Article 1
Title, Purpose, and Interpretation

§14-101 Title.

This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Zoning Ordinance of Cornwall Borough.”

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §101)

§14-102 Purpose.

These zoning regulations are enacted for the following purposes:

A.    To promote, protect, and facilitate the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development, proper density of population, civil defense, disaster evacuation, airports and national defense facilities, the provisions of adequate light and air, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, public grounds, and other public requirements.

B.    To preserve prime agriculture and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification, and present use, and to preserve environmentally sensitive lands.

C.    To prevent overcrowding of land, blight, danger, and congestion in travel and transportation. This Chapter is made in accordance with an overall program, the community development objectives as set forth in the Cornwall Borough Comprehensive Plan, and with consideration for the character of the Borough, its various parts, and the suitability of the various parts for particular uses and structures, and with the view to conserving the value thereof and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Borough.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §102)

§14-103 Community Development Objectives.

1.    As empowered and directed by the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §10101 et seq., as amended, this Chapter was developed in accordance with the community development objectives as set forth in the adopted Comprehensive Plan of Cornwall Borough. The general community development goals developed by the Borough Council and the Planning Commission of Cornwall Borough for the Comprehensive Plan are as follows:

A.    To preserve the community character that makes Cornwall Borough a unique, distinctive and identifiable place.

B.    To develop a coordinated land use pattern that provides a variety of uses; recognizes land capacity and respects natural features.

C.    To protect, conserve, and preserve the open spaces, forestlands, drainage ways, floodplains and other natural resources of the Borough.

D. To preserve agricultural areas for agricultural use and maintain its importance in the local and regional economy.

E.    To provide for residential and nonresidential growth in appropriate areas so as to avoid the problems of random development.

F.    To maintain and improve a healthful residential environment with adequate recreational, commercial, and industrial supporting areas.

G.    To provide for the diverse housing needs of all Borough residents.

H.    To provide for the safe, efficient, and convenient movement of people and goods.

I.    To maintain and improve the economic base of the Borough and provide employment opportunities for Borough residents.

J.    To provide needed community facilities, utilities, and services of levels commensurate with a growing population.

K.    To explore opportunities to cooperate with neighboring municipalities in order to promote the economical and efficient provision of all municipal services.

2.    In addition to these general goals, consideration has also been given to the Comprehensive Plan’s specific community development objectives, along with the character of the Borough and its various parts, together with the suitability of these various parts for particular uses and structures.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §103)

§14-104 Interpretation.

1.    In interpreting and applying this Chapter, its provisions shall be held to be minimum requirements for the promotion of health, safety, and general welfare of the Borough. Any use permitted subject to the regulations prescribed by the provisions of this Chapter shall conform with all regulations for the zoning district in which it is located and to all other pertinent regulations of this Chapter. This Chapter is not intended to interfere with, abrogate, annul, supersede, cancel any easements, covenants, restrictions, or reservations contained in deeds or other agreements, but if this Chapter imposes more stringent restrictions upon the use of buildings, structures and land, than are contained in the deeds or agreements, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.

2.    Where, due to inherent ambiguity, vagueness, or lack of clarity in the language of this Chapter, a reasonable doubt exists as to the meaning of any restriction upon the use of land, said doubt shall be resolved in favor of the property owner and against any implied extension of a restriction.

(Ord. 2008-1, 6/9/2008, §104)