When a building permit is required under the requirements of
the Township Building Code, a zoning certificate shall be prerequisite
to obtaining a building permit.
A certificate of occupancy indicating compliance with the provisions
of this chapter shall be required prior to:
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A.
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Occupancy of any structure following completion of construction,
reconstruction or enlargement of the structure governed by an approved
building permit.
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B.
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A change in the use of an existing building, structure, water
body or land area except for the same use operated by a different
owner.
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C.
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A change of a nonconforming use, building or structure authorized
by the Zoning Hearing Board
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2005.1
Application for Permit. All requests for a certificate of occupancy
shall be made in writing, on a form furnished by the Township, completed
by the owner or other authorized agent and shall include a statement
of the type of proposed use intended for the building, land or water
body.
A.
A certificate of occupancy for a change of use in an existing
building shall be applied for and shall be issued before the new use
is established.
B.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to review the application
to determine if all necessary information has been submitted, to request
more information of the applicant or officially receive the application.
C.
Unless such requirement is waived by the Board of Commissioners,
all applications for a certificate of occupancy shall be accompanied
by a fee to be based upon the fee schedule of the Township, as provided
for in § 2009 of this chapter.
2005.2
Issuance of Certificates of Occupancy. Applications for a certificate
of occupancy shall be reviewed by the Zoning Officer. The Zoning Officer
shall issue the findings or approval of the application.
A.
Upon approval of the request for a certificate of occupancy,
one copy of the certificate of occupancy shall be given to the applicant,
and one copy of the certificate of occupancy shall be kept on file
in the Township Office.
2005.3
Denial of Certificate of Occupancy. In the event of denial,
the Zoning Officer shall forward to the applicant, a written statement
containing the reason(s) for such denial and shall cite the specific
requirements of this chapter that have not been met.
2005.4
Time Limitations. A certificate of occupancy shall remain valid
for as long as the structure or building is used in the manner the
certificate of occupancy has been issued for.
2005.5
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. A temporary certificate
of occupancy may be issued by the Zoning Officer for a period not
exceeding six months to permit partial occupancy of a building while
work is being completed, provided such temporary certificate of occupancy
may require such conditions and safeguards as may be warranted, including
posting of surety, to protect the health and safety of the occupants
and the public and guarantee compliance with the provisions of this
chapter or any conditions attached to the zoning certificate.
2005.6
Failure to Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. Failure to obtain
a certificate of occupancy shall be a violation of this chapter and
shall be subject to enforcement remedies as provided in this chapter.
A temporary use permit shall be required prior to the initiation
of an authorized temporary use or structure, land or water body and
shall meet the following requirements:
2006.1
Approvals Required.
A.
Temporary uses such as festivals, fairs or other similar activities
sponsored by a governmental, local nonprofit, community or charitable
organization shall be exempt from obtaining approval of a use by special
exception from the Zoning Hearing Board, provided the Zoning Officer
determines compliance with the standards of § 1403.41 as
a condition precedent to obtaining the temporary use permit under
this section.
B.
Sidewalk sales, carload sales and other special promotions conducted
on the site of an existing retail business with the permission of
the landowner for a period of not more than 72 consecutive hours shall
be exempt from obtaining a temporary use permit. Any such activity
which exceeds 72 consecutive hours in duration shall be subject to
approval by the Zoning Officer of a temporary use permit under this
section provided the Zoning Officer also determines compliance with
all applicable standards of § 1403.41.
C.
Temporary construction trailers, model homes or sales offices
shall be subject to approval of a temporary use permit by the Zoning
Officer under this section, provided the Zoning Officer determines
compliance with § 1507.
D.
All other temporary uses shall be subject to approval by the
Zoning Hearing Board of a use by special exception in accordance with
the criteria of § 1403.41 as a condition precedent to obtaining
a temporary use permit from the Zoning Officer under this section.
2006.2
Application for Permit. All requests for temporary use permits
shall be made in writing on a form furnished by the Township and shall
include a full description of the type of use for which such permit
is being sought and the dates during which this use shall be in existence.
A.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to review the application
for compliance, request more information of the applicant or officially
receive the application.
B.
Unless such requirement is waived by the Board of Commissioners,
all applications for a temporary use permit shall be accompanied by
a fee, to be based upon the fee schedule adopted by the Township,
as provided for in § 2009 of this chapter.
