The following definitions shall be used in the
interpretation and construction of this chapter. Words used in the
present tense include the future tense; the singular includes the
plural and the plural the singular; the words "person" or "developer"
include a firm, association, partnership, trust, company or corporation
as well as an individual; the masculine includes the feminine; the
word "shall" is mandatory and not optional and the word "may" is permissive;
the words "used" or "occupied" include the words "arranged, designed,
constructed, altered, converted, rented, leased, maintained, or intended
to be" used or occupied; and words used in this chapter and not otherwise
defined in this article shall have the same meaning as in a standard
dictionary.
ABUTTING — Touching along a
common boundary line, including directly across an intervening street.
An unobstructed vehicular passage in a parking lot, directly
abutting a row of parking spaces and connecting to other aisles and
to public streets, designed to provide maneuvering space for drivers
entering and leaving the parking spaces.
An activity or use that is incidental to, and generally found in connection with the principal use on the lot (see § 460-22). An accessory building contains an accessory use.
Any addition, deletion or revision of this chapter text or Map officially adopted by the Borough Council after public hearing (see § 460-57).
A leisure activity or recreation, usually in a confined area,
for which a charge is assessed for the use of the facility and/or
equipment.
A building containing at least three dwelling units; also
a multiple-family dwelling.
A petition made to the next higher level of authority by
a party wishing to pursue or protest a development issue that has
been denied or approved at a lower level or by a public official,
asking for reversal of the earlier decision.
A party with the legal standing to file a petition to appeal
an official action of a public body.
A comprehensive description in words and precise drawings
of a proposed development of a property as a basis for the municipality
to approve or deny the plan or require conditions to be attached to
approval.
A facility wholly devoted to the provision of equipped spaces,
athletic equipment, and supporting services designed to promote physical
fitness and athletic competition, usually on a membership basis or
provided by an institution.
A business facility that provides fuel and oil for vehicles
and may sell auto accessories and traveler convenience goods and provide
minor auto service and maintenance, but does not offer collision repair
or painting or the storage of damaged or abandoned vehicles. Minor
service shall be limited to spark plug, battery and tire repair and
servicing; replacement of mufflers, tailpipes, hoses, belts, fluids,
bulbs, windshield wipers and minor fittings; radiator cleaning and
flushing; washing, polishing and lubrication, brake adjustment or
installation; carburetor, fuel pump and fuel line replacement or servicing;
minor engine tuning; and emergency starting services.
[Amended 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
Business activities in an office setting that do not allow
face-to-face contact with clients or customers, usually involving
record keeping, billing, bookkeeping and similar operations.
A platform without enclosing walls attached to a building
along one or more edges, but with no supporting connection to the
ground.
The story within a building whose floor level is not more
than 1/2 the vertical distance below the average finished grade of
the outside ground level, and has windows not within window wells
on at least one wall. Apartments with such windows may occupy basements,
but not cellars where the floor level is more than 1/2 the distance
below the average finished grade outside.
A projection from the wall of a building containing windows
and supported only by the wall.
A single-family detached dwelling the owner-occupant of which
accepts a limited number of overnight paying guests occupying existing
bedrooms in the dwelling, and serves only breakfast to the guests.
A room within a dwelling used permanently or occasionally for sleeping purposes and at least meeting area and window opening requirements of Chapter 327, Property Maintenance, of the Code of the Borough of Indiana for the number of occupants using the room.
A combination of physical and environmental conditions that
creates deterioration of a property and discourages maintenance.
A single-family detached dwelling whose owner accepts not more than two persons not related to the family occupying the dwelling as permanent residents in the dwelling in return for compensation to the family and in accordance with Chapter 327, Property Maintenance, of the Code of the Borough of Indiana. If meals are not provided such persons, the dwelling shall be considered a rooming house.
All the land and improvements within the corporate boundaries
of Indiana Borough, Indiana County, PA.
Natural plantings, fences and/or walls placed along the perimeter of a property to protect residential development from abutting commercial or other activity that would deteriorate the enjoyment or value of the residential property (see § 460-23B).
