A.
When used hereafter in this article, the word "Board"
shall mean the Zoning Hearing Board.
B.
There shall be a Zoning Hearing Board which shall
consist of three members, who shall be appointed by resolution by
the Board of Supervisors. The membership of the Board shall consist
of residents of the Township. Their terms of office shall be three
years and shall be so fixed that the term of office of one member
shall expire each year. The Board shall promptly notify the Board
of Supervisors of any vacancies which occur. Appointments to fill
vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. Members
of the Board shall hold no other elected or appointed office in the
Township, nor shall any member be an employee of the Township. Any
member of the Board may be removed for malfeasance, misfeasance or
nonfeasance in office, or for other just cause, by a majority vote
of the Board of Supervisors taken after the member has received 15
days' advance notice of the intent to take such a vote. A hearing
shall be held in connection with the vote if the member shall request
it in writing.[1]
C.
The Board of Supervisors may appoint by resolution at least one, but no more than three, residents of the Township to serve as alternate members of the Board. The term of office of an alternate member shall be three years. When seated pursuant to the provisions of § 220-139, an alternate shall be entitled to participate in all proceedings and discussions of the Board to the same and full extent as provided by law for Board members, including specifically the right to cast a vote as a voting member during the proceedings, and shall have all the powers and duties set forth in this chapter and as otherwise provided by law. Alternates shall hold no other elected or appointed office in the Township, including service as a member of the Planning Commission or as a Zoning Officer, nor shall any alternate be an employee of the Township. Any alternate may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the Board, but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the Board, nor be compensated pursuant to § 220-140, unless designated as a voting alternate member pursuant to § 220-139 of this chapter.[2]
The Board shall elect from its own membership its officers, who shall serve annual terms as such and may succeed themselves. For the conduct of any hearing and the taking of any action, a quorum shall be not less than two members of the Board, but the Board may appoint a hearing officer from its own membership to conduct any hearing on its behalf and the parties may waive further action by the Board, as provided in § 220-141. The Chairman of the Board may designate alternate members of the Board to replace any absent or disqualified member, and if, by reason of absence or disqualification of a member, a quorum is not reached, the Chairman of the Board shall designate as many alternate members of the Board to sit on the Board as may be needed to reach a quorum. Any alternate member of the Board shall continue to serve on the Board in all proceedings involving the matter or case for which the alternate was initially appointed, until the Board has made a final decision on the matter or case. Designation of an alternate pursuant to this section shall be made on a case-by-case basis in rotation, according to declining seniority among all alternates. The Board may make, alter and rescind rules and forms for its procedure, consistent with ordinances of the Township and laws of the commonwealth. The Board shall keep full public records of its business, which records shall be the property of the Township, and shall submit a report of its activities to the Board of Supervisors upon request.[1]
Within the limits of funds appropriated by the Board of Supervisors, the Board may employ or contract for secretaries, clerks, legal counsel, consultants, and other technical and clerical services. Members of the Board may receive compensation for the performance of their duties, as may be fixed by the Board of Supervisors. Alternate members of the Board may receive compensation, as may be fixed by the Board of Supervisors, for the performance of their duties when designated as alternate members pursuant to § 220-139, but in no case shall such compensation exceed the rate of compensation authorized to be paid to the members by the Board of Supervisors.
A.
The Board shall conduct hearings and make decisions
in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
Public notice shall be provided once each week
for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in
the Township. The first publication shall be not more than 30 days,
and the second publication shall be not less than seven days, from
the date of the hearing. In addition, the Zoning Hearing Board shall
provide written notice to the Zoning Officer, Township Secretary,
each member of the Board of Supervisors, Secretary of the Township
Planning Commission, the applicant, and every other person or organization
who shall have registered with the Zoning Hearing Board for the purposes
of receiving such notices. Such written notices shall state the location
of the site and the nature of the request. It shall also state the
time, date and location of the proposed hearing. In addition to the
written notice provided herein, written notice of said hearing shall
be conspicuously posted on the affected tract of land at least one
week prior to the hearing;
(2)
The Board of Supervisors may prescribe reasonable
fees with respect to hearings before the Zoning Hearing Board. Fees
for said hearings may include compensation for the Secretary and members
of the Zoning Hearing Board, notice and advertising costs, and necessary
administrative overhead connected with the hearing. The costs, however,
shall not include legal expenses of the Zoning Hearing Board, expenses
for engineering, architectural or other technical consultants or expert
witness costs; and
(3)
The first hearing before the Zoning Hearing
Board or its hearing officer shall be commenced within 60 days from
the date of the receipt of the applicant's application, unless the
applicant has agreed in writing to an extension of time. Each subsequent
hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board or its hearing officer shall
be held within 45 days of the prior hearing, unless otherwise agreed
to be the applicant in writing or on the record. An applicant shall
complete the presentation of his case-in-chief within 100 days of
the first hearing. Upon request of the applicant, the Board or hearing
officer shall assure that the applicant receives at least seven hours
of hearings within the 100 days, including the first hearing. Persons
opposed to the application shall complete their opposition to the
application within 100 days of the first hearing held after the completion
of the applicant's case-in-chief. An applicant may, upon request,
be granted additional hearings to complete his case-in-chief provided
the persons opposed to the application are granted an equal number
of additional hearings. Persons opposed to the application may, upon
the written consent or consent on the record by the applicant and
municipality, be granted additional hearings to complete their opposition
to the application provided the applicant is granted an equal number
of additional hearings for rebuttal.
