ZONING HEARING BOARD

Ronald Donati Chairperson

Richard Motichka

Deborah Loessy

    Zoning is a method a community may use to regulate the use of land and structures. It is initiated by the adoption of a zoning ordinance designed to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to guide growth.

   When zoning was first utilized, its primary purpose was to prevent a property owner from  using his or her property in ways which were a  nuisance or actually  harmful to neighboring property owners.

However, over the years the scope of zoning has expanded. Municipal governments and the courts no longer look upon zoning only as a "negative" tool to keep certain land uses out of a neighborhood, they also recognize its value as a "positive" tool for encouraging certain development  and for creating  an attractive community.   In addition,  zoning now  frequently attempts to control development in areas subject to flooding,  to preserve  natural features    (i.e. wetlands, forests, aquifers) and historic features and to save farmland. [ Source: Pennsylvania State. Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Planning Series #4 Zoning. Harrisburg: State of Pennsylvania, 1999.]

Paul Kozik	Dave Broadhead
Zoning & Sewerage Enforcement Officer	Building Inspector
	Building Inspection Underwriter of Pa Inc.

The Zoning Ordinance is composed of two parts:

• TEXT.....The text of the ordinance contains the community development objectives and the necessary technical  provisions  to regulate  the use of  land and structures and to establish bulk, height, area, setback and other standards. Copies are available at the municipal building.
  
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• ZONING MAP...... The zoning map delineates the boundaries of the specific districts or zones created in the ordinance.
  
  
  
  Roaring Brook Township - Zoning Map - January, 2010
  
  
  
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