Any man-made structure attached to or into the ground and
having a roof supported by columns or walls used for the shelter or
enclosure of persons, businesses or other enterprises and activities
associated with any of them.
A line, or part of such line, that describes the limits of
building construction within a lot, set back from lot lines the depths
of front, side and rear yards for each property, depending upon which
zone district the lot is located in.
The wall facing the primary street to which the lot containing
the building has its access, or, if the lot does not abut a primary
street, the wall containing the principal entrance to the building.
The building in which is conducted the principal use of the
lot on which it is located. A dwelling shall be considered the principal
building on a residential lot. In some business or multifamily dwelling
developments there may be several principal buildings containing the
same use.
A facility providing vocational training and instruction
not affiliated with or supported by any public school district, and
operated as a business.
A lightweight device attached to and extending from the wall
of a building, usually to protect windows and doors, and capable of
supporting only its own weight. Canopies include awnings, which are
retractable canopies.
A deciduous tree with umbrella-like upper branch systems
that creates shade on the ground and allows pedestrian circulation
around the trunk of the tree when mature.
See "basement."
An appeal challenging the actions taken by elected officials
or appointed bodies of the Borough for failing to follow prescribed
procedures in the adoption of an ordinance or amendment, scheduling
or holding a public hearing, or enforcement of the ordinance.
An appeal brought against an ordinance or amendment on the
grounds that such ordinance or amendment unfairly places a heavy burden
on one or more private property interests without compensation or
advance of the public health and safety.
A visual path kept free of obstructions that allows vehicle
drivers approaching an intersection to see one another and thus avoid
a potential collision.
An establishment offering medical, dental, or chiropractic
services employing not more than three licensed doctors, dentists
or chiropractors, not including assistants directed by the principals.
An establishment operated for social, recreational or educational
purposes, open only to members and their guests, but not the general
public unless invited, and not affiliated with or sanctioned by Indiana
University of Pennsylvania.
The building, containing as the central room, the sanctuary
and meeting place of a religious congregation, including no dwelling
in the same building.
A common wall is a vertical monolithic wall whose surfaces
on either side are interior walls of separate dwelling units or other
occupancy units, without connections through the wall between the
units. A common floor and ceiling is a horizontal monolithic element
separating units above and below, such element free of openings except
for chimneys, pipe chases, or stair or elevator connections between
floors.
A statement attaching this chapter to the municipal Comprehensive
Plan with reference to land use, density of population, and location
and function of streets, utilities, and community facilities.
A document based on an analysis of past trends and current
conditions in a municipality, projecting growth and change in population,
economic conditions and land use, and recommending measure to improve
streets, utilities and community facilities, and allocate land to
cope with such growth and change.
A use which may not be appropriate to a particular zoning district as a whole, but which may be suitable in certain localities within the district only when specific conditions and criteria prescribed for such uses have been complied with. Conditional uses are reviewed by Borough Council after recommendations by the Planning Commission, in accordance with § 460-60 of this chapter.
[Added 5-3-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-04]
Retail sales of popular everyday disposable products with
limited choices, and available over a much wider time frame than usual
retail sales outlets, including gasoline sales from pump islands.
A dwelling unit created from within a single-family detached dwelling (see § 460-25D).
The duly elected governing body of Indiana Borough, Indiana County, PA, with specific duties in connection with this chapter (see § 460-7A).
The Planning Commission and staff of Indiana County, PA.
The extent to which a building occupies the lot on which
the building is located, expressed as a percentage of the building's
area on the lot to the total lot area.
A building fitted with proper appliances for the purpose
of the incineration or cremation of dead human bodies.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
An amendment proposed by a property owner challenging the validity of zoning regulations as they apply to property in which he has an interest and requiring municipal action on his petition or a municipal curative amendment, in which the Borough Council declares a moratorium on specific parts of this chapter in order to cure alleged defects (see § 460-57I).
Light fixtures shielded so the source of the light is not
visible from off the property on which the fixture is located, and
no light is allowed to escape upward from the source.
