Zoning Hearing Board

The primary purpose of the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals from the zoning officer's determinations and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations. The right to appeal for relief is an important step in insuring that due process is followed.

Since the board has no legislative or enforcement powers, it cannot make nor modify zoning policy. It is a quasi-judicial body; that is, its powers are to some extent judicial in nature. The board schedules hearings on applications and appeals that come before it, takes evidence, and issues written decisions with findings of fact and conclusions of law. A ZHB must limit its scope of activities to those permitted by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) and by the local zoning ordinance.

The zoning hearing board has the power to assure the fair and equitable application of the zoning ordinance. It is an extremely responsible position, one that plays an important role in the growth and development of our community.

The three members of the ZHB give freely of their time for which the Township is grateful.