In order to carry out the stated purpose of this chapter, the
entire Township is hereby divided into zoning districts.
The locations and boundaries of the areas classified within
each of the zoning districts and overlays are set forth on the Zoning
Map attached hereto and made a part hereof by this reference and adopted
at the time of enactment of this chapter. All notation, references, explanatory matter and other
information on the Zoning Map are adopted and incorporated herein
by this reference. The Zoning Map shall be kept on file for public
inspection in the Township Building.
The zoning district boundaries shall be shown on the Zoning
Map with heavy solid lines and placement of the short names of the
respective zoning districts within such boundaries to indicate the
areas located within the various zoning districts. Where uncertainty
exists as to the precise location or extent of any zoning district:
A. Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding
with the center lines of streets, ways, alleys, highways, railroad
lines or streams, such center lines shall be construed to be such
boundaries.
B. Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding
with plotted lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be such
boundaries, or where district boundaries are indicated as extensions
of plotted lot lines or connections of the intersections of plotted
lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.
C. Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately parallel
to center lines of streets, alleys, ways, highways, railroad lines
or streams, lot lines or other physical features, such district boundaries
shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at such distance
therefrom as indicated on the Zoning Map, provided that distances
not indicated specifically on the Zoning Map shall be determined by
measurement according to the scale of the Zoning Map.
D. Where district boundaries are indicated as coinciding with municipal
boundary lines, such municipal boundary lines shall be construed as
such district boundaries.
E. Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at
variance with the district boundaries as shown on the Zoning Map,
or as interpreted pursuant to this article, the Zoning Hearing Board,
upon application, shall interpret the district boundaries.
A Zoning Officer shall be appointed by the Township Board of
Commissioners. The Zoning Officer shall serve at the convenience and
pleasure of the Township Board of Commissioners, shall not hold elective
office and shall have a working knowledge of zoning and subdivision
procedures.
The Zoning Officer shall administer this chapter in accordance
with its literal terms and shall not have the power to permit any
construction or any use or change of use which does not conform to
the requirements of this chapter. The Zoning Officer is hereby authorized
to institute civil enforcement proceedings as a means of enforcement
within the scope of his responsibilities. Within this power, the Zoning
Officer shall have duties as follows:
A. The Zoning Officer shall receive applications for and issue zoning
and sign permits, certificates of use and occupancy and stop-work
orders in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. The Zoning Officer shall make all the required inspections, or he
may, subject to the approval of the Township Board of Commissioners,
engage such expert opinion as he may deem necessary to report upon
unusual technical issues that may arise.
C. At least annually, the Zoning Officer shall submit to the Township
Board of Commissioners a written statement of all zoning and sign
permits, certificates of use and occupancy issued, and notices and
orders issued.
D. An official record shall be kept of all business and activities of
the office of the Zoning Officer specified by provisions of this chapter,
and all such records shall be open to public inspection at the Municipal
Building during regular business hours.
No sign as listed in Article
XIII of this chapter shall be erected or altered prior to the issuance of a sign permit by the Zoning Officer.
The Board of Commissioners shall establish, by resolution, a
schedule of fees for the obtaining of permits required under the provisions
of this chapter. Such resolution shall be duly recorded in the resolution
book of the Township, and such fee schedule shall be reproduced and
made available upon request at the Township Building. The resolution
providing for the various fees shall be periodically reviewed and
amended when necessary by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
The issuance of a permit shall be contingent upon the payment of the
proper fee as established by the resolution and fee schedule.