A facility for the care of dependent persons operated by
a qualified individual or staff while parents or guardians are at
work.
An open platform, without permanent roof or walls, raised
above ground level and usually attached along one or more edges to
a building.
A measure of the number of dwellings on a given area of land,
usually expressed as the minimum number of square feet of lot area
established by this chapter for each dwelling unit. Density may also
be the minimum area of a bedroom required to allow occupancy by one
or more individuals.
An individual landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant
with the landowner's permission, who or which causes development to
occur upon a lot and who is responsible for compliance of such development
with the terms of this chapter and other Borough regulations.
The erection, expansion or alteration of a building or structure;
the altering of the land surface to receive construction; the subdividing
of land in anticipation of its receiving construction or the offering
of land for such purpose; or any man-made change to improved or unimproved
property within a flood hazard area, including but not limited to
paving, placing of utilities, filling, grading, or excavating.
The written and graphic provisions describing a proposed
development in sufficient detail so that its compliance with the requirements
of this chapter may be conclusively judged.
The group of standards, including lot size, building setback
and coverage, and land use limitations that govern development in
a particular zone district.
A residential facility designed for student use containing bedrooms, suites of rooms, shared bathrooms and common facilities, such as a recreation room, kitchen, dining area and laundry, arranged as required by Chapter 327, Property Maintenance, of the Code of the Borough of Indiana.
The vehicular entrance to a property connecting to the adjacent
public street.
An arrangement which permits customers to transact business
without leaving their cars.
A group of connecting rooms in a building for the exclusive
residential use of one family, containing its own private cooking,
food storage, bathing and toilet facilities, and connecting either
directly or by a common hall and/or stairs to the outside, but not
including hotels, dormitories, or nursing homes.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FUNCTIONAL FAMILY DETACHEDA building containing only one dwelling and no other principal uses surrounded on all sides and above by open space and occupied by a functional family.
[Amended 8-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03]
DWELLING, TWO-FUNCTIONAL FAMILYA detached building, surrounded by outside space on all sides and above containing only two dwellings, situated side by side and separated by a common wall, or one above the other separated by a common horizontal element serving as the floor of the upper dwelling and ceiling of the lower dwelling, such element free of opening except for utility lines, chimney stacks, and stairways connecting the upper dwelling to the ground level. Each dwelling shall be independent of the other in terms of access, except that the two units may have a common foyer entrance, porch, driveway and/or common utility entrance. Each unit shall be occupied by a functional family.
[Amended 8-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03]
DWELLING MULTIPLE FAMILYA building containing at least three dwelling units with either separate access to the outside from each unit, or with common access via halls, stairways and/or elevators to the outside.
DWELLING UNITOne of a group of dwellings in a building or group of buildings.
The rearranging of the elevations of a site to accommodate
a development on the site, involving a site plan addressing erosion
control and stormwater management; also called "grading."
The removal of soil particles by action of wind, rain, freezing
and thawing, and the movement of such particles downhill to be deposited
on lower ground or in streams.
Any element in the system or of a service provided or maintained
by a public utility or a government agency for the public's health,
safety and welfare, including, but not limited to, systems to convey
water, sewage, gas, electricity, telephone, or communications systems,
or services related thereto, including, but not limited to, road maintenance
and repair, law enforcement, and fire protection and including structures
or buildings specifically located and used to treat, store, transfer,
regulate, maintain, or otherwise operate the aforementioned systems
or services.[1]
The contour of the land at the conclusion of a development
project.
See § 460-24G.
The total horizontal interior area that is owned or leased
as a unit except for storage and stock areas, rest rooms, receiving/shipping
and merchandise repair/alteration areas, utility rooms, corridors
not open to the public, and display windows, such total floor area
used to determine the minimum number of parking spaces needed to serve
the use.
An organization that is recognized by Indiana University
of Pennsylvania as meeting the University's definition of a fraternity
or sorority.
Either an individual or a group of people plus their offspring,
having a relationship which is functionally equivalent to a family.
