Williamsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance

Overview

This document is the Williamsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance for the Borough of Williamsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. It was enacted on January 6, 1975, to regulate land use, building structures, and population density within the borough. The ordinance is designed to promote public health, safety, morals, and general welfare while preventing overcrowding and blight.

Key Administrative Bodies

The ordinance establishes specific roles for the administration of these regulations:

• Zoning Officer: An appointed position responsible for administering the ordinance.
• Zoning Hearing Board: A board created to handle specific hearings and appeals, with powers defined by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

District Regulations

Article IV of the ordinance designates specific districts and their regulations:

• R-S Residential - Suburban District: Regulates residential uses, basic spatial regulations, and district purposes.
• R-U Residential - Urban District: Similar to the suburban district but tailored for urban residential areas.
• T-C Town Center District: Regulates the central town area.
• I-P Industrial Park District: Governs industrial uses and regulations.
• C Conservation District: Protects conservation areas with specific spatial and use regulations.

General Regulations

Article V outlines general rules applicable across the borough, including:

• Building Standards: Rules for accessory buildings, floor area, habitable space, height regulations, and drainage.
• Property Use: Regulations for home occupations, signs, special uses, vehicle service stations, and mobilehome parks.
• Physical Features: Standards for yards, walls, fences, lights, and vision obstructions.
• Prohibitions: Rules for uses not specifically provided for in the ordinance.

Administration and Enforcement

Article VI details how the ordinance is enforced:

• Permits: Procedures for applications and certificates.
• Exceptions: Processes for special exceptions and variances.
• Fees: Establishment of fees for services.
• Violations and Appeals: Mechanisms for handling violations and appealing decisions.

Amendments and Validity

Article VII covers the legal standing of the ordinance:

• Amendments: The Borough Council may amend the ordinance following state planning code requirements.
• Repealer: Any previous ordinances inconsistent with this one are repealed.
• Validity: If any part of the ordinance is found invalid, the rest remains in effect.
• Effective Date: The ordinance became effective immediately after enactment on January 6, 1975.

Signatories

The document was signed and approved by:

• Marion A. Morelli: President, Borough Council
• Doris Ann Wheland: Borough Secretary
• W. Jean Kifer: Mayor