The official title of this chapter is the "Washington
Township Zoning Ordinance."
The original Zoning Ordinance was effective
May 8, 1969. This chapter amends and restates the original Zoning
Ordinance and all amendments thereto and shall be effective herewith.
It is the intent of this chapter to provide
for future development of the Township which will respect and preserve
the prevailing open, residential character of the area, and which
will utilize the natural assets so as to enhance the community and
promote the health, welfare and safety of its residents. The provisions
of this chapter are further intended to protect and preserve natural
resources and agricultural land and activities. In interpreting and
applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be
the minimum requirements necessary to meet the intent of this chapter.
No structure shall be located, erected, constructed,
reconstructed, moved, remodeled, altered, converted or enlarged, nor
shall any structure or land be used, except in full compliance with
all permits and certificates required by this chapter.
A.
Whenever there is a difference between the minimum
standards or provisions specified within this chapter and other ordinances
in force within the Township, the most restrictive and/or highest
standard or provision shall govern.
B.
In interpreting the language of zoning ordinances
enforced within this Township to determine the extent of the restrictions
upon the use of the property, the language shall be interpreted, where
doubt exists as to the intended meaning of the language written and
enacted by the governing body, in favor of the property owner and
against any implied extension of the restriction; except that, in
the case of an ordinance which grants rights with respect to a nonconforming
use, the language should be interpreted against, and not in favor
of, the property owner.
This chapter and Zoning Map[1] are intended to promote, protect and facilitate the public
health, safety, morals and general welfare; coordinated and practical
community development; proper density of population; civil defense;
the provisions of adequate light, air and water; police protection;
vehicle parking and loading space; transportation; sewerage; schools;
public grounds; and other public requirements. In addition, this chapter
and Zoning Map are intended to prevent the overcrowding of land; blight;
danger and congestion of travel and transportation; and loss of health,
life or property from flood, fire, panic or other dangers. More specifically,
these broad purposes are designed to clearly achieve the objectives
of the Township Comprehensive Plan, including:
A.
To support and encourage order and beauty in the development
of the Township's environment for the convenience and pleasure of
present citizens and future residents through sound land development
practices and the provisions of adequate public utilities and facilities.
B.
To encourage future land development to complement
a logical, harmonious and efficient pattern of future Township growth.
C.
To encourage future residential use to occur in a
harmonious arrangement within compact neighborhood units.
D.
To preserve strategic properties suitable for industrial
development for the establishment of suitable diversified industry
throughout.
E.
To guide commercial development in such a way so as
to minimize adverse influences on adjacent roads or land values; to
maintain and protect existing commercial uses; and to encourage new
commercial facilities to locate in functionally designed centers with
safe and adequate highway access.
F.
To protect property values to ensure a suitable, attractive
and efficient community environment.
G.
To encourage development of integrated and cohesive
urban development.
H.
To encourage developers to incorporate adequate provision
of public facilities, parks, and open spaces in neighborhood design
and conservation design development.
[Amended 7-2-2002 by Ord. No. 3-02]
I.
To conserve interconnected networks of open space
throughout the Township, and to encourage the provision of buffers
between new development and existing farming operations and public
parks.
[Added 7-2-2002 by Ord. No. 3-02[2]]
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided
for the redesignation of former Subsection I as Subsection L.
J.
To preserve the scenic and historic values in the
environment.
[Added 7-2-2002 by Ord. No. 3-02]
K.
To preserve forests, steep slopes, wetlands, aquifers,
and floodplains.
[Added 7-2-2002 by Ord. No. 3-02]
L.
To provide for all basic forms of housing.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file in
the Township offices.
