[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001; as amended by Ord. 1/8/2009A; and
by A.O.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ABANDONED
The visible or otherwise apparent discontinuance of a nonconforming
use of a building or premises, or the removal of the characteristic
equipment or furnishing used in the performance of a nonconforming
use without its replacement by similar equipment or furnishings, or
the replacement of the nonconforming use or structure.
ACCESS DRIVE
A durable, all-weather surface, other than a street, which
provides vehicular access from a street or public road to a lot, e.g.,
a driveway.
ACCESSORY USE OR STRUCTURE
A use or structure subordinate to the principal use of a
building on the same lot and serving a purpose customarily incidental
to the use of the principal building.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY
A store or other commercial use which offers for retail sale,
rent or payment of admission shows, movies, tapes, books, magazines,
literature, and objects of an explicitly sexual nature, the purchase
and possession of which is generally restricted to those over 18,
as its main, or predominant, stock-in-trade. This provision shall
not be construed to apply to an establishment when the explicit material
offered for sale constitutes only a small fraction of the inventory
of the establishment.
AGRICULTURAL RELATED USES
Includes soil preparation services, crop services, large
animal veterinary services, animal services, farm labor management
services, farm product warehousing and storing, refrigerated warehousing
and storage, interior storage of boats, automobiles, motor homes,
airplanes or heavy equipment within barns or accessory farm buildings
which were in existence on the effective date of this chapter, seed
and related agricultural supply stores, lawn and garden supply stores
and tack shops.
AGRICULTURE
The use of land and structures for agricultural purposes, including farming, dairying, pasturage, apiculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal and poultry husbandry, and the accessory uses for packing, treating, or storing the produce; provided, however, that the operation of any such accessory uses shall be secondary to that of normal agriculture activities. For the purposes of this chapter, feed lots, concentrated animal feeding operations, CAFOs and intensive hog/swine rearing operations (as defined in Part
4) shall not be considered agricultural uses.
AISLE
A corridor used for access to a parking space within a parking
lot by motor vehicles.
AMENDMENT
Any change or revision to the text of this chapter or the
Official Zoning Map.
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
A building used by a veterinarian for the treatment, housing
or boarding of small domestic animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits
and fowl.
APARTMENT COMPLEX
A group of two or more buildings occupying a lot in single
ownership with each building used by three or more families.
APPLICANT
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
ART GALLERY
An establishment engaged in the sale, loan, or display of
art books, paintings, sculpture, or other works of art. This clarification
does not include libraries, museums, or non-commercial art galleries.
ARTIST STUDIO
An establishment, not exceeding 3,000 square feet of floor
area, for the preparation, display, and sale of individually crafted
artwork, jewelry, furniture, sculpture, pottery, leather craft, hand-woven
articles, and related items.
AUTHORITY
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
AUTO WRECKING, JUNK AND SCRAP ESTABLISHMENTS
The use of land and structures for the storage, bailing,
packing, sorting, handling, disassembling, purchase or sale of any
material which has been used, salvaged, scrapped, or reclaimed but
is capable of being reused in some form, including metals, fiber,
paper, cloth and rags, rubber, rope, bottles, machinery, tools, appliances,
fixtures, utensils, lumber, boxes, crates, pipe and pipe fittings,
tires, motor vehicles which do not have a current and valid inspection
sticker, and motor vehicle parts, but not including, garbage or other
organic wastes.
AUTOMOBILE SALES AREA
An open space area, other than a street, used for the display,
sale, or rental of new or used motor vehicles which are in operable
condition and where no major repair work is done.
AUTOMOTIVE AND/OR MOTORIZED VEHICLE SERVICE STATION
A building or place of business where gasoline, and possibly
oil and greases, batteries, tires and automobile accessories are supplied
and dispersed directly to the motor vehicle trade, at retail, and
where repair service may be rendered. (See also "garage, repair.")
AWNING
An architectural projection or shelter projecting from and
supported by the exterior wall of a building and comprised of a covering
or rigid or non-rigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework
that may be either permanent or retractable, including such structures
which are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources.
AWNING SIGN
A sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface
or surfaces of the awning.
BACK-LIT AWNING
An awning with a translucent covering material and a source
of illumination contained within its framework.
BANNER
A sign of cloth, paper, soft plastic or similar material,
which is more than three times wider than it is tall.
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION
The water surface elevation of the flood level that has a
one-percent or greater chance of occurrence in any given year.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building partly underground, but having
less than 1/2 of its clear height below the average lot grade. A basement
shall be counted as a story for the purpose of height measurement
if the vertical distance between the ceiling and the average level
of the adjoining ground is more than five feet in height or if it
is used for business or dwelling purposes.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A house, or portion thereof, which provides sleeping accommodations
for a small number of paying overnight guests for a limited number
of nights, and the breakfast meal only, with the operator living on
the premises, or on an adjacent premises.
BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board of Gregg Township.
BOUNDARY
A line marking the limit, or border of a lot or district.
BUFFER STRIP
A buffer strip is an open space of ground containing no man-made
structures (except signs as allowed by the sign regulations and fences)
which acts as a barrier to noise and visibility. Buffer strips shall
be assigned to meet specific dimensions provided under the provisions
of this chapter.
BUILDABLE AREA
That portion of a lot bounded by the required front, side,
and rear yards, and/or setbacks.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls,
that is used for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals
or property, and that shall be affixed to the land with a permanent
foundation. Note: All buildings are structures: however, not all structures
are buildings.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average level of
the ground surrounding the building to a point midway between the
highest and lowest point of the roof, but not including chimneys,
spires, towers, tanks, and similar projections.
BUILDING LINE
A line parallel to the street line located at a distance
which is equal to the front yard setback requirement for the district
in which the lot is located.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
The line within the lot defining the required minimum setback
distance between any structure and the adjacent street line.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
A subordinate building or a portion of the main building
on a lot, the use of which is customarily incidental to that of the
main or principal building.
BUILDING, COVERAGE
That percentage of the plot of land area covered by the principal
and accessory buildings (included covered porches, carports, and breeze-ways,
but excluding open patios).
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A structure in which the principal use of the site is conducted.
In the Residential District, a dwelling shall be deemed to be a principal
building.
CAMPGROUND
A tract or tracts of land, or any portion thereof, used for
the purpose of providing a space or spaces for trailers or tents for
camping purposes, with or without a fee charged for the renting or
occupancy of such space.
CAMPS AND CAMPING GROUND
The use of land and structures by campers for seasonal, recreational
and temporary living purposes in cabins, tents or outdoor recreational
vehicles.
CARPORT
A roofed structure not more than 75% enclosed by walls and
attached to the main building for the purpose of providing shelter
for one or more motor vehicles.
CARTWAY
The portion of the street right-of-way designed for vehicular
use.
CELLAR
A story partly underground and having more than 1/2 of its
clear height below the average level of the adjoining ground. A cellar
shall not be considered in determining the permissible number of stories
or in measuring building height.
CENTER LINE
A line running parallel to and equidistant from both sides
of a street.
CENTRE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The County Conservation District created under the authority
of state law to administer soil and other conservation work within
Centre County, with the technical assistance of state and federal
agencies.
CHILD DAY-CARE CENTER
The use of land and structures for the Supervisors day care
of six or more children, not all siblings. Synonymous with "day nursery."
CHURCHES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP
The use of land and structures for religious worship, education
and related activities, including chapels, cathedrals, temples, synagogues,
and the like.
CLOSED DEPRESSION
For purposes of this chapter, a closed depression shall be
defined as: "In a Karst area, a distinct bowl-shaped depression in
the land surface; it is characterized by varying magnitude, an unbroken
ground surface and internal drainage." (Said definition is taken from
the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Topographic
and Geologic Survey, Open File Report 8702, entitled "Sinkholes and
Karst-Related Features of Northampton County, Pennsylvania" by W.E.
Kochanov).
CLOSED DEPRESSION AREA
For purposes of this chapter, a closed depression area shall
be defined as: "A localized area of depressions attributed to karst
processes; it is characterized by a distinctive, rolling topography
of varying magnitude." (Said definition is taken from the Department
of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey,
Open File Report 8702, entitled "Sinkholes and Karst-Related Features
of Northampton County, Pennsylvania" by W.E. Kochanov).
CLUBS, LODGES AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
The use of land and structures by a nonprofit group which
is not operated for purposes of trade or business, no part of the
earnings of which benefit any individual, but which is operated for
social and community service activities among group members and their
guests.
CLUSTER
A grouping together of lots with the minimum perimeter.
COMMERCIAL DAIRY
The use of land and structures for the manufacture and processing
of dairy products.
COMMERCIAL GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY
The use of land and structures for the containment, drying,
manufacture and processing of grain produce such as (but not limited
to) livestock feed, flour, cornmeal and other related products for
the use and resale by the entity. At least 51% of the products for
resale must be produced by operator.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
COMMUNITY CENTER
The use of land and structures for social and community service
activities which are charitable, educational or religious in nature
and are for public rather than private gain including recreational
programs, counseling services and human service agencies and programs.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use permitted in certain districts, as provided for in Part
3, which may only be authorized by the Gregg Township Board of Supervisors as set forth in Part
9 of this chapter.
CONSTRUCTION
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension,
expansion, alteration or relocation of a building or structure, including
the placement of manufactured homes.
CONVENIENCE FOOD STORE
Small stores allowed in selected districts which sell retail
food, beverages and some household supplies primarily to the immediately
surrounding population. A convenience store may have fuel pumps and/or
an exterior MAC machine.
CONVENT
The dwelling of a religious order or congregation.
