This chapter may be cited and referred to as
the "Washington Township Zoning Ordinance."
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter:
A. To guide the appropriate use or development of all
lands in Washington Township in a manner which will promote the public
health, safety, morals and general welfare.
B. To secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other
natural and man-made disasters.
C. To provide adequate light, air and open space.
D. To ensure that land development does not conflict
with the development and general welfare of neighboring municipalities,
the county and the state as a whole.
E. To promote the establishment of appropriate population
densities and concentrations that will contribute to the well-being
of persons and neighborhoods and preservation of the environment.
F. To encourage the appropriate and efficient expenditure
of public funds by the coordination of public development with land
use policies.
G. To provide sufficient space in appropriate locations
for a variety of agricultural, residential, recreational, commercial
and industrial uses and open space, both public and private, according
to their respective environment requirements.
H. To encourage the location and design of transportation
routes which will promote the free flow of traffic while discouraging
location of such facilities and routes which result in congestion
or blight.
I. To promote a desirable visual environment through
creative development techniques and good civic design and arrangements.
J. To promote the conservation of historic sites and
districts, open space, energy resources and valuable natural resources
and to prevent urban sprawl and degradation of the environment through
improper use of land.
[Amended 12-15-1986 by Ord. No. 46-86]
K. To encourage development which incorporates the best
features of design and relate the type, design and layout of residential,
commercial, industrial and recreational development to the particular
site.
L. To encourage coordination of the various public and
private procedures and activities shaping land development with a
view of lessening the cost of such development and to the more efficient
use of land.
M. To establish building lines and the location of buildings
designed for residential, commercial, industrial, office or other
uses within such lines and to fix reasonable standards to which buildings
or structures shall conform.
N. To prohibit uses, buildings or structures which are
incompatible with the character of development or the permitted uses
within specified zoning districts.
O. To prevent additions to, and alterations or remodeling
of, existing buildings or structures as would not comply with the
restrictions and limitations imposed hereunder.
P. To protect against hazards and to provide protection
against fire, explosions, noxious fumes and other hazards in the interest
of the public health, safety, comfort and the general welfare.
Q. To conserve the taxable value of land and buildings
throughout the Township.
R. To meet the housing needs of the future citizens of
the Township of Washington and the region and to assure a full range
of housing types to meet all income levels.
[Amended 6-8-1984 by Ord. No. 16-1984; 3-18-1985 by Ord. No. 5-85; 10-21-1985 by Ord. No.
34-85; 5-19-1986 by Ord. No. 14-86; 4-16-1990 by Ord. No. 12-90; 10-15-1990 by Ord. No.
34-90]
As defined under Chapter
111, Land Use Procedures, Article
VI, Definitions.