This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Mahoning Township Zoning Ordinance of 2004" and is intended to serve as a comprehensive amendment of the Mahoning Township Zoning Ordinance enacted by the Township Board of Supervisors on November 23, 1981, and subsequently amended.
A. 
Township authority. Section 601 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, as amended) provides that the Supervisors of Mahoning Township may implement comprehensive plans or accomplish any of the purposes of the Planning Code by enacting a zoning ordinance.
B. 
Applicability. This chapter requires that, within the Township of Mahoning, in the County of Montour and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, no land, body of water or structure shall hereafter be used or occupied and no structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations and procedures herein specified for the district in which such land, body of water or structure is located.
The zoning regulations and districts herein set forth were developed in accordance with an overall program for the Township, with consideration being given to the character of the municipality and its various parts, and the suitability of the various parts for particular uses and structures. As such, the regulations were designed to:
A. 
Promote, protect and facilitate:
(1) 
The public health, safety, morals, general welfare;
(2) 
Coordinated and practical community development and proper density of population;
(3) 
Emergency management preparedness and operations, airports and national defense facilities;
(4) 
The provision of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, recreational facilities, public grounds, the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial use, and other public requirements; as well as
(5) 
Preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.
B. 
Prevent the overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.
C. 
Preserve prime agriculture and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification, and present use.
D. 
Provide for the use of land within the municipality for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing.
E. 
Accommodate reasonable overall community growth and provide opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.
F. 
Facilitate appropriate development of the Township, protect the tax base, and encourage economy in public expenditures.
This chapter provides a legal basis and framework for future development in Mahoning Township. Its provisions are guided by the following list of goal statements which represent the Township Board of Supervisors' legislative finding with respect to land use; density of population; the need for housing, commerce and industry; the location and function of streets and other community facilities and utilities; the need for preserving agricultural land and protecting natural resources, and other factors which the Supervisors believe relevant in guiding the future development of the municipality.
A. 
Achieve the highest and best use of land.
B. 
Protect transportation corridors.
C. 
Establish realistic population density controls.
D. 
Effectuate a logical road and street pattern to serve business, industry and residential land uses, while maintaining the separation necessary to protect neighborhood environments.
E. 
Guide development with a view to providing adequate and economical community facilities and utilities.
F. 
Achieve adequate public protection.
G. 
Support the economical installation of sanitary sewers and treatment facilities.
H. 
Endorse the preservation of natural amenities and resources.
I. 
Support the reduction of pollutants and polluting factors from water and air.
J. 
Provide for a wide variety of housing types and choices for Township residents of all ages and income levels.
This chapter is not intended to create nor assume liability on the part of Mahoning Township or any officer or employee thereof for any fire, flood or other damage that may result from reliance on this chapter or from any administrative decisions lawfully made thereunder. These regulations shall not guarantee a specific level of protection for any construction. The applicant shall in all cases rely on accepted engineering methods or building practices when designing or constructing structures approved pursuant to these regulations. Furthermore, issuance of a zoning permit shall not constitute a representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind by the Township as to the accuracy of the information provided by any applicant as part of a permit application.
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements to meet the purposes stated herein. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restriction than those of any other statute, ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail, except where noted otherwise. Where however, the provisions of any other statute, ordinance or regulation impose greater restriction than those of this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulation shall prevail.