The title of this chapter shall be "An Ordinance Establishing Regulations and Restrictions for the Location and Use of Lots, Land, Buildings and Other Structures, the Height, Number of Stories and Size or Bulk of Buildings and Structures, the Density of Population and Off-Street Parking and Similar Accessory Regulations in the Township of West Earl, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and for Said Purposes Dividing the Township into Districts and Prescribing Certain Uniform Regulations for Each Such District and Providing for Administrative Enforcement and Amendment of its Provisions in Accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as Amended."[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "West Earl Township Zoning Ordinance of 1970."
Except as hereinafter provided, no building, structure, land or parts thereof shall be used or occupied, erected, moved, enlarged or structurally altered unless in conformity with the regulations of this chapter.
[Amended 5-14-1990 by Ord. No. 82]
This chapter, including the regulations and districts as hereinafter set forth, is based upon and intended to give effect to the policy goals and objectives of the township set forth in the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors. This chapter is intended to promote the public health, safety and morals and the general welfare by achieving, among others, the following policy goals and objectives, which are set forth with greater detail in the Comprehensive Plan:
A. 
The maintenance and preservation of existing agricultural land in the township.
B. 
Maintaining and improving the existing residential neighborhoods of the township.
C. 
Ensuring that the varied land uses within the township are logically located in their relationship to one another.
D. 
Providing for realistic population densities as appropriate to the township's existing character, natural features and projected public schools and, at the same time, avoiding undue congestion of population.
E. 
Lessening congestion on the roads and highways of the township.
F. 
Providing adequate public utilities, schools, parks and other public requirements.
G. 
Encouraging and promoting the provision of a wide rage and variety of housing types to meet the needs of all township residents.
H. 
Encouraging the harmonious, orderly development of land, which should be developed while preserving agricultural land and other natural resources.
I. 
Stimulating the local economy by encouraging controlled and appropriate commercial and industrial growth.
[Amended 3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 234]
A. 
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals and/or general welfare.
B. 
In the event that any provision, section, sentence, clause or part of this chapter shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unconstitutionality shall not affect or impair the remaining provisions, sections, sentences, clauses or parts of this chapter, it being the intent of the Board of Supervisors that the remainder of the chapter shall be and shall remain in full force and effect.