Borough of Adamstown, PA Article III Establishment of Zoning Districts and Map

§ 320-8 List of districts.

For the purpose of this chapter, the territory of Adamstown Borough is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:

Conservation (CONS) District

Woodland (W) District

Low Density Residential (R-1) District

Medium Density Residential (R-2) District

Main Street Residential (R-3) District

Mixed Use (MU) District

Highway Commercial (HC) District

Industrial (I) District

Institutional (INS) District

§ 320-9 Official Zoning Map.

A. The Borough is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map, which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: A copy of the 2009 Official Zoning Map is attached to this chapter.

B. The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the President of Borough Council, attested by the Secretary, and bear the seal of the Borough under the following words: "This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map referred to in Article 3, Section 302 of Ordinance Number 352 of the Borough of Adamstown, Lancaster and Berks Counties, Pennsylvania, adopted August 4, 2009."

C. If in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and Article VI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code changes are made in district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the Official Zoning Map, such changes shall be entered on the Official Zoning Map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the Borough Council with an entry on the Official Zoning Map as follows: "On (date), by official action of the Borough Council, the following (change) changes were made in the Official Zoning Map: (brief description of nature of change)," which entry shall be signed by the President of Borough Council and attested by the Borough Secretary. No amendment to this chapter which involves matter portrayed on the Official Zoning Map shall become effective until after such change and entry has been made on said Map.

D. No changes of any nature shall be made in the Official Zoning Map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this chapter. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this chapter and punishable as provided under Article XIII.

E. Regardless of the existence of purported copies of the Official Zoning Map, which may from time to time be made or published, the Official Zoning Map which shall be located in the office of the Borough Council shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas, buildings, and other structures in the Borough.

F. Replacement of the Official Zoning Map.

(1) In the event that the Official Zoning Map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret because of the nature or number of changes and additions, the Borough Council may by resolution adopt a new Official Zoning Map, which shall supersede the prior Official Zoning Map. The new Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the President of Borough Council, attested by the Borough Secretary and bear the seal of the Borough under the following words: "This is to certify that this Official Zoning Map was adopted __________ as part of Ordinance No. ____________ of the Borough of Adamstown, Lancaster and Berks Counties, Pennsylvania."

(2) Unless the prior Official Zoning Map has been lost, or has been totally destroyed, the prior map or any significant parts thereof remaining shall be preserved together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment.

§ 320-10 Interpretation of district boundaries.

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of the districts shown on the Official Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:

A. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines;

B. Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines;

C. Boundaries indicated as approximately following Borough limits shall be construed as following Borough limits;

D. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams, rivers or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such center lines;

E. Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in Subsections A through D above shall be so construed;

F. Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the map;

G. Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning Map or in circumstances not covered by Subsections A through F above, the Zoning Hearing Board shall interpret the district boundaries.

§ 320-11 Use adjustment on district boundaries.

Where a district boundary line divides a lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter, the Zoning Hearing Board may permit, as a special exception, the extension of the district regulations for either portion of the lot to extend for a distance not to exceed 50 feet beyond the district boundary line into the remaining portion of the lot.