This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning
Ordinance of the Borough of Chalfont, Pennsylvania."
This chapter is enacted in accordance with the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, P.L. 805, as reenacted
and amended for the following purposes:
A. To promote, protect and facilitate any or all of the following:
(1) The public health, safety, morals and the general welfare.
(2) Coordinated and practical community development and proper density
of population.
(3) Emergency management preparedness and operations.
(4) Airports and national defense facilities.
(5) The provision of adequate light and air, access to incident solar
energy.
(7) Vehicle parking and loading space.
(8) Transportation, water, sewerage, schools, recreational facilities,
public grounds, the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water
supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial use and
other public requirements.
(9) Preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment
and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.
B. To prevent one or more of the following:
(3) Danger and congestion in travel and transportation.
(4) Loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other
dangers.
C. To provide for the use of land within the Borough for residential
housing or various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of
housing.
D. To accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population
and employment growth and opportunities for development of a variety
of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.
It shall be and is hereby declared to be the goal of the Borough
of Chalfont to maintain and enhance the quality of life for those
who live and work in Chalfont by providing a clean environment, a
balanced tax base, an efficient transportation network, unique identity
and adequate community facilities. In order to attain this goal, the
following objectives will be pursued:
A. Objective I: Protect the natural environment. A healthy natural environment
is one key to the quality of life. It is the intent of this plan to
make environmental preservation and protection a priority of the Borough
of Chalfont.
B. Objective II: Provide a variety of housing opportunities. Many communities
with a variety of housing types pride themselves in the stable population
made possible by providing for varying housing needs. Only by providing
a variety of housing types with a range of price levels can a community
provide for an individual family's changing needs plus housing for
all income groups. Opportunities must also be provided for those with
special needs. Chalfont pledges itself to do its share as part of
the central Bucks area in providing new housing opportunities for
all prospective Borough residents.
C. Objective III: Maintain a broad tax base. Reinforce the tax base
by encouraging appropriate commercial and industrial development and
redevelopment. A broad tax base lessens the tax burden upon the residents
and enhances the fiscal viability of the Borough.
D. Objective IV: Provide and maintain efficient public services. Public
services should be efficient in operation and adequate to meet the
needs of and provide desired amenities for Borough residents and businesses.
E. Objective V: Maintain and enhance the transportation system. Efficient
movement of people and goods is necessary to maintain the quality
of life for residents and ensure the viability of business. An inefficient
transportation system degrades the quality of life and incurs unnecessary
costs.
F. Objective VI: Maintain the character of existing Borough neighborhoods.
Chalfont is known as a pleasant and affordable place to live. To maintain
the quality of life, the existing character of neighborhoods should
be preserved.
G. Objective VII: Maintain the historic identity and vitality of the
Borough core. The historic resources and businesses in the Borough
core are important to the Borough's identity and fiscal health. To
maintain this identity and assist businesses, property values must
be enhanced and buildings must be rehabilitated. This can be achieved
by improving the business and physical environment of the Borough
core.
H. Objective VII: Protect historic resources in the Borough. Well-maintained
historic resources throughout Chalfont help establish sense of place
and enhance local property values. These resources should be preserved
and enhanced for future generations.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this
chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the
promotion of the public health, safety, morals or the general welfare.
Wherever the requirements of this chapter are at variance with the
requirements of any lawfully adopted rules, regulations or ordinances
applicable to this Borough or with one another, the most restrictive
or that imposing the higher standards shall be controlling.