C.
Any temporary use permit that requires approval of a use by
special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the
express standards and criteria of § 1403.41 shall not be
issued until the favorable decision of the Zoning Hearing Board is
received.
2006.3
Issuance of Permit. Applications for a temporary use permit
shall be reviewed by the Zoning Officer. The Zoning Officer shall
issue approval or denial of the temporary use permit.
A.
Upon approval of the request for a temporary use permit, one
copy of the permit shall be given to the applicant. The copy of the
permit must be publicly displayed at the site of the temporary use
during the existence of the use. One copy of the permit shall be kept
on file in the Township Office.
2006.4
Denial of Permit. In the event of denial, the Zoning Officer
shall forward to the applicant a written statement containing the
reason(s) for such denial and shall cite the specific requirements
of this chapter that have not been met.
2006.5
Time Limitations. Temporary use permits are valid for the time
period(s) specified in this chapter or in the decision of the Zoning
Hearing Board, if approved under § 1403.41.
2006.6
Inspections.
A.
The Zoning Officer, or his fully appointed representative, may
make an inspection of the property on which such temporary use is
to be located to determine the suitability of the site for the use.
This inspection shall be made prior to issuing a permit, prior to
initiation of the use or in the event a renewal of the permit is requested,
during the time the use is in existence.
B.
In the event of such inspection, a record shall be made indicating
the time and date of inspection; the findings of the Zoning Officer
in regard to conformance with this chapter and other Township ordinances;
and the opinion of the Zoning Officer in regard to the suitability
of the site for this use.
2006.7
Failure to Obtain a Temporary Use Permit. Failure to obtain
a temporary use permit shall be a violation of this chapter and shall
be subject to enforcement remedies as provided in this chapter.
Sign permits shall conform to the requirements of § 1707
of this chapter.
The Board of Commissioners may introduce and/or consider amendments
to this chapter and to the Zoning Map, as proposed by the Board of
Commissioners or by the Planning Commission or by a petition of landowners
of property within the Township.
2008.1
Petitions.
A.
Petitions for amendments submitted by landowners shall be filed
with the Planning Commission at least 15 calendar days prior to the
meeting at which the petition is to be heard. In the case of a petition
for reclassification of property, the petitioners, upon such filing,
shall submit a legal description of the property proposed to be rezoned.
B.
All petitions shall include a statement justifying the request
and documenting consistency with the Township's Comprehensive Plan
and a filing fee, in accordance with the fee schedule fixed by resolution
of the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Commission shall review
the proposed amendment and report its findings and recommendations
in writing to the Board of Commissioners.
2008.2
Referral. Any proposed amendment presented to the Board of Commissioners
without written findings and recommendations from the Township Planning
Commission and the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development
shall be referred to these agencies for review at least 30 days prior
to the public hearing of the Board of Commissioners. The Board of
Commissioners shall not hold a public hearing upon such amendments
until the required reviews are received or the expiration of 30 days
from the date of referral, whichever comes first.
2008.3
Posting of Property. If the proposed amendment involves a change
to the Zoning District Map, notice of the public hearing shall be
conspicuously posted by the Township at points deemed sufficient by
the Township along the tract to notify potentially interested citizens
at least seven days prior to the date of the public hearing.
2008.4
Mailing of Notices. In addition to posting the property, if
the proposed amendment involves a change to the Zoning District Map,
notice of the public hearing shall be mailed by the Township at least
30 days prior to the date of the hearing by first class mail to the
addresses to which real estate tax bills are sent for all real property
located within the area being rezoned, as evidenced by tax records
within the possession of the Township. The notice shall include the
location, date and time of the public hearing. A good faith effort
and substantial compliance shall satisfy the requirements of this
subsection. This subsection shall not apply when the rezoning constitutes
a comprehensive rezoning.
2008.5
Public Notice and Public Hearing. Before acting on a proposed
amendment, the Board of Commissioners shall hold a public hearing
thereon. Public notice, as defined by this chapter, shall be given
containing a brief summary of the proposed amendment and reference
to the place where copies of the same may be examined.
2008.6
Readvertisement. If after any public hearing is held upon a
proposed amendment the amendment is substantially changed or revised
to include land not previously affected by the amendment, the Board
of Commissioners shall hold another public hearing, pursuant to public
notice, before proceeding to vote on the amendment.
