[Amended 12-1-2003 by Ord. No. 21-2003]
The Township Council reserves the right to amend,
change, modify or repeal any regulations, limitations and restrictions
contained in this chapter, including the Zoning Map, in the manner
prescribed by law.
In case any building or structure is erected,
constructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained or any building
or structure is used in violation of this chapter or any regulations
made pursuant thereto, the proper Township authorities, in addition
to other remedies, may institute any appropriate action or proceedings
to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration,
repair, conversion, maintenance or use, to restrain, correct or abate
such violation, to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure
or land, or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use in
or about such premises.
[Amended 5-16-2011 by Ord. No. 11-2011]
A. Any person
who shall violate this chapter, or do any act or thing prohibited,
or refuse or fail to do any act or thing required to be done, or refuse
or fail to comply with an order of the Zoning Administrator or an
order of the Planning Board shall, upon conviction thereof before
any judicial officer authorized to hear and determine the matter,
forfeit and pay such fine not exceeding the sum of $2,000 as shall
be imposed by such judicial officer in his discretion or, if the party
so convicted is a natural person, be imprisoned for such term not
exceeding 90 days or serve 90 days of community service, as such judicial
officer, in his discretion, shall determine; provided, however, that
if the party so convicted is a natural person, such judicial officer
shall have the power, in his discretion, to impose sentence of fine,
imprisonment and/or community service not exceeding the maximum limits
hereinbefore fixed. Whenever such person shall have been officially
notified by the Zoning Administrator or by service of a summons in
a prosecution, or in any other official manner, that he is committing
a violation, each day's continuance of such violation after such notification
shall constitute a separate offense punishable by a like fine or penalty.
B. When the
Township imposes a fine in an amount greater than $1,250 upon an owner
for violations of housing or zoning codes, it shall provide a thirty-day
period in which the owner shall be afforded the opportunity to cure
or abate the condition and shall also be afforded an opportunity for
a hearing before a court of competent jurisdiction for an independent
determination concerning the violation. Subsequent to the expiration
of the thirty-day period, a fine greater than $1,250 may be imposed
if a court has not determined otherwise or, upon reinspection of the
property, it is determined that the abatement has not been substantially
completed.