Upper Merion Township, PA Zoning Ordinance

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Upper Merion Township Zoning Ordinance of 1942, as Amended."

This amendment, revision and reenactment shall become effective October 31, 1953.

[Amended 1-3-1972 by Ord. No. 72-289; 9-18-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-771]

This chapter is enacted in accordance with the Community Comprehensive Plan with respect to land use, density of population and location and function of streets and other community facilities and utilities and is designed for the purpose of promoting, protecting and facilitating the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development, proper density of population, civil defense, disaster evacuation, airports and national defense facilities, and to facilitate the provision of adequate light and air, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, public grounds and other public requirements, and to prevent the overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic and other dangers, and to conserve the value of buildings and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Township. Encourage the maintenance and management of forested or wooded open space, and promote the conduct of forestry as a sound and economically viable use of forested land throughout the Township subject to specific requirements and regulations contained in § 165-219.4 and other general performance standards that may apply. Protect prime agricultural land and promote the establishment of agricultural security areas, and encourage the continuity, development, and mobility of agricultural operations to the extent feasible given the fact that Upper Merion Township is a largely developed and built-out community.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Township. The Comprehensive Plan in accordance with which this chapter is enacted and which is reflected in the provisions of this chapter has been formulated to implement the purposes set forth in § 165-2 hereinabove in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward the following objectives, insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purpose set forth in § 165-2 and with the aforesaid minimum requirements therefor. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such manner as will facilitate attainment of said objectives.

Guiding and encouraging the future development of the Township in accordance with comprehensive planning of land use and population density that represents the most beneficial and convenient relationships among the residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas within the Township, having regard to their suitability for the various uses appropriate to each of them and their potentiality for such uses as indicated by topography and soil conditions, existing man-made conditions and trends in population, in the direction and manner of the use of land, in building development and in economic activity, considering such conditions and trends both within the Township and with respect to the relation of the Township to surrounding areas.

Protecting the character and the social and economic stability of each of such areas and encouraging their orderly and beneficial growth.

Protecting and conserving the value of land and buildings throughout the Township appropriate to the various zoning districts established herein.

Bringing about through proper timing the gradual conformity of land use to the Comprehensive Plan aforesaid and minimizing conflicts among the uses of land and buildings.

Aiding in bringing about the most beneficial relation between land use and the circulation of traffic throughout the Township, having particular regard to traffic to and from the expressways and to avoidance of congestion in the streets and the provision of safe and convenient access appropriate to the various land uses.

Aiding in providing a guide for public policy and action in the efficient provision of public facilities and services in the provision of safe and proper sanitary sewage disposal and for private enterprise in building development, investment and other economic activity relating to land use.

It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinance or enactment or with any rule, regulation or permit adopted or issued thereunder, except insofar as the same may be inconsistent or in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter, provided that where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or land or upon the height and bulk of buildings or prescribes larger open spaces than are required by the provisions of such ordinance, enactment, rule, regulation or permit, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.