This chapter is enacted and ordained under the grant of powers contained in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as "The Township of Fairview Zoning Ordinance," "The Fairview Township Zoning Ordinance," or "Zoning Ordinance."
The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. 
Promote, protect, and facilitate one or more of the following: the public health, safety, morals, or general welfare; the provision of adequate light and air; and other public requirements.
B. 
Prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding; blight; or loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, or other dangers.
C. 
Establish a Zoning Map dividing the Township of Fairview into zoning districts with varying regulations.
D. 
Permit, prohibit, regulate and determine the uses of land, watercourses, and other bodies of water; the size, height, bulk, location, erection, construction, repair, expansion, razing, removal, and use of buildings and structures, as well as yards and other open areas to be left unoccupied.
E. 
Establish the requirements for density and intensity of uses.
F. 
Promote innovative design to preserve and enhance the established and important sense of community neighborhoods and areas.
G. 
Serve as a tool that is part of an overall plan for the orderly, appropriate and compatible preservation, growth, and development in the Township of Fairview, by incorporating the overall objectives and principles of, as well as seeking to implement portions of the most recent version of the Fairview Township Comprehensive Plan, and/or other applicable plans adopted by the Township of Fairview.
H. 
Affect any additional purposes provided for in Articles I, VI, VII-A, and elsewhere in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
A. 
Interpretation. In interpreting and applying this chapter, its provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements for promotion of health, safety, morals and general welfare of the Township of Fairview. Any use permitted subject to the regulations prescribed by the provisions of this chapter shall conform with all regulations of the zoning district(s) in which it is located and elsewhere in this chapter, as well as with all other applicable regulations of this and other related chapters, ordinances, standards, and/or rules. This chapter is not intended to interfere with, abrogate, annul, supersede, or cancel any easements, covenants, restrictions or reservations contained in deeds or other agreements, but if this chapter imposes more stringent restrictions upon the use of buildings, structures, land (which also includes water bodies/courses) than are elsewhere established, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail. Unless otherwise specified elsewhere in this chapter, wherever and whenever the requirements of this chapter are not consistent with the requirements of any other legally adopted laws, rules, regulations, chapters, or ordinances, the most restrictive, or that imposing the higher standards, shall govern. In interpreting the language of this chapter to determine the extent of the restriction upon the use of property, the language shall be interpreted, where doubt exists as to the intended meaning of the adopted language, in favor of the property owner and against any implied extension of the restriction.
B. 
Uses not otherwise provided for. Any use which clearly is not permitted by right, by special exception use, nor by conditional use by this chapter within any zoning district, or a use which is not defined by this chapter, then such use shall be prohibited, except that the Zoning Hearing Board of the Township of Fairview may permit such use by special exception if the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Zoning Hearing Board of the Township of Fairview that all of the terms and conditions set forth below are satisfactorily addressed:
(1) 
The proposed use is in general conformity with the most recent version of the Fairview Township Comprehensive Plan, and/or other applicable plans adopted by Fairview Township, and in harmony with the zoning district, neighborhood, and area in which it is proposed.
(2) 
The proposed use is:
(a) 
Similar to and compatible with the permitted uses in the zoning district in which the subject property is located;
(b) 
Not permitted in any other zoning district under the terms of this chapter; and
(c) 
In no way conflicting with the general purposes and intent of this chapter or the zoning district in which the subject property is located.
(3) 
The external impacts associated with the proposed use would be equal to or less intensive than external impacts associated with other uses that are permitted in the zoning district in which the subject property is located.
(4) 
The location of the proposed use would not endanger the public health and safety, and the use will not deteriorate the environment or generate nuisance conditions such as traffic congestion, noise, dust, smoke, glare or vibration.
(5) 
The proposed use shall comply with Township building, health, housing, rental, safety, property and other applicable local, county, state, and federal code and licensing requirements. All such licenses, certificates, and permits shall have been obtained and presented to the Township, or shall be a condition of approval.
(6) 
The proposed use would meet the standards that apply under Article XII of this chapter relating to special exceptions.