The relationship must be of a permanent and distinct character with
a demonstrable and recognizable bond characteristic of a cohesive
unit. Functional family does not include any society, club, fraternity,
sorority, association, lodge, organization or students where the common
living arrangement or basis for the establishment of the housekeeping
unit is temporary.
[Added 8-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03[2]]
A place or premise wherein a licensed funeral director conducts
the professional practice of funeral directing, including the preparation,
care and funeral services for the human dead.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
An accessory building on a residential lot attached to or
detached from the dwelling, or a room within the dwelling, intended
for the storage and maintenance of vehicles and equipment owned and
operated by the residents of the dwelling and not for repair of vehicles
for profit, or a garage on a business property as an accessory use
to serve only the parking needs of employees and customers.
A principal use of a property providing vehicle parking and
open to the public for a fee or by lease, but not including an auto
repair facility or automobile sales or display.
A condition created by the size, width or configuration of
a lot and/or its surface characteristics that make development of
the lot conforming to the requirements of this chapter very difficult
or impossible.
An individual member of the Zoning Hearing Board appointed
by the Board Chairman to hear and decide a particular appeal or request
brought to the Board because one or more Board members have a conflict
of interest or are otherwise unable to hear the matter resulting in
the lack of a quorum.
A linear arrangement of plantings along a property boundary that grow together to present, when viewed in elevation, a surface at least 50% opaque from ground level to the minimum height of the top of the hedge, if such planting is required as a buffer separating residential from business premises, or of a certain maximum height but optional opaqueness if the hedge is not required (see § 460-23A and B).
Written permission granted to a property owner abutting a
public road giving the owner the right to enter the road from his
property at a location approved by the public agency having jurisdiction
over the road.
Any structure or property, collection of structures, and
their associated accessory structures deemed of importance to the
history, architecture or culture of an area(s) by an appropriate local
or state governmental jurisdiction.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
A service type small business conducted within a dwelling by residents of the dwelling, involving no exterior manifestation of the business, except for a sign (see § 460-30A) or expansion of the dwelling to accommodate it without creating nuisance conditions in the neighborhood where it is located (see § 460-26A).
[Amended 10-5-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-07]
An establishment that provides a full range of medical and
support services, both inpatient and outpatient, for general and/or
specialized practice.
A building or complex of buildings laid out in rooms and/or
suites for overnight accommodation of guests. A hotel may include
as part of the operation a dining room, bar, conference rooms, fitness
facilities and parking lot. The term "hotel" includes motel.
The individual, corporation or other entity whose name appears
on the current deed for a property as the owner of record.
The principal activity or activities for which a lot or property
and the buildings or structures on it are devoted.
Any development of 86,000 square feet or more in area.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
Interpretation of the contents of this chapter to the letter
without judgment or opinion that would shade or slant the meaning
of any section, clause, phrase or word.
An area of contiguous land surface which abuts a street,
whose ownership and legal description are of record in the office
of the County Recorder of Deeds, and which is intended to contain
one principal use. A lot implies one of a number of similarly sized
properties in a plan, but may include any property, tract or parcel
of land regardless of size or configuration for the purposes of this
chapter.
LOT AREAThe total horizontal surface area within the lot boundary lines, measured in square feet and determined by deed, survey or county lot and block map descriptions.
LOT, CORNERA lot abutting two streets which intersect at one corner of the lot. A corner lot has two front yards and two side yards (see also § 460-19D).
LOT DEPTHThe dimension between the center of the front lot line and the center of the rear lot line.
LOT FRONTAGEThe distance across the front of a lot between side lot lines where they intersect the right-of-way line of the street to which the lot is oriented and which carries its street address.
LOT LINEAny of the lines describing the perimeter of a lot.
LOT LINE, FRONTThe line abutting the street to which the lot is oriented.
LOT LINE, REARThe line most distant from the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDEThe lines on either side of a lot connecting the front and rear lot lines, and called an interior lot line when abutting another lot or a secondary street lot line when abutting a secondary street in the case of a corner lot.
LOT OF RECORDA lot duly recorded in the office of the Indiana County Recorder of Deeds.
