This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Cheswick
Zoning Ordinance," and the Zoning District Map shall be known and
may be cited the "Official Cheswick Zoning Map."
The fundamental purpose of this chapter is to promote the safety,
health, convenience and general welfare; to encourage the most appropriate
use of land throughout the Borough; to conserve and stabilize the
value of property; to prevent overcrowding of land and buildings;
to avoid undue concentration of population; to lessen congestion in
the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers;
to provide adequate open spaces for light and air; to facilitate adequate
provision of streets and highways, water, sewerage, drainage and other
public facilities; to conserve life, property and natural resources;
and to conserve the expenditure of funds earmarked for public improvements.
This chapter is to render a legal basis and framework to the
future land use and development plan and to the following statement
of community development objectives:
A. Residential objectives shall be to:
(1) Preserve and enhance the established quality and character of the
Borough's residential neighborhoods.
(2) Provide for a variety of housing types to meet the needs of all age
and income groups. Assure that each type of housing develops in appropriate
locations within the Borough and according to suitable development
standards that promote their integration into the community.
(3) Utilize zoning, building and other development controls to support
and promote property maintenance and improvement.
B. Commercial objectives shall be to:
(1) Develop a compact and cohesive Freeport Road (Pittsburgh Street)
business district with a compatible mixture of uses.
(2) Support and encourage improvements to the commercial area that will
enhance its visual appearance and appeal.
(3) Ensure adequate provision for off-street parking and loading areas
for existing and future uses.
C. Industrial objectives shall be to:
(1) Provide for limited industrial uses which are consistent with the
predominantly single-family residential land use of Cheswick.
(2) Establish development and performance standards for industrial uses
which include provisions for adequate traffic access, parking and
loading, buffer areas, landscaping and attractive signing, as well
as standards to prevent air, noise and water pollution and similar
negative environmental effects.
D. Community facilities and services objectives shall be to:
(1) Assure that all locations have reasonable access to public utility
services (water supply, sewage disposal, gas, electric) and that future
development provides for the extension and/or upgrading of these services
as necessary.
(2) Improve accessibility to a variety of leisure-time activities based
on population needs. Cooperate with other Allegheny Valley communities
to increase recreational alternatives and share program costs.
(3) Assure a continued high level of maintenance to the Borough street
system and the orderly extension of streets to provide safe, convenient
access for new development.
E. Environmental objectives shall be to:
(1) Develop standards which limit the use and development of sensitive
environmental areas, such as floodplains, areas of steep slope (over
15% slope), landslide-prone soils and unique natural habitats.
(2) Implement regulations to minimize the potential hazards from inadequately
controlled stormwater runoff or excessive soil erosion and sedimentation
resulting from land alteration activities.
(3) Recognize the Allegheny River as one of the major amenities of the
Borough; and work with the other Allegheny Valley communities to increase
the public access to and enjoyment of the river.