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Borough of Girard, PA
Erie County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Amended 3-15-1982 by Ord. No. 530; 9-18-1989 by Ord. No. 583; 1-15-1991 by Ord. No. 592; 12-16-1991 by Ord. No. 599]
A. 
The minimum lot and yard requirements and other development standards for each zoning district are set forth within Subsection B of this section. These standards must be met at the minimum, as well as any other requirement(s) listed within this chapter that apply to the respective use. The permitted uses are set forth within the table located in Subsection C of this section. Any use not expressly listed for a district, or uses which the Zoning Officer cannot interpret as being of the same classification as a listed use, are prohibited within the district. Permitted uses require normal application procedures through the Zoning Officer. The established zoning districts within this chapter are designed to achieve the intent of the Girard Borough Comprehensive Plan Update, more specifically the Borough Land Use Plan Map of this plan.
(1) 
R-1 Residential District. The purpose of this district is for land uses that are compatible with lower-density single-family dwellings.
(2) 
R-1A Residential District (Single-Family). The purpose of this district is to preserve the primary area of single-family residential dwellings.
(3) 
R-2 Residential District (Medium-Density). The purpose of this district is to provide transitional residential areas between the preservation-oriented R-1 District and the redevelopment-oriented R-3 District.
(4) 
R-3 Residential District (High-Density). The purpose of this district is to provide for diverse residential composition through allowing a wide variety of housing types to serve the future housing needs of the Borough. Secondary uses that comprise of public services or housing that are compatible with higher-density residential uses are provided for within this district.
(5) 
C-1 Commercial District (Central Business). The purpose of this district is to provide sufficient land area for the commercial (Central Business District) potential of the Borough. While the district is primarily designed for the shopping convenience of persons residing within the Borough, the uses provided for also serve regional interests and needs, and it is designed and intended to permit a wide range of commercial and institutional uses. Standards are developed to provide an attractive, functional and efficient shopping and business atmosphere; to protect existing investments; and to encourage redevelopment and revitalization with adequate off-street parking facilities.
(6) 
C-2 Commercial District (Highway/Plaza). The purpose of this district is to provide sufficient land area for the commercial (Highway/Plaza) potential of the Borough.
(7) 
M-1 Manufacturing District. The purpose of this district is to provide for industrial needs and potential of the Borough. This district will contain only those industrial establishments, nonresidential commercial activities and facilities for manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage and warehousing which can conform to the performance standards of this article.
(8) 
FP Floodplain District. The purpose of this district is to provide for the protection of life and property in the recognized one-hundred-year floodplain of the Borough, which is identified in the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and related study prepared by the Federal Insurance Administration. The Floodplain District, as mapped specifically (officially) within the aforementioned FIRM study, shall be considered an area whereby all uses and structures are subject to special development standards. All uses and structures shall be regulated by Chapter 205, Floodplain Management, to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Borough's residents and businesses.
B. 
Girard Borough is divided into eight districts as shown by the district boundaries on the Zoning Map. Those districts are:
(1) 
R-1 Residential (Low-Density):
(a) 
Minimum lot area: 15,000 square feet.
(b) 
Lot area/family: 15,000 square feet.
(c) 
Front yard: 30 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side yard: 10 feet.
(e) 
Total side yard: 24 feet.
(f) 
Rear yard: 40 feet.
(g) 
Minimum lot width at building line: 100 feet.
(h) 
Minimum lot and area requirements for planned residential developments shall comply with Article VII, Planned Residential Development, of this chapter.
(2) 
R-1A Residential (Single-Family). Minimum lot and area requirements for the R-1A Residential District shall comply with the minimum lot and area requirements for the R-1 Residential District.
(3) 
R-2 Residential (Medium-Density):
(a) 
Minimum lot area: 7,500 square feet.
(b) 
Lot area/family: 5,000 square feet.
(c) 
Front yard: 25 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side yard: eight feet.
(e) 
Total side yard: 20 feet.
(f) 
Rear yard: 35 feet.
(g) 
Minimum lot width at building line: 60 feet.
(4) 
R-3 Residential (High-Density):
(a) 
Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet.
(b) 
Lot area/family: 2,500 square feet.
(c) 
Front yard: 20 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side yard: six feet.
(e) 
Total side yard: 16 feet.
(f) 
Rear yard: 30 feet.
(g) 
Minimum lot width at building line: 50 feet.
(5) 
C-1 Commercial (Central Business District):
(a) 
Minimum lot area: 3,600 square feet.
(b) 
Lot area/family: 2,500 square feet.
(c) 
Front yard: —
(d) 
Minimum side yard: —
(e) 
Total side yard: —
(f) 
Rear yard: 30 feet.
(g) 
Minimum lot width at building line: 50 feet.
(6) 
C-2 Commercial (Highway/Plaza):
(a) 
Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet.
(b) 
Lot area/family: —
(c) 
Front yard: 20 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side yard: five feet.
(e) 
Total side yard: 15 feet.
(f) 
Rear yard: 30 feet.
(g) 
Minimum lot width at building line: 50 feet.
