[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVIII, § 1800]
1. 
The provisions of this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Zoning Officer who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
2. 
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer, and he shall have the power to:
A. 
Receive and examine all applications for zoning permits.
B. 
Process zoning permit applications for all uses. Any uses requiring land development plan approval, as defined in the MPC, must be processed to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for review.
C. 
Issue permits only where there is compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and with other Township ordinances. Permit uses requiring a variance shall be issued only upon order of the Zoning Hearing Board. Permits requiring approval by the Board of Supervisors shall be issued only after receipt of approval from the Board of Supervisors.
D. 
Receive applications for variances and forward these applications to the Zoning Hearing Board for action thereon.
E. 
Receive applications for curative amendments, conditional uses, and zoning changes, forwarding requests to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and other appropriate agencies.
F. 
Following refusal of a permit, receive applications for interpretation appeals and variances, and forward these applications to the Zoning Hearing Board for action thereon.
G. 
Conduct inspections, direct that surveys, measurements, or calculations be done and any other lawful methods deemed necessary to the Zoning Officer to determine compliance or noncompliance with the terms of this chapter; said inspections, surveys, measurements, calculations, and other lawful methods, shall include, but not be limited to, on-site inspections once construction has commenced, during construction and at the completion of construction. Said inspection shall determine compliance with regard to erection, construction has commenced, during construction and at the completion of construction. Said inspections shall determine compliance with regard to erection, construction, reconstruction, alterations, repairs, conversions, maintenance and/or uses of structures and land governed by this chapter. Further, it is the duty of the applicant to inform the Zoning Officer as to the time of beginning construction, so as the Zoning Officer may determine compliance with the appropriate ordinances.
H. 
Issue stop, cease, and desist orders, and order in writing correction of all conditions found to be in violation of the provisions of all applicable Township ordinances. Such written orders shall be served personally or by certified mail upon persons, firms, or corporations deemed by the Zoning Officer to be violating the terms of this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any such order issued by the Zoning Officer, and any person violating any such order shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
I. 
With the approval of the Board of Supervisors, or when directed by them, institute in the name of the Township any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent the unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use; to restrain, correct, or abate such violation, so as to prevent the occupancy of or use of any building, structure, landscaping of land, or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about such premises. The Zoning Officer has the right to lodge a civil complaint against any violator of this chapter, upon approval of the Board of Supervisors, whether or not any other action has been taken to halt the use.
J. 
Revoke any order or zoning permit issued under a mistake of fact or contrary to the law of the provisions of this chapter.
K. 
Record and file all applications for zoning permits with accompanying plans and documents. All applications, plans, and documents shall be a public record.
L. 
Maintain a map or maps showing the current zoning classification of Allen Township.
M. 
Register nonconforming structures, uses, or lots in accordance with the provisions of § 27-1601.
N. 
The Zoning Officer shall create and maintain the files required to carry out and maintain the records of all his actions pursuant to this chapter.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVIII, § 1801; as amended by Ord. 2015-03, 6/11/2015]
Hereafter, no use listed in this chapter may be established or changed, no structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, razed, or removed; and no building used or occupied, or changed in use, until a zoning permit has been secured from the Zoning Officer. Upon completion of changes in use or construction, reconstruction, alteration, or moving of structures, the applicant shall notify the Zoning Officer of such completion. No permit shall be considered as complete or as permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has noted on the permit that the work or occupancy and use have been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. A zoning permit need not precede subdivision or land development applications. The issuance of a zoning permit shall not be required for uses approved pursuant to a recorded land development plan.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVIII, § 1802]
1. 
All applications for zoning permits shall be made in writing by the owner, tenant, vendee under contract of sale, or authorized agent on a form supplied by the Township, and shall be filed with the Zoning Officer. The application shall include four copies of the following information:
A. 
A statement as to the proposed use of the building or land.
B. 
A site layout drawn to scale showing the location, dimension, and height of proposed buildings, structures, or uses and any existing buildings in relation to property and street lines. If the application relates to property scheduled to be developed in successive stages, such plans shall show the relationship of the portion scheduled for initial development to the proposed layout of the entire property.