2008.7
Publication, Advertisement and Availability.
A.
Proposed amendments shall not be enacted unless the Board of
Commissioners gives notice of the proposed enactment, including the
time and place of the meeting at which passage will be considered
and a reference to the place in the Township where copies of the proposed
amendment may be examined without charge or obtained for a charge
not greater than the cost thereof.
B.
The Board of Commissioners shall publish the proposed amendment
once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township not more
than 60 nor less than seven days prior to passage. Publication of
the proposed amendment shall include either the full text thereof
or the title and a brief summary prepared by the Township Solicitor
setting forth all the provisions in reasonable detail. If the full
text is not included:
(1) A copy thereof shall be provided to the newspaper
at the time public notice is published.
(2) An attested copy of the proposed ordinance shall
be filed in the County Law Library.
2008.8
Action. Within 90 days of the date when the public hearing on
the proposed amendment is officially closed, the Board of Commissioners
shall vote on the proposed amendment. In the event substantial changes
are made to the proposed amendment, the Board of Commissioners shall
readvertise in one newspaper of general circulation in the Township
a brief summary of the amendments at least 10 days prior to enactment.
2008.9
Filing Amendment with County Planning Agency. Within 30 days
after enactment, a copy of the amendment to this chapter shall be
forwarded to the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development.
2008.10 Mediation Option. The Board of Commissioners
may offer the mediation option as an aid in completing proceedings
authorized by § 2008. The Township and the mediating parties
shall meet the stipulations and follow the procedures set forth in
§ 1909 of this chapter.
The Board of Commissioners shall establish and revise, from
time to time, a schedule of fees by resolution, as well as a collection
procedure, for all applications submitted under the provisions of
this chapter. The schedule of fees shall be available to the public
from the Zoning Officer or Township Secretary.
A curative amendment may be filed by a landowner who desires
to challenge, on substantive grounds, the validity of this chapter
or the Zoning District Map or any provision thereof, which prohibits
or restricts the use or development of land in which he has an interest.
2010.1
Procedure. The landowner may submit a curative amendment to
the Board of Commissioners with a written request that his challenge
and proposed amendment be heard and decided as provided in Sections
609.1 and 1004 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act
247, as amended. As with other proposed amendments, the curative amendment
shall be referred to the Township Planning Commission and the Allegheny
County Department of Economic Development at least 30 days before
the hearing is conducted by the Board of Commissioners. Public notice
shall be given in accordance with Sections 610, 1004 and other applicable
provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. The hearings
shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section 908
of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and all references
in that Section to the Zoning Hearing Board shall be references to
the Board of Commissioners, provided, however, that deemed approval
provisions of Section 908 shall not apply and the provisions of Section
916.1 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code shall control.
2010.2
Evaluation of Merits of Curative Amendment. If the Board of
Commissioners determines that a validity challenge has merit, the
Board of Commissioners may accept a landowner's curative amendment,
with or without revision, or may adopt an alternative amendment which
will cure the alleged defects. The Board of Commissioners shall consider
the curative amendments, plans and explanatory material submitted
by the landowner and shall also consider:
A.
The impact of the proposal upon roads, sewer facilities, water
supplies, schools and other public service facilities;
B.
If the proposal is for a residential use, the impact of the
proposal upon regional housing needs and the effectiveness of the
proposal in providing housing units of a type actually available to
and affordable by classes of persons otherwise unlawfully excluded
by the challenged provisions of this chapter or Zoning Map;
C.
The suitability of the site for the intensity of the use proposed
by the site's soils, slopes, woodlands, wetlands, flood plains, aquifers,
natural resources and other natural features;
D.
The impact of the proposed use on the site's soils, slopes,
woodlands, wetlands, flood plains, natural resources and natural features,
the degree to which these are protected or destroyed, the tolerance
of the resources to development and any adverse environmental impacts;
and
E.
The impact of the proposal on the preservation of agriculture
and other land uses which are essential to public health and welfare.
2010.3
Declaration of Invalidity by Court. If the Township does not
accept a landowner's curative amendment brought in accordance with
this section and a Court subsequently rules the challenge has merit,
the Court's decision shall not result in a declaration of invalidity
for this entire Ordinance, but only for those provisions which specifically
relate to the landowner's curative amendment challenge.