LOT, THROUGHA lot whose front and rear lines abut street rights-of-way.
LOT WIDTHThe distance across a lot measured along the front setback line between the side lot lines.
The revision or addition of any lot line consisting of more
than three properties.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
Storage units available for rent, appealing to householders
and small businesses for short- or long-term use, normally in a grouping
of many units in a secure setting with a variety of small storage
rooms.
The revision or addition of any lot line consisting of three
or less properties.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one integral unit, or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of later being separated and towed on its own chassis and wheels to another site. Such mobile home arrives ready for occupancy except for utility connections and minor assembly operations (see § 460-25A).
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted
as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential
dwelling and which involves no customer, client, or patient traffic,
whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions
to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with
residential use.
[Added 5-3-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-03]
A lot whose area and/or width or depth are less than the
minimum dimensions established by this chapter for the zone district
in which the lot is located. Such lots are otherwise lawfully in existence
but have become nonconforming either by the initial adoption of this
chapter or by subsequent amendment.
[Amended 4-6-2010 by Ord.
No. 2010-02]
A building or structure whose height and/or placement on
its lot relative to setback from one or more property lines is in
violation of the minimum setback and/or maximum heights established
by this chapter for the zone district in which the lot is located.
A building or group of buildings that cover more area on their lot
than permitted by this chapter would also be nonconforming buildings.
Such structures are otherwise lawfully in existence but have become
nonconforming either by the initial adoption of this chapter or by
subsequent amendment.
[Amended 4-6-2010 by Ord.
No. 2010-02]
A use of land or buildings or both which is not listed as a permitted use in Article III of this chapter for the zone district in which the lot containing the use is located. Such uses are otherwise lawfully in existence but have become nonconforming either by the initial adoption of this chapter or by subsequent amendments.
An establishment where persons are lodged and furnished with
meals and appropriate support, licensed for operation by the Commonwealth.
The term "nursing home" includes an extended care facility where skilled
nursing care is provided to bed-ridden or convalescent individuals,
or a hospice, where terminally ill individuals are provided supporting
and specialty skilled care.
An establishment offering medical, dental or chiropractic
services operated by a single licensed doctor, dentist or chiropractor
on the premises.
Parking spaces that are permanently available to serve a land use, as required by this chapter, but are located on a lot other than that on which the use is located; such spaces guaranteed by a lease (see § 460-36).
An accessory use of off-street parking spaces reserved for
the exclusive use of tenants, employees, or customers of the property.
[Amended 5-3-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-04]
A group of off-street parking spaces that are available for
the general public and are usually the principal use of the property
on which they are located.
Parking spaces located entirely outside of any public right-of-way.
An area within a parking lot or garage of sufficient width and depth to accommodate one vehicle, abutting an access aisle (see § 460-34).
An outdoor area, paved or otherwise surfaced, at or in close
proximity to the surrounding ground level. Patios may be protected
by an awning but shall not have permanent roofs or walls, and may
occupy no more than 10% of the lot area.
An impervious surface that is a horizontal area that does
not permit the passage of water through it. A pervious surface allows
water to pass through it.
Legislation adopted by the state in 1968, and amended on
several occasions since,[3] which provides a uniform procedure enabling municipalities
to implement regulations, such as this chapter, to control the development
and use of land.
Limitations on noise, glare, smoke emission, vibration, odor and similar effects of business operations that may downgrade nearby residential or other properties if not regulated (see § 460-28E).
The external boundary or edge of a zoning district that faces
a residential district, museum, historic structure or other similar
use.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
Primary domicile occupied by the owner for at least 10 months
out of a twelve-month period.
[Added 8-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03]
A use allowed by right under the terms of this chapter to
occur on a lot because of the lot's location in a particular zoning
district. Principal permitted uses are listed for each zone district
and imply that all other activity on the lot is or will be secondary
to the principal use. Such uses may be approved directly by the Zoning
Officer without reference to other review bodies.