CONVERSION APARTMENT
A one-family detached dwelling unit which is converted into
a two-family dwelling; provided, however, single-family mobile homes
shall not be included in this definition and may not be converted.
COUNTY
Centre County, Pennsylvania.
CURB RETURN
A curved curb connecting the tangents of two intersecting
curbs of streets or driveways.
DAY NURSERY
A facility regularly used for the care of six or more young
children, not all siblings, whether or not a fee is charged for such
care. Synonymous with child-care center.
DESIGNATED WELL SITE
Any existing or potential well site, to be used for potable
water, and which has been identified by the official water survey,
Official Map or other study deemed acceptable by the Township Engineer.
DEVELOPER
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate
including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, the
placement of mobile homes, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving,
excavation or drilling operations.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
DISTRICT
All land and watercourses located within designated boundaries
on the Official Zoning Map; a zoning district.
DOCKS
A temporary structure extending into a stream or other body
of water for the purpose of securing a boat or boats.
DOMICILIARY CARE
A.
Supervised living arrangement in a home-like environment for
adults who are unable to live alone because of demonstrated difficulties:
(1)
In accomplishing activities of daily living;
(2)
In social or personal adjustment; or
(3)
Resulting from disabilities.
B.
The Centre County Office of Aging certifies domiciliary care
homes.
DRIVEWAY
A corridor which provides motor vehicle access from a street
onto or across a lot.
DWELLING
Any building designed for or used exclusively as the residence
or sleeping place of one or more persons as provided hereafter. Note:
All dwellings are buildings; however, not all buildings are dwellings.
DWELLING, MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent
occupancy, office or place of assembly contained in one unit, or in
two units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of
again being separated for repeated towing which arrives at a site
complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking
and assembly operations, and is constructed so that it may be used
without a permanent foundation.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A building designed for occupancy by three or more families
living independently of each other, and containing three or more dwelling
units. A multifamily housing development shall consist of more than
one multifamily dwelling or structure.
DWELLING, TOWNHOUSE
A single-family dwelling designed for or occupied by not more than one family and which has a portion of one or both of its side walls in common with adjoining dwellings (single-family attached structures). Townhouse buildings or dwellings shall be designed to appear in groups containing no less than three dwelling units. For purposes of this chapter, the provisions in §
15-406, Multifamily Housing Developments, shall apply where more than one townhouse dwelling is proposed.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY ATTACHED
An attached or semidetached building where not more than
two individual family or dwelling units are entirely separated by
vertical walls or horizontal floors, unpierced except for access to
the outside or to a common cellar.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Facilities for the distribution of utility services including
gas, electric, steam, water, sewerage, telephone and similar services.
Local distribution lines that provide retail essential services to
individual retail customers that do not require any additional rights-of-way
or property of their own are exempt from regulation hereunder.
EXTENSION
An addition to the floor area of an existing structure, or,
an increase in the size of a structure, or, an increase in that portion
of a lot occupied by an existing use, or, an enlargement of an existing
lot or structure.
FACING WALLS
Walls of a structure opposite and parallel to each other,
and/or walls or wall lines extended of opposite walls intersecting
at angles of less than 65°.
FAMILY
A person, or two or more persons, all of whom are related
by blood or marriage, adoption (including foster children), living
together as a single housekeeping unit. In addition to the family,
two or fewer unrelated persons may reside within the housekeeping
unit in the dwelling unit. Except that in the case where one or more
of the unrelated persons is a family care client, the number of unrelated
persons allowed to be with the housekeeping unit shall be three or
fewer. Domestic servants employed on the premises and temporary gratuitous
guests shall not be counted.
FAMILY CARE
The provision of care in accord with the regulations of appropriate
state agencies for up to three mentally ill, retarded, disabled children
or adults or elderly persons in a dwelling unit by a provider who
resides in that unit.
FARM USE
The use of the land and structures for one or more of the
following: the tilling of the land, the raising of crops, fruits and
vegetables, and the raising and keeping of animals and plants; horticultural
uses related to the raising, propagating, and selling of trees, shrubs,
flowers and other plant materials; forestry uses related to the harvest
of lumber products.
FARMERS' MARKET
The seasonal selling or offering for sale at retail of home-grown
vegetables or produce, occurring in a pre-designated area, where the
vendors are generally individuals who have raised the vegetables or
produce or have taken the same on consignment for retail sale.
FLOODPLAIN
A.
A relatively flat or low land area adjoining a river, stream,
or watercourse which is subject to partial or complete inundation.
Such flooding has a one-percent chance of occurring each year (i.e.,
is likely to occur once every 100 years).
B.
An area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation or run-off of surface waters from any source. (See also the Gregg Township Floodplain Ordinance [Chapter
3].)
C.
Areas as shown as a flood hazard on the current Federal Emergency
Management Agency's (FEMA) Gregg Township Flood Insurance Rate
Map (FIRM).
