Potter Township Centre County
City Zoning Code

A Agricultural District. Potter Township has within its borders large tracts of high-quality farmland. It is the purpose of this district to preserve and protect this farmland and the rural and semirural characteristics of the area and to encourage land cultivation as the dominant use of the land. The intent of this designation is to permit those land within the Township best suited to agriculture to be utilized for that purpose and to prevent the encroachment, as much as possible, of industrial, urban and other noncompatible land uses. It is also the intent of this district to provide special regulations to protect and encourage farming and agricultural uses.

O Open Space/Forest District. This district recognizes the value of conserving land as a natural resource and the problems which can be created as a result of overutilization or development of certain areas with unusual or fragile characteristics. Certain lands within the Township have unique characteristics with regard to matters such as potential soil erosion and water supply contamination. Other lands within the Township present the possibility of preserving the aesthetic values and rural character of the Township and preserving wild areas, wetlands, forests and other natural environments beneficial to wildlife. Within this district, development is either largely uneconomical due to the condition of the land or undesirable due to the fragile nature of the area or the need to preserve areas in a natural state. This district encourages only those uses which will enhance the environmental quality of such areas and will support the above-mentioned environmental quality objectives.

S Stream Corridor District. The purpose of this district is to protect and retain the natural features of the Sinking Creek stream corridor area including, but not limited to, the watercourse, stream banks, wetlands, marshes, valley walls, woodland, open space and to allow diversified plant and wildlife habitats to exist. The boundary of this district includes the floodplain area identified by the current Flood Hazard Boundary Map prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the main stem of Sinking Creek and an additional 500 feet on either side of the one-hundred-year flood hazard boundary area. This district identifies significant natural areas, or sites, along Sinking Creek in the Township which were identified in the "Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory," prepared by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

RR Rural Residential District. The purpose of this district is to preserve and protect the rural and semirural characteristics of the area and to encourage land cultivation as the dominant use of the land. The intent of this district is to make use of the land for low-density residential purposes. Industrial, urban and other noncompatible land uses are discouraged. Regulations are provided to encourage farming and agricultural land uses.

R Residential District. This district is generally intended for application to rural development areas with limited water and sewer facilities. At the present time, public sewer facilities are not available and creation of such facilities is not contemplated for the near future. In some areas, public water facilities are available at the present time but extension of these facilities is not contemplated for the near future. The purpose of these regulations is to foster a quiet, low-density home environment. To this end, lot sizes are based upon the need to safeguard the health of the citizens by providing ample space to allow for the provision of on-lot sewage and water facilities where necessary; to maintain the semirural character of the area and to protect the health and welfare of the community. Industrial uses are prohibited in this district. Compatible commercial, public and semipublic uses such as small stores, schools, churches and recreation facilities are provided for and the continuation of agriculture is encouraged. In certain instances, multifamily or higher-density residential development may also be permitted as a conditional use.

V Village District. It is the intent of this district to perpetuate the character and identity of older neighborhoods by protecting residential areas from change and intrusion and to allow a harmonious mixture of housing and selected uses.

C General Commercial District.

PCI Planned Commercial-Industrial District. This district provides for a mixture of commercial and industrial uses which will have to adhere to development standards—minimal impervious surface and building coverage, generous setbacks, hidden or buffered parking, controlled access, minimal environmental hazards and landscaping in order to protect the environmental quality of the Township.

I Industrial District. It is the intent of this district to establish areas within the Township for general industrial, manufacturing and/or warehousing purposes. The regulations governing these zones would substantially prohibit any use which interferes with this purpose and affords some protection to industries which are located therein. Areas set aside for this purpose have been carefully analyzed to insure satisfactory access and to maximize the use of existing public services, facilities and utilities. Standards have been set forth to minimize or eliminate damage and deterioration to the environment, air, water and land pollution and to minimize noise, glare, heat, fire and safety hazards. In addition, regulations have been included to insure that adequate buffer plantings and screenings are provided between these zones and other adjoining zones.

FP Floodplain District (Overlay District).

WQ Water Quality District (Overlay District).

The boundaries of each of these districts are hereby established as shown on the Official Zoning Map which is made a part of this chapter together with all future notations, references and amendments.[1]

The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signatures of the Township Supervisors, properly attested by the Township Secretary and shall bear the Township seal.

No change of any nature shall be made to any matter shown on the Official Zoning Map except in conformance with the procedures set forth in Article IX herein. The final authority as to the current status of zoning districts within the Township shall be the Zoning Map located in the office of the Township Secretary.

Designation of district boundaries.

Determination of boundary locations. In the case of uncertainty as to the true location of the boundary line in a particular district, the Zoning Officer, either on his own or at the request of a concerned party, shall present the matter to the Zoning Hearing Board. The Zoning Hearing Board may collect whatever information it feels necessary and shall then render a decision with respect thereto. Provided, however, that no boundary shall be changed by the Zoning Hearing Board. Changes in district boundary lines shall be made according to the procedures in Article IX.

Extension of district boundaries. Where a district boundary line divides a lot or parcel of land which was in single ownership as of the date of passage of this chapter, the Zoning Hearing Board may permit, under the rules and procedures herein regarding variances, the extension of regulations for either portion of the lot not to exceed 50 feet beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot. Requests for extension of regulations in excess of 50 feet shall be considered requests for changes in boundary lines and shall be handled in accordance with the procedures for amending and changing boundary lines set forth in Article IX.