The official title of this chapter is the "Dormont Development
Code," and it is adopted by virtue of the authority granted to the
Borough by the commonwealth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code, Act 247 of 1968, as amended by Act 170 of 1988 (53 P.S. § 10101
et seq., as may be amended from time to time). It shall be referred
to herein as the/this "Code" or the/this "Development Code."
This Code is in furtherance of the development objectives set
forth in the Borough’s Comprehensive Plan, as amended from time
to time, and the following general development objectives:
A. To promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare of the
residents of the Borough and of the public generally;
B. To encourage and facilitate planned community growth and development;
C. To facilitate the provision of public utilities and public services;
D. To protect the character and maintain the stability of the residential
and commercial areas within the Borough;
E. To provide adequate light, air, amenities and access to properties;
F. To guide development in order to provide adequate and economical
community facilities and utilities;
G. To divide the Borough into various zoning districts, restricting
and regulating therein the location, construction, alteration and
use of buildings, structures and land;
H. To prevent the incompatible development or use of land and to prevent
blighting conditions and hazards in travel and transportation;
I. To conserve and stabilize property values through encouragement of
the most appropriate use of land in relation to adjacent land uses;
J. To promote conservation of the environment and other natural and
historic features; and
K. To implement the Borough’s Comprehensive Plan.
Except as shall be expressly provided for in this code, the
adoption of this code shall not:
A. Nullify or make void any action pending under, or by virtue of, any
prior zoning code or subdivision ordinance;
B. Discontinue, nullify, void, abate, modify or alter any penalty accruing
or about to accrue under, or by virtue of, any prior zoning code or
ordinance;
C. Affect the liability of any person, firm, or corporation under, or
by virtue of, any prior zoning code or ordinance;
D. Waive any right of the Borough under any section or provision of
any prior zoning code or ordinance; or
E. Vacate or annul any rights obtained by any person, firm, or corporation
by lawful action of the Borough under, or by virtue of, any prior
zoning code or ordinance.
Should any section or provision of this code be declared by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid,
such decision shall not affect the validity of the code as a whole,
or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional
or invalid.
The Zoning Map together with all explanatory matter thereon
is adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this code. A
copy of the Zoning Map shall be maintained on file in the Borough
offices and updated on the Borough’s official website http://boro.dormont.pa.us/.
No changes of any nature shall be made to the Zoning Map or any part
thereof except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this
code. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons
shall be considered a violation of this code.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of zoning districts
shown on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
A. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines
of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed to follow such
center lines.
B. Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines
shall be construed as following such lot lines.
C. Boundaries indicated as approximately following Borough limits shall
be construed as following such Borough limits.
D. Boundaries indicated as following rail lines shall be construed to
be midway between the main tracks.
E. Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features listed
above shall be so construed.
F. Distances not specifically indicated on the Zoning Map shall be determined
by the scale of the Map.
G. Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at
variance with those shown on the Zoning Map, or in other circumstances
not covered herein, the Borough Manager or their designee shall interpret
the district boundaries.
H. Where a district boundary line divides a lot that was in single ownership
at the time of passage of this code, the Zoning Hearing Board may
permit, as a special exception, the extension of the regulations for
either portion of the lot not to exceed 50 feet beyond the zoning
district line into the remaining portion of the lot.