This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Borough of West Conshohocken Zoning Ordinance of 1976."
The effective date of this chapter shall be 10 days after the adoption of this chapter as required by law, and the use of all land and every building or portion of a building or structure erected, altered with respect to height and area, added to or relocated and every use within a building or use accessory thereto, in any district, shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
This chapter is enacted for the purpose, inter alia, to lessen congestion on the roads and streets; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate the adequate provision for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public services and facilities; and to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the Borough of West Conshohocken, County of Montgomery, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any statute, other ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulations impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such statute, other ordinance or regulations shall be controlling.
The Borough of West Conshohocken, which has an adopted land use plan map prepared in 1974 and adopted on March 11, 1976, to guide the orderly growth and development of the Borough, intends this Zoning Ordinance to implement the following community development objectives:
A. 
Community development. Industrial uses should be confined to those areas of the Borough obviously committed to such land uses; commercial uses controlled; and residential neighborhoods protected and preserved. Nonresidential development must be controlled so that it complements, rather than downgrades, the residential uses. Regional commercial uses should be differentiated from those which primarily serve Borough residents.
B. 
Environment. Borough regulations should work toward maintaining clean air and water and preserving the land from degradation. Floodplains and steep slopes shall be strictly regulated so that development will be consistent with good flood and soil management.
C. 
Housing. Adequate housing opportunities should continue to be available for people of all ages and incomes. New housing should always provide adequate off-street parking. Multifamily housing should also have adequate open areas and recreational facilities.
D. 
Transportation. Improved vehicular circulation will entail separating, where possible, regional from local traffic.
E. 
Community facilities. Continued improvement of the level of community facilities should be fostered. The amount of open land in the Borough for active and passive recreation should be increased.
It is not intended for this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or interfere with any existing ordinance or enactment, or with any rule, regulations or permit adopted or issued thereunder, except insofar as the same may be inconsistent or in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter, provided that where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the use of buildings or land, or upon the height and bulk of buildings, or prescribes larger open spaces than are required by the provision of such ordinance, enactment, rule, regulations or permit, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.
Should any section of this chapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole, or any part thereof.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.