Title 1. Zoning
Article 1301
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
1301.02 Purpose and authority.
1301.03 Community development objectives.
1301.05 Interpretation of regulations.
1301.06 Establishment of zoning districts.
1301.07 Establishment of zoning map.
1301.08 Application of district regulations.
1301.09 Prohibited activities.
1301.01 Title.
This title of Part 13 of the Meadville Municipal Code, consisting of Articles 1301 through 1315, shall be the zoning code of the City of Meadville. (Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.02 Purpose and authority.
This code is adopted by virtue of the authority granted to the city under Article VI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, as amended by Act 170 of 1988, and as further amended. The provisions of this zoning code are designed to:
(A) Promote, protect and facilitate one or more of the following: the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development and proper density of population, emergency preparedness and operations, airports, and national defense facilities, the provisions of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewage, schools, recreational facilities, public grounds, the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial use, and other public requirements, as well as preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.
(B) Prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.
(C) Provide for the use of land within the municipality for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing, including single-family and two-family dwellings, and a reasonable range of multiple-family dwellings in various arrangements, mobile homes and mobile home parks.
(D) Accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population and employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses. (Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.03 Community development objectives.
The zoning regulations and districts set forth in this code are made in accordance with a comprehensive plan adopted for the general welfare of the city and are intended for the following purposes:
(A) Growth Goals.
(1) That the city reduce its trend of long-term population decline.
(2) That growth contributes to further diversification of Meadville.
(3) That the industrial and commercial growth be expanded and continued.
(B) Character of Growth.
(1) That growth not be to such an extent that it alters Meadville’s pleasant, small-town character.
(2) While growth is welcomed, it should be sensitive to previous developments and conditions in the city.
(3) That growth be allowed in a variety of economic sectors and residential forms, ensuring prosperity through diversity.
(C) Overall Objectives.
(1) Continue developing the diversity which will keep the city competitive and flexible to changing economic conditions.
(2) Bring all parts of Meadville to a uniform level of soundness and attractive appearance.
(3) Encourage the occupation and maximum utilization of the city’s many existing residential structures.
These are made with reasonable consideration of, among other things, the existing character of the various areas within the city and their respective suitability for particular uses. (Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.04 Compliance.
No structure shall be located, erected, demolished, constructed, moved, altered externally, converted, or enlarged, nor shall any structure or land be used or be designed to be used, except in full compliance with all the provisions of this code, and after the lawful issuance of all permits and certifications required by this code. In cases of mixed occupancy or use, the regulations for each permitted use shall apply to that portion of the building or land so used. (Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.05 Interpretation of regulations.
Whenever the provisions of this code are at variance with any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations or ordinances, the more restrictive requirements shall govern. (Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.06 Establishment of zoning districts.
(A) Establishment of Zoning Districts. For the purpose of this code, the City of Meadville is hereby divided into 12 districts to be designated as follows:
R-1 Single-Family Residential
R-2 Multiple-Family Residential
R-3 Special Purpose Residential
T-1 Transitional
I-1 Institutional Core
I-2 Institutional Medical
I-3 Special Institutional
I-4 Educational Institutional
B-1 Central Business
B-2 General Business
B-3 Flexible Business
EDC Economic Development Corridor
(Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.07 Establishment of zoning map.
(A) Establishment of Zoning Map. The zoning map of the City of Meadville, dated November 22, 1994, amended March 10, 1998, together with all future notations, references, designations or amendments, is hereby made a part of this code. The areas within the city limits as assigned to each district and the location of boundaries of these districts established by this code are shown on the said zoning map. If, and whenever, changes are made in the boundaries or other matter included in this zoning map, such changes in the map shall be made within five days after the amendment has been approved by the city council.
(B) Interpretation of District Boundaries. The boundaries of the use districts are hereby established as shown on the zoning map of the City of Meadville. It is the intent of this code to align district boundary lines, whenever possible, with clearly defined existing lines of demarcation. Where confusion exists with respect to these boundaries, the zoning hearing board shall interpret such in accordance with the following rules:
(1) Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines;
(2) Boundaries indicated as approximately following plotted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines;
(3) Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed as following the center of the rail tracks;
(4) Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams, rivers, canals or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such center lines;
(5) Boundaries indicated as approximately following the city limits shall be construed as following such city limits;
(6) Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections (B)(1) through (5) of this section shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the zoning map of the City of Meadville, November 22, 1994, amended March 10, 1998, shall be determined by the scale of the map; and
(7) Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of passage of this code, 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. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.08 Application of district regulations.
(A) Application of District Regulations. The regulations set by this code within each district shall be the minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land.
(B) Governmental Agencies. Property owned, leased or operated by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the United States, or the City of Meadville, or any other public or governmental body or agency, shall be subject to the requirements of this code as follows:
(1) Where such public or governmental uses are specifically listed, they shall be governed as indicated.
(2) Where such public or governmental uses are not specifically listed, they shall be permitted only in districts permitting private uses of a similar or substantially similar nature.
(3) Governmental entities and agencies shall be exempt from the provisions of this code only to the extent that it has been determined that the city has no power to apply its zoning regulations to the particular use of land. (Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)
1301.09 Prohibited activities.
(A) No building, structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered, except in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.
(B) No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered to:
(1) Exceed the height or bulk;
(2) Accommodate or house a greater number of families;
(3) Occupy a greater percentage of lot area;
(4) Have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or other open spaces; than herein required or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this code.
(C) No part of a yard, or other open space, or off-street parking or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this code shall be included as a part of a yard, open space or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building.
(D) No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this code shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this code shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this code.
(E) In every case where a lot or territory has become a part of the city by annexation or other legal procedure, the same shall automatically be classified as lying and being in the R-1 single-family residential district until such classification shall have been changed by an amendment to the zoning code as provided by law.
(F) Any public or semi-public uses shall be subject to the provisions of the district in which they are located, except as noted by MMC 1301.08. (Ord. 3384 § 2, 1994)