This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “1998 Zoning Ordinance of the Township of Plains”, as amended.

(Ord. 1998-1, 3/19/1998, § 101)

   In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Chapter, they shall be held to the minimum requirements for the protection and promotion of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, morals and general welfare of the residents of Plains Township. In the event of any conflict in the application of this Chapter with other applicable public or private provisions, the following shall apply:

   A.   Public provisions. The regulations of this Chapter, are not intended to interfere with or abrogate or annul any other ordinance, rules or regulations previously adopted or previously issued by Plains Township which are not in conflict with any provisions of this Chapter. Where this Chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of land, structure or building than any other previously adopted ordinance, rules or regulations of Plains Township, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply.

   B.   Private provisions. The regulations of this Chapter are not intended to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easement, covenant or other form of private agreement or restriction, provided that where the provisions of this Chapter impose a greater restriction, the requirements of this Chapter shall govern. Plains Township shall not however be held responsible for knowledge and/or enforcement of any private deed restriction, private covenant or other form of private agreement which may be inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter and/or beyond the scope of regulations contained within this Chapter.

(Ord. 1998-1, 3/19/1998, § 102)

   Except as hereinafter provided, no land, building, structure or premises shall hereafter be used, and no building or part thereof or other structure shall be located, erected, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, altered or moved except in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the zoning district in which it is located.

(Ord. 1998-1, 3/19/1998, § 103)

   This Chapter is enacted to accomplish the purposes enumerated in § 604 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, 53 P.S. § 10604, as amended. The provisions of this Chapter are designed to achieve the following:

   A.   To promote, protect and facilitate one or more of the following: the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development, proper density of population, emergency management preparedness, airports and national defense facilities, the provisions of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewage, schools, recreational facilities, public grounds, the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial use, and other public requirements; as well as reservation of natural, scenic and historic values in the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.

   B.   To prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.

   C.   To preserve prime agriculture and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification, and present use.

   D.   To provide for the use of land within the Township for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing, including single-family and two-family dwellings and a reasonable range of multi-family dwellings in various arrangements, mobile homes and mobile home parks; provided, however, that this Chapter shall not be deemed invalid for the failure to provide any other specific dwelling type.

   E.   To accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population and employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.

(Ord. 1998-1, 3/19/1998, § 104)

   In addition to the community development objectives of the Township’s Comprehensive Plan, the following shall be considered to represent supplemental community development objectives of said plan:

   A.   Achieve the best use of land within the Township, ensuring that a balanced pattern of development which emphasizes an efficient and compatible arrangement of residential, commercial, industrial, open-space and public uses intended to improve the economic and aesthetic character of community.

   B.   Continue to provide the best possible police protection, fire protection and emergency medical service consistent with the community’s needs.

   C.   Coordinate land development with roadways and other public facilities and utilities.

   D.   Maintain and improve Township roadways to eliminate identified deficiencies.

   E.   Preserve adequate open space and conserve and protect the aesthetic qualities of land in environmentally sensitive areas, including floodplains and areas which have steep terrain.

   F.   Encourage and promote the provision of a wide range and variety of housing types to meet the needs of all Township residents including, but not limited to, newly formed households, growing families and senior citizens.

   G.   To ensure all new development provides adequate measures to control storm drainage and soil erosion and sedimentation.

   H.   To facilitate proper reuse collection and disposal at reasonable cost and to achieve maximum recycling of solid wastes, and to prevent illegal dumping which causes degradation to the environment and to the appearance of the community.

   I.   To periodically review and revise planning goals and objectives, and the operational tools necessary for implementation in light of new data and conditions.

(Ord. 1998-1, 3/19/1998, § 105)