B.
The hearings shall be conducted by the Board or the
Board may appoint any member or an independent attorney as a hearing
officer. The decision, or, where no decision is called for, the findings,
shall be made by the Board; however, the appellant or the applicant,
as the case may be, in addition to the Township, may, prior to the
decision of the hearing, waive decision or findings by the Board and
accept the decision or findings of the hearing officer as final;
C.
The parties to the hearing shall be the Township,
any person affected by the application who has made timely appearance
of record before the Board, and any other person, including civic
or community organizations permitted to appear by the Board. The Board
shall have power to require that all persons who wish to be considered
parties enter appearances in writing on forms provided by the Board
for that purpose;
D.
The Chairman or Acting Chairman of the Board, or the
hearing officer presiding, shall have power to administer oaths and
issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production
of relevant documents and papers, including witnesses and documents
requested by the parties;
E.
The parties shall have the right to be represented
by counsel, and shall be afforded the opportunity to respond and present
evidence and argument, and cross-examine adverse witnesses on all
relevant issues;
F.
Formal rules of evidence shall not apply, but irrelevant,
immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence may be excluded;
G.
The Board or the hearing officer, as the case may
be, shall keep a stenographic record of the proceedings. The appearance
fee for a stenographer shall be shared equally by the applicant and
the Board. The cost of the original transcript shall be paid by the
Board, if the transcript is ordered by the Board or hearing officer;
or shall be paid by the person appealing the decision of the Board,
if such appeal is made, and in either event the cost of additional
copies shall be paid by the person requesting such copy or copies.
In other cases, the party requesting the original transcript shall
bear the cost thereof;
H.
The Board or the hearing officer shall not communicate,
directly or indirectly, with any party or his representatives in connection
with any issue involved, except upon notice and opportunity for all
parties to participate, shall not take notice of any communication,
reports, staff memoranda, or other materials, except advice from their
solicitor, unless the parties are afforded an opportunity to contest
the material so noticed, and shall not inspect the site or its surroundings
after the commencement of hearings with any party or his representative,
unless all parties are given an opportunity to be present;
I.
The Board or the hearing officer, as the case may be, shall render a written decision or, when no decision is called for, make written findings on the application within 45 days after the last hearing before the Board or hearing officer. Where the application is contested or denied, each decision shall be accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions based thereon together with the reasons therefor. Conclusions based on any provisions of the Act or of this chapter, rule or regulation shall contain a reference to the provision relied on and the reasons why the conclusion is deemed appropriate in the light of the facts found. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, and there has been no stipulation that his decision or findings are final, the Board shall make his report and recommendations available to the parties within 45 days and the parties shall be entitled to make written representations thereon to the Board prior to final decision or entry of findings, and the Board's decision shall be entered no later than 30 days after the report of the hearing officer. Except for substantive challenges to the validity of the zoning ordinance filed under Section 916.1 of the Act where the Board fails to render the decision within the period required by this subsection, or fails to commence, conduct, or complete the required hearing as provided in § 220-141A(3) of this chapter, the decision shall be deemed to have been rendered in favor of the applicant unless the applicant has agreed in writing or on the record to an extension of time. When a decision has been rendered in favor of the applicant because of the failure of the Board to meet or render a decision as hereinabove provided, the Board shall give public notice of said decision within 10 days from the last day it could have met to render a decision in the same manner, as provided in § 220-141A of this chapter. If the Board shall fail to provide such notice, the applicant may do so. Nothing in this subsection shall prejudice the right of any party opposing the application to appeal the decision to a court of competent jurisdiction; and
J.
