This chapter is enacted and ordained under the grant of powers by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, contained in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, PL. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. 
Protect the public health, safety, morals and welfare.
B. 
Coordinate proposed streets and pathways with existing or proposed streets and pathways or other features of the Comprehensive Plan, master plans, Transportation Service Area Act 209 traffic studies and other recent analysis and studies.
C. 
Encourage preservation of adequate natural features and open spaces for recreation, parks, light and air or other features of the Comprehensive Plan.
D. 
Designate areas of interest for possible future rights-of-way, public grounds, and other appropriate elements of the Comprehensive Plan and, with regards to public lands and facilities, to allow the Township to reserve the land for future acquisition for public use.
A. 
Word usage. As used in this chapter, the present tense includes the future; the singular number includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular; the word "building" includes the word "structure" and shall be construed as if followed by the words "or part thereof"; the word "occupy" includes the words "designed or intended to be occupied"; the word "use" includes the words "arranged, designed or intended to be used"; and the word "shall" is always mandatory.
B. 
Words and terms defined. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and phrases shall be construed throughout this chapter to have the meanings indicated in this article:
BOARD
The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Lower Merion.
DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING
A Township of Lower Merion official, formerly known as the "Director of Building Regulations," whose duties include the administration of this chapter.
OFFICIAL MAP
A map adopted pursuant to Article IV of the Act of July 31, 1968 (P.L. 805, Art. IV, Section 401).[1]
PUBLIC GATHERING SPACE
Private outdoor space where the public is directly or indirectly invited to visit or permitted to congregate.
PUBLIC GROUND
Any land, right-of-way, easement or other interest in land owned, operated, or controlled by a government agency, including but not limited to buildings, streets and street rights-of-way, parks, playgrounds, and open space reservations, conservation easements, sidewalks and pedestrianways and easements, railroad and transit rights-of-way and easements, airports, flood control facilities, stormwater management facilities, and drainage easements.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The board appointed by the Township of Lower Merion Board of Commissioners pursuant to Chapter 155 hereof.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10401 et seq.