As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
DANGEROUS STRUCTURE
All buildings or structures which have any or all of the following
defects shall be deemed dangerous structures:
A.
Those which have been damaged by fire, wind, or other causes so as to
have become dangerous to the life, safety, morals, or the general health and
welfare of the occupants or the people of the Township of East Cocalico;
B.
Those which have become or are so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary
or which so utterly fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living
that they are unfit for human habitation or are likely to cause accidents,
sickness or disease, so as to work injury to the health, morals, safety, or
general welfare of those living therein as well as other citizens of the Township;
C.
Those which have parts thereof which are so attached that they might
fall and injure members of the public and adjoining property; and
D.
Those which because of their general condition are unsafe, unsanitary
or dangerous to the health, morals, safety, or general welfare of the people
of the Township.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of East Cocalico, County of Lancaster, and Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or any entity whatsoever, to maintain, erect, or own any dangerous structure within the definition of §
75-1 of this chapter and all such dangerous structures are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be repaired, vacated, or demolished as hereinafter provided.
In the event that the Zoning Officer initially finds that a dangerous
structure does in fact exist, then the Zoning Officer shall give written notice
to the owner and/or occupant to repair, vacate, or demolish the dangerous
structure within 30 days of the date of the notice.
If the dangerous structure is not repaired, vacated or demolished in
accordance with the terms of the notice, the Board of Supervisors shall hold
a hearing and shall give written notice of the hearing to the owner and/or
occupant to appear before the Board on the date specified in the notice to
show cause why the building or structure reported to be a dangerous structure
should not be repaired, vacated, or demolished in accordance with the notice.
At said hearing the owner and/or occupant or any other person having
an interest in said structure, or any person alleging that the said structure
is a dangerous structure, shall be allowed to present testimony.
After said hearing, the Board of Supervisors shall make written findings
of fact from the testimony offered.
The Board of Supervisors shall also issue an order based upon findings
of fact made pursuant to this section and, if said building is found to be
a dangerous structure, shall order the owner and/or occupant to either repair,
vacate, or demolish said dangerous structure within 30 days of the date of
the written findings of fact and decision.
The following standards shall be followed in substance by the Board
of Supervisors in ordering repair, vacation, or demolition:
A. If the dangerous or dilapidated building can be repaired
as determined by the Board of Supervisors so that it will no longer exist
in violation of the terms of this chapter, it shall be ordered repaired;
B. If the dangerous or dilapidated building or structure
is in such condition as to make it dangerous to the health, morals, safety,
or general welfare of its occupants, it shall be ordered to be vacated;
C. In any situation where a dangerous or dilapidated building or structure cannot be reasonably repaired as determined by the Board of Supervisors as provided in Subsection
A of this section, it shall be demolished. In cases where a dangerous or dilapidated building or structure is a fire hazard existing or erected in violation of the terms of this chapter or any statute of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it shall be demolished.