Washington Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 131-1 Title.
§ 131-2 Purpose; objectives.
A.
Community development objectives. This chapter, including the provisions, requirements and districts as hereinafter set forth, is based upon and intended to give effect to the policies, goals and objectives set forth in the Washington Township Comprehensive Plan and is intended to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by achieving the following purposes and objectives for the development of the Township:
(1)
To preserve agriculture as a viable industry in Washington Township by guiding nonfarm development away from prime agricultural soils and protecting the land-related assets of farm owners.
(2)
To regulate development in rural nonfarm areas (the "watershed area") to preserve wooded areas, to minimize erosion and stormwater runoff, to prevent siltation and excessive sedimentation of streams and generally to enhance or preserve the existing quality of groundwater and surface waters in the Township.
(3)
To enhance the vehicular movement through and within the Township.
(4)
To assure that community facilities and services keep pace with growth.
(5)
To maintain the current commitment to good community planning, citizen involvement and plan implementation.
B.
Purposes legislated by the Municipalities Planning Code.[1] The provisions of this chapter are designed to achieve the following purposes:
(1)
To promote, protect and facilitate the public health, safety, morals and the general welfare; coordinated and practical community development and proper density of population; access to incident solar energy and adequate light and air; availability of water supply, sewage disposal capacity and vehicle parking and loading space; and an adequate supply of recreational facilities for public use.
(2)
To preserve the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment, preserving forests, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.
(3)
To prevent overcrowding of land; blight; danger and congestion in travel and transportation; and the loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.
(4)
To preserve prime agricultural and farm land, considering topography, soil type, soil classification and present use.
(5)
To provide for the residential use of land within the Township within housing units of various dwelling types, encompassing all basic forms of housing.
(6)
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
C.
General objectives. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such manner as will facilitate the attainment of the following objectives and all others permitted by law:
(1)
To protect the character and socioeconomic stability of each area of the Township, including agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential areas, and to encourage the orderly and beneficial development of each such area.
(2)
To protect and to conserve the value of land and buildings throughout the Township, depending upon necessity of circumstances, appropriate to the various zoning districts established herein.
(3)
To bring about through proper timing the gradual conformity of land use to the Comprehensive Plan and to minimize conflicts among the uses of land and buildings.
(4)
To aid in bringing about the most beneficial relation between land use and the circulation of traffic throughout the Township to avoid the congestion of streets and highways and to provide safe and convenient access appropriate to the various land uses.
(5)
To aid 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, insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purposes noted in Subsections A and B.
§ 131-3 Standards to be minimum requirements.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the Township.
§ 131-4 Effect on existing provisions; greater restrictions to prevail.
A.
It is not the intent of this chapter to interfere with, abrogate or annul any rules or regulations previously issued by the Township, provided that the same are not in conflict with any provision of this chapter, nor is it the intent of this chapter to interfere with, abrogate or annul any easement, covenant, building restriction or any other agreement between or among private parties.
B.
Where this chapter imposes provisions differing from any other applicable ordinance, regulation, private agreement or portion thereof, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
C.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to render inoperative any enforceable restrictions established by covenants running with the land, provided that such restrictions are not prohibited by or contrary to the regulations herein established.
§ 131-5 Nonliability of Township.
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of Washington Township or on any officer or employee thereof for any damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made pursuant to the provisions hereof.