This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Thornbury
Township Zoning Ordinance of 2020, as amended."
This chapter is enacted under and pursuant to the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968,[1] as amended, to maintain and enhance the character of the
Township and the suitability of its various parts for particular uses,
buildings, and structures, in order to:
A.
Promote, protect, and facilitate: the health, safety, and general
welfare of the inhabitants of the Township by promoting the development
and use of land within the Township in such a manner as to secure
the population from fire, flood, panic and other dangers. This is
accomplished through coordinated and practical community development;
emergency management preparedness and operations; provision of a safe,
reliable, and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural
or industrial use, and other public requirements; preservation of
natural, scenic, historic features, forests, wetlands, aquifers, and
floodplains; provisions of adequate light and air, police protection,
transportation, sewerage, schools, recreational facilities, and public
grounds.
B.
Prevent: 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 Township for residential uses
with various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing.
D.
Respect carrying capacity of land and accommodate reasonable overall
community growth and opportunities for development of a variety of
residential and nonresidential uses.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
This chapter is enacted to implement the purposes set forth
in the application of the Comprehensive Plan, and other applicable
codes, chapters, plans, or studies of the Township.
A.
Planning vision. Retain and enhance the traditional suburban community
identity and quality of life. Maintain a balance between the accommodation
of change and development with the ability of the land to sustain
new uses and the conservation of resources to preserve the suburban
character and protect the health, safety, and welfare of current and
future residents.
B.
Land use. Direct future growth to the most appropriate areas of the
Township in a manner that reflects the existing community and establishes
a balance between land uses, the transportation network, and the ability
of natural systems to support development. Continue to support the
Township's commercial properties to provide for employment opportunities
and commercial resources in the Township.
C.
Housing. Plan for the present and future housing needs of residents
that reflects the existing community character and enhances neighborhoods
while protecting the Township's traditional historic, natural,
and scenic qualities.
D.
Natural resources. Preserve, protect, and maintain the Township's
existing natural resources to sustain ecosystems, public health, and
quality of life.
E.
Historic and scenic resources. Identify, protect, and enhance the
integrity of historic and scenic resources and their settings to preserve
the Township's heritage and character.
F.
Energy conservation and sustainability. Encourage energy conservation
and the effective utilization of renewable energy resources to reduce
energy costs and environmental impacts.
G.
Community facilities and services. Provide for appropriate and adequate
community services and facilities within the practical fiscal limits
of the Township and the natural constraints of the land to meet the
needs of current and future Township residents and businesses.
H.
Open space, trails, parks, and recreation. Continue to maintain,
enhance, and expand parks, recreational facilities and community programming
at parks while protecting and preserving existing Township open spaces
for the enjoyment of all Township residents.
I.
Transportation and circulation. Plan for a safe, effective, and diversified
transportation and circulation system that addresses current and future
needs in coordination with land use planning and resource protection
objectives while protecting community-defining characteristics.
J.
Regional planning. Continue cooperative planning with surrounding
municipalities and regional planning groups to achieve mutually beneficial
goals for the Township and region.
Act 247 grants local municipalities the power to enact, amend,
and repeal zoning chapters. Thornbury Township has enacted this chapter
in accordance with the provisions of Act 247, establishing the following
controls:
A.
Land shall be developed, used, or occupied, and structures shall
be constructed, altered, used, occupied, or demolished in accordance
with provisions of this chapter.
B.
Uniform regulations. The provisions established by this chapter within
each zoning district shall apply uniformly to each class or type of
structure or land.
C.
New uses and structures. Following the effective date of this chapter,
any new building or other structure or any tract of land shall be
developed, constructed, occupied, and used in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter and other chapters, as applicable.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul,
or interfere with any existing ordinance, or any statue, rule, regulation,
or permit adopted or issued thereunder, provided the same is not inconsistent
or in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter. Where this
chapter imposes greater restrictions on the use of structures or land,
height or bulk of structures, prescribes larger open spaces or parklands,
or other applicable provisions, the provisions of this chapter shall
control.
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision
shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or in part.
The "Thornbury Township Ordinance of 1983, as amended" is hereby
repealed and replaced by the provisions of the "Thornbury Township
Zoning Ordinance of 2020, as amended."
