[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 100]
This chapter shall be known and be cited as the "Hughesville
Borough Zoning Ordinance of 1994."
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 101]
1. Section
601 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, as amended) provides that the Council of Hughesville Borough may implement comprehensive plans or accomplish any of the purposes of the Planning Code by enacting a zoning ordinance.
2. The
Council of Hughesville Borough, under the authority cited above, does
hereby ordain that this Zoning chapter was enacted in order to promote
and protect the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the
residents of the Borough.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 102]
The zoning regulations and districts herein set forth were developed
in accordance with an overall program for the Borough, with consideration
being given to the character of the area, the Borough's various parts,
and the suitability of the various parts for particular uses and structures.
As such, the regulations were designed to:
A. Promote,
protect and facilitate the public health, safety, morals, and the
general welfare; coordinated and practical community development;
and proper density of population; emergency management preparedness
and operations, airports and national defense facilities; the provision
of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy, police
protection, vehicle parking and loading space, 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; as
well as preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in
the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers and
floodplains.
B. Prevent
the 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. Provide
for the use of land within the Borough for residential housing of
various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing.
D. Accommodate
reasonable overall community growth and provide opportunities for
development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential
uses.
E. Facilitate
appropriate development of the Borough, protect the tax base, and
encourage economy in public expenditures.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 103]
This chapter provides a legal basis and framework for future
development in Hughesville Borough. Its provisions were guided by
the policy recommendations set forth in the Borough's Background Report
and Goals and Objectives Study, dated February, 1994. The following
list of goal statements represent the Borough's legislative findings
with respect to land use; density of population; the need for housing,
commerce and industry; the location and function of streets and other
community facilities and utilities; the need for protecting natural
resources, and other factors which the Council believes relevant in
guiding the future development of the Borough.
A. The
peaceful, small-town character and pleasant quality of life in the
community should be preserved for future generations.
B. Land
use policies and regulations should respect the physical limitations
of the Borough's land and its environment.
C. Development
densities should be guided or directed to the most appropriate locations.
D. Adequate
drainage control facilities should be provided in all new developments
and where possible, or necessary, improvements should be made to upgrade
existing stormwater runoff controls.
E. Adequate,
accessible public facilities, services and utilities should remain
available for all Borough residents at a reasonable cost.
F. Suitable,
safe residential environments should be maintained and a variety of
housing types and styles should remain available for Borough residents
of all ages, family size and income levels.
G. An
adequate, safe transportation system should be maintained throughout
the Borough.
H. Existing
commercial and light industrial uses should be maintained as a means
of providing employment opportunities for Borough residents and additional
activities of this nature should be encouraged to locate in appropriate
locations in the community.
I. Historically
significant structures and sites in the Borough should be identified
and owners should be encouraged to preserve them for future generations.
J. Local
and regional planning efforts and public and private sector expenditures
should be coordinated to help maximize the effectiveness of such investments
and to provide for orderly growth throughout the region.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 104]
This chapter is not intended to create nor assume liability
on the part of Hughesville Borough or any officer or employee thereof
for any fire, flood or other damage that may result from reliance
on this chapter or from any administrative decisions lawfully made
thereunder. These regulations shall not guarantee a specific level
of protection for any construction. The applicant shall in all cases
rely on accepted engineering methods or building practices when designing
or constructing structures approved pursuant to these regulations.