[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04; 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01; 5-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
A. Source. The community development goals and objectives are taken
directly from the adopted Clinton Township Comprehensive Plan.
B. The key community development goal of Clinton Township is to accommodate
necessary development while still protecting rural uses and features
within the community. Generally, the Township will control the location,
character, and timing of future growth and development by utilization
of consistent local zoning, and policy decision such as consistent
infrastructure investments. For the purpose of this chapter, "goals"
are defined as broad policies the Township wishes to achieve, and
objectives are more narrow means to make the goals come true. The
vision of retaining a rural community, preventing high taxes and still
allowing choices for landowners.
(1) Location goals. The Township will protect and conserve natural resources
to the extent not preempted by state or federal law. In some cases,
this may be accomplished by steering development away from sensitive
resources. In other cases, good design can protect the resource within
the context of development. The Townships may either make infrastructure
investment in selected areas, or permit the installation of public
and private improvements to support more intensive growth and development
in selected areas.
(2) Character goals. The Township will discourage development that is
not of a compatible nature with preexisting development. It may accomplish
this through its zoning authority, or establishing standards to mitigate
potentially conflicting uses through distance, screening, buffering
or other measures.
(3) Timing goals. The Township may limit growth and development to achieve
optimum timing with public or private improvements. In general, intensive
development should occur first where water, sewer, and transportation
infrastructure are already available. After that, development should
occur where such infrastructure can be made available in a scenario
where growth pays for itself.
Rules for the interpretation of all defined words within this chapter are detailed in Article
VII. Undefined terms shall be given their plain and customary meaning.
No structure shall be located, erected, demolished, constructed,
moved, externally altered, converted or enlarged nor shall any structure
or land use be used or designed to be used except in full compliance
with this chapter and after the lawful issuance of all permits and
certifications required by this chapter.
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared
by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall
not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole, nor the validity
of any other section or provision of the chapter, other than the one
so declared.
Any resolution or ordinance, or any part of any resolution or
ordinance conflicting with the provisions of this chapter is hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict. In particular, those sections
of Ordinance No. 0-84-12, as amended which are at conflict with these
provisions, are hereby repealed upon the effective date.
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]
The districts described under Article
II of this chapter, as well as all applicable standards for use, density, yards, and the approval and consideration of development are hereby established. This ordinance shall take effect on August 26, 2019.
A map entitled "the Clinton Township Zoning Map" is hereby adopted
as part of this chapter. The Official Zoning Map shall be kept on file and available
for examination at the Township office. The Township shall use this
Official Zoning Map for interpretation. Informational Zoning Maps
may be printed and distributed, but shall not be utilized for final
interpretation of boundaries. All approved changes to zoning districts
shall be promptly recorded on the Zoning Map by the Zoning Officer.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
District boundaries that are shown between the lines of streets,
streams and transportation rights-of-way shall be deemed to follow
the center line. The vacation of streets shall not affect the locations
of such district boundaries. When the Zoning Officer cannot definitely
determine the location of a district boundary by such center lines,
by the scale of dimensions stated on the Zoning Map or by the fact
that it clearly coincides with a property line, he shall refuse action.
The Zoning Hearing Board, upon appeal, shall interpret the location
of the district boundary with reference to the scale of the Zoning
Map and the purpose set forth in all relevant provisions of this chapter.
Any territory hereafter annexed by the Township or gained through
discovery, survey, or mapping error will be classified by the Township.
Property owned, leased or operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
or the United States, or the Township, or any other public or governmental
body or agency, shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter
as follows:
A. Listing of public uses. Where such public or governmental uses are
specifically listed, they shall be governed as indicated.
B. Similarity of government and nongovernmental uses. Where such public
or governmental uses are not specifically listed, they shall be permitted
only in districts permitting private uses of a similar or substantially
similar nature.
C. Extent of Township powers. Governmental entities and agencies shall
be exempt from the provisions of this chapter only to the extent that
it has been determined that the Township has no power to apply its
zoning regulations to the particular use of land.
D. Municipal applicability. In the interest of the protection of health
and safety, the Township shall be exempt from the provisions of this
chapter in the course of municipal functions related to road maintenance
and provision of infrastructure, including grading, paving, culverts
bridges, directional and safety signage, pump stations, wells, and
similar structures and appurtenances, in particular any applicable
setback and permitting procedures. The Township shall maintain all
lot, yard, and coverage standards for any municipal building or municipally
owned structure.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
The Township of Clinton adopted an Official Map as permitted by Article
IV of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code; all development shall conform to such standards as required
by the Official Map Ordinance and the Municipalities Planning Code.