FLOODWAY
The designated area of a floodplain as shown on the Community's Flood Boundary and Floodway Map required to carry and discharge flood waters of a one-hundred-year flood without cumulatively raising the flood elevation more than one foot at any point, (See also the Gregg Township Floodplain Ordinance [Chapter
3]), and areas as shown as a flood hazard on the current Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Gregg Township Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross usable area of all floors of a building
measured from the face of the exterior walls. Retail and service floor
area is that portion of the total floor area devoted to use by the
customers and employees for retail sales and service, including display
areas for goods, but not including office space or storage areas.
FLORAL SHOP
A retail business whose principal activity is the selling
of plants which are not grown on the site and conducting business
within an enclosed building.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by an upright (or uprights) permanently
anchored in the ground.
FRONTAGE
The portion of a lot boundary abutting a street.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory building designed or used for the storage of
not more than four vehicles owned and used by the occupants of the
building to which it is accessory.
GARAGE, REPAIR
A building used primarily for making major repairs to motor
vehicles, including overhauling, body work, refinishing, and upholstering,
as well as incidental servicing.
GOVERNING BODY
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
GRADING
The act of excavating and/or filling land for the purpose
of changing natural slope.
GREENHOUSE
A partially or fully enclosed structure, permanent or temporary,
which is used for the growth of plants.
GREGG TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A comprehensive inventory of existing facilities, services,
land uses, etc., for Gregg Township and a detailed analysis of the
community's future needs and its projected goals and objectives.
GROUP HOME
A dwelling unit in which care and residence are provided
in accord with regulations of the appropriate state agencies for more
than three and not more than eight nonadjudicated clients who are
dependent children or elderly, mentally ill, retarded or disabled
adults.
HABITABLE FLOOR AREA/LIVING SPACE
Any floor area within a dwelling unit that is usable for
living purposes, including area for working, sleeping, eating, cooking,
and recreation, or a combination thereof. Living space shall not include
floor area used for storage, such as closet, attic, or unimproved
basement space.
HALFWAY HOUSE/REHABILITATION CENTER
A residence or community center in which social and community
service activities in accord with regulations of the appropriate state
agencies are provided for no more than eight resident and an unlimited
number of nonresident alcoholics, drug addicts, emotionally disturbed
adults, former convicts or other adjudicated individuals.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE
Any substances or materials that, by reason of their toxic,
caustic, corrosive, abrasive or otherwise injurious properties, may
be detrimental or deleterious to the health of any person handling
or otherwise coming in contact with such material or substance.
HEAVY INDUSTRY
A manufacturing or industrial operation that produces a substantial
amount of noise, smoke, odor, dust, vibration, or glare, or combination
thereof as a result of the operation of the activity. In many instances
these emissions can be annoying or noxious to the general public,
even though they are within the limits set by the Department of Environmental
Protection.
HEIGHT
The vertical distance of a structure measured from the mean
level of the ground surrounding the structure to its highest point,
regardless of roof design.
HOME OCCUPATION
An accessory use customarily conducted entirely within a
dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof, which use is clearly
incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes
and does not change the character thereof.
HOSPITAL
A business or nonprofit establishment for the diagnosis,
treatment and other care of the general public through an organized
medical staff which is primarily engaged in providing in-patient care.
The establishment shall be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Health and have as its mission the provision of acute
care, medical and nursing services to injured, disabled, pregnant,
diseased, sick or mentally ill persons and/or the provision of rehabilitation
services for such persons and to provide further services which promote
good health and well-being of people.
HUNTING AND FISHING CABIN
A building used for seasonal and temporary living purposes
by persons engaged in hunting, fishing and similar recreational activities.
Also called a "seasonal dwelling," or "seasonal cottage" or "summer
cottage."
JUNK
Any used or discarded material including, but not limited
to, wastepaper, rags, metal, glass-, building materials, house furnishings,
machinery, vehicles or parts thereof, with or without the dismantling,
processing, salvage, sale or other use or disposition of the same.
JUNKYARD
An area of land, with or without buildings, utilized for
the collection, storage, warehousing and/or sale of used and discarded
materials, which shall include but not be limited to: wastepaper,
rags, scrap metal, glass, building materials, house furnishings, or
for the collecting, dismantling, storage and salvaging of machinery
or vehicles not in running condition and/or for the sale of parts
thereof. A junkyard may exist with or without the actual dismantling,
processing, salvage, sale or other use or disposition of the above-mentioned
items. A junkyard as defined herein may also include an automotive
dismantling and recycling facility, auto wrecking and the sales of
parts therefrom.
KARST
For purposes of this chapter, karst shall be defined as:
"A type of topography that is formed over limestone, dolomite, or
gypsum by bedrock solution, and that is characterized by closed depressions
or sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage." (Said definition is
taken from the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Topographic
and Geologic Survey, Open File Report 8702, entitled "Sinkholes and
Karst-related Features of Northampton County, Pennsylvania" by W.E.
