Township of Franconia, PA Title; Effective Date; Intent; Interpretation; Effect

This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the Township in accordance with the Indian Valley Regional Comprehensive Plan and is designed to lessen congestion in the streets, roads and highways and to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population, to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements and to encourage the most appropriate use of land through the Township.

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 general welfare of the Township. The Indian Valley Regional Comprehensive Plan in accordance with this chapter is enacted and which is reflected in the provisions of this chapter has been formulated to implement the purpose set forth in § 145-2 hereinabove, in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward, inter alia, the following 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, depending upon necessity or circumstances, 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; insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purpose set forth in § 145-2 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, and all others permitted by law.

Regulating the siting, density and design of residential, commercial, industrial and other developments in order to assure the availability of reliable, safe and adequate water supplies to support the intended land uses within the capacity of available water resources and safe and adequate sewage disposal.