[Ord. 2015-O-7, 9/24/2015]
The Zoning Hearing Board shall hear requests for variances where it is alleged that the provisions of this chapter inflict unnecessary hardship upon the applicant. The Zoning Hearing Board may grant a variance from the provisions of this chapter provided that all of the findings set forth in § 8-802, Subsection 1E, are made where relevant in a given case.
[Ord. 2015-O-7, 9/24/2015]
1. 
The Zoning Hearing Board shall consider requests for variances from the provisions of this chapter in accordance with the requirements contained in the National Flood Insurance Program Requirements for Flood Plain Management Regulations, 44 CFR 60.6, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10910.2, and the express requirements set forth below:
A. 
No variance shall be granted for any construction, development, use, or activity within any Floodway Area that would cause any increase in the BFE.
B. 
No variance shall be granted for any construction, development, use, or activity within any AE Area/District without floodway that would, together with all other existing and anticipated development, increase the BFE at any point.
C. 
No variance shall be granted for any of the requirements pertaining specifically to fill (§ 8-503, Subsection 1A), recreational vehicles (§ 8-507), prohibited uses/activities (Part 6) or to development which may endanger human life (§ 8-504).
D. 
In granting any variance, the Zoning Hearing Board may attach whatever reasonable conditions and safeguards it considers necessary in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to achieve the objectives of this chapter.
E. 
Whenever a variance is granted, Newtown Township shall notify the applicant, in writing, that:
(1) 
The granting of the variance may result in increased premium rates for flood insurance.
(2) 
Such variances may increase the risks to life and property.
F. 
The Zoning Hearing Board may grant a variance from the provisions of this chapter upon a showing of unnecessary hardship by the applicant and provided that all of the following findings are made where relevant in a given case:
(1) 
That there are unique physical circumstances or conditions, including irregularity, narrowness, or shallowness of lot size or shape, or exceptional topographical or other physical conditions peculiar to the particular property, and that the unnecessary hardship is due to such conditions and not the circumstances or conditions generally created by the provisions of this chapter in the neighborhood or district in which the property is located;
(2) 
That, because of such physical circumstances or conditions, there is no possibility that the property can be developed in strict conformity with the provisions of this chapter and that the authorization of a variance is therefore necessary to enable the reasonable use of the property;
(3) 
That such unnecessary hardship has not been created by the applicant;
(4) 
That the variance, if authorized, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, nor substantially and permanently impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property, nor be detrimental to the public welfare;
(5) 
That the variance, if authorized, will represent the minimum variance that will afford relief and will represent the least modification of the regulation in issue;
(6) 
That the variance, if authorized, will not result in an unacceptable or prohibited increase in flood heights, additional threats to public safety, or extraordinary public expense; and
(7) 
That the variance, if authorized, will not create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimize the public, or conflict with any other applicable state or local ordinances and regulations.
G. 
A complete record of all variance requests and related actions shall be maintained by Newtown Township. In addition, a report of all variances granted during the year shall be included in the annual report to FEMA.
2. 
Notwithstanding any of the above, however, all structures shall be designed and constructed so as to have the capability of resisting the one-percent annual chance flood.