[Ord. 349, 3/20/2017]
If compliance with any of the requirements of this chapter would result in an undue hardship to a prospective builder, developer or landowner, the Township Zoning Hearing Board may, upon request, grant relief from the strict application of the requirements in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[Ord. 349, 3/20/2017]
Requests for variances shall be considered by the Township Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the procedures and standards contained in § 310, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, and the following:
(a) 
No variance shall be granted for any construction, development, use, or activity within any Floodway Area/District that would cause any increase in the base flood elevation.
(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 base flood elevation more than one foot at any point.
(c) 
Except for a possible modification of the regulatory flood elevation requirement involved, no variance shall be granted for any of the other requirements pertaining specifically to development regulated by special permit (Part 6) or to Development Which May Endanger Human Life (§ 504).
(d) 
No variance shall be granted for recreational vehicles (§ 507).
(e) 
If granted, a variance shall involve only the least modification necessary to provide relief.
(f) 
In granting any variance, the Township Zoning Hearing Board shall 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.
(g) 
Whenever a variance is granted, the Township Zoning Hearing Board 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.
(h) 
In reviewing any request for a variance, the Township Zoning Hearing Board shall consider, at a minimum, the following:
(1) 
Whether there is good and sufficient cause;
(2) 
Whether failure to grant the variance would result in undue hardship to the applicant; and
(3) 
Whether the granting of the variance will:
(i) 
Neither result in an unacceptable or prohibited increase in base flood elevation, additional threats to public safety, or extraordinary public expense;
(ii) 
Nor create nuisances, cause fraud on, or victimize the public, or conflict with any other applicable state or local ordinances and regulations.
(i) 
A complete record of all variance requests and related actions shall be maintained by the Township of Lower Heidelberg. In addition, a report of all variances granted during the year shall be included in the annual report to the FEMA.
(j) 
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.