(7) 
The applicant shall provide:
(a) 
The information required in Article VII of this chapter relating to hours of operation and management plan. This information is required for both residential and nonresidential uses.
(b) 
A detailed description of how the proposed use and development complies with Subsection B(1) through (6) of this subsection.
(c) 
Plot/site plans required in Article XII of this chapter relating to applications for zoning permits.
(d) 
A schematic architectural drawing of the principal building(s) front facade(s).
A. 
Within the Township of Fairview, York County, PA, no land, body of water, or structure shall hereafter be used or occupied and no structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered except in conformity with all regulations and procedures specified for in the zoning district in which such land, body of water, or structure is located, as well as with all other applicable provisions of this chapter and other applicable chapters of the Code of the Township of Fairview.
B. 
This chapter shall not apply to an existing or proposed building or structure or extensions thereof, that is used or to be used by a public utility corporation, if upon petition of the corporation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) shall, after a public hearing, decide that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public. It shall be the responsibility of the PUC to ensure that both the corporation and the Township of Fairview have notice of the hearing and are granted an opportunity to appear, present witnesses, cross-examine witnesses presented by other parties, and otherwise exercise the rights of a party to the proceedings. The exemptions and procedures shall be in accordance with the MPC.
The granting of a zoning permit for the erection or use of a structure, building, or lot shall not constitute a representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind or nature by the Township of Fairview, or an official or employee, thereof, of the safety of any structure, building, use, or other proposed plan from cause whatsoever, and shall create no liability upon or a course of action against the Township of Fairview or such public official or employee for any damage that may be pursuant thereto.
It is recognized that the following acts preempt zoning ordinances. Therefore, suggestions, recommendations, options or directives contained herein are intended to be implemented only to the extent that they are consistent with and do not exceed the requirements of these acts. Nothing contrary to these acts shall be mandated by this chapter.
A. 
Act of June 22, 1937 (P.L. 1987, No. 394) known as "The Clean Streams Law";[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
B. 
Act of May 31, 1945 (P.L. 1198, No 418) known as the "Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act";[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 52 P.S. § 1396.1 et seq.
C. 
Act of April 27, 1966 (first Special Session, P.L. 31, No. 1) known as "The Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act";[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See 52 P.S. § 1406.1 et seq.
D. 
Act of September 24, 1968 (P.L. 1040, No. 318) known as the "Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act";[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: See 52 P.S. § 30.51 et seq.
E. 
Act of December 19, 1984 (P.L. 1093, No. 219) known as the "Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act";[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: See 52 P.S. § 3301 et seq.
F. 
Act of December 19, 1984 (P.L. 1140, No. 223) known as the "Oil and Gas Act";[6]
[6]
Editor's Note: Said Act was repealed 2-14-2012 by P.L. 87, No. 13; see now 58 Pa.C.S.A. § 3201 et seq.
G. 
Act of June 30, 1981 (P.L. 128, No. 43) known as the "Agricultural Area Security Law";[7]
[7]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 901 et seq.
H. 
Act of June 10, 1982 (P.L. 454, No. 133) entitled "An act protecting agricultural operations from nuisance suits and ordinances under certain circumstances";[8] and
[8]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 951 et seq.
I. 
Act of May 20, 1993 (P.L. 12, No. 6) known as the "Nutrient Management Act."[9]
[9]
Editor's Note: Said Act was repealed by 7-6-2005 by P.L. 112, No. 38; see now the Nutrient Management and Odor Management Act, 3 Pa.C.S.A. § 501 et seq.
The preexisting chapter or ordinance relating to zoning in the Township of Fairview, as amended, is hereby expressly repealed; provided, further that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding pending in any court, or any rights acquired or liability incurred, or any permit issued or approval granted or any cause or causes of action arising prior to the enactment of this chapter. All chapters and ordinances or parts of chapters and ordinances and all resolutions or parts of resolutions which are inconsistent herewith by virtue of references or incorporation of requirements contained in the preexisting chapter or ordinance relating to zoning in the Township of Fairview, as amended, shall, as nearly as possible, be construed to reference this chapter.
This chapter shall take effect on the 25th day of March 2013, as enacted and ordained by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Fairview.