Kochanov).
KENNEL
A commercial facility designed to provide overnight housing
or boarding for family pets, such as dogs and cats, plus any accessory
uses such as sales of pet supplies, grooming, clipping and bathing
of pets, etc.
LABORATORY, SUPPORT
A facility for scientific laboratory analysis of natural
resources, medical resources, and manufactured materials. The scientific
analysis is generally performed for an outside customer, to support
the work of that customer. This category includes environmental laboratories
for the analysis of air, water, and soil; medical or veterinary laboratories
for the analysis of blood, tissue, or other human medical or animal
products.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
LANDOWNER
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
LAUNDROMAT
A business that provides washing, drying, and/or ironing
machine for hire to be used by customers on the premises.
LIBRARY (PUBLIC)
A public facility for the use, but not sale, of literary,
musical, artistic, or reference materials.
LIGHT INDUSTRY
A manufacturing or industrial operation that produces a negligible
amount of noise, smoke, odor, dust, vibration, or glare as a result
of operation of the activity.
LIVE-WORK QUARTERS
Buildings or spaces within buildings that are primarily used
jointly for commercial and residential purposes where the residential
use of the space is secondary or accessory to the primary use as a
place of work.
LOT
A tract or parcel of land intended for transfer of ownership,
use or improvement; land which is shown as a separate parcel on records
of Centre County.
LOT AREA
The computed area contained within the lot lines.
LOT DEPTH
The mean horizontal distance between the front and rear lot
lines.
LOT LINES
The property lines bounding the lot.
B.
REAR LOT LINEThe lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line.
C.
SIDE LOT LINEAny lot line other than a front or rear lot line, a side lot line separating a lot from a street is called a side street lot line.
LOT OF RECORD
Any lot which individually or as part of a subdivision has
been recorded in the office of the Centre County Recorder of Deeds.
LOT WIDTH
The distance between the two side lot lines measured at the
required setback line.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection
or upon two parts of the same street forming an interior angle of
less than 135°.
LOT, NONCONFORMING
Any lot which does not conform to the minimum width, depth, and area dimensions specified for the district in which said lot is located (including those lots existing prior to the enactment of this chapter) and where the owner(s) of said lot does not own any adjoining land which might be added to the nonconforming parcel to create one or more conforming lots. (See Part
6, Nonconformities, for more detailed information.)
MACHINE SHOP
A workshop, manufacturing plant, or industrial facility where
work is machined, repaired, or rebuilt. For the purposes of this chapter,
machine shops shall include, but not be limited to, the following
types of operations: automotive engine rebuilding, tool and die making,
and similar activities.
MAIL-ORDER SERVICES
A business that receives and processes orders for goods to
be shipped through the mail.
MANUFACTURED HOUSING
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent
occupancy, office or place of assembly contained in one unit, or in
two units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of
again being separated for repeated towing which arrives at a site
complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking
and assembly operations and is constructed so that it may be used
without a permanent foundation.
MANUFACTURED HOUSING PARK
A parcel of land under single ownership which has been planned
for the placement of two or more mobile homes, appurtenant structures
or additions.
MANUFACTURING
The act of producing or preparing finished products or goods
from raw materials through the repetitious use of an established or
set process.
MANUFACTURING, LIGHT
The manufacture, predominately from previously prepared materials,
of finished products or parts, including processing, fabrication,
assembly, treatment and packaging of such products, and incidental
storage, sales, and distribution of such products, but excluding basic
industrial processing and custom manufacturing.
MARKET VALUE
The fair market price of a structure or property as determined
by an appraiser or insurance adjuster; the price at which both buyer
and seller are willing to do business.
MEDIATION
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
MINERAL EXTRACTION OR SURFACE MINING OPERATION
The extraction of mineral from the earth or waste or stockpiles,
or from pits or banks, including, but not limited to, strip, drift,
auger and open pit mining, dredging, quarrying, leaching, mountaintop
removal, box cutting, and activities related thereto.
MINERALS
Includes, but is not limited to, anthracite and bituminous
coal, lignite, limestone and dolomite, sand, gravel, rock, stone,
earth, slag, ore, vermiculite, clay and other mineral resources.
MONASTERY
The dwelling of a religious order or congregation.
MOTEL
A commercial establishment consisting of a series of attached
or semi-attached dwelling structures which are designed to provide
sleeping accommodations for automobile transients or overnight guests,
with or without meeting rooms or food service, which does not meet
the definition of bed-and-breakfast.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
A single structure designed for and constructed to contain
three or more dwelling units.
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
A residential development consisting of more than one multifamily
dwelling structure, or more than one townhouse-like building.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
MUSEUM
A building having public significance by reason of it architecture
or former use of occupancy or a building serving as a repository for
a collection or natural, scientific, or literary curiosities or objects
of interest, or works of art, and arranged, intended and designed
to be used by members of the public for viewing, with or without an
admission charge, and which may be included as an accessory use the
sale of goods to the public as gifts or for their own good.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension,
expansion, alteration, location, or relocation of a building (including
mobile homes), structure, and/or improvements (such as street utilities,
etc.).
