Borough of South Waverly, PA Article VIII Variances

§ 267-32 Grant of relief; enforcement.

A. If compliance with any of the requirements of this chapter would result in an exceptional hardship to a prospective builder, developer or landowner, South Waverly Borough may, upon request, grant relief from the strict application of the requirements.

B. This chapter will be enforced under the South Waverly Borough Zoning Ordinance by the South Waverly Borough Code Enforcement Officer in accordance with the administration and hearing requirements set forth in the Zoning Ordinance as authorized by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 500, Zoning.

§ 267-33 Variance procedures and conditions.

A. Requests for variances shall be considered by South Waverly Borough in accordance with the procedures contained in § 267-16 and the following:

(1) No variance shall be granted for any construction, development, use, or activity within any Floodway Area/District that would cause any increase in the BFE.

(2) Except for a possible modification of the regulatory flood elevation requirement involved, no variance shall be granted for any of the other requirements pertaining specifically to development which may endanger human life (§ 267-25).

(3) No variance shall be granted for development pertaining to manufactured homes (§ 267-27) or prohibited activities (Article VI).

(4) If granted, a variance shall involve only the least modification necessary to provide relief.

(5) In granting any variance, South Waverly Borough shall attach whatever reasonable conditions and safeguards it considers necessary in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to achieve the objectives of this chapter.

(6) Whenever a variance is granted, South Waverly Borough shall notify the applicant, in writing, that:

(a) The granting of the variance may result in increased premium rates for flood insurance.

(b) Such variances may increase the risks to life and property.

(7) In reviewing any request for a variance, South Waverly Borough shall consider, at a minimum, the following:

(a) That there is good and sufficient cause.

(b) That failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant.

(c) That the granting of the variance will:

[1] Neither result in an unacceptable or prohibited increase in flood heights, additional threats to public safety, or extraordinary public expense;

[2] Nor create nuisances, cause fraud on, or victimize the public or conflict with any other applicable state or local ordinances and regulations.

(8) A complete record of all variance requests and related actions shall be maintained by South Waverly Borough. In addition, a report of all variances granted during the year shall be included in the annual report to FEMA.

B. Notwithstanding any of the above, however, all structures shall be designed and constructed so as to have the capability of resisting the one-percent annual chance flood.