of major roads through appropriate measures and to improve and expand them where necessary.
H.
To anticipate future public needs for buildings, parks, utilities and highways, and to prepare long-term financial schedules for needed improvements.
I.
To control and assist the development of industrial land in sufficient quantity and in suitable locations for modern industrial uses which will enjoy park-like settings and be appropriately screened from adjacent lands.
J.
To assist and cooperate with all concerned with attracting and locating new industries in the Township.
K.
To regulate the removal of mineral and other natural resources so as to effect the conservation of land and other physical features.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.