This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Upper Frederick Township Zoning Ordinance of 1991" and shall become effective upon enactment.
[Amended 4-10-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-05]
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Township. This chapter has been adopted in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Township and in recognition of the provisions and uses provided by the Regional Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Central Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning Commission and its members and is designed to lessen congestion on the roads and highways, to secure safety from fire, panic and other danger, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue congestion of population, to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements, to conserve the value of buildings and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Township.
In applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Township. The Comprehensive Plan in accordance with which this chapter is enacted and which is reflected in the provisions of this chapter have been formulated to implement the purpose set forth in § 285-2, in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward, inter alia, the following statement of community development objectives:
A. 
Guide and encourage the future development of the Township in accordance with comprehensive planning of land use and population density that represents the most beneficial and convenient relationships among the residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas within the Township.
B. 
Have regard for the suitability of the various uses appropriate to each of them and their potential for such uses as indicated by topography and soil conditions, existing man-made conditions, trends in population, the direction and manner of use of land, building development and economic activity.
C. 
Consider such conditions and trends both within the Township and with respect to the relationship of the Township to surrounding areas.
D. 
Protect the character and the social and economic stability of each of such areas and encourage their orderly and beneficial growth.
E. 
Protect and conserve the value of land and buildings throughout the Township, depending upon necessity of circumstances appropriate to the various zoning districts established herein.
F. 
Bring about through proper timing of gradual conformity of land use to the Comprehensive Plan aforesaid, and minimize conflicts among the uses of land and buildings.
G. 
Aid in bringing about the most beneficial relationship between land use and in the circulation of traffic throughout the Township, having particular regard to traffic to and from the major roads, and to the avoidance of congestion on the roads and the provision of safe and convenient access appropriate to the various land uses.
H. 
Aid in providing a guide for public policy and action in the efficient provision of public facilities and services, in the provision of safe and proper sanitary sewage disposal, and for private enterprise in building development, investment and other economic activity relating to land use.
To the extent that such objectives are consistent with the purposes set forth in § 285-2 and with the minimum requirements therefore, the provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such manner as will facilitate attainment of the said objectives, and all others permitted by law.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinance or enactment, or with any rule, regulation or permit adopted or issued thereunder, except insofar as the same may be inconsistent or in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter; provided, that where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or land, or upon the height and bulk of buildings, or prescribes larger open spaces than are required by the provisions of such ordinance, enactment, rule regulation or permit, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.
[Added 9-8-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-06]
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any building of the Township, or extension thereof, or to the use of any premises by the Township, if the Board of Supervisors shall decide that such building, or extension thereof, or such use of any premises, is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.