C. 
The location, dimensions, and arrangement, of all open spaces, yards, and buffer yards, including methods to be employed for screening.
D. 
The location, size, arrangement, and capacity of all areas to be used for motor vehicle access, off-street parking, off-street loading and unloading, and provisions to be made for lighting such areas.
E. 
The dimensions, location, and methods of illumination signs, if applicable.
F. 
The location and dimensions of sidewalks and all other areas to be devoted to pedestrian use.
G. 
Provisions to be made for treatment and disposal of sewage and industrial wastes, water supply, and storm drainage.
H. 
The capacity and arrangement of all buildings used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, including the proposed density in terms of number of dwelling units per acre of land.
I. 
A description of any proposed industrial or commercial operations in sufficient detail to indicate effects of those operations in producing noise, glare, air pollution, water pollution, fire hazards, traffic congestion or other safety hazards.
J. 
Description of method to be employed in controlling any excess noise, air pollution, smoke, fumes, water pollution, fire hazards or other safety hazards.
K. 
Proof of any variances and/or conditional uses granted indicating date granted and applicable section of this chapter.
L. 
Applications for zoning permits requiring land development plans shall include all plans, data, documentation in addition to the above requirements adhering to Allen Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22] and the standards therein.
M. 
Applications for zoning permits within the airport zoning area shall be accompanied by formal documentation regarding the review and approval of the included use, structure, or tree by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
N. 
An affidavit signed by the applicant stating that the information presented as part of the application is true and correct.
O. 
Any other data deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer, Planning Commission, or Board of Supervisors, to enable them to determine the compliance of the proposed development with the terms of this chapter.
2. 
No permit for any new use or construction which will involve the on-site disposal of sewage or waste, and no permit for a change in use or an alteration which will result in increased volume or sewage or water to be disposed of on the site, shall be issued until a certificate of approval has been issued by the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer and conforms to all applicable Township regulations.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVIII, § 1803]
All applicants for zoning permits, certificate of occupancy, interpretation, variance, conditional use and curative amendment appeals shall, at the time of making application, pay to the Zoning Officer for use of the Township, a fee in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors upon the enactment of this chapter or as such schedule may be amended by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVIII, § 1804]
Any erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or moving of a building, or other structure, including a sign authorized by a zoning permit, and any change in use of a building or land authorized by a zoning permit shall be commenced within one year after the date of issuance of the permit. If not, the permit shall be considered null and void. However, in case of erection or construction of a building, the right to proceed with construction may be extended annually without additional fees for an aggregate period of not more than three years, provided that the construction pursuant to said permit has commenced within the first one-year period.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVIII, § 1805]
1. 
Hereafter, no structure erected, constructed, reconstructed, extended, or moved, and no land or building changed in use under a zoning permit, shall be occupied or used in whole or in part for any use whatsoever, until the owner and/or authorized agent has been issued a certificate of occupancy by the Zoning Officer, indicating that the building or use complies with the terms of zoning as provided in this chapter.
2. 
No certificate shall be issued until the premises in question has been inspected and found by the Zoning Officer to be in compliance with this chapter. Also, no certificate of occupancy may be issued until the applicant has provided the following:
A. 
Satisfactory final inspection report on the on-lot sewage disposal system from the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer (for on-lot sewer).
B. 
Satisfactory construction permit inspection report from the Allen Township Authority (for public sewer).
C. 
Satisfactory final inspection report from Building Inspector.
3. 
The issuance of a certificate of occupancy in no way absolves the owner or authorized agent from compliance with the intent of this chapter.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVIII, § 1806]
1. 
Purpose. The following standards are intended to provide the Board of Supervisors with a guide for the purpose of reviewing certain uses not otherwise permitted in specified zones except under the restriction of this section.
A. 
The Board of Supervisors shall hear and decide requests for all conditional uses filed with the Township, in writing, by any landowner (or any tenant with permission of such landowner), as provided in this chapter.
B. 
In granting a conditional use, the Board of Supervisors may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards, in addition to those expressed in the chapter, as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes and intent of this chapter.