NONCONFORMING LOT
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
NONCONFORMING USE
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
NURSERY
An enterprise that conducts the retail and/or wholesale of
plants as well as accessory items (but not power equipment, such as
gas or electric lawn mowers and farm implements) directly related
to their care and maintenance.
NURSING HOME OR CONVALESCENT HOME
Any premises with sleeping rooms where elderly or otherwise
infirm persons are lodged and furnished with meals and/or nursing
care.
OBSTRUCTION
Any dam wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection,
excavation, channel, rectification, bridge, conduit, culvert, building,
wire fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure or matter in along,
across, or projecting into any channel, watercourse, floodplain or
regulatory flood hazard area which may impede, retard or change the
direction or flow of water or that is placed where the flow of water
might carry the same downstream to the damage of life or property.
OFF-SITE SEWER SERVICE
A sanitary sewer collection system in which sewage is carried
from individual lots by a system of pipes to a central treatment and
disposal plant.
OFF-SITE WATER SERVICE
A water provision system in which water is collected from
a source (be it spring, well, reservoir or other source) which is
wholly or partially located on a tract of land which is not the tract
on which development is to occur, and is transported or piped onto
the tract to be developed.
OFF-STREET LOADING SPACE
A space not located within any street right-of-way used by
motor vehicles for the temporary storage of trucks and other commercial
vehicles while loading and unloading merchandise or materials.
OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE
A space not located within any street right-of-way used by
motor vehicles for the temporary storage of one motor vehicle.
OFFICIAL MAP
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
ON-SITE SEWER SERVICE
A sanitary sewer disposal system in which sewage is collected,
treated and discharged on the same lot as the use which it serves.
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD
A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once in
every 100 years, i.e., that has a one-percent chance of occurring
each year, although it may occur in any year.
OPEN SPACE
A space not occupied by a structure, open to the sky, and
on the same lot with the building or structure.
PARKING BAY
A row of parking spaces abutting each other along the length
of each space.
PARKING LOT
A facility providing off-street parking for five or more
vehicles.
PERSONAL CARE BOARDING HOME
Any premises in which food, shelter, and personal assistance
or supervision are provided for a period exceeding 24 consecutive
hours for four to eight adults 55 years of age or older who are not
relatives of the operator and who require assistance or supervision
in such matters as dressing, bathing, diet or medication prescribed
for self-administration but do not require hospitalization or care
in a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility. Such personal
care boarding home shall be licensed by the Department of Public Welfare
of the commonwealth.
PERSONAL SERVICE
An establishment or place of business primarily engaged in
the provision of frequent or recurrent needed services of a personal
nature.
PLANNED COMMERCIAL/RETAIL DEVELOPMENT
An area of land, controlled by a landowner(s), to be developed
as a single entity for a number of retail businesses, the development
plan for which does not necessarily correspond in lot size, bulk or
type of commercial establishment, density, lot coverage, and required
open spaced to the regulations established in the General Commercial
District.
PLANNED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
A group of industries planned and developed specifically
for the site upon which they are to be built and owned as a unit.
The development plan for this type of activity will not necessarily
correspond to the lot, yard, or open space requirements established
for their uses in the Industrial District.
PLANNING AGENCY
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
POND
A water impoundment made by constructing a dam or embankment,
or by excavating a pit or dugout.
PREMISES
Any lot and structure(s) located thereon.
PRIMARY HIGHWAY SYSTEM
That portion of connected main highways located within the
commonwealth as officially designated or as may be hereafter so designated
by the State and/or Federal Departments of Transportation.
PRINCIPAL USE
The primary or dominant use of the site, taking into account
economic factors as well as area or coverage.
PRIVATE
Not publicly owned, operated or controlled.
PRIVATE PARK
A park which provides outdoor recreational enjoyment and
activity for members of the organization which owns the facility or
to the general public on a fee basis. A private park may also include
buildings and accessory structures.
PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL
A recreation facility designed and intended for water contact
activities that serves a single-family dwelling(s).
PROFESSIONAL OFFICES, INCLUDING MEDICAL AND DENTAL OFFICES
The office of a member of a recognized profession maintained
for the conduct of that profession. A profession is a vocation, calling,
occupation, or employment requiring training in the liberal arts or
sciences, or combination thereof, requiring advanced study in a specialized
field, any occupation requiring licensing by the state and maintenance
of professional standards applicable to the field.
PROJECTING SIGN
A projecting sign is attached to and projects more than 18
inches from a wall of a building.
PUBLIC
Owned, operated or controlled by a governmental agency or
governmental unit.
