This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Green Lane
Zoning Ordinance of 1971." This chapter shall become effective December
8, 1971.
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health,
safety, morals and the general welfare of the Borough, is in accordance
with a Comprehensive Plan, and is designed to lessen congestion in
the roads and highways, to secure safety from fire, panic and other
danger, to provide adequate light and air, to prevent the overcrowding
of land, to avoid undue congestion of population, to facilitate the
adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks
and other public requirements, to conserve the value of buildings
and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Borough
of Green Lane.
A.
As any other community, Green Lane has its own heritage, individuality
and a set of goals its citizens want to achieve. The plans of the
Borough reflect the following list of goals:
(1)
Preservation and protection of Green Lane's heritage wherever and
whenever feasible.
(2)
Borough guidance by the Comprehensive Plan which encompasses the
orderly development and/or redevelopment of the community.
(3)
Borough cooperation and coordination with its neighbors on matters
of community development and common concern.
(4)
Preservation and development of recreational and open space amenities
wherever and whenever possible.
(5)
Direction of the Borough's efforts toward an overall program for
community improvements.
(6)
Recognition by Green Lane that improvements must be related to the
fiscal capabilities of Green Lane to support needed changes and facilities.
(7)
Borough maintenance and improvement on its assets while attempting
to correct its problems.
(8)
Protection of cultural, historic features and resources, and other
important features, including natural features and landscapes which
have a special character or use, and which affect or are affected
by their environment.
[Added 3-11-2004 by Ord.
No. 2004-04]
(9)
Encourage the maintenance and management of forested or wooded open space, and promote the conduct of forestry as a sound and economically viable use of forested land throughout the Borough subject to specific requirements and regulations contained in § 415-127 and other general performance standards that may apply. Protect prime agricultural land and promote the establishment of agricultural security areas, and encourage the continuity, development, and mobility of agricultural operations to the extent feasible given the fact that Green Lane Borough is a largely developed and built-out community.
[Added 3-11-2004 by Ord.
No. 2004-04]
B.
The residential development plan identified areas which are recommended
for residential use; densities were also proposed for each type. The
Borough of Green Lane intends to utilize the plan to:
C.
As the existing land use map shows, about 69.85%, or 138.67 acres,
of the Borough are in various types of developed use. Whenever redevelopment
occurs in the future, it should correlate with the proposed use in
that area. The following is a set of common residential development
objectives:
(1)
The orderly location and timing of development so as to facilitate
the provision of indicated community facilities, especially public
water and sewer.
(2)
The fostering of residential areas with unity, variety and well-defined
focal points such as shopping facilities, schools and landmark structures.
(3)
The maximizing of the beneficial aspects of land use and circulation
system relationships.
(4)
The adapting of residential subdivision design concepts so as to
encourage the incorporation of aesthetically pleasing natural features
through the use of advanced land development principles.
(5)
The avoidance of conflicting land uses and avoidance of land use
circulation system conflicts.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the Borough. The Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with which this chapter is enacted and which is reflected in the provisions of this chapter, has been formulated to implement the purposes set forth in § 415-2 hereinabove, in the respects therein stated and more particularly with a view toward the following objectives, in addition to those set forth in § 415-3.
A.
Guiding and encouraging the future development of Green Lane Borough
in accordance with Comprehensive Planning of land use and population
density that represents the most beneficial and convenient relationships
among the residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas
within the Borough having regard to their suitability for the various
uses appropriate to each of them and their potentiality for such uses,
as indicated by topography and soil conditions, existing man-made
conditions, and trends in population, in the direction and manner
of the use of land, in building development, and in economic activity,
considering such conditions and trends both within the Borough and
with respect to the relation of the Borough to surrounding areas.
B.
Protecting the character and the social and economic stability of
each of such areas and encouraging their orderly and beneficial growth.
C.
Protecting and conserving the value of land and buildings throughout
the Borough, depending upon necessity or circumstances; appropriate
to the various zoning districts established herein.
D.
Aiding in bringing about the most beneficial relation between land
use and the circulation of traffic throughout the Borough, having
particular regard to traffic to and from the expressways, and to avoidance
of congestion in the streets and the provision of safe and convenient
access appropriate to the various land uses.
E.
Aiding in providing a guide for public policy and action in the efficient provision of public facilities and services; in the provision of safe and proper sanitary sewage disposal; and for private enterprise in building development, investment and other economic activity relating to land use; insofar as such objectives are consistent with the purposes set forth in § 415-2 and with the aforesaid minimum requirements therefor. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted, administered and applied in such manner as will facilitate attainment of the said objectives, and all others permitted by law.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul
or interfere with any existing ordinances or enactments, or with any
rule, regulation or permit adopted or issued thereunder, except insofar
as the same may be inconsistent or in conflict with any of the provisions
of this chapter. Where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon
the use of buildings or land, or upon the height and bulk of buildings,
or prescribes larger open spaces than are required by the provisions
of another ordinance, enactment, rule, regulation or permit, then
this chapter shall control.