A copy of the final decision or, where no decision
is called for, of the findings shall be delivered to the applicant
personally or mailed to him not later than the day following its date.
To all other persons who have filed their name and address with the
Board not later than the last day of the hearing, the Board shall
provide by mail or otherwise, brief notice of the decision or findings
and a statement of the place at which the full decision or findings
may be examined.
The Zoning Hearing Board shall have the exclusive
jurisdiction to hear and render decisions in the following matters:
A.
Substantive challenges to the validity of this chapter, except those brought before the Board of Supervisors pursuant to § 220-150E of this chapter.
(1)
If a challenge heard by a Zoning Hearing Board
is found to have merit, the decision of the Zoning Hearing Board shall
include recommended amendments to the challenged ordinance which will
cure the defects found. In reaching its decision, the Zoning Hearing
Board shall consider the amendments, plans and explanatory material
submitted by the landowner and shall also consider:
(a)
The impact of the proposal upon roads, sewer
facilities, water supplies, schools, and other public service facilities;
(b)
If the proposal is for a residential use, the impact of the proposal upon regional housing needs and the effectiveness of the proposal in providing housing units of a type actually available to, and affordable by, classes of persons otherwise unlawfully excluded by the challenged provisions of the ordinance or Official Zoning Map;
(c)
The suitability of the site for the intensity
of use proposed, considering the site's soils, slopes, woodlands,
wetlands, floodplains, aquifers, natural resources, and other natural
features;
(d)
The impact of the proposed use on the site's
soils, slopes, woodlands, wetlands, floodplains, natural resources,
and natural features, the degree to which these are protected or destroyed,
the tolerance of the resources to development and any adverse environmental
impacts; and
(e)
The impact of the proposal on the preservation
of agriculture and other land uses which are essential to public health
and welfare;
(2)
Public notice of the hearing shall be provided, as specified in § 220-150B(1) of this chapter;
(3)
The Zoning Hearing Board shall commence its
hearings within 60 days after the request is filed, unless the landowner
requests or consents to an extension of time;
(4)
The Zoning Hearing Board shall render its decision
within 45 days after the conclusion of the last hearing. If the Board
fails to act on the landowner's request within this time limit, a
denial of the request is deemed to have occurred on the 46th day after
the close of the last hearing;
B.
Challenges to the validity of the this chapter, raising
procedural questions or alleged defects in the process of enactment
or adoption, which challenges shall be raised by an appeal taken within
30 days after the effective date of the chapter;
C.
Special exceptions, as provided for in this chapter
and subject to all applicable requirements, including, but not limited
to:
(1)
Filing requirements. In addition to the required zoning permit information (see § 220-148), each special exception application shall include the following:
[Amended 10-1-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-03]
(a)
Ground floor plans and elevations of proposed
structures;
(b)
Names and addresses of adjoining property owners,
including properties directly across a public right-of-way;
(c)
A scaled drawing (site plan) of the site with
sufficient detail and accuracy to demonstrate compliance with all
applicable provisions of this chapter; and
(d)
A written description of the proposed use in
sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with all applicable provisions
of this chapter;
(2)
General criteria. Each applicant must demonstrate,
by credible evidence, compliance with the following:
(a)
The proposed use shall be consistent with the
purpose and intent of this chapter;
(b)
The proposed use shall not detract from the
use and enjoyment of adjoining or nearby properties;
(c)
The proposed use will not substantially change
the character of the subject property's neighborhood;
(d)
Adequate public facilities are available to
serve the proposed use (e.g., schools, fire, police and ambulance
protection, sewer, water and other utilities, parks, solid waste disposal,
vehicular access, etc.);
(e)
The proposed use shall comply with those criteria
specifically attached to it. In addition, the proposed use must comply
with all other applicable regulations contained in this chapter;
(f)
The traffic generated by the proposed use shall
be safely and adequately accommodated during peak and nonpeak periods,
or improvements made by the applicant shall be made in order to effect
the same;
(g)
The proposed use shall be in and of itself properly
designed with regard to internal circulation, parking, buffering,
screening, and all other elements of proper design, as required by
this chapter and any other federal, state or local ordinance, law
or regulation;
(h)
The proposed use will not have deleterious impact
on adjoining properties or the neighborhood, due to impacts and/or
by-products of the proposed use, such as noise, dust, odor, smoke,
litter, glare, heat, radiation, electromagnetic interference, etc.;
(i)
The proposed use will not substantially impair
the integrity of the Comprehensive Plan; and
(3)
Conditions. The Zoning Hearing Board, in approving special exception applications, may attach conditions considered necessary to protect the public welfare and the purposes listed above, including conditions which are more restrictive than those established for other uses in the same zone. These conditions shall be enforceable by the Zoning Officer, and failure to comply with such conditions shall constitute a violation of this chapter and be subject to the penalties described in Article VII; and
(4)
Site plan approval. Any site plan presented in support of the special exception pursuant to § 220-142C(1) shall become an official part of the record for said special exception. Approval of any special exception will also bind the use in accordance with the submitted site plan; therefore, should a change in the site plan be required as part of the approval of the use, the applicant shall revise the site plan prior to the issuance of a zoning permit. Any subsequent change made after the issuance of a zoning permit to the proposed use of the subject property, which is not reflected on the approved site plan, may, at the discretion of the Zoning Officer, require the obtainment of another special exception approval;
[Amended 10-1-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-03]
D.
