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.
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.