A residence licensed by the commonwealth which provides accommodations, including meals, as regulated by Chapter 327, Property Maintenance, of the Code of the Borough of Indiana, for a limited number of persons who are mobile but need help with daily living requirements.
A written request to Borough Council presented by property
owners asking for consideration of an amendment of this chapter.
The body appointed by Borough Council from residents of Indiana Borough with specific duties in connection with this chapter (see § 460-7B).
The personnel directed by Borough Council to perform specific duties in connection with this chapter (see § 460-7B).
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
The person hired by Borough Council to oversee the Planning Department with specific duties in connection with this chapter (see § 460-7B).
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
An outdoor attachment to a building raised above the surrounding
ground level, which may have a permanent roof but is not enclosed.
The placement of a notice upon a signboard or upon a building
or structure on a property calling public attention to proposed changes
in the zoning status or the property, or to a request for a variance,
and indicating the date, time and place of the hearing at which the
matter will be heard.
The principal entry and/or egress to a development or parcel.
If development or parcel bordered by two or more streets, it will
be determined by the street with the larger right-of-way and/or legal
street address.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
The building or structure containing the principal permitted
use on the lot, such use possibly occurring in more than one building
or structure.
For purposes of this chapter, land whose boundary is clearly
described and closes on itself, is in one ownership, and may include
structures and buildings thereon. A lot is a property.
The protection of these values is the legal basis for zoning
and implies that zoning is needed to prevent the spread of fire, disease
and blighting conditions, and to prevent the encouragement of hazards
and the development of land uses and land use relationships that would
reduce property values and/or interfere with the normal enjoyment
and enhancement of private property.
An official meeting, properly advertised in advance, called
by the Borough Council, Planning Commission, or Zoning Hearing Board,
for the purpose of taking testimony on the matter being heard, as
a basis for the calling body to make a later recommendation or decision.
An announcement published in the legal section of the principal
newspaper serving the Indiana Borough area, such announcement appearing
once each week for two consecutive weeks the first time not more than
30 days and the second time not less than seven days before the hearing,
stating the date, time, and place of the hearing and a description
of the matter to be heard; also the posting of a notice upon an affected
property with the same information.
A system providing distribution of potable water, gas, electronic,
telephone, telecommunications or cable TV services, or the collection,
treatment, and disposal of wastewater.
Any building housing equipment that intervenes in, or enhances
the flow over a public utility line, but not including the actual
transmission pipes or lines or their supports.
An agreement between a developer and purchasers of lots or
units in a plan, such agreement restricting the use of the lots or
units but applying uniformly to all the lots or units, recorded with
the plan, applicable for a specific time period, and modified only
upon approval of the agreement signers. Restrictive covenants are
not enforceable by the Borough. Where requirements of a restrictive
covenant are in conflict with another regulation, the more restrictive
regulation shall prevail.
An engineered structure designed to hold back earth behind it [see § 460-23D(3)].
Housing for persons generally aged 65 and over not requiring
constant medical supervision, in a communal setting which may include
dining facilities and meeting rooms, as well as individual apartments.
A strip of land dedicated to, and usually improved for vehicular
and/or pedestrian travel by the public, as opposed to an easement,
which is a strip of land dedicated for one or more public utilities
or for private access and is not open to the public.
The list of charges adopted by resolution of the Borough
Council, and not a part of this chapter, to cover the costs of administering
the review, decision and/or appeal processes required for a development
proposal, such costs to be borne by the developer, paid in advance,
and subject to periodic revision by the Council.
See "buffering."
An area on a business lot set aside to maneuver and position
trucks to load and unload products required or made by the business.
The minimum distance a building or structure must be removed
from an adjacent lot line as required by this chapter in the various
zone districts. Distance between lot line and building shall be measured
along a line at right angles to the lot line.
Any structure, building, wall, or other outdoor surface,
or any device or part thereof, which displays or includes any letter,
word, model, banner, flag, pennant, insignia, device, or other representations
used for announcement, direction, advertisement or identification.