PUBLIC HEARING
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two consecutive weeks
in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. Such notice
shall state the date, time, and place of the hearing and the particular
nature of the matter to be considered. The first publication shall
be not more than 30 days nor less than 14 days from the date of the
hearing and the second publication shall be not less than seven days
prior to the hearing date.
PUBLIC SEWAGE SYSTEM
A system designed to treat the sewage wastes of more than
one structure and which discharges the resultant outflow into a stream
or other body of water. Such a system must be designed in accordance
with DEP standards and be permitted by the Bureau of Water Quality
of the Department of Environmental Protection. These systems shall
include municipal treatment facilities as well as package treatment
plants installed by private developer.
PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITY
Includes, but not be limited to: electric substations, automatic
telephone exchanges, micro-relay stations and the like, (but excluding
public sewer and water facilities, radio and TV transmitters and towers),
and any other public utility corporation when exempted from the provisions
of this chapter by state law.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
A system designed to treat/provide water to more than one
structure or use. Such a system must be designed in accordance with
DEP standards and be permitted by the Bureau of Water Quality of the
Department of Environmental Protection. This definition shall include
municipal water treatment facilities as well as water provision systems
installed by private developer, if turned over to the Township for
operation.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A vehicle less than 38 feet in length, used for temporary
living or sleeping purposes, which stands on wheels. Included in this
definition are travel trailers, truck campers and motor homes.
RESEARCH FACILITY
A structure or group of structures used primarily for applied
and development research, where product testing is an integral part
of the operation and goods or products may be manufactured as necessary
for testing, evaluation, and test marketing.
RESTAURANT
A commercial establishment which serves food and drink to
customers on a sit-down or take-out basis. As used herein, the term
shall include establishments with a liquor license, such as bars,
whether or not they serve food.
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT
A commercial enterprise that provides goods and/or services
directly to the consumer, where such goods are available for immediate
purchase and removal from the premises by the purchaser.
RIDING STABLE AND ACADEMY
An establishment where horses are kept for riding or driving
or are stabled for compensation as part of a club, association ranch
or similar establishment.
ROOMING HOUSE or BOARDING HOUSE
A building containing a single-family dwelling unit and rooms
for the rooming and/or boarding of between three and twenty-five persons
for definite periods of not less than one week.
RUNOFF
The surface water discharge or rate of discharge of a given
watershed after a fall of rain or snow or other form of precipitation
that does not enter the soil but runs off on the surface of the land.
SCHOOL
Any place offering instruction in any branch of knowledge
under the supervision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a lawfully
constituted ecclesiastical governing body, person, partnership or
corporation meeting the requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SCREENING
The provision of a barrier to visibility, glare, and noise between adjacent properties composed of plant materials such as trees or shrubs which shall be of such species as will produce within three years, a visual screen at least six feet in height. However, such plantings shall adhere to §
15-504, Subsection
3, and shall be broken at points of vehicular or pedestrian access or utility easements.
SEASONAL COTTAGE/SEASONAL DWELLING
A single-family detached dwelling used for seasonal and temporary
living purposes during any season by persons engaged in recreational
pursuits. Also called a summer cottage or hunting and fishing cabin.
SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY
Any structure designed and used for the purpose of renting
or leasing storage space to occupants who are to have access to such
space for the purpose of storing and removing personal property.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of two or more primary uses or structures used for
retail sales and service occupying a lot in single ownership.
SIGN
Any surface, fabric, device or structure bearing lettering
or pictorial or sculptured matter, designed for visual communication
or information and used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof
to the attention of the public; not including any flag, badge, or
insignia of a government.
SIGN, BILLBOARD
A sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to
a commodity, business, industry, or activity which is sold, offered
or conducted at a location other than on the lot upon which such sign
is located.
SIGN, BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION
A sign, which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted
on the premises upon which such sign is located and may be affixed
to either the ground or a wall of the business.
SINKHOLE
For purposes of this chapter, a sinkhole shall be defined
as: "a localized, gradual or rapid sinking of the land surface to
a variable depth, occurring in areas of carbonite bedrock; generally
characterized by a roughly circular outline, a distinct breaking of
the ground surface, and downward movement of soil into bedrock voids."
(Said definition is taken from the Department of Environmental Protection,
Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, Open File Report 8702,
entitled "Sinkholes and Karst-Related Features of Northhampton County,
Pennsylvania" by W.E. Kochanov).
SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY HOSPITAL
A facility for the care and treatment of household pets and
other small animals and which is climate controlled, served by public
sewer and water and which has no exterior kennels or outside runs.
SMALL STORAGE STRUCTURE
A structure that is used for storage and does not have a
door or other entranceway into a dwelling unit and does not have water
fixtures within its confines, the use of which is limited solely to
storage of inanimate objects.
STABLE, PROFESSIONAL
A facility which provides one or more of the following services
to the public on a commercial basis: boarding, care grooming and feeding
of horses, riding lessons, trail rides, sales of equipment and tack.
