The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by an agent,
to be appointed by the Borough Council, who shall be known as the
Zoning Officer. He/she shall be appointed by the Borough Council and
shall receive such fees or compensation as the Borough Council may,
by resolution, provide. He/she shall not hold any elective office
in the municipality.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer and he/she shall
have authority to:
A.
Keep a record of all plans and applications for permits, and all
permits issued with notations as to special conditions attached thereto.
All records shall be open for public inspection.
B.
Review applications for permits for erections or alterations of structures
or changes of use, determine whether such construction or use is in
accordance with the general requirements of this chapter, all other
applicable ordinances, and with the laws and regulations of the commonwealth.
The Zoning Officer shall issue no permit unless it conforms with the
applicable ordinances, statutes, and regulations.
C.
Conduct inspections and surveys to determine compliance or noncompliance
with the terms of this chapter. In carrying out such surveys, the
Zoning Officer or his representative may enter upon any land or building
within the Borough.
D.
Make written orders requiring compliance with the provisions of this
chapter to be served personally or by registered mail.
E.
Institute proceedings in courts of proper jurisdiction for the enforcement
of provisions of this chapter.
F.
Maintain a map available for public inspection showing the current
zoning classification of all land within the Borough.
G.
Maintain a register available for public inspection showing the identity,
location and type of nonconforming uses within the Borough.
H.
Participate in all proceedings before the Zoning Hearing Board; present
facts and information to assist the Board in reaching decisions which
shall be compatible with this chapter; and have decisions of the Board
reviewed in a court of proper jurisdiction when, in the judgment of
the Zoning Officer, such a review is desirable or indicated.
[Amended 3-30-2010 by Ord. No. 831]
No structure shall be constructed or enlarged in the Borough,
or use of any structure changed, until a permit has been secured from
the Zoning Officer. Upon completion of the work authorized by any
permit, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Zoning Officer
of such completion. No permit shall be considered as complete or as
permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has noted on the permit
that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity
with the provisions of this chapter.
All applications for permits shall be made in writing by the
owner or tenants or authorized agent and shall be filed with the Zoning
Officer. The application:
A.
Shall
include a statement as to the proposed use of the building;
B.
When
required by the Zoning Officer, shall be accompanied by a plot plan
based upon a plan prepared by a registered engineer or land surveyor,
showing the location of the building in relation to all abutting properties
and street lines; and
C.
Shall
contain all information necessary to enable the Zoning Officer to
ascertain whether the proposed building complies with the provisions
of this chapter.
A permit issued under the authority of this chapter shall expire
six months after date of issuance unless the permittee shall have
commenced substantial construction or utilization of the property
which is the subject of the permit in accordance with the intent thereof
within such period.
An appeal from the decision of the Zoning Officer shall be taken
within 30 days, according to the procedures described herein.
An appeal from a decision of the Zoning Officer or an application
for special exception or variance from the terms of this chapter may
be filed with the Secretary of the Zoning Hearing Board and shall
state:
A.
The name and address of the applicant.
B.
The name and address of the owner of the property to be affected
by the proposed exception or variance.
C.
A brief description and location of the property to be affected by
such proposed change.
D.
A statement of the present zoning classification of the property
in question, the improvements thereon, and the present use thereof.
E.
A statement of the section of this chapter under which the variance
or exception requested may be allowed, and the reasons why it should
be granted.
F.
A description of the present improvements and additions intended
to be made under the application, which description shall include
a plot plan of the property to be affected, indicating the location
and size of the of lot and size of improvements now erected and those
proposed to be erected thereon.
[Amended 5-13-1986 by Ord. No. 661]
Fees for permits shall be paid in accordance with a fee schedule
to be adopted by resolution or ordinance by the Borough Council. Such
fees shall be designed to cover the costs of administering the Zoning
Ordinance. Each applicant for an appeal, conditional use, special
exception or variance, shall at the time of making application, pay
a fee in accordance with the aforementioned fee schedule, for the
cost of advertising and mailing notices, and such other costs as are
required by this chapter and the rules of the Zoning Hearing Board.
