1. The provisions of this Chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Zoning Officer who shall be appointed by the Township Council and may not hold any elective office in the Township.
2. It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer and he shall have the power to:
A. Receive and examine all applications for Zoning Permits and Occupancy Permits. (Ord. 103)
B. Refer Zoning Permit Applications.
(1) Refer zoning permit applications for special exceptions to the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board for action thereon in accordance with the provisions of Parts 11 and 14.
(2) Refer zoning permit applications for conditional use approvals to the Planning Commissions and Township Council for action thereon in accordance with Parts 11 and 14.
C. Issue zoning and occupancy permits only where there is compliance with the provisions of this Chapter, with other Township ordinances and with the laws of the Commonwealth required by Act 537, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972, § 404, 33 S.C. 1334. No permit shall be issued until this determination has been made. Permits requiring approval by the Township shall be issued only after final approval from the Township Council.
D. Following refusal of a zoning or occupancy permit, to receive application for interpretation appeals and variances and forward these applications to the Zoning Hearing Board for action thereon.
E. Conduct inspections and surveys to determine compliance or non-compliance with the terms of this Chapter.
F. Institute civil enforcement proceedings as a means of enforcement of a violation of any provision of this Chapter.
G. With the approval of the Township Council, or when directed by them, institute in the name of the Township any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent the unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use; to restrain, correct, or abate such violation, so as to prevent the occupancy of or use of any building, structure or land, or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about such premises.
H. Revoke any order or Zoning Permit or Occupancy Permit issued under a mistake of fact or contrary to the law or the provisions of this Chapter.
I. Record and file all applications for Zoning or Occupancy Permits with accompanying plans and documents and keep an official record of all business and activities, including complaints of a violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter and of the subsequent action taken on each such complaint. All such records shall be open to public inspection. File copies of all applications received, permits issued, reports and inspections made in connection with any structure, building or Land.
J. Maintain a map or maps showing the current zoning Classification of all land in the Township.
K. The Zoning Officer shall identify, register and map all nonconforming uses and nonconforming structures created as a result of the adoption of this Chapter or created as a result of amendments thereof.
L. Prior to any proposed alteration or relocation of any stream or any watercourse, etc., within the municipality a permit shall be obtained from the Department of Environmental Resources, Dams and Encroachment Division, as specified in the Water Obstruction Act of 1913 as amended. Further, notification of the proposal shall be given to all affected adjacent municipalities. Copies of such notifications shall be forwarded to both the Federal Insurance Administration and Department of Community Affairs. In all cases, the flood carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion shall be maintained.
M. Issue Occupancy Permits upon a determination that the land or building to be occupied or used is in its then present condition in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter and any Zoning Permit or decision of the Zoning Hearing Board or Hanover Township Council issued pursuant thereto.
N. lb continue any pending hearing, before the Board, provided the hearing can be continued at the convenience of the Township. Provided, further, that the applicant pays the Township's costs of continuing any hearing; and, provided further, that the applicant expressly waives the benefit of any time limitations of the Municipalities Planning Code applicable to the scheduling of a hearing. Nothing in this Section shall prevent the Zoning Officer from using his discretion to refer any request for continuance to the Zoning Hearing Board. (Ord. 367)
(Ord. 45, Z-§ 1300, 5/12/76; as amended by Ord. 56, § 14, 6/14/78; by Ord. 103, 4/8/81; by Ord. 232, 11/8/1989, § 4; by Ord. 269, 10/16/1991, § 2; and by Ord. 367, 2/18/1998, § 5)