The title of this chapter is "an ordinance establishing regulations, specifications and restrictions for the uses of land, watercourses and other bodies of water; the size, height, bulk, location, erection, construction, repair, maintenance, alteration, razing, removal and use of structures; the areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied by uses and structures, including areas, courts, yards and other open spaces and distances to be left unoccupied by uses and structures; and the density of population and intensity of land uses, in the Township of Union, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and for said purposes dividing the Township into districts and prescribing certain uniform regulations for each such district and providing for the administrative enforcement and amendment provisions in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended."
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "Union Township Zoning Ordinance."
This chapter has been adopted in accordance with the requirements of Act 247 (Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code), as amended, with the goals, objectives and policies established within the Comprehensive Plan, and with consideration for the character of the Township and its capacity to accommodate growth and development. In addition to implementing the Comprehensive Plan, this chapter is designed to:
A. 
Promote, protect and facilitate one or more of the following: the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development; proper density of population; emergency management preparedness and operations; airports and national defense facilities; the provisions of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy; police protection; vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewage, schools, recreational facilities and public grounds; provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial use; and preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.
B. 
Prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.
C. 
Preserve prime agriculture lands and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification, and present land use.
D. 
Identify, protect and preserve the physical, environmental, and historic amenities within the Township.
E. 
Encourage aesthetic and innovative residential growth within the Township that will meet the needs of existing and future residents.
F. 
Encourage commercial and industrial development that is adequate to meet the Township's needs for employment, goods and services.
G. 
Ensure through planning that public facilities and controls are adequate to accommodate future growth.
H. 
Provide for a system of open space through the preservation of floodplains, steep slopes, wooded areas and farmlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas, providing areas for passive and active recreation.
I. 
Minimize the disruption of the Floodplain Overlay District, Hydric Soil Overlay District, High Watertable Overlay District, Steep Slope Overlay District, and Woodlands.
J. 
Promote, encourage and practice energy conservation within the Township.
K. 
Provide and establish a transportation network that safely and efficiently circulates people and goods throughout and within the Township.
L. 
Rely of the regional land use opportunities available in Caernarvon and Robeson Township and Birdsboro Borough.
Except as hereinafter provided, no building, structure, land, or parts thereof in Union Township shall be used or occupied, erected, constructed, assembled, moved, enlarged, reconstructed, or structurally altered unless in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
This chapter shall not apply to any existing or proposed buildings, or extension thereof, used or to be used by a public utility corporation, if, upon petition of the corporation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shall, after a public hearing, decide that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public. It shall be the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to ensure that both the corporation and the Township have notice of the hearing and are granted an opportunity to appear, present witnesses, cross-examine witnesses presented by other parties and otherwise exercise the rights of a party to the proceedings.
B. 
This chapter shall not apply to any land, structure, existing or proposed building, or extension thereof, used or to be used by Union Township.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health and safety and the general welfare of the residents and occupants of the Township. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any other Township statute, ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall be complied with. Where the provisions of any other Township statute, ordinance, or regulations impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such other Township statute, ordinance, or regulation shall be complied with unless otherwise stated in this chapter.
This chapter attempts to emulate through its regulations the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. These regulations have been established with consideration to the Township's physical characteristics, population trends, housing characteristics, existing land use characteristics, community facilities and services and existing transportation characteristics. The regulations established in this chapter reflect and portray the goals, objectives and policies of the functional components of the adopted Comprehensive Plan.
Except as otherwise required by law, this chapter is intended as a continuation of, and not a repeal of existing regulations governing the subject matter. To the extent that this chapter restates regulations contained in ordinances previously enacted by the Board of Supervisors of Union Township, this chapter shall be considered a restatement and not a repeal of such regulations. It is the specific intent of the Board that all provisions of this chapter shall be considered in full force and effect as of the date such regulations were initially enacted. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed. It is especially provided that the provisions of this chapter shall not affect any act done, any contract executed, or liability incurred prior to its effective date, or affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be instituted to enforce any rights, rule, regulation or ordinance, or part thereof, or to punish any violation which occurred under any prior regulation or ordinance. In the event any violation has occurred under any prior regulation or ordinance of Union Township, prosecution may be instituted against the alleged offender pursuant to the provisions of the prior regulation or ordinance, and the provisions and penalties provided in the prior regulation or ordinance shall remain effective as to the violation.