Variances. The Board shall hear requests for variances
where it is alleged that the provisions of this chapter inflict unnecessary
hardship upon the applicant. The Board may, by rule, prescribe the
form of application to the Zoning Officer, which shall at least include
the following:
(1)
Filing requirements. In addition to the required zoning permit information (see § 220-148), each variance shall include the following:
[Amended 10-1-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-03]
(a)
Names and addresses of adjoining property owners,
including properties directly across a public right-of-way;
(b)
A scaled drawing (site plan) with sufficient
detail and accuracy so as to present the nature of the request and
the unique site conditions that create hardship to strict compliance
with this chapter; and
(c)
A written description of the requested variance,
along with a description of the hardship that is being alleged, and
all reasons why the variance should be granted;
(2)
General criteria. The Board may grant a variance,
provided that all of the following findings are made where relevant
in a given case:
(a)
That there are unique physical circumstances
or conditions, including irregularity, narrowness, or shallowness
of lot size or shape, or exceptional topographical or other physical
conditions peculiar to the particular property, and that the unnecessary
hardship is due to such conditions, and not the circumstances or conditions
generally created by the provisions of this chapter in the neighborhood
or zone in which the property is located;
(b)
That, because of such physical circumstances
or conditions, there is no possibility that the property can be developed
in strict conformity with the provisions of this chapter, and that
the authorization of a variance is therefore necessary to enable reasonable
use of the property;
(c)
That such unnecessary hardship has not been
created by the appellant;
(d)
That the variance, if authorized, will not alter
the essential character of the zone or neighborhood in which the property
is located, nor substantially or permanently impair the appropriate
use or development of adjacent property, not be detrimental to the
public welfare;
(e)
That the variance, if authorized, will represent
the minimum variance that will afford relief and will represent the
least modification possible of the regulations in issue;
(g)
In granting any variance, the Board may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter. These conditions shall be enforceable by the Zoning Officer, and failure to comply with such conditions shall constitute a violation of this chapter and be subject to the penalties described in Article VII.
E.
Appeals from the determination of the Zoning Officer,
including, but not limited to, the granting or denial of any permit,
or failure to act on the application therefor, the issuance of any
cease and desist order, or the registration or refusal to register
any nonconforming use, structure or lot;
F.
Appeals from a determination by the Township Engineer
or the Zoning Officer with reference to the administration of any
provisions contained within the Floodplain Zone;
G.
Appeals from the Zoning Officer's determination under
Section 916.2 (and any subsequent amendments) of the Act; and
H.
Appeals from the determination of the Zoning Officer or Township Engineer in the administration of any land use ordinance, with reference to sedimentation and erosion control and/or stormwater management for applications not involving a subdivision/land development, nor a planned residential development, as regulated in Articles V and VII of the Act, respectively.
Appeals under § 220-142E, F, G, and H, and proceedings to challenge this chapter under § 220-142A and B, may be filed with the Board in writing by the landowner affected, any officer or agency of the Township, or any person aggrieved. Requests for a variance under § 220-142D, and for special exception under § 220-142C, may be filed with the Board by any landowner, or any tenant with the permission of such landowner. Any appeal shall state:
A.
The name and address of the appellant and applicant;
B.
