[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 100]
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as, the "East
Coventry Township Zoning Ordinance of 2008."
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 101, as amended by Ord.
152, 12/8/2008, § I]
1. The objectives of this chapter are derived from and conform to the
comprehensive planning process and other planning activities of East
Coventry Township and its policies for resource protection, land use,
growth management, housing, circulation, and the provision of community
facilities and services. The particular objectives for community development
which East Coventry Township seeks to achieve through this chapter
are those contained in the East Coventry Comprehensive Plan of 2003,
consistent with the requirements for such as prescribed in § 606
of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, as
amended. Those particular objectives, as articulated among the overall
set of Community Goals and Objectives within the Comprehensive Plan,
are as follows:
A. To preserve, protect and manage the Township's natural resources
including streams and other water bodies, wetlands, woodlands, and
wildlife habitats, preclude development in floodplains and on steep
slopes and poor soils.
B. To protect the Township's valuable cultural and historic resources
from degradation or destruction and promote the adaptive reuse of
older buildings and structures, and enhance residents' experience
of the Township's environmental resources through the protection of
scenic landscapes and roads.
C. To conserve the Township's agricultural lands and encourage the long
term viability of agricultural operations and the supporting agricultural
industry.
D. To provide for development in an orderly manner that preserves the
rural character of the Township by guiding higher density residential,
commercial and industrial development to areas with accommodating
zoning, compatible and supportive land uses, available infrastructure,
and other urban facilities and services.
E. To provide for a variety of housing types and densities to meet current
and future residents' needs.
F. To promote the use of flexible and creative planning, open space
management, land stewardship, and engineering practices to facilitate
protection and enhancement of the natural, cultural, agricultural,
scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Township.
G. To promote innovative development designs that enhance their surroundings
by means of building scale and orientation; incorporate surrounding
historic and cultural features; provide proper traffic circulation,
on-site parking and site access; incorporate high quality architecture
and site landscaping; retain scenic views; and establish adequate
buffers to separate incompatible land uses.
H. To promote a safe, efficient transportation system and to provide
adequate and efficient community facilities and services within the
Township.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 102]
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, the provisions
thereof shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion
of the public health, safety and general welfare. Where the provisions
of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any other
ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling.
Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulation
impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such
statute, ordinance or regulation shall be controlling. Where the provisions
of this chapter impose time limitations on actions by the Township,
its Board of Supervisors, its Planning Commission, the Township Engineer
or any other agencies, which time limitations are not required by
the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code or other applicable
statute, or which are shorter than required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code or other applicable statute, the time limitations set
forth in this chapter shall be deemed directory and not mandatory,
and any longer time periods provided by the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Code or other applicable statute shall prevail.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 103]
From and after the effective date of this chapter, the use of
all land, every building or portion of a building erected, altered
in respect to height or area, added to, or relocated, and every use
hereinafter established within any building or property or use accessory
thereto in East Coventry Township shall be in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter. Any building, structure or use of a building
or land existing at the effective date of this chapter which is not
in conformity herewith may be continued, extended or changed only
in accordance with the regulations herein contained relating to nonconforming
buildings and uses.
[Ord. 147, 8/11/2008, § 106]
Specific references herein to other applicable regulations,
e.g., Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, are not
in limitation of and do not waive the applicability of any other regulations
not specifically referenced. Any applicable regulation more stringent
than those herein shall apply. Preemption of any regulation herein
by regulation of other authority shall not be presumed. Applicability
of this chapter shall be determined by the Zoning Officer in consultation
with the Township Solicitor. Such determination shall be documented.