(7) 
M-1 Manufacturing:
(a) 
Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet.
(b) 
Lot area/family: —
(c) 
Front yard: 20 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side yard: eight feet.
(e) 
Total side yard: 18 feet.
(f) 
Rear yard: 30 feet.
(g) 
Minimum lot width at building line: 50 feet.
(8) 
FP Floodplain.
C. 
Permitted Use Table. The permitted uses for each district, as shown in the following table, shall be according to the common meaning of the term or according to the definitions given in Article III through Article VI. The letter "P" designates a permitted use for that district. The letter "D" in brackets means the term is defined in this chapter. A section reference in brackets means that the use must comply with the requirements within that section in this chapter.
Permitted Use Table
R-1
R-1A
R-2
R-3
C-1
C-2
M-1
FP
Public grounds [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Essential services [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Wall/fence [§ 425-15D]
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Off-street loading/parking [D] [§§ 425-18, 425-19]
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Signs [D] [§ 425-17]
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Accessory uses [D] [§ 425-15]
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Single-family dwelling [D]
P
P
P
P
Agriculture [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
Two-family dwelling [D]
P
P
Conversion apartment [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
Resident treatment facility [D] [§ 425-10]
P
P
P
P
Placement treatment facility [D] [§ 425-10]
P
P
P
P
Churches [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
P
P
Multifamily dwellings [D]
P
P
Public buildings [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
P
Public utility building [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
Retail trade sales [D]
P
P
Service business [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
Home occupation [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
Commercial/residential structure [D] [§ 425-45]
P
P
Cemeteries
P
Light manufacturing [D]
P
Human body massage establishments [D]
[Added 2-19-2001 by Ord. No. 673]
P
Sexually oriented business operations [D]
[Added 2-19-2001 by Ord. No. 673]
P
Manufactured/mobile homes [§ 425-21]
[Added 10-19-2009 by Ord. No. 704]
P
Manufactured/mobile home parks [§ 425-21]
[Added 10-19-2009 by Ord. No. 704]
P
District boundaries shown on the lines of roads, streams, and transportation rights-of-way shall be deemed to follow the center lines. The vacation of roads shall not affect the location of such district boundaries. When the Zoning Officer cannot definitely determine the location of a district boundary of 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, and 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 purposes set forth in all relevant provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 1-15-1991 by Ord. No. 592; 2-19-2001 by Ord. No. 673]
The permitted uses for each district are stated in § 425-8. Where a human body massage establishment or sexually oriented business operation is a permitted use, such uses shall meet the conditions outlined in Chapter 325, Sexually Oriented Businesses, and Chapter 250, Massage Establishments, and such uses shall meet the following requirements:
A. 
Evidence that all applicable federal, state, county and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances have been met and will be complied with concerning the use of an existing structure or construction of a new facility, in the operation of the facility once occupied.
B. 
Evidence that all necessary permits, licenses, certifications and other approvals for the facility and for its operator and/or personnel or employees have been obtained from federal, state, county and local government agencies and/or courts, as applicable and will be kept in effect.
C. 
Uses not specifically listed shall not be permitted, except upon appeal to the Board.
Borough Council may authorize conditional uses as specified in § 425-8, if all conditions and provisions of Article IV are met.
No structure shall exceed 35 feet in height above average ground level, unless approved by the Zoning Hearing Board. The Board may authorize a variance to the height regulations in any district. All front, side, and rear yard depths may be increased not to exceed one foot for each additional foot of height, at the discretion of the Board.
[Amended 10-19-1992 by Ord. No. 614]
The minimum lot area, minimum depths of front yard, and minimum width of each side yard for each district shall be as designated in § 425-8.
A. 
Lots which abut on more than one street shall provide the required front yards along every street.
B. 
All structures, whether attached to the principal structure or not, and whether open or enclosed, including porches, carports, balconies, or platforms above normal grade level, shall not project into any minimum front, side, or rear yard.
C. 
Any lot of record existing at the effective date of this chapter then held in separate ownership different from the ownership of adjoining lots may be used for the erection of a structure conforming to the use regulations of the district in which it is located, so that such lot may be used as a building site; provided, however, that the yard and other requirements of the district are complied with as closely as is possible in the opinion of the Planning Commission.
D. 
Where an on-lot septic tank is to be used, the minimum lot size shall not be less than required by percolation tests, and in no case shall it be less than 20,000 square feet. A septic tank permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection shall be a prerequisite to an application for a building permit.
E. 
Nonresidential structures or uses shall not be located or conducted closer to any lot line of any other lot in any residential district than the distance specified in the following schedule:
Minimum Side or Rear Yard Abutting any Lot in any Residential District
(feet)
Use
10
Off-street parking spaces and access drives for nonresidential uses
30
Churches, schools, and public or semipublic structures
50
Entertainment facilities, motels, all business uses and industrial uses
F. 
Any portion of a lot once used as a yard or as lot area per family in compliance with the area requirements of the district regulations of this chapter shall not be counted again as required yard or lot area per family for another building.