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1. General Purposes. This Chapter is enacted for the following purposes: to promote the health, safety, morale and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Township of Lamar by lessening congestion in the roads and streets; securing safety from fire, panic and other dangers; providing adequate light and air; preventing the overcrowding of land; avoiding undue concentration of population; facilitating the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks and other public requirements; conserving the value of buildings; protecting and preserving natural resources and agricultural land and activities and encouraging the most appropriate use of land.
2. Community Development Objectives. This Chapter provides a legal basis and framework for future Township development and redevelopment. Its provisions are guided by the policies and proposals contained within the Township Comprehensive Plan.
(Ord. 3/9/1993B, § 102)
1. Conflict with Other Laws. In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of health, safety, morale and the general welfare of the Township and its citizens. It is not intended by this Chapter to interfere with or abrogate or annul any rules or regulations previously adopted or permits previously issued by the Township which are not in conflict with any provisions of this Chapter, nor is it intended by this Chapter, to impose a greater restriction upon the use of the buildings or premises or upon the height of the building, or require a larger open space than is imposed or required by such ordinance, rules, regulations or permits or by easements, covenants, building restrictions or agreements, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.
2. Validity. Should any Section, subsection or provision of this Chapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this Chapter as a whole or any other part thereof. Likewise, if a court of competent jurisdiction finds the application of any provision or provisions of this Chapter to any lot, building or other structure or tract of land to be invalid or ineffective in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to the person, property or situation immediately involved and shall not affect any other persons, property or situation.
(Ord. 3/9/1993B, § 103)
PART 2
ZONING DISTRICTS
ZONING DISTRICTS
For the purpose of implementing the objectives of this Chapter, the Township of Lamar is hereby divided into the following zoning districts.
R-1 Rural Residential District
R-2 Moderate Density Residential District
VC Village Center District
RRC Rural Roadside Commercial District
GC General Commercial District
LI Eight Industrial District
AG Agricultural District
O/R Open Space District
HI Highway Interchange District
(Ord. 3/9/1993B, § 200)
1. R-1 -Rural Residential District. This district is intended to encourage low density development in new single-family residential neighborhoods and to facilitate the orderly growth of existing developments. To maintain the community's rural character, minimum lot sizes, building setbacks and buffer requirements have been established. In order to create an appropriate residential atmosphere, compatible public and semipublic uses such as churches and recreational facilities are permitted in this district while industrial and commercial activities, with the exception of home occupations, are discouraged.
2. R-2 - Moderate Density Residential District. This district applies to areas within the Township that are or will be connected to public water and sewer and where higher density residential development already exists or could be located in the future without conflicting with other land uses. Densities may vary throughout this district, but a principal concern is to reserve adequate open space.
3. VC - Village Center District. The purpose of this district is to establish areas that can support basic neighborhood type residential and commercial uses, including small retail and service and repair shops, restaurants, office and service related establishments. Such uses are intended to encourage new small business activity that is compatible with the rural residential character of the Township's small village centers.
4. RRC - Rural Roadside Commercial District. This district is intended to provide low intensity commercial uses that are compatible with adjoining farmland, provided that buffer yard requirements are met. This use would be encouraged along Route 64 in the western end of the Township in order to provide commercial development opportunities while providing for adequate setbacks and other standards that will not impact negatively on the productive farmland.
5. GC - General Commercial District. The intent of this district is to provide space for commercial operations serving both Township residents and a broader regional market and to protect the character of residential and agricultural areas from large scale commercial development. Standards within this district are intended to minimize the interference of commercial operations with other uses in the vicinity, to minimize traffic hazards caused by poor access or inadequate carrying capacity of public roads, and to provide for off-street parking and loading.
6. LI - Light Industrial District. This district is intended to encourage construction and continued use of areas in the Township for general or light industrial and manufacturing purposes, including industrial parks. Regulations developed for this district prohibit uses or activities which would substantially interfere with the utilization of these areas for industrial purposes. However, reasonable standards are applied to minimize unenclosed storage areas and to ensure adequate buffer strips, or screening, between this district and all other adjoining districts.
7. AG - Agricultural District. The purpose of this district is to preserve and protect the practice of farming, emphasize the economic importance of farming to the community and the nation and ensure the preservation of prime soils for future generations. Limited residential and agricultural-related activities are permitted in this district; uses which would substantially interfere with agricultural enterprises are discouraged.
8. O/R. - Open Space and Recreation District. This district is intended to encourage the conservation of land in those areas where the terrain, environmentally sensitive lands and other important natural features would not be feasible for development or in the public interest. These areas are limited principally to seasonal uses, recreational, forestry related activities and similar types of activities that will not significantly change the character of this environment.
9. HI - Highway Interchange District. The purpose of this district is to provide an area for commercial development keyed to the major interstate road network, represented by intersecting I-80 and Route 220. Reasonable limitations are needed, however, in terms of height, scale density and open space to assure compatibility with surrounding farm land and woodland areas. The intent would also be to ensure an attractive entrance to the Township at this highway interchange to encourage travel related businesses to locate nearby.
(Ord. 3/9/1993B, § 201)
1. The boundaries of each of the districts are hereby established as shown on the official zoning map, which is made a part of this Chapter together with all future notations, references and amendments. (A copy of the Zoning Map can be found on the last page of this Chapter.)
2. The official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signature of the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, be properly attested to by the Township Secretary, and shall bear the Township seal.
3. No change of any nature shall be made to the official Zoning Map, except in conformance with the procedures set forth in Part 14. The final authority as to the current status of zoning districts in the Township shall be the official Zoning Map. Any changes made to the zoning districts shall be made on the official Zoning Map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors and the Township Secretary.
(Ord. 3/9/1993B, § 202)
1. Designation of District Boundaries. The district boundary lines, except for the floodplain districts, are intended generally to follow the centerlines of streets, the centerlines of railroad rights-of-way, existing lot lines, or municipal boundary lines, all as shown on the official Zoning Map by a specific dimension expressing its distance in feet from a road centerline or other boundary line as indicated.
2. Determination of Location of Boundaries. In case of uncertainty as to the true location of a district boundary line in a particular instance, the Zoning Officer shall request the Zoning Hearing Board to render its determination with respect thereto. Provided, however, no boundary shall be changed by the Zoning Hearing Board.
3. Extension of District Boundaries. Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of passage of this Chapter, the Zoning Hearing Board may permit, as a special exception, the extension of the regulations for either portion of the lot, not to exceed 50 feet beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot.
(Ord. 3/9/1993B, § 203)
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