Seven Fields City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
Preliminary Provisions
§ 340-1 Title.
This chapter shall be cited as the "Borough of Seven Fields Zoning Ordinance."
§ 340-2 When effective.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon enactment.
§ 340-3 Community development objectives.
The community development objectives which are the basis for the provisions of this chapter are:
A.
To create a pattern of land uses which are compatible and harmonious, where a suitable environment may be created for residential, commercial, and light industrial growth compatible with the Borough's Comprehensive Plan.
B.
To maintain a density of population which can feasibly be served by the streets and other public facilities which presently exist or can reasonably be provided by the Borough.
C.
To direct the types of development and the intensity of development in such a manner as will not place an unreasonable burden on the capacity of local streets and other public facilities.
D.
To preserve the character, appearance and integrity of the Borough in keeping with the present pattern and character of development.
E.
To encourage the growth and development of the Borough, including the expansion of commercial and light industrial activities.
F.
To conserve open space for light and air and for the enjoyment of future generations.
G.
To preserve and stabilize property values.
§ 340-4 Zoning Map. [1]
The Borough is hereby divided into zones or districts, as shown on the Zoning Map, which together with all existing and future notations, references, and amendments thereon is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter as if the same were fully described and set forth herein. No changes of any nature shall be made on the Zoning Map or explanatory matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this chapter. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person shall be considered a nullity and a violation of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Zoning Map is an attachment to this chapter.
§ 340-5 Zoning districts.
The Borough is divided into zoning districts, set forth in this chapter as shown by the district boundaries on the Zoning Map. The districts are:
R-1 | Residential 1 District |
R-2 | Residential 2 District |
R-3 | Residential 3 District |
R-4 | Residential 4 District |
PEDD | Planned Economic Development District |
Business | Business District |
Industrial | Industrial District |
C-1 | Conservation District |
§ 340-6 Interpretation of zoning district boundaries.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
A.
Boundaries indicated as appearing to follow the center lines of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines.
B.
Boundaries indicated as appearing to follow platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines.
C.
Boundaries indicated as appearing to follow Borough limits shall be construed as following Borough limits.
D.
Boundaries indicated as appearing to parallel a street or lot line or Borough boundary shall be construed as being parallel to it and at such distance from it as indicated on the Zoning Map. If no distance is given, such dimension shall be determined by use of the scale shown on the Zoning Map.
E.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams or bodies of water or submerged areas shall be construed to follow such center lines, and in the event of change in the location of streams, bodies of water, or submerged areas shall be construed as moving with the actual body of water and following the center line.
F.
When rezoning requests approved by Council result in changes on the Zoning Map, the adopted ordinance to enact the zoning amendment shall dictate the location of the district boundaries.
G.
Initial determination of zoning district boundaries shall be rendered by the Zoning Officer, except where it is not possible or practical for the Zoning Officer to determine the location of the zoning district boundary line, or if a petitioner contests the Zoning Officer's determination of the boundary, the Zoning Hearing Board, upon appeal, shall determine and establish the location of said boundary.
§ 340-7 Compliance.
No structure shall hereafter be located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, altered, converted or enlarged; nor shall any structure or land be used or be designed to be used except in full compliance with all provisions of this chapter and all other applicable Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and federal laws, rules and regulations, and after the lawful issuance of all permits and certificates required by this chapter.
§ 340-8 General provisions.
The regulations set by this chapter within each district shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land and, particularly, except as hereinafter provided:
A.
No building, structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located, unless a variance has been properly granted.
B.
No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed height restrictions, to occupy a greater percentage of lot area, to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards, or other open spaces than are herein required, or in any other way contrary to the provisions of this chapter.
C.
No part of a yard, or other open space, or off-street parking or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this chapter shall be included as part of a yard, open space, or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building.
D.
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.
E.
All territory which may hereafter be annexed to the Borough shall be placed in the R-1 Residential District until Borough Council has made a thorough study of the newly annexed area to determine a final zoning district classification.
§ 340-9 Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application of any provision to particular circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of such provision to other circumstances shall not be affected.
§ 340-10 Repealer.
Should any section or provision of any ordinance or ordinances conflict with the provisions of this chapter, the earlier ordinances are hereby repealed insofar as they affect this chapter.
§ 340-11 Filing.
This chapter, including the Zoning Map, together with any succeeding amendments thereto, shall be on file and may be viewed by any interested party in the Borough offices.