This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as the "Vanport Township Zoning Ordinance of 1987."
A.
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared by a court to be invalid such decision shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or any part thereof, except for the section or provision declared invalid. The remainder shall remain in full force and effect. The various provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.
B.
Where conflicts exist between this chapter and other regulations of the Township or of a higher level of government or with legal restrictive covenants applied by a landowner to the development of his property the ordinance, regulation or covenant establishing the higher standards shall prevail.
C.
All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with this chapter, inconsistent with its provisions or less restrictive are hereby repealed to the extent necessary to give this chapter full force and effect.
D.
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety and welfare.
This chapter is deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to:
A.
Conserve and stabilize property values.
B.
Facilitate the economic provision and maintenance of streets, utilities and other public services.
C.
Prevent the overcrowding or incompatible use or development of land.
D.
Preserve floodplains, steep hillsides and woodlands from intense development.
E.
Provide for a balanced development or redevelopment of the Township, particularly the encouragement of new job and housing opportunities.
The arrangement of land use areas, the intensity of residential development, the capacity and function of streets and public services and the designation and use of steep slope and flood-prone areas were determined in a master plan study of the Township that preceded the preparation of this chapter. Said plan is the basis for the description of the zoning districts and the regulations that apply in each district.
The grant of a building or occupancy permit or any other action taken under the terms of this chapter shall not constitute a representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind by the Township or by any official or employee of the practicality or safety of the use, building or structure covered by the permit or action and shall create no liability upon the Township, its employees or officials.
The adoption of this chapter shall not make legitimate development activity in the Township illegal under provisions of prior zoning regulations nor does it annul any litigation currently being pursued or that may be pursued in the future against such illegal activity.
A.
The Board of Commissioners shall approve or deny requests for conditional use proposals after receiving recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission, shall hear and decide appeals from actions of the Planning and Zoning Commission on site plan reviews, shall take action on amendments to this chapter after receiving recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission and holding a public hearing thereon and shall establish a schedule of fees for processing proposals made under the terms of this chapter.
B.
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider proposals for conditional uses, providing recommendations to approve, deny or approve with conditions to the Board of Commissioners, shall review site plan proposals approving, rejecting or approving with specific conditions each such one and shall provide the Board of Commissioners with recommendations concerning any proposals for the amendment of this chapter.