The actual area of any sign shall be measured in square feet and determined
by the sum of the geometrically computed area(s) encompassing separate
individual letters, words, or graphic elements on the background.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service,
or entertainment, conducted, sold, or offered other than upon the
premises on which the sign is located.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign or portion thereof which has a readerboard for the
display of text information in which each alphanumeric character,
graphic or symbol is defined by objects, not consisting of an illumination
device and may be changed or rearranged manually or mechanically with
characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged
without altering the face or the surface of the sign.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
Electronic signs are identified by their subtype: electronic
changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs, multi-vision
signs, or video display signs.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign or portion thereof that displays single-color electronic
information in which each alphanumeric character, graphic, or symbol
is defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations
of single color light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light
bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area. Electronic
changeable copy signs include computer programmable, microprocessor
controlled electronic displays. Electronic changeable copy signs do
not include official or time and temperature signs. Electronic changeable
copy signs include projected images or messages with these characteristics
onto buildings or other objects.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign or portion thereof that displays multiple-color electronic,
static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without
text information, defined by a small number of matrix elements using
different combinations of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics,
light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area
where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by
means of fade, repixalization or dissolve modes. Electronic graphic
display signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled
electronic or digital displays. Electronic graphic display signs include
projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings
or other objects.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign that is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall
of a building or structure and that projects not more than 18 inches
from the building or structure wall. Also includes signs affixed to
architectural projections that project from a building, provided the
copy area of such signs remains on a parallel plane to the face of
the building facade or to the face or faces of the architectural projection
to which it is affixed.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05; amended 2-2-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-03]
 |
A sign principally supported by one or more columns, poles,
or braces placed in or upon the ground.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05; amended 2-2-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-03]
 |
Any sign composed in whole or in part of a series of vertical
or horizontal slats or cylinders that are capable of being rotated
at intervals so that partial rotation of the group of slats or cylinders
produces a different image and when properly functioning allows on
a single sign structure the display at any given time one of two or
more images.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign other than a wall sign that is attached to or projects
more than 18 inches from a building face or wall or from a structure
the primary purpose of which is other than the support of a sign.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05; amended 2-2-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-03
 |
A sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or
on the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is
wholly or partially supported by such building. Signs mounted on mansard
facades, pent eaves, and architectural projections, such as canopies
or marquees, shall not be considered to be roof signs.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05; amended 2-2-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-03
 |
A temporary sign created by attaching two sign faces at a
single point, intended to be self-supporting.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign that changes its message or background in a manner
or method of display characterized by motion or pictorial imagery,
which may or may not include text and depicts action or a special
effect to imitate movement, the presentation of pictorials or graphics
displayed in a progression of frames which give the illusion of motion,
including, but not limited to, the illusion of moving objects, moving
patterns or bands of light, or expanding or contracting shapes, not
including electronic changeable copy signs. Video display signs include
projected images or messages with these characteristics onto buildings
or other objects.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
A sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message
intended to be visible to exterior environment.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05]
The proposed layout of a lot showing on a scaled drawing
all elements of the site development as well as utility and drainage
lines, site grading and existing buildings and structures to remain.
Such uses are listed for each zone district in Article III of this chapter and may be approved by the Zoning Hearing Board after receiving recommendations from the Planning Commission. Special exceptions are site specific and require extra consideration because they have, in the wrong location, the potential to create conditions that could degrade adjoining properties and/or the surrounding neighborhood.
The rezoning of a lot or several contiguous lots into a substantially
different zoning classification with development opportunities not
shared by surrounding properties, for the benefit of one or several
adjacent landowners who have an interest in the rezoning.
A verbatim transcription of testimony taken at a public hearing
by a professional stenographer.
A plan to govern the collection, retention and release of stormwater in a manner to minimize damage of downstream property (see § 460-23D).
The volume of space between the surface of any floor and
the surface of the floor directly above it, or if no floor above,
then the ceiling above. For a story to be used for residential purposes,
the minimum floor to ceiling height shall be not less than seven feet.
