This chapter, enacted for the purpose of promoting
the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Township,
is in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan to secure safety from fire,
panic and other danger; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent
the overcrowding of the land; to avoid undue congestion of population;
to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage,
schools, parks and other public requirements; to conserve the value
of buildings; and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout
the Township.
A.
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 the general welfare of
the Township.
B.
The Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with which this chapter has been formulated, shall implement the purpose set forth in § 116-2 hereinabove, in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward, inter alia, the following objectives:
(1)
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 areas within the Township, having regard to
their suitability for 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 the 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.
(2)
Protecting the character and social and economic stability
of each of such areas and encouraging their orderly and beneficial
growth.
(3)
Protecting and conserving the value of land and buildings
throughout the Township appropriate to the various zoning districts
established herein.
(4)
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.
(5)
Aiding in bringing about the most beneficial relation
between land use and the circulation of traffic throughout the Township,
having particular regard to and from the expressways, and to avoidance
of congestion in the streets and the provisions of safe and convenient
access appropriate to the various land uses.
(6)
Aiding in providing a guide for public safety 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 § 116-2 and with the aforesaid minimum requirements therefor. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such a manner as will facilitate attainment of said objectives.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal,
abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinance or enactment,
or with any rule, regulation or permit adopted or issued thereunder,
except insofar as the same may be inconsistent or in conflict with
any of the provisions of this chapter, provided that where this chapter
imposes greater restriction upon the use of buildings or land, or
upon the height and bulk of buildings, or prescribes larger open spaces
than one required by the provisions of such ordinance enactment, rule,
regulation or permit, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.
Should any section or provision of this chapter
be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole or
any part thereof.
For all intents and purposes, this chapter shall
be considered as a complete revision in the form of amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance of the Township heretofore adopted.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent
herewith are hereby repealed.
The grant of a use and occupancy permit or zoning
permit shall not constitute a representation, guaranty or warranty
of any kind by the Township, or by any official or employee thereof,
of the practicability or safety of the proposed use and shall create
no liability upon the Township, its officials or employees.
[Added 10-21-1982 by Ord. No. 442]
No use established or changed, no structure
erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, razed or removed, and
no building used or occupied or changed in use by or for the Township
of Whitemarsh shall be subject to the limitations of the Zoning Ordinance.