The name and address of the landowner of the real
estate to be affected. If the landowner is not the appellant or applicant,
the landowner's written permission shall be attached to the appeal;
C.
A brief description and location of the real estate
to be affected by such proposed change, together with a plot plan
drawn to scale with sufficient clarity to show the nature and character
of the request;
D.
A statement of the present zoning classification of
the real estate in question, the improvements thereon, and the present
use thereof; and
E.
A statement of the section of this chapter under which
the request may be allowed, and reasons why it should or should not
be granted.
A.
If a variance or special exception is granted, or
the issuance of a permit is approved, or other action authorized,
the necessary permit shall be secured and the authorized action begun
within two years after the date when the variance or special exception
is finally granted, or the issuance of a permit is finally approved,
or the other action authorized, and the building or alteration, as
the case may be, shall be completed within four years of said date.
For good cause, the Board may, upon application in writing, stating
the reasons therefor, extend either the two-year or four-year period.
B.
Should applicant fail to obtain the necessary permits
within said two-year period or, having obtained the permit, should
he fail to commence work thereunder within such two-year period, it
shall be conclusively presumed that the applicant has waived, withdrawn,
or abandoned his appeal or his application, and all provisions, variances
and permits granted to him shall be deemed automatically rescinded
by the Board.
C.
Should the applicant commence construction or alteration
within said two-year period, but should he fail to complete such construction
or alteration within said three-year period, the Board may, upon 10
days' notice in writing, rescind or revoke the granted variance or
special exception, or the issuance of the permit, or permits, or the
other action authorized.
D.
No person shall be allowed to file any proceeding
with the Board later than 30 days after an application for development,
preliminary or final, has been approved by the Zoning Officer, or
the agency responsible for granting such approval, if such proceeding
is designed to secure reversal or to limit the approval in any manner,
unless such person alleges and proves that he had no notice or knowledge,
or reason to believe that such approval had been given. If such person
has succeeded to his interest after such approval, he shall be bound
by the knowledge of his predecessor in interest.
E.
The failure of anyone other than the landowner to appeal from an adverse decision by the Zoning Officer on a challenge to the validity of this chapter or the Official Zoning Map pursuant to Section 916.2 of the Act, as amended, shall preclude an appeal from a final approval, except in the case where the final submission substantially deviates from the approved tentative preliminary approval.
A.
Upon filing of any proceeding referred to in § 220-143, and during its pendency before the Board, all land development pursuant to any challenged ordinance, order or approval of the Zoning Officer, or of any agency or body, and all official action thereunder, shall be stayed, unless the Zoning Officer or any other appropriate agency or body certifies to the Board facts indicating that such stay would cause imminent peril to life or property, in which case, the development or official action shall not be stayed, otherwise than by a restraining order, which may be granted by the Board or by the court having jurisdiction of zoning appeals on petition, after notice to the Zoning Officer or other appropriate agency or body. When an application for development, preliminary or final, has been duly approved, and proceedings designed to reverse or limit the approval are filed with the Board by persons other than the applicant, the applicant may petition the court having jurisdiction of zoning appeals to order such persons to post bond, as a condition to continuing the proceedings before the Board.
B.
After the petition is presented, the court shall hold
a hearing to determine if the filing of the appeal is frivolous. At
the hearing, evidence may be presented on the merits of the case.
It shall be the burden of the applicant for a bond to prove the appeal
is frivolous. After consideration of all evidence presented, if the
court determines that the appeal is frivolous, it shall grant the
petition for a bond. The right to petition the court to order the
appellants to post bond may be waived by the appellee, but such waiver
may be revoked by him if an appeal is taken from a final decision
of the court. The question whether or not such petition should be
granted and the amount of the bond shall be within the sound discretion
of the court. An order denying a petition for bond shall be interlocutory.
An order directing the responding party to post a bond shall be interlocutory.
C.
If an appeal is taken by a respondent to the petition
for a bond from an order of the court dismissing a zoning appeal for
refusal to post a bond, and the appellate court sustains the order
of the court below to post a bond, the respondent to the petition
for a bond, upon motion of the petitioner, and after hearing in the
court having jurisdiction of zoning appeals, shall be liable for all
reasonable costs, expenses and attorney fees incurred by the petitioner.
Any person, taxpayer or the Township aggrieved
by any decision of the Board may, within 30 days after such decision
of the Board, seek review by the Court of Common Pleas of such decision
in the manner provided by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and Article X-A of the Act, as amended.