STEEP SLOPE
Land whose slope (surfaces at an angle to the plane of the
horizon) is 25% or more, i.e., a vertical difference of 25 feet or
more per 100 feet of horizontal difference.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
A designed device constructed or manufactured, used in a
soil or water conservation or management system to retain, regulate
or control the flow of water.
STREET
As defined by Section 105 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10105. The following terms used
therein are further defined for the purpose of this chapter as follows:
A.
ALLEYA street, usually located to the rear or side of properties otherwise abutting a street and used primarily for vehicular service access.
B.
ARTERIAL STREETA major street with fast or heavy traffic of considerable continuity used primarily as a traffic artery connecting two or more neighborhoods or areas.
C.
COLLECTOR STREETA major street which carries traffic from local streets to arterial streets.
D.
LOCAL STREETAny street not defined as a collector street or an arterial street.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between a street and a lot.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water which may or may not be affixed to the land.
STRUCTURE, NONCONFORMING
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable use provisions of this chapter, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of the chapter or amendment thereto. Such nonconforming structures, include but are not limited to, nonconforming signs. (See Part
6, Nonconformities, for more detailed information.)
SUBDIVISION
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
53 P.S. § 10105.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure,
the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the
structure either (a) before the improvement or repair is started or,
(b) if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before
the damage occurred. For purposes of this definition "substantial
improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of any
wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences,
whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of
the structure. The term does not include either:
A.
Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which
are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
B.
Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register
of Historic Places or a state inventory of historic places.
TEMPORARY USE OR STRUCTURE
A use or structure permitted for a fixed period of time with
the obligation and intent to discontinue the use, or dismantle the
structure, and the end of such time. Such uses do not involve the
construction or alteration of any permanent structure.
THEATER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The use of land and structures which may contain an assembly
hall and studios with or without stage, which may be equipped with
curtains and permanent stage scenery or with mechanical equipment
adaptable, but not limited to, the showing of plays, operas, performances,
spectacles and similar forms of live or audio-visual entertainment
and for instruction in the performing arts.
TOURIST HOME
An establishment used for dwelling purposes in which rooms,
with or without meals, are offered to transient guests for compensation,
including establishments known as bed-and-breakfasts.
TRUCK TERMINAL or FREIGHT STATION
A structure or group of structures owned and/or operated
by trucking firm(s) intended to be used for loading, unloading, storage,
and/or transfer of truck-transported goods, including truck maintenance
and fueling facilities.
USE
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designed,
arranged, intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
The term "permitted use" shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming
use.
USE, NONCONFORMING
Any use of a building or land which is not listed as a principal permitted use or a conditional use for the district in which such use is located, including those uses which existed prior to the enactment of this chapter. (See Part
6, Nonconformities, for more detailed information.)
VARIANCE
A modification of the literal provisions of this chapter
which the Zoning Hearing Board is allowed, but is not obligated to
grant when strict enforcement would cause undue hardship to an individual
property owner.
VILLAGE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
The intent of the district is to provide a centrally located
commercial service area to the adjoining residential and mixed use
districts and the region. Residential use is encouraged on upper floors
of storefronts.
VILLAGE MIXED USE DISTRICT
The intent of the district is to provide suitable locations
for limited, neighborhood-oriented commercial, business, and service
activities, public/civic, and light manufacturing uses. Residential
uses are also encouraged, particularly medium density residential
development. The types of uses allowed should be compatible with the
adjoining residential and commercial districts, and the users should
not cause traffic congestion, cause obnoxious noise, dust, odors,
fire hazards or lighting objectionable to surrounding residences,
nor visually detract from the overall appearance of the village.
VILLAGE-ORIENTED SHOP
A shop or store including corner grocery that shall not be
in excess of 20,000 square feet.
WETLANDS
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or
groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and
that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands
generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign painted on or attached to the inside surface of a
window.
YARD
An open space, which lies between the principal building
or group of buildings and the nearest lot line and is unoccupied and
unobstructed from the ground upward except as herein allowed. (Reasonable
plantings shall not be considered an obstruction hereunder.)
A.
FRONT YARDAn open space, which lies between the principal building or group of buildings and the front lot lines, unoccupied and, unobstructed from the ground upward.
B.
REAR YARDAn open space extending the full width of the lot between a principal building and the rear lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward.
C.
SIDE YARDAn open space extending from the front yard to the rear yard between a principal building and the nearest side lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward.
ZONING MAP
The Official Zoning Map of Gregg Township, together with all references, notations and amendments which may subsequently be adopted. Said map is made a part of this chapter in §
15-203, Subsection
1.
ZONING OFFICER
The administrative officer charged with the duty of enforcing
the provisions of this chapter.
ZONING PERMIT
A permit stating that the purpose for which a building or
land is to be used is in conformity with the uses permitted and all
other requirements of this chapter for the district in which it is
to be located.