This chapter is enacted for the following purposes:
A. To promote, protect and facilitate the public health, safety, morals,
general welfare, coordinated and practical community development,
proper density of population, civil defense, disaster evacuation,
airports, and national defense facilities, the provisions of adequate
light and air, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space,
transportation, water, sewerage, schools, public grounds and other
public requirements, as well as;
B. To prevent overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in
travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire,
flood, panic or other dangers. This chapter is made in accordance
with an overall program and with consideration for the character of
the municipality, its various parts and the suitability of the various
parts for particular uses and structures; and
C. To preserve agriculture and farmland considering topography, soil
type and classification, and present use.
The community development objectives are summarized as follows:
A. Preserve the predominantly rural-farm character of West Donegal Township,
and at the same time provide for appropriate residential, commercial
and industrial growth, and for the other facilities essential to meet
the needs of a growing community.
B. Encourage a harmonious relationship among the various types of land
use.
C. Protect much of the Township's farmland for continued agricultural
use.
D. Encourage an orderly, geographically progressive and generally compact
pattern of residential development thereby discouraging sprawl.
E. Provide an attractive, safe and healthful environment.
F. Designate well-chosen locations for appropriate business and industrial
development.
G. Protect the Township's major highways and their frontage from ribbon
or strip development.
H. Protect and encourage the best and proper use of sizable stream,
valley and other appropriate land areas for conservation, recreation
and other open-space purposes.
I. Maximize stability in property values, strengthen the tax base, and
encourage stability in Township costs.