Pleasant Hills City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
Introduction
§ 374-1 Title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Pleasant Hills.”
§ 374-2 Zoning Map.
The map herein referred to which is identified by the title “Pleasant Hills Borough Zoning Map” and by the signatures of the duly authorized officers of the Borough affixed thereto shall be known as the “Zoning Map” and such map, together with all notations, references and other data shown thereon is hereby incorporated by reference to this chapter as is more fully described herein. Said Zoning Map shall be kept up to date regarding additions, planned development and street extension. It shall be on file and available for examination by persons interested therein at the offices of the Borough of Pleasant Hills.
§ 374-3 Incorporation of county airport zoning.
The Allegheny County Airport Zoning Regulations are incorporated herein by reference for the airport hazard area within the territorial limits of the Borough of Pleasant Hills as identified in the County of Allegheny Airport Zoning Regulations for Allegheny County Airport. These regulations are adopted in compliance with the requirements of the Airport Zoning Act, 74 Pa.C.S.A. § 5911 et seq.
§ 374-4 Interpretation; purpose.
A.
In interpreting and applying this chapter, the provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare and shall not prohibit the adoption of more restrictive requirements of this nature.
B.
Effect on lots and boundary lines.
(1)
It is fundamental to the purpose of this chapter to recognize that many existing lots throughout the Borough are less adequate than others because of their location or size or odd shape or difficult topography, or any combination of these limitations. A claim of hardship under this chapter, therefore, shall not be allowable on behalf of any lot because the physical characteristics of the lot prevent it from being built upon exactly as in another lot abutting or close to it or in the same zoning district. The regulations herein permit most such lots to be satisfactorily built upon. There can be some alleviation for other lots through variances (minor concessions) granted by the Zoning Hearing Board when special physical conditions make literal enforcement of the regulations either unsatisfactory in the interest of the people at large or actually impossible.
(2)
While this chapter applies only to property within the Borough, in the protection of the health and safety and welfare of the people at large, and in the encouragement of the establishment and maintenance of reasonable community standards of physical environment, the effect of such application on adjacent properties and neighborhoods without regard to municipal boundary lines should be considered. It is the intention that the administration of this chapter, where it affects properties adjacent to the Borough boundary line, will be such as to promote cooperation with other political subdivisions involved, for the uniform benefit and protection of all affected properties.
(3)
This section shall be considered, together with all the provisions of this chapter, when appraising “the spirit of the ordinance” as a guide to its interpretation.
C.
All buildings for which permits have been obtained and the construction of which or a portion of which has been begun, or for which a contract or contracts have been let pursuant to a permit issued prior to the effective date of this chapter, may be completed and used in accordance with the plans on which said permit was granted.
D.
All permits for buildings which were issued prior to the adoption of this chapter are declared void if at the time of the effective date of this chapter:
§ 374-5 Community development objectives.
A.
These regulations are made in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan for the Borough of Pleasant Hills and the goals and objectives stated therein.
B.
In addition, these regulations are designed to:
(1)
Lessen congestion in the streets;
(2)
Secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers;
(3)
Promote health and general welfare;
(4)
Provide adequate light and air;
(5)
Prevent the overcrowding of land;
(6)
Avoid undue concentration of population; and
(7)
Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements.
C.
Reasonable consideration has been given, among other things, to the character of the district and its particular suitability for particular uses and to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Borough.