2. 
Procedures.
A. 
The Zoning Officer shall not approve a zoning permit for proposed development that requires a conditional use until written approval of the Board of Supervisors is obtained pursuant to this chapter.
B. 
All applicants for a conditional use shall make application to the Township on forms provided by the Township Secretary and shall submit site plans in accordance with § 27-1800 et seq. of this chapter.
C. 
The Board of Supervisors shall not approve or deny the conditional use without reviewing the site plans and the recommendation of the Planning Commission. The Board of Supervisors shall request an advisory opinion from the Planning Commission on any application for a conditional use; the Planning Commission shall submit a report of such advisory opinion to the Board of Supervisors prior to the date of the public hearing held by the Board of Supervisors on an application.
D. 
Approval of the conditional use application by the Board of Supervisors is an approval of the use only and is not to be considered approval in accordance with the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
E. 
The Board of Supervisors shall hold a hearing pursuant to public notice upon the request, commencing not later than 60 days after the request is filed, unless the applicant requests or consents in writing to an extension of time. In addition, the Board of Supervisors shall render a written decision within 45 days after the last hearing.
F. 
The Board of Supervisors shall conduct hearings and make decisions in accordance with the procedures and standards set forth in § 1909.
3. 
Approval of Conditional Uses.
A. 
The Board of Supervisors may approve any proposed conditional use if it finds adequate evidence that a proposed use will meet:
(1) 
All of the general standards listed in Subsection 4.
(2) 
All of the specific standards for the proposed uses listed in Part 15.
B. 
The Board of Supervisors shall have the power to grant or deny a conditional use pursuant to public notice and hearing and recommendations by the planning agency and pursuant to the express standards and criteria set forth herein.
4. 
General Requirement and Standards Applicable to All Conditional Uses. The Board of Supervisors shall grant a conditional use only if it finds adequate evidence that any proposed development submitted will meet all of the following general requirements as well as any specific requirements and standards listed in the subsection for the proposed use and those contained in this chapter. The Board of Supervisors shall among other things require that any proposed use and location be:
A. 
In accordance with the Allen Township Comprehensive Plan and of this chapter and consistent with the spirit, purposes, and the intent of this chapter.
B. 
In the best interest of the Township, the convenience of the community, the public welfare, and be a substantial improvement to the property in the immediate vicinity;
C. 
Suitable for the property in question, and designed, constructed, operated, and maintained so as to be in harmony with and appropriate in appearance to the existing or intended character of the general vicinity;
D. 
In conformance with all applicable requirements of this chapter and all municipal ordinances;
E. 
Suitable in terms of effects on highway traffic and safety with adequate access arrangements to protect streets from undue congestion and hazard; and
F. 
In accordance with sound standards of subdivision and land development practice where applicable.
5. 
Specific Standards for Conditional Uses. Each conditional use shall comply with any of the specific standards listed for that use in Parts 14 and 15. In addition, the Board of Supervisors shall:
A. 
Determine that the proposal provides for adequate access to public roads without creating hazardous conditions. In making this determination, the Board of Supervisors may impose conditions requiring:
(1) 
Access to be limited, or combined with that of adjoining properties;
(2) 
Improvement of vertical, or horizontal alignment adjoining the site or off-site if access to the site would be restricted or hazardous as a result of the alignment problem;
(3) 
Widen or replace a bridge if said bridge restricts access to the site, or where the nature of the traffic generated by the proposed use would create a hazardous or restrictive situation.
B. 
Examine the use and its relationship to existing land uses to ensure that the proposed use does not adversely alter the character of stable neighborhoods and to protect adjoining residents from uses which are objectionable. To this end, the Board of Supervisors may impose conditions requiring:
(1) 
Special buffer planting, buffer yards, or planted berms;
(2) 
Planting or walls to screen intrusive uses such as parking lots, loading docks, mechanical plants, etc.;
(3) 
Control of location of intrusive uses so that they are sited in the least disruptive manner;
(4) 
Special design of lighting and signs to avoid disrupting existing developments or conflicting with the vision of motorists, particularly near intersections.