MapLink™ | General Requirements

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Airport area regulations
See § 27-809: Airport Area Regulations. for more information.
Bonuses for resolving existing stormwater problems
Frontage onto improved streets; number of uses or buildings; minimum size of dwellings
Height exceptions; airport approaches
1. Height Exceptions. The maximum structure height specified for each district shall not apply to: farm silos and associated agricultural structures, commercial communications antennas, amateur radio antenna (see § 27-403), water towers, clock or bell towers, steeples or spires of places of worship, electrical transmission lines, elevator shafts, ventilators, skylights, windmills, chimneys or other appurtenances usually required to be and customarily placed above the roof level and not intended for human occupancy.
2. Height and Airport Approaches. At a minimum, any structure proposed to have a height of 75 feet or more above average surrounding ground level shall present sufficient information to the Zoning Officer to prove that the structure would comply with all applicable federal, state and Borough requirements regarding airport approaches and warning lights. See § 27-809 regarding airport approaches.
Interpretation and Similar Uses
1. Minimum Requirements.
The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted as the minimum requirements to promote public health, safety and general welfare. Where a provision of this chapter differs or conflicts with any other provision of this chapter or any other ordinance, regulation or law, the provision that is more restrictive upon uses and structures shall apply. However, any other ordinance provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive.
2. Uses Not Specifically Regulated.
If a use clearly is not permitted by right, by condition or by special exception by this chapter within any Zoning District in the Borough, the use is prohibited in the Borough, except the applicant may apply to the Zoning Hearing Board. After a review by the Planning Commission, the Zoning Hearing Board may permit such use if the applicant proves all of the following to the satisfaction of the Zoning Hearing Board:
A. That the use would clearly be less offensive in impacts and nuisances than uses permitted in that district.
B. That the use would be compatible with permitted uses in that district.
C. That the proposed use would be compatible with the purposes of the district.
D. That the use can meet the general criteria listed in § 27-118(3)-(D).
E. That the use is not "specifically prohibited" in the district.
3. Interpretation of Ordinance Text and Boundaries.
The Zoning Officer shall apply the wording of this chapter and the location of all district boundaries to particular applications. The Zoning Officer may request an advisory opinion from the Borough Solicitor or the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor. See § 27-111 and the Borough fee schedule concerning appeals.
4. Definitions.
An applicant may appeal the Zoning Officer's determination of meaning of a term that is not defined by this chapter to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Landscaping
1. Ground cover. Any part of a commercial, industrial, institutional or garden apartment lot which is not used for structures, loading areas, parking spaces and aisles, sidewalks and designated storage areas shall be provided with an all-season, well-maintained vegetative ground cover, and shall be landscaped with trees and shrubs.
2. See also the following landscaping requirements:
A. Section 22-514, "Landscaping General Requirements," § 22-515, "Detention Basin Plantings," § 22-516, "Parking Facilities, Landscaping," § 22-517, "Multiple Family Development, Landscaping" and § 22-518, "Street Trees," or their successor sections, of the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
(1) Such provisions shall apply to any additional 4,000 or more square feet of impervious coverage or any development of a new principal non-residential building, regardless of whether such use would be a "subdivision" or "land development."
B. The buffer yard requirements in § 27-803(4) of this chapter.
C. The Borough Shade Tree Ordinance [Chapter 25], which primarily regulates the type, placement and maintenance of trees along public streets.
Nonconformities
See § 27-806: Nonconformities. for more information.
Recreation land, open space and fees requirements
See the requirements of the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
Special lot and yard requirements; sight distance; buffer yards
Temporary structure or use
See § 27-807: Temporary Structure or Use. for more information.
Ultimate/future street right-of-way widths
See the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (§ 22-504 or its successor section) [Chapter 22].