This chapter shall be known, cited and referred to as the "East
Hempfield Township Zoning Ordinance of 2014" (hereinafter "Chapter").
This chapter is adopted to regulate and manage the use and development
of land and water within East Hempfield Township for the following
purposes:
A. Protect and provide for the public health, safety, morals, and general
welfare of East Hempfield Township.
B. Guide and coordinate the future growth and development of East Hempfield
Township.
C. Provide for adequate light, air, and privacy; secure safety from
fire, flood, stormwater and other danger; and prevent overcrowding
of the land and undue congestion of population.
D. Protect the character and the social and economic stability of all
parts of East Hempfield Township.
E. Promote the preservation of the Township's natural and historic resources
and prime agricultural land.
F. Protect and conserve the value of land, buildings and improvements
throughout East Hempfield Township and minimize conflicts between
land uses.
G. Guide public and private policy and action in order to provide adequate
and efficient transportation, water, sewerage, parks, playgrounds,
recreation, and other public services and facilities.
H. Provide for safe and convenient circulation of people and goods throughout
the Township, including pedestrian, bike, and other nonmotorized modes
of travel.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by
the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (PA MPC), Act of 1968,
P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended.
The use of all land and every building or structure or portion
of a building or structure erected, altered with respect to height
and area, added to, or relocated, and every use within a building
or structure or use accessory thereto, in the Township shall be in
conformity with the provisions of this chapter. Any lawfully existing
use, building or land not in conformity with the regulations on the
effective date of this chapter herein prescribed shall be regarded
as nonconforming, but may be continued, extended, or changed subject
to the special regulations herein provided with respect to nonconforming
lots, buildings, structures, or uses. Provisions set forth in Articles
4 through 9 apply to all zones as they pertain to general regulations,
specific use criteria, nonconforming uses, signs, on and off street
parking and loading and administration and enforcement.
In order that land may be developed and used in accordance with
the policies, regulations, standards, and purposes of these regulations,
this chapter is hereby adopted and made effective as of the effective
date of this chapter.
This chapter shall not be construed as abating any action now
pending under, or by virtue of, prior existing subdivision or land
development regulations, or as discontinuing, abating, modifying or
altering any penalty accruing or about to accrue, or as affecting
the liability of any person, firm or corporation, or as waiving any
right of the Township under any section or provision existing at the
time of adoption of this chapter, or as vacating or annulling any
rights obtained by any person, firm or corporation by lawful action
of the Township, except as shall be expressly provided for in this
chapter.
The areas within East Hempfield Township, as assigned to each
zone and the location of the zones established by this chapter, are
shown upon the Zoning Map, which together with all explanatory matter
thereon, is attached to and is declared to be a part of the East Hempfield
Township Zoning Ordinance.
The zone lines shall be as shown on the Zoning Map. Zone boundary
lines are intended to coincide with lot lines; centerlines of streets,
alleys, railroad rights-of-way, and streams at time of passage of
this chapter; the corporate boundary of the Township; or as dimensioned
on the Map. In the event of dispute about the location of the boundary
of any zone, the Zoning Officer shall investigate and render a decision
on the location of the line. Appeals from this decision shall be made
to the ZHB.
Upon the adoption of this chapter, all provisions of the East
Hempfield Township Zoning Ordinance of 1994, as amended, are expressly
repealed in its entirety to land within the limits of East Hempfield
Township.