This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Township
of Upper Chichester Zoning Ordinance of 2012."
The zoning regulations and districts set forth in this chapter
are designed to achieve the following purposes as stated in the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968,[1] as amended, to:
A.
Promote, protect and facilitate any or all of the following: the
public health, safety and general welfare; coordinated and practical
community development and growth and proper population density; guidance,
protection and improvement of amenity, convenience, future governmental,
economic, social and cultural facilities as well as governmental processes
and functions; guidance of uses of land and structures, types and
location of streets, roadways, public grounds and facilities; promotion
of energy conservation through planning practices and promotion of
the effective utilization of renewable energy sources; the provision
of adequate light, water and air, access to incident solar energy,
police and fire protection, transportation, sewerage and schools;
and preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the
environment as well as the preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers
and floodplains.
B.
Prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding of land; blight;
danger and congestion in travel and transportation; or loss of health,
life or property from fire, flood, panic or other danger.
C.
Provide for the use of land within the municipality for residential
housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of
housing, including single-family and two-family dwellings and a reasonable
range of multifamily dwellings in various arrangements, mobile homes
and mobile home parks.
D.
Accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population
and employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety
of residential dwelling types and on residential uses.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The zoning regulations and districts set forth in this chapter
are based on the goals and objectives which are stated in the current
Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan for Aston, Lower Chichester and
Upper Chichester Townships. This chapter is intended to implement
the principles, policies and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan
and guide and regulate the orderly growth and development of Upper
Chichester Township.
For the purpose of this chapter, Upper Chichester is hereby
divided into the following zoning districts:
A.
R-1 Low Density Residential District.
B.
R-2 Medium Density Residential District.
C.
R-3 High Density Residential District.
D.
TH Townhouse Residence District.
E.
APT Apartment District.
F.
MH Mobile Home District.
G.
C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District.
H.
C-2 Highway Commercial District.
I.
I-C Industrial Commercial District.
J.
I Industrial District.
K.
PRD Planned Residential Development District.
L.
PRC Planned Retirement Community District.
M.
TLC Township Line Commerical District.
[Amended 6-10-2021 by Ord. No. 747]
A.
Minimum and uniform regulations. Unless specifically indicated otherwise,
the regulations set forth in this chapter shall be minimum regulations
and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structures or land.
B.
Proposed uses and structures. In all zoning districts, after the effective date of this chapter, any new building, or other structure or any tract of land shall be constructed, developed, and used only in accordance with the regulations specified herein, except where a variance has been authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with Article XXV.
C.
Existing uses and structures. In all districts, after the effective date of this chapter, any unlawful, existing building or other structure or any tract of land which is not in conformity with the regulation of the district in which it is located shall be deemed to be nonconforming and subject to Article XXVI.
A.
The zoning district locations and boundaries are those that exist
on the legally adopted Official Zoning Map, a copy of which is attached
hereto and made a part of this chapter.[1] The original Zoning Map shall be kept on file in the Township
Municipal Building. Whenever changes are made in the boundaries or
other matters included on said Zoning Map, such changes in the map
shall be made by the Township Engineer within five days after the
amendment has been approved by the Township Board of Commissioners.
[1]
Editor's Note: The copy of the map is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Where possible, the boundaries between districts shall follow natural
or man-made boundaries, center line of a street, alley, or highway;
railroad rights-of-way; streams or other natural or man-made features
which can form logical lines. Unless otherwise indicated, boundaries
shall be the center line or extension of the boundaries to districts.
C.
Where a district boundary line divides a lot held in single and separate
ownership at the effective date of this chapter, the regulations of
the less-restricted district shall extend over the portion of the
lot in the more-restricted district a distance of not more than 50
feet from the district.
D.
Boundaries indicated as appearing to follow platted lot lines shall
be construed as following such lot lines. Distances not specifically
indicated on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale
of the map. In any other circumstances not covered above or in the
event of any uncertainty as to the boundary of any district, the Zoning
Hearing Board shall interpret the district boundaries.
In the interpretation and application of the provisions of this
chapter, said provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements
for the promotion and protection of the public health, welfare, and
safety. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions
than those of any other ordinance or regulation, the provisions of
this chapter shall be controlling. Where the provisions of any statute,
other ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions than this
chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance, or regulation
shall be controlling.
