In accordance with the law, the Township Supervisors shall appoint and organize a Zoning Hearing Board, which Board may adopt rules to govern its procedure. The Board shall hold meetings, keep minutes and, pursuant to public notice, shall conduct hearings, compel the attendance of witnesses, take testimony under oath and render decisions in writing within 45 days after the hearing or continued hearing, in accordance with the requirements of Article
IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. A fee shall be charged in accordance with a schedule affixed
by resolution for any appeal or proceeding filed with the Board.
The membership of the Zoning Hearing Board shall consist of
three residents of the Township appointed by the Township Supervisors.
Their terms of office shall be three years and shall be so fixed that
the term of office of one member shall expire each year. The Board
shall promptly notify the Township Supervisors when vacancies occur.
Appointments to fill vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion
of the term. Members of the Board shall hold no other office in the
Township.
The Zoning Hearing Board shall have exclusive jurisdiction to
hear and render final adjudication in the following matters:
A. Substantive challenges to the validity of any land use ordinance,
except curative amendments brought before the Township Supervisors.
B. Challenges to the validity of a land use ordinance raising procedural
questions or alleged defects in the process of enactment or adoption,
which challenges shall be raised by an appeal taken within 30 days
after the effective date of the ordinance.
C. Appeals from the determination of the Zoning Officer, including,
but not limited to, the grant or denial of any permit or failure to
act on the application therefor, the issuance of a cease-and-desist
order or the registration or refusal to register any nonconforming
use, structure or lot.
D. Appeals from a determination by the Township Engineer or the Zoning
Officer with reference to the administration of any floodplain or
flood hazard ordinance or such provisions within a land use ordinance.
E. Applications for variances from the terms of this chapter and flood hazard ordinance or such provisions within a land use ordinance pursuant to §
250-148.
F. Applications for special exemptions under this chapter or floodplain or flood hazard ordinance or such provisions within a land use ordinance, pursuant to Article
XIV and §
250-149.
G. Appeals from the Zoning Officer's determination under Section
916.2 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247, as
amended).
H. Appeals from the determination of the Zoning Officer or Township
Engineer in the administration of any land use ordinance or provision
thereof with reference to sedimentation and erosion control and stormwater
management insofar as the same relate to development not involving
subdivision and land development or planned residential development.
The Board shall have the power to hear and decide on applications for uses by special exception as authorized by this chapter, in harmony with its general purpose and intent and in accordance with the standards set forth in Article
XIV. The Board shall approve a use by special exception only if it meets all applicable requirements of this chapter and the express standards and criteria set forth in Article
XIV. In granting a use by special exception, the Board may attach reasonable safeguards, in addition to those expressed in this chapter, as it may deem necessary to properly implement this chapter and protect the public health, safety and welfare.
A public hearing shall be held on any appeal filed under §
250-147 of this chapter within 60 days of filing of a complete application and shall be scheduled subject to payment of the fees required by §
250-153. The public hearing shall be held pursuant to public notice, as defined by this chapter. In addition to the public notice, at least one week prior to the hearing, the Board shall post at least one copy of the notice on the affected property and shall mail a copy of the notice by certified mail to each property owner within 200 feet of the affected property, including those located across a street right-of-way. The Board shall comply with all requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247, as amended) regarding conduct of the public hearing and rendering
a decision.