[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3000]
The Zoning Officer(s) shall perform his/her duties in accordance
with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
as amended.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3001]
In New Britain Township, the duties of the Zoning Office shall
be performed by the Zoning Officer(s). The Code Enforcement Officer
shall also perform the duties of the Zoning Office, as assigned.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3002]
Hereafter, no use may be established or changed; no structure
shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, razed, removed:
and no building used or occupied, changed in use, or changed in nonresidential
use occupancy until a zoning permit has been secured from the Zoning
Officer. Upon completion of changes in use or construction, reconstruction,
alteration or moving structures, the applicant shall notify the Zoning
Officer of such completion. No permit shall be considered as complete
or as permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has noted on
the permit that the work or occupancy and use have been inspected
and approved as being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3003]
a.
All applications for zoning permits shall be made in writing by the
owner, tenant, vendee under contract of sale, or authorized agent
on a form supplied by the municipality and shall be filed with the
Zoning Officer. The application shall include four copies of the following
information:
1.
A statement as to the proposed use of the building or land.
2.
A site layout plan drawn to scale (one inch equals 100 feet or larger)
showing the location, dimensions and height of proposed buildings,
structures or uses and any existing buildings in relation to property
and street lines. If the application relates to property scheduled
to be developed in successive stages, such plans shall show the relationship
of the portion scheduled for initial development to the proposed layout
of the entire property. The site layout plan shall, at the request
of the Township, be prepared by and contain the seal of a professional
engineer, land surveyor or architect registered in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
4.
The location, dimensions and arrangements of all open spaces, yards
and buffer yards, including methods to be employed for screening.
5.
The location, size, arrangement and capacity of all areas to be used
for motor vehicle access, off-street parking, off-street loading and
unloading and provisions to be made for lighting such areas.
6.
The dimensions, location and methods of illumination for signs, if
applicable.
7.
The location and dimensions of sidewalks and all other areas to be
devoted to pedestrian use.
8.
Provisions to be made for treatment and disposal of sewage and industrial wastes, water supply and storm drainage. Provisions for stormwater management shall be made in compliance with the New Britain Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
9.
The capacity and arrangement of all buildings used or intended to
be used for dwelling purposes, including the proposed density in terms
of number of dwelling units per acre of land.
10.
A description of any proposed industrial or commercial operations
in sufficient detail to indicate effects of those operations in producing
noise, glare, air pollution, fire hazards, traffic congestion or other
safety hazards.
11.
Description of methods to be employed in controlling any excess
noise, air pollution, smoke, fumes, water pollution, fire hazards
or other safety hazards.
12.
Any other data deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer, Planning
Commission or Board of Supervisors to enable them to determine the
compliance of the proposed development with the terms of this chapter.
13.
The site layout plan shall indicate all existing trees which are to be saved, the tree protection zone boundary, and the method by which protection will occur. In addition, tree protection techniques, as detailed in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22], shall be indicated on the plan and shall be adhered to during construction.
b.
No permit for any new use or construction which will involve the
on-site disposal of sewage or waste and no permit for a change in
use or an alteration which will result in an increased volume of sewage
or waste to be disposed of on the site, shall be issued until approval
has been granted by the Bucks County Department of Health.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3004]
All applicants for zoning permits, special exceptions, conditional
uses and interpretation and variance appeals shall, at the time of
making application, pay to the Zoning Officer for use of the Township
a fee in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by resolution of the
Board of Supervisors upon the enactment of this chapter or as such
schedule may be amended by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
In addition, an escrow deposit may be required. The escrow deposit
requirements shall be set from time to time by resolution of the Board
of Supervisors.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3005]
Any erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or moving
of a building or other structure, including a sign authorized by a
zoning permit, shall be commenced, and any change in use of a building
or land authorized by a zoning permit shall be undertaken, within
one year after the date of issuance of the permit. If not, the permit
shall be considered null and void. However, in case of erection or
construction of a building, the right to proceed with construction
may be extended annually without additional fees for an aggregate
period of not more than three years, provided that the construction
pursuant to said permit has commenced within the first one-year period.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3006;
as amended by Ord. 2017-06-07, 6/5/2017; and by Ord. No. 2018-09-03,
9/17/2018]
a.
Hereafter, no structure erected, constructed, reconstructed, extended
or moved, and no land or building changed in use under a zoning permit,
shall be occupied or used in whole or in part for any use whatsoever
or changed in nonresidential occupancy, until the owner or authorized
agent has been issued a use and occupancy certificate (also known
as a "certificate of occupancy") by the Zoning Officer, indicating
that the building or use complies with the terms of zoning as provided
in this chapter.
b.
No use and occupancy certificate shall be issued until the proposed
zoning use of the premises in question has been reviewed and found
by the Zoning Officer to be in compliance with this chapter.
c.
The issuance of a use and occupancy certificate in no way absolves
the owner or authorized agent from compliance with the intent of this
chapter.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3007]
The Board of Supervisors shall have the power to approve conditional
uses when this chapter specifically requires the obtaining of such
approval and for no other purpose.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3008]
a.
In granting a conditional use, the Board of Supervisors shall make
findings of fact consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The
Board of Supervisors shall not approve a conditional use except in
conformance with the conditions and standards outlined in this chapter.
b.
The Board of Supervisors shall grant a conditional use only if it
finds adequate evidence that any proposed development submitted will
meet all of the following general requirements as well as any specific
requirements and standards listed herein for the proposed use. The
Board of Supervisors shall, among other things, require that any proposed
use and location be:
1.
In accordance with the Township Comprehensive Plan;
2.
In the best interests of the Township, the convenience of the community,
the public welfare;
3.
Suitable for the property in question, and designed, constructed,
operated and maintained so as to be in harmony with and appropriate
in appearance to the existing or intended character of the general
vicinity;
4.
In conformance with all applicable requirements of this chapter and
all Township ordinances;
5.
Suitable in terms of effect on highway traffic and safety with adequate
access arrangements to protect streets from undue congestion and hazard;
6.
In accordance with sound standards of subdivision and land development
practice where applicable; and
7.
In accordance with the specific standards and criteria of this chapter.
c.
In addition to the requirements specified in this chapter, the applicant
shall provide information necessary for the Board of Supervisors to
make its evaluation.
d.
The Board of Supervisors shall request an advisory opinion from the
Planning Commission on any application for a Conditional Use. The
Planning Commission is to submit a report of such advisory opinion
prior to the date of the public hearing held by the Board of Supervisors
on an application. The Planning Commission may request a report from
the Township Engineer.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3009]
Conditional use applications shall be governed by the following:
a.
The landowner shall make a written request to the Board of Supervisors
that it hold a hearing on his application. The request shall contain
a statement reasonably informing the Board of Supervisors of the matters
that are in issue.
c.
The Board of Supervisors shall hold a hearing upon the request, commencing
not later than 60 days after the request is filed, unless the applicant
requests or consents in writing to an extension of time.
[Ord. 8-14-1995, § 3010]
The Board of Supervisors shall conduct hearings and make decisions
in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter and the
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code for special exceptions.
