This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Westtown Township Zoning Ordinance of 1991." It shall take effect five days after enactment.
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, general welfare, and coordinated and practical community development of the Township; is in accordance with the Westtown Township Comprehensive Plan; and is designed to lessen congestion on the roads and highways, to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue congestion of population, to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, vehicle parking, water, sewage facilities, 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. 
This chapter is intended to carry out the goals and objectives of the Westtown Township Growth Management/Comprehensive Plan (Plan), which goals and objectives are hereby incorporated by reference. The plan has been formulated to implement the purposes set forth in § 170-101, above, in the respects therein stated, and more particularly with a view toward the following community development objectives:
[Amended 3-3-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-2]
(1) 
To avoid environmental harm from development.
(2) 
To preserve prime farmland and forests.
(3) 
To conserve the open and scenic character and natural beauty of Westtown Township.
(4) 
To provide for a variety of residential living environments.
(5) 
To prevent conflicts between land uses and to protect the property value of residents.
(6) 
To closely coordinate the road system with desired land uses.
(7) 
To manage access along Route 202 and other major roads to ensure safe and efficient transportation.
(8) 
To prevent strip commercial development, especially along Route 202.
(9) 
To provide for businesses only in locations with safe access that would not interfere with through traffic.
(10) 
To provide adequate community facilities, including a balance of passive and active open space.
(11) 
To stress continued cooperation with neighboring communities.
(12) 
To carry out the plan through a continuous program of planning and action.
B. 
In addition to attaining the community development objectives as stated in Subsection A above, the residential districts established in this chapter are intended to achieve the following:
(1) 
To provide sufficient space, appropriately located for residential development, to meet the housing needs of the present and expected future population of the Township, within the range of dwelling types anticipated.
(2) 
To assure light, air, and privacy, as far as possible, by controlling the spacing and height of buildings and other structures.
(3) 
To protect residential areas against hazards of fire, offensive noise, vibration, smoke, odors, glare, or other objectionable influences.
(4) 
To prevent congestion, as far as possible, by regulating the density of population and the bulk of buildings and by providing for off-street parking.
(5) 
To protect residential neighborhoods, as far as possible, against traffic congestion or through traffic.
(6) 
To make possible the provision of those public and private educational, recreational, health, and similar facilities serving the needs of nearby residents, which perform most effectively in a residential environment and do not create objectionable influences.
(7) 
To promote the most desirable use of land and direction of building development in accord with a well-considered plan, to promote stable residential development, to protect the character of any district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, to conserve the value of land and buildings, and to protect the tax revenue base.
C. 
In addition to attaining the community development objectives as stated in Subsection A above, the commercial districts established in this chapter are intended to achieve the following:
(1) 
To provide sufficient space in appropriate locations for the types of commercial and service establishments anticipated.
(2) 
To protect commercial development against intrusive uses which are incompatible with it, against objectionable influences such as noise or glare, and from hazards of fire.
(3) 
To provide appropriate space for the requirements of present-day merchandising, including provision for off-street parking and for safe circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, both within the zoning district and in nearby areas.
D. 
The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered, and applied in such manner as will facilitate attainment of the above community development objectives.
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, and general welfare of the Township. The use and development of all land, and the construction of every building or portion thereof, will be subject to the regulations contained herein.
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 restrictions upon the use of buildings or land, or upon the height and bulk of buildings, or prescribes larger open spaces than are required by the provision of such ordinance, enactment, rule, regulation, or permit, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.