Any floor area with less than five feet clear floor to ceiling height
shall not be used in calculating required minimum floor area for a
dwelling unit. The ground or first story shall be considered the one
on which is located the principal access to the building, usually
oriented toward the street upon which the building fronts.
A public right-of-way adopted by Indiana Borough as a vehicular
and/or pedestrian way, maintained in perpetuity by the Borough or
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, connecting to other streets to create
the Borough's circulation system, and providing access to abutting
lots.
An architecturally designed freestanding wall six feet to
10 feet in height and constructed of either brick or stone, built
to obstruct the view of a parking area from the street that is faces.
[Added 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
Any man-made construction in, on, or over the ground and
attached thereto. The term "structure" includes buildings.
Revisions to a building or structure that change the dimensions
of the exterior envelope or that change the interior components that
support the building or structure.
The reduction of a property into two or more separate conforming
lots.
A freestanding structure supporting its own weight, the principal
use of which is to elevate telecommunications equipment owned and
operated by an entity not regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission, including accessory buildings at ground level necessary
for the elevated equipments operation but not including ground-mounted
satellite dishes or antennas for private, noncommercial use.
One of at least three but not more than eight attached dwelling
units, each unit with at least two means of egress directly to the
outside, and with no part of one unit above or below another unit.
A dwelling which is a temporary residence for persons who
are moving from an institutional to an unsupervised setting.
A person who is not a member of the family occupying the same dwelling unit. Where unrelated individuals occupy a dwelling unit, they may not accommodate boarders, as provided for in §§ 460-11C(7) and 460-12C(9) of this chapter, if such accommodation would raise the total number of unrelated individuals in the dwelling unit above three in the R-1 and R-2 Zones, or above five in all other cases.
A grant by the Zoning Hearing Board permitting an owner to
use a lot not wholly in accordance with the provisions of this chapter
because the Board finds, after receiving recommendations from the
Planning Commission, that strict conformance would be an unusual hardship
not created by the owner, but depriving him of reasonable use of the
lot. Such a grant specifies a minimum deviation or deviations from
the regulations intended to cure the hardship but not create detrimental
conditions affecting abutting property owners or the public at large.
The open space along the front, sides and rear of a lot,
between the lot lines and adjacent setback or building lines, the
width of which is specified for each type of yard within each zoning
district by this chapter. Development within yard areas is restricted.
YARD, FRONTThe area of a lot between the front lot line and front setback line the full width of the lot between the side lot lines.
YARD, REARThe area of a lot between the rear lot line and rear setback line the full width of the lot between the side lot lines.
YARD, SIDEThe area of a lot between the side lot line and side setback line extending from the front to the rear yards.
YARD DEPTHThe distance between the lot line and adjacent parallel setback line, measured at right angles to the lot line.
The controls imposed by this chapter that define the uses
of land and buildings and the intensity of such uses that may occur
within a zoning district, such controls to be applied uniformly throughout
the district.
A contiguous area of land on all parts of which the same
uniform opportunities for development apply.
The perimeter line completely enclosing a zoning district.
A body appointed by the Borough Council to examine and decide
requests for special exceptions and appeals for variances or from
decisions of the Zoning Officer, to hear testimony regarding the validity
of this chapter upon development, and to decide other issues specified
in this chapter, conditioned by recommendations received from the
Planning Commission.
A person appointed by and responsible to Borough Council to enforce the regulations of this chapter in accordance with its literal terms, and to carry out other duties as specified by this chapter (see § 460-54), and as directed by Council.
[Amended 2-2-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-03]
A document attesting that a proposal for development has
been reviewed and approved in accordance with the requirements of
this chapter and allowing the construction to commence.[5]
[Amended 6-22-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-07]
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "family,"
which immediately followed this definition, was repeated 8-7-2007
by Ord. No. 2007-03.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided
that the words “functional family” shall be considered
the equivalent to the word “family” in this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Zoning Map is included at the end of this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: Former Art. XI, Traditional Neighborhood Development
Overlay Zone, added 9-5-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-05, which immediately
followed, as amended, was repealed 7-2-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-03.
