This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Worcester Township Zoning Ordinance."
This chapter, enacted for the purpose of promoting
the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Township,
is in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan to secure safety from fire,
panic and other danger, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent
the overcrowding of the land, to avoid undue congestion of population,
to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage,
schools, parks, and other public requirements, to conserve the value
of buildings, to encourage agriculture, conservation, recreation,
and other open space purposes and to encourage the most appropriate
use of land throughout the Township.
A.
In interpreting and 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 has been formulated to implement the purpose set forth in § 150-2 hereinabove, in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward, inter alia, the following objectives:
(1)
Building and encouraging 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, having regard to the suitability for various
land uses appropriate to each of them and their potentiality for such
uses, as indicated by topography and soil conditions, existing man-made
conditions and the trends in population, in the direction and manner
of the use of land in building development and in economic activity,
considering such conditions and trends both within the Township and
with respect to the relation of the Township to surrounding areas.
(2)
Protecting the character and social and economic stability
of each of such areas and encouraging their orderly and beneficial
growth.
(3)
Protecting and conserving the value of land and buildings
throughout the Township appropriate to the various zoning districts
established herein.
(4)
Bringing about through proper timing the gradual conformity
of land use to the Comprehensive Plan aforesaid and minimizing conflicts
among the uses of land and buildings.
(5)
Aiding in bringing about the most beneficial relation
between land use and the circulation of traffic throughout the Township,
having particular regard to and from the expressways and to avoidance
of congestion in streets and the provisions of safe and convenient
access appropriate to the various land uses.
(6)
Aiding in providing a guide for public safety 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 insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purpose set forth in § 150-2 and with the aforesaid minimum requirements thereof.
B.
The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted,
administered and applied in such a manner as will facilitate attainment
of said objectives.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal,
abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinances 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 ordinances, enactment,
rule, regulation or permit, then the provisions of this chapter shall
control.
