This chapter may be cited as the "Municipality of Monroeville Zoning Ordinance."
This chapter shall take effect on November 14, 2023.
Words used in a special sense in this chapter are defined in Article II, Terminology.
The Key Community Goals and Growth Management Objectives, which are the basis for the provisions of this chapter, are set forth in the Municipality of Monroeville Comprehensive Plan, adopted January 10, 2006. The Monroeville Comprehensive Plan provides a focused vision for guiding the future, as well as a strategic action plan for the implementation of the Key Community Goals and Growth Management Objectives and defines the intent of this chapter. The objectives are adopted as a statement of legislative findings and may be used in evaluating any proposed additions or deletions to this chapter. In addition to the Comprehensive Plan, the Municipality has also entered into a Joint "Implementable Comprehensive Plan" with Churchill Borough and Wilkins Township; adopted an "Active Transportation Plan" and "Streetscape Plan." These documents (and their subsequent revisions and amendments) should also be referenced when considering development within Monroeville.
A. 
Land use. To address and encourage the revitalization and reuse of the older commercial and residential infill areas while protecting the integrity of the undeveloped land. The creation and implementation of land use plans shall seek to achieve the foregoing objectives and to:
(1) 
Achieve the purpose for which each zoning district is intended, as stated in each article of this chapter;
(2) 
Avoid incompatible land use if possible and protect against the detrimental effect of incompatible land uses through planting, open space and natural breaks in topography;
(3) 
Concentrate development where possible to prevent sprawl, conserve open space and make full use of utilities and services;
(4) 
Regulate uses and development in floodplains which, acting alone or in combination with other uses and development, may cause unacceptable increases in flood heights, velocities and frequencies;
(5) 
Restrict and prohibit certain uses, activities, and development from locating within areas subject to flooding;
(6) 
Require all those uses, activities, and developments that occur in floodplains to be protected and floodproofed against flooding and flood damage;
(7) 
Protect individuals from buying lands and structures, which are unsuited for intended purposes because of flood hazards; and
(8) 
Create mixed use districts that combine commercial, retail and residential uses.
B. 
Community development. To maintain a balance between residential and commercial development, in order to preserve Monroeville's unique sense of community and quality of life. The provision of the necessary infrastructure of utilities and transportation arteries shall be pursued by:
(1) 
The extension of the municipal improvements of water lines, storm and sanitary sewers and roads, and their improvement where economically feasible to guide and promote development; and
(2) 
The encouragement of public utilities to improve and extend services consistent with the objectives set forth herein.
C. 
Housing and neighborhood quality. To preserve and enhance the strong residential base and mix of housing types while promoting increased pedestrian access, park and recreation opportunities throughout the community. The provision of safe, adequate and attractive housing for the entire population of the community shall be pursued by:
(1) 
The provision of a wide range of housing density alternatives and a mix of housing types, correlating residential density and housing type with topography, environmental conditions, and the capacity of and distance from existing and proposed utilities, streets and community facilities;
(2) 
The removal of dilapidated housing, the rehabilitation of deteriorating housing, the maintenance of sound housing and the development of new housing; and
(3) 
The promotion of an attractive residential environment through the implementation of the other objectives set forth herein.
D. 
Community facilities and services. To ensure that municipal administration, services, and facilities are provided and coordinated in an efficient and effective manner to meet the changing needs of the community; to provide recreational and community facilities. The provision of recreational and community facilities shall be pursued by:
(1) 
The creation of outdoor and indoor recreational facilities to accommodate the existing and future population;
(2) 
The promotion of schools and parks in close proximity to each other to decrease duplication of services and to provide the greatest value for public expenditures;
(3) 
The promotion of acquisition or dedication of natural open space for park and recreational purposes;
(4) 
The provision of residential areas with adequate commercial, governmental, recreational and educational facilities; and
(5) 
The preservation of historical landmarks.
E. 
Transportation. To improve the safe flow of traffic and reduce the overall traffic congestion while encouraging multiple modes of public/private transportation in the Municipality. The "Active Transportation Plan" (adopted by Resolution No. 19-54 by the Municipality on September 10, 2019) helps to illustrate various options and the future vision for travelling throughout the Municipality. The provision of the necessary infrastructure of utilities and transportation arteries shall be pursued by:
(1) 
Traffic planning and control which will provide safe, rapid and convenient movement of people and goods within and through the Municipality, with a separation of through and local traffic, provision for pedestrians, and minimal disruption of existing and proposed development patterns and community integrity.
F. 
Economic development. To market the Municipality's location advantage and encourage a desirable business environment while promoting diversified employment opportunities. The "Implementable Comprehensive Plan," which was adopted by Churchill Borough, the Municipality of Monroeville and Wilkins Township, is a guide to show how neighboring communities can work in unison to achieve desirable economic goals (Monroeville Resolution No. 18-16, March 23, 2018).
(1) 
The promotion of balanced economic growth and employment opportunities;
(2) 
Increase property values, employment opportunities, and the economic base of the community;
(3) 
The concentration of commercial and industrial uses in the areas where streets and utilities can provide the necessary services and where conflicts with other uses can be minimized through site design and transitional provisions; and
(4) 
The implementation of the other objectives set forth herein.
G. 
Route 22 business corridor. To develop a new downtown, by phasing in landscaped development blocks; evolving away from the strip center orientation and moving towards storefront retail in a well-designed and maintained environment.
H. 
Environment. To continue to protect environmentally sensitive areas as well as support the preservation and expansion of green spaces within the Municipality. The preservation and improvement of the environment shall be pursued by:
(1) 
Preserving and improving the natural environment;
(2) 
The elimination of visual and physical blight such as overhead utility lines, concentrations of signs of excessive size and proximity, large expanses of unbroken pavement and dilapidated structures;
(3) 
The preservation of natural topography and wooded steep slopes, including the limiting of hillside development beyond a reasonable gradient, and the control of floodplains and watersheds;
(4) 
The reclamation of derelict land; and
(5) 
The municipal acquisition of and the promotion of dedication of natural open space and wooded steep slopes, in order to link the existing and proposed park sites and neighborhoods and to prevent ecological problems resulting from extensive cut and fill necessary to develop wooded steep slopes.
A map entitled "Monroeville Zoning District Map" is hereby adopted as part of this chapter.[1] The Zoning Map shall be kept on file for examination in the offices of the Department of Community Development in the Monroeville Municipal Center.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of said map is included as an attachment to this chapter.
No structure shall be located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, altered, converted, or enlarged, nor shall any structure or land be altered or used, except in full compliance with all the provisions of this chapter and after the lawful issuance of all permits and certificates required by this chapter.
If any provision of this chapter or the application of any provision to particular circumstances is held to be invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of such provision to other circumstances shall not be affected. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this chapter is for any reason held illegal or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not render the remainder of this chapter invalid.
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the protection of the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the residents and those who work and visit the Municipality of Monroeville.
A. 
The degree of flood protection sought by the provisions of this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on acceptable engineering methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by manufactured or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside the floodplain districts or that land uses permitted within such districts will be free from flooding or flood damage. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Municipality of Monroeville or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter, or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
B. 
Police powers. The Municipality, by granting any permit or taking any other action pursuant to this chapter, does not waive, reduce, lessen or impair the lawful police powers vested in the Municipality under applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
All applicable ordinances, statutes, regulations, codes and resolutions shall be subject to amendments.
All ordinances, including Ordinance No. 1443 and all amendments thereto, or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed.