Paradise Township is hereby divided into the following zoning districts.
OSC
Open Space Conservation District.
RR
Rural Residential District.
R-1
Low-Density Residential District.
R-2
Moderate-Density Residential District.
B-1
Neighborhood Business District.
B-2
Business District.
A. 
General intent. Cluster developments and planned residential developments will be encouraged by the Township as a means of preserving more meaningful tracts of open space preservation area. Industrial land use is to be provided in designated areas with access to major transportation systems and with proper separation from residential uses. Commercial areas are designated with regard to convenience of shopping as well as the safety and aesthetics of the environment. It is the intent of this chapter that all development follow standards for environmental protection while preserving a reasonable use for the property owner. Throughout the Township, environmental protection will include:
(1) 
Floodplains. Floodplain development shall be discouraged. The greatest restrictions shall be imposed upon use of the floodway portion of the floodplain where the most frequent flooding and the most direct impact of floodwaters occurs.
(2) 
Lakes, ponds and other watercourses. These areas shall be left as permanent open space. Special care should be taken in adjacent development to preserve the environmental quality of the lakes, ponds and watercourses. These areas shall not be subdivided.
(3) 
Stormwater. All developments shall limit stormwater runoff so that water does not leave a newly developed site at a rate greater than the site in its current or natural condition. It is recognized that the preservation of floodplains, lakes, ponds and watercourses will help to control stormwater runoff.
(4) 
Soil erosion and stream sedimentation. All developments shall protect streams, lakes and ponds from sedimentation and shall control erosion in accordance with the Clean Streams Law, P.L. 1987, Chapter 102, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
(5) 
Agricultural preservation. Productive agricultural soils areas in the Township and successful farms, regardless of soil category, should be retained as agricultural open space.
(6) 
Forest. Existing forest land should be preserved. The degree of preservation should increase from the R-2 to the R-1 to the RR to the OSC Districts.
(7) 
Steep slopes. Existing steep slopes over 15% should be very carefully developed so as not to excessively increase water runoff, cause soil erosion, stream sedimentation, stream siltation and mud slides or cause any other significant disruption of the environment. In general, steep slopes of 25% and higher should not be developed because of severe environmental problems.
(8) 
Endangered species requirements. If there exists, in any zoning district, any species of flora or fauna that is designated as an endangered species by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other state or federal agencies, development in those areas shall be in strict accordance with and under approval of the EPA or any agency designated as having jurisdiction in this matter.
B. 
Zoning district intent.
(1) 
Open Space Conservation District (OSC). The OSC District has been designated in areas where one or more environmental constraints exist. It has been established, in part, to protect the rural atmosphere of the Township in this district. Such development would include low-density permanent and seasonal residences as well as open recreational areas that conserve the natural environment. This district is critical for protection of wetlands, steep slopes and poor soils which are dominant in this district. In addition, this district contains parcels designated "clean and green" under Act 319.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 72 P.S. § 5490.1 et seq.
(2) 
Rural Residential District (RR). The RR District consists of lands similar to those found in the OSC District. The district allows for the development of these lands on a low-density basis to ensure and uphold the rural characteristics of the Township. Also, the RR District has similar environmental constraints to development and requires a larger lot size to safeguard the life support systems or water consumption and sanitary sewage disposal.
(3) 
Low-Density Residential District (R-1). The R-1 District is primarily designed to provide low-density development in areas where public sewer and water are not available and to provide diverse housing in the Township. Such uses might include low-density permanent and seasonal residences as well as open recreational areas, membership clubs, camps, wildlife preserves and other types of uses that would be compatible with the surrounding environment.
(4) 
Moderate-Density Residential District (R-2). The R-2 District comprises areas of the Township that are basically rural in character and which are or may be used for permanent and seasonal residence, at a moderate density as well as for other purposes that are in keeping with the rural nature of the area.
(5) 
Neighborhood Business District (B-1). The B-1 District is primarily intended to permit the logical development of land for business uses designed to meet the daily needs of surrounding residents, as well as the area needs of visitors, vacationers, transients or tourists and to assure the suitable development of such businesses in order to protect the surrounding environment.
(6) 
Business District (B-2). The B-2 District is primarily intended to permit the logical development of land for general business uses. It is intended that any nonresidential development within this district provide adequate separation and buffering to protect adjacent residences and lands zoned for residential use from adverse influences relative to noise, light, invasion of privacy and other incompatible influences.
A. 
District boundaries. The location and boundaries of the above described zoning districts are hereby established as shown on the Zoning Map of Paradise Township. The Zoning Map is hereby made a part of this Zoning Ordinance, together with all future notations, references and amendments.
B. 
Official Zoning Map.
(1) 
The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, attested by the Township Secretary, and shall bear the adoption date of this chapter and the seal of the Township under the following words: "This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map of Paradise Township."
(2) 
Regardless of the existence of copies of the Zoning Map, which may be made from time to time, the Official Zoning Map shall be located in the Township office and shall be the final authority on boundaries and districts.
C. 
Zoning Map changes.
(1) 
Changes of any nature to the Official Zoning Map shall be made in conformity with the amendment procedures set forth in this chapter as well as with the Municipalities Planning Code.[2] All changes shall be noted by date with a brief description of the nature of the change.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
(2) 
Unless the prior Zoning Map has been lost or has been totally destroyed, the prior map or any part or parts thereof remaining shall be preserved together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment.
D. 
Zoning boundary interpretation.
(1) 
Boundaries drawn approximately following the center line of streams, drainageways, streets, alleys, railroads or other rights-of-way shall be construed to follow such center line.
(2) 
Boundaries drawn approximately following lot lines shall be construed to follow such lot lines and to be located upon the land through competent land survey of those lot lines.
(3) 
Boundaries drawn approximately following the center line of streams shall be construed to follow such center line and, in the event of change in the center line, shall be construed as moving with the actual center line.
(4) 
Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the map.
(5) 
Where physical features existing on the ground vary with those shown on the Official Zoning Map or in other circumstances not described above, the Zoning Officer shall interpret the district boundaries. Any person aggrieved by such boundary interpretation may appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current Zoning Map is on file in the Township offices.