[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A chapter which reflects the goals and objectives of this community and the Borough of Langhorne Comprehensive Plan, most recent edition, by defining, permitting, prohibiting, regulating, restricting, and determining: uses of land, watercourses and other bodies of water; size, height, bulk, location, erection, construction, repair, maintenance, alteration, razing, removal, and use of structures; areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied by uses and structures; areas, dimensions, and distances of areas, courtyards, yards, and other open spaces to be left unoccupied by uses and structures; density of population and intensity of use; protection and preservation of natural resources, agricultural land, and activities; provisions for special exceptions and variances administered by the Zoning Hearing Board; provisions for conditional uses to be allowed or denied by Borough Council; provisions for administration and enforcement; provisions to encourage innovation and to promote flexibility, economy, and ingenuity in development; and such other provisions as may be in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The purpose of this chapter is the promotion of the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the Borough, and:
A. 
To promote, protect and facilitate the following: the public health, safety, morals, and the general welfare of the residents; coordinated and practical community development and proper density of population; emergency management preparedness and operations; the provision of adequate light and air; access to incident solar energy; police protection; vehicle parking and loading space; transportation; sewers; schools; recreational facilities; public grounds; and the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses and other public requirements.
B. 
To prevent the following: overcrowding of land; blight; danger and congestion in travel and transportation; and loss of health, life or property from fire, panic, or other dangers.
C. 
To preserve open space and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification, and present use.
D. 
To provide for the use of land within the Borough for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing.
E. 
To accommodate reasonable overall community growth.
F. 
To preserve and protect the environment and the natural, scenic, and historic values in the community and to preserve and protect the forests, wetlands, aquifers, floodmargins and floodplains.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare.
A. 
Whenever any regulations made under authority of this chapter require a greater width or size of yards, courtyards, or other open spaces; require a lower height of buildings or smaller number of stories; require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied; or impose other higher standards than are required in or under any other statute, law, or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
B. 
Whenever the provisions of any other statute, law, or regulation require a greater width or size of yards, courtyards or other open spaces; require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied; or impose other higher standards than are required by the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of such statute, law, or regulation shall govern.
C. 
This chapter does not repeal, abrogate, annul, or in any way impair or interfere with existing provisions of other laws or ordinances, except those specifically repealed by this chapter, or any private restrictions placed upon property by covenant, deed, or private agreement unless repugnant hereto.
D. 
Provisions in Chapter 390, Subdivision and Land Development, providing for various design standards shall apply in the Borough unless such provisions are in conflict with the provisions of this chapter.
E. 
The provisions of Chapter 230, Historical Districts, Landmarks and Buildings, as amended, shall supersede the provisions of this chapter when conflicts exist. See Chapter 230 and Map 4.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Attachment 12, 1995 Zoning Maps, included as an attachment to this chapter.
It is hereby declared to be the intent of Borough Council that:
A. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provisions of this chapter to be invalid or ineffective in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to those provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be invalid or ineffective, and all other provisions of this chapter shall continue to be separately and fully effective.
B. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the application of any provision or provisions of this chapter to any lot, building, structure, or tract of land to be invalid or ineffective in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to the person, property, or situation immediately involved in the controversy, and the application of any such provision to other persons, properties or situations shall not be affected.
This chapter is intended to implement the policy goals of Langhorne Borough as follows:
A. 
Regional character.
(1) 
Goals. To avoid intense urbanization, to promote the residential and historical character of the region, to preserve the quality of life through environmental preservation, and to guide the arrangement of activities to minimize the effects of incompatible land uses.
(2) 
Policies.
(a) 
Use the Borough of Langhorne Comprehensive Plan, most recent edition, to guide development and changing land uses in order to achieve the desired regional character when not regulated by this chapter.
(b) 
Review and update the Borough of Langhorne Comprehensive Plan, most recent edition, when deemed necessary and feasible.
(c) 
Develop, update, and adopt ordinances which will aid in accomplishing the stated goals of the region, when applicable.
B. 
Planning.
(1) 
Goals. To insure that the Borough has the tools to guide growth and to deal with the surrounding developmental pressures and to encourage the coordination of all units and agencies of government and private interests for a more comprehensive approach to the collective problems of the region.
(2) 
Policies.
(a) 
When applicable, employ the Borough of Langhorne Comprehensive Plan, most recent edition, to guide growth and change.
(b) 
Insure that the Borough has the necessary ordinances to regulate future development.
(c) 
Promote coordination of activities within the region.
C. 
Traffic and transportation.
(1) 
Goals. To develop and regulate traffic systems in order to preserve and promote an historic, residential, and small-town community.
(2) 
Policies.
(a) 
Moderate the flow of traffic to promote a pedestrian downtown area and maintain safe residential communities, especially for young, elderly and impaired residents.
(b) 
Identify areas of present and future development, both within and surrounding the region, and use the information to evaluate intra-regional traffic.
(c) 
Promote a regional by-pass system to relieve roadways designed for local use of intra-regional traffic.
(d) 
Promote mass transportation as an alternative method of movement through the region by upgrading of rail services (station improvements, provision of adequate parking, etc.) and providing feeder bus service to connect rail stations with shopping centers and other high-intensity land uses in the surrounding areas.
(e) 
Promote a shuttle system for residents and tourists to provide transportation to local points of interest.
(f) 
Work with federal, state, county, and other local agencies and governments, as well as soliciting the aid of federal and state legislators, to insure that the necessary transportation improvements are implemented.
D. 
Industrial development.
(1) 
Goals. To identify the types and location of industrial activities that will not detract from the residential character of the region and to upgrade existing areas.
(2) 
Policy. When industrial uses change or new industrial uses are established, insure that development plans include adequate consideration of access, streets and curbing, parking, waste disposal, and other pertinent facilities.
E. 
Commercial development.
(1) 
Goals. To avoid the inefficient scattering of commercial activity throughout the region and along the highways, to identify local and regional centers for these activities, and to improve and enhance existing commercial areas in accordance with historic and environmental preservation principles.
(2) 
Policies.
(a) 
Identify specific areas, within or surrounding the Borough, which serves as regional shopping and business centers.
(b) 
Designate the types and location of shops for neighborhood convenience shopping centers.
(c) 
Consider parking alternatives in the Commercial District.
F. 
Housing.
(1) 
Goals. To maintain a balanced mix of housing types and costs that accommodate the needs of the residents in the region, to protect the architectural integrity of the historic structures, and to improve the conditions in deteriorating areas.
(2) 
Policies.
(a) 
Periodically review regulations which provide for newer types of housing (e.g., cluster developments) which will provide for open space and aesthetic surroundings as well as needed housing.
(b) 
Maintain and enhance dwellings of sound construction and good design.
(c) 
Periodically review and update building codes and advise owners of historic properties (through the Historic Architectural Review Board) on ways of adapting historic properties, and methods and styles that will protect historic integrity.
G. 
Recreation and open space.
(1) 
Goals. To provide a variety of recreational facilities and areas, to identify the remaining natural areas in the region, and to preserve them as ecological zones.
(2) 
Policies.
(a) 
Protect and preserve the existing natural resources of the Borough, including floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes and wooded areas.
(b) 
Protect and enhance the recreational and cultural resources of the Borough such as the Mayor's Playground, the Langhorne Heritage Farm (Julius Lojeski Acres) and the Community House Gardens.
(c) 
Protect and preserve existing open spaces of the Borough and encourage development plans that create new open spaces.
(d) 
Contact institutions in the area to investigate the possibility of establishing a cooperative arrangement for the use of educational and recreational facilities of the institutions.
(e) 
Refer to the Bucks County Natural Resource Plan to consider criteria for the preservation of open space within the region.
(f) 
Investigate State and Federal programs which provide funds for open space protection and recreational development.
H. 
Historical and architectural preservation.
(1) 
Goal to develop a program for the preservation of historically, architecturally, culturally and environmentally significant structures and areas in the Borough.
(2) 
Policies.
(a) 
Maintain areas and structures indicative of the historic character of the Borough.
(b) 
Support the Historic Architectural Review Board in investigations of areas which may be historically, culturally, environmentally, and architecturally significant and research private and public programs which provide funds to restore and preserve these areas and buildings.
(c) 
Continue to encourage the use of historical buildings in a manner which will not detract from the character of the structures or surrounding structures.
(d) 
Periodically review the specific ordinances which will support historical, architectural, cultural and environmental preservation programs.
I. 
Community facilities and public services.
(1) 
Goals. To maintain sufficient levels of community facilities and public services to satisfy the needs of residents and to provide these where they may be lacking.
(2) 
Policy. Work together on a cooperative basis to insure that a wide range of community facilities are available to all regional residents.