This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Girard Township Zoning Ordinance." The accompanying district
map shall be known, and may be cited as, the "Girard Township Zoning
Map."[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file in the Township offices.
In accordance with the authority granted to
Girard Township through the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code
(Act 247, as reenacted and amended),[1] this chapter and map are intended to:
A.
Regulate the density of population;
B.
Regulate the location and use of buildings, structures
and land for residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial and
other purposes;
C.
Regulate the height, bulk, number of stories, size
and placement of buildings and structures;
D.
Divide the Township into districts of such size, shape
and area, and to establish such Zoning Map, as may be deemed best
suited to carry out the regulations; and
E.
Establish procedures for the administration, enforcement,
amendment, and relief from hardships under certain circumstances.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
These regulations are deemed necessary in order
to encourage beneficial growth in the Township while keeping the density
of development consistent with existing Township facilities and the
Township's ability to develop new facilities needed. These regulations
are expected to:
A.
Promote the public health, safety, morals and general
welfare;
B.
Conserve and stabilize property values through encouragement
of the most appropriate uses of land in relation to adjacent properties,
with consideration given to the physical characteristics of the property,
and its value, as well;
C.
Secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers
by providing for adequate open spaces for light, air and amenity,
and by promoting emergency preparedness and operations;
D.
Preserve forests, agricultural lands, and recreation
areas in their natural state, or from conflict with urban development;
E.
Protect floodplains and manage the release of stormwater
to minimize downstream flooding;
F.
Prevent the overcrowding or improper development of
land, incompatible uses of land, and/or blighting conditions;
G.
Facilitate the economic provision of safe, adequate
and reliable transportation, water supply, sewage disposal, public
schools, parks and other public requirements;
H.
Avoid congestion in travel and transportation, and
maintain and improve the carrying capacity and safety of major roads;
I.
Reduce the cost of building roads and installing utilities,
and the subsequent cost of Township operations; and
J.
Encourage similar controls upon development in adjacent
municipalities where logical zoning district boundaries extend across
municipal lines.
No structure shall be located, erected, demolished,
constructed, moved, externally altered, converted or enlarged nor
shall any structure or land use be used or designed to be used except
in full compliance with this chapter and after the lawful issuance
of all permits and certifications required by this chapter.
A.
The Township Board of Supervisors shall, from time
to time, establish, by resolution, a schedule of fees, charges and
expenses and a collection procedure for zoning permits, appeals and
other matters pertaining to this chapter. The schedule of fees may
be posted in the Township offices, and may be amended only by official
action by the Township Board of Supervisors.
B.
No permit, certificate, application or variance shall
be issued, nor shall any action be taken on proceedings before the
Zoning Hearing Board unless, or until, such costs, charges, fees or
expenses have been paid in full.
C.
A zoning certificate shall be required for all new
construction, additions or alterations affecting exterior dimensions
of existing structures; and for any structural or interior changes
required for a change of the structure's use, or for any change in
use.
D.
Any application for amendment, variance, special exception,
conditional use, permit or any other application or certificate within
the scope of this chapter, shall be accompanied by a fee, such fee
to be established by resolution of the Township Board of Supervisors,
who may, from time to time, revise such fees in order to bear a reasonable
relationship to the costs involved.
Property owned, leased or operated by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, or the United States, or the Township, or any other
public or governmental body or agency, shall be subject to the requirements
of this chapter as follows:
A.
Where such public or governmental uses are specifically
listed, they shall be governed as indicated.
B.
Where such public or governmental uses are not specifically
listed, they shall be permitted only in districts permitting private
uses of a similar or substantially similar nature.
C.
Governmental entities and agencies shall be exempt
from the provisions of this chapter only to the extent that it has
been determined that the Township has no power to apply its zoning
regulations to the particular use of land.
D.
In the interest of the protection of health and safety,
the Township shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter in
the course of municipal functions related to road maintenance and
provision of infrastructure, including grading, paving, culverts bridges,
directional and safety signage, pump stations, wells, and similar
structures and appurtenances, in particular any applicable setback
and permitting procedures. However, the Township shall maintain all
lot, yard, and coverage standards for any municipal building.
Whenever the provisions of this chapter are
at variance with provisions in other parts of this chapter any other
lawfully adopted rules, regulations or ordinances, the more restricted
requirements shall govern.
