This chapter shall be known, cited and referred to as the "Robinson
Township Zoning Ordinance," and Map 1, Zoning Districts and Map 2,
Zoning Overlay Districts referred to herein and made a part of this
chapter shall be known as the "Official Zoning Maps."
A.
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements
for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals and general
welfare.
B.
In interpreting the language of this chapter to determine the extent
of the restriction upon the use of the property, the language shall
be interpreted, where doubt exists as to the intended meaning of the
language written and enacted by the Board of Commissioners, in favor
of the property owner and against any implied extension of the restriction.
After the effective date of this chapter, no building or land
shall be used or occupied and no building or part thereof shall be
erected, moved or altered unless in conformity with the regulations
herein specified for the district in which it is located, and then
only after applying for and securing all necessary permits and licenses
required by all applicable laws and ordinances.
Where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict
with a provision of any building, housing or health code or any other
Robinson Township ordinance, the provision which establishes the higher
standard for the protection of health, safety and welfare shall prevail.
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared
invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the chapter as
a whole nor any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be
invalid.
No dwelling or structure shall be used or occupied if it is
in need of such major structural repairs as to render it unsafe or
unsanitary according to standards established by the Allegheny County
Health Department, the State Department of Labor and Industry or any
other regulatory body, does not meet the standards of the Pennsylvania
Uniform Construction Code, or if the premises does not have adequate
sewage disposal provided by the municipal sewer system or an alternative
sanitary sewage facility approved by the proper authority.
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code, § 619,[1] the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any
existing or proposed building, or extension thereof, used or to be
used by a public utility corporation, if, upon petition of the corporation,
the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shall, after a public hearing,
decide that the present or proposed situation of the building in question
is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10619.
In case any public building, facility or land area, such as
a school, recreation area or municipal building, shall cease to be
used according to its intended function, the Robinson Township Planning
Commission shall study the existing zoning classification of the property
on which the said use is located and shall make recommendations to
the Board of Commissioners on any necessary zoning changes to ensure
a suitable use of the property. This study and recommendation shall
be completed by the Planning Commission within 45 days of the notification
by the appropriate public entity of the intent to terminate the existing
use of the property.
All territory which may hereafter be annexed to Robinson Township
shall be considered to be in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District
until otherwise classified.
This chapter is adopted to achieve the following community development
objectives:
A.
To promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare of the
residents of Robinson Township and of the public generally.
B.
To encourage and facilitate orderly community growth and expansion.
C.
To protect the character and maintain the stability of residential,
commercial and industrial areas within Robinson Township.
D.
To provide adequate light, air, amenity and convenience of access
to property.
E.
To promote the initiatives recommended by the 2016 Robinson Township
Comprehensive Plan.
F.
To divide Robinson Township into various zoning districts restricting
and regulating therein the location, construction, reconstruction,
alteration and use of buildings, structures and land for residential,
commercial, industrial and other uses.
G.
To increase mobility and connectivity throughout Robinson Township,
promoting its pedestrian network and multimodal opportunities.
H.
To support higher-density development and land use diversity in areas
within Robinson Township where roadway and infrastructure capacity
exists.
I.
To prevent the overcrowding or improper or incompatible development
or use of land and to prevent blighting conditions, congestion and
hazard in travel and transportation.
J.
To conserve and stabilize property values through encouragement of
the most appropriate uses of land in relation to one another.
