Essay on Zoning Ordinances: Construction Rules and Regulations of Moon Township

Paper Type:  Essay
Pages:  5
Wordcount:  1227 Words
Date:  2021-06-18

Awareness of zoning ordinances and regulations allows prospective developers to understand the various expectations that must be delivered during the process of putting up structures in Moon Township. Adherence to these regulations is meant to mitigate liabilities arising from violations of the Construction Code in the state of Pennsylvania. In context, education developments belong to the non-residential zoning district, a category among the many classifications that are used to determine the location, size and the purpose of constructions in the town. For schools, construction is done in the educational zoning district. As such, school ordinances regulate associated developments such as a swimming pool or school building extensions.

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A major feature of the construction rules and regulations of Moon Township is that they seek to protect sensitive resource areas within the municipality as well as safeguard the rights of the residents. These sensitive resource areas include wetlands, watercourses, water bodies, colluvial soils, steep slopes and red beds. The mentioned areas are so crucial for the sustenance of human life that their well-being informs every principle relating to building and construction in the state of Pennsylvania. However, the ordinances have suggested a parameter known as the development ratio which represents the portion of the sensitive resource areas that can be given for development purposes without endangering the physical environment and the well-being of the residents. Rights safeguards include protection against noise, air and water pollution, and odors, among others.

Construction of a new building or a swimming pool to a school requires approvals from the Moon Township municipality. Applications shall contain a pledge to comply with the construction practices as set out in the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. After the application, compliance shall be determined by Zoning Officer since school constructions do not need special exemptions as it falls under the categories into which land use in the township has been divided. Construction may proceed from this stage.

Swimming Pool

The zoning ordinances describe a swimming pool as an area of a combination of water and land designed and intended for enjoyment by the occupants of a given principal structure. Under the Federal construction code, a swimming pool is categorized as an accessory to a primary structure or construction. For this reason, rules and regulations in regards to the construction of such facility are based on the standards and regulations relating to the principal building within which the swimming pool is to be located. In other words, a swimming pool shall not be constructed as a separate entity from the school buildings because development regulations consider it as an attachment to the primary structure. As such, its construction must be designed to meet all minimum dimensional specifications of the principal structure as outlined in the zoning ordinances. Additionally, the construction of the swimming pool shall not begin if the there is a non-existent building or the construction of the principal structure has not commenced. Again, this is based on the provision that a swimming pool cannot be put up as a stand-alone project. Construction rules and regulations also set clear guidelines on the use of accessory structures. In context, the swimming pool shall be used singularly for the enjoyment of the regular occupants of the primary building. The enjoyment must take place as an extension of the utilization of the main property. This means that enjoyment of the swimming must be related to schooling activities. In this regard, individuals such as students, guests, teachers, employees, any other persons otherwise connected to the school shall be considered as occupants and, therefore, allowed to enjoy the swimming pool. For this reason, any liability arising out of the use of the pool shall be applicable only to its occupants.

The location of the swimming is another critical consideration that the school authorities need to be informed. The zoning ordinances require that a swimming pool shall be located exclusively in the rear part of the main structure. In situations where the rear end of the building disadvantages the construction process, recourse is allowed whereby the facility can be put up in the side area of the principal building. This area must be convenient and easily accessible to the pool.

Moon Township recognizes the significant role construction regulations play in guaranteeing safety to occupants of various structures within the municipality. To achieve this, the law requires that any walls or paved areas must comply with the safety specifications set out by the Construction Code. For instance, the pool area must be fenced, walled or protected in such a manner that safeguards the safety of the users and the occupants of the primary buildings of the school. These regulations are meant to ensure that there is safe and controlled use of the facility.

New School Building

Construction of a school extension is guided by the laws that govern the process of putting up new school facilities. Since the new structure represents an expansion of the primary building, the new addition must complement the existing buildings as well as fit into the plan of future developments. This means that the new building must give room for future development as outlined in the long-term expansion objectives of the school. These requirements call for a meticulous assessment of the location where the expansion is to be carried out. Moreover, the location of the new building shall be determined in a way that minimizes its impact on adjacent buildings.

Although regulations allow construction projects to emit vibrations and noise beyond the pollution standards, the same law is puts caveats on compliance with air pollution standards. For instance, it specifies that the amount of fly ash, dirt, and dust issuing from the construction site shall not reach the levels that are harmful to human health, vegetation, animals, and other property. Besides, operations at the site of the new building must be regulated to ensure that nuisances such as glare, noise, and visual blight do not arise.

New buildings must also comply with all the safety standards as outlined in the ordinances. Safety measures include handling of materials on site to the regulation of the use of the building once the construction is complete. Further, the school management shall be responsible for the safety of guests, students, employees, visitors, and faculty. This responsibility entails responding to inquiries from the mentioned groups in regards to the safety of the building.

The construction process must further include the best management practices (BMPs) for sedimentation and erosion. Applicants who seek approvals for school expansions must submit a report detailing the BMPs that will be employed in the construction and also during the operation of the new building. This is meant to reduce the amount of pollution from the area of activity. Other legal requirements include:

The new building shall be designed in a way that minimizes conflicts between uses and its construction must be done in agreement with the specifications of the Construction Code.

Lighting must be oriented way from nearest buildings and illumination shall not exceed 0.1 foot-candle.

Overly, constructions ordinances describe several ways of ensuring that structures are not only safe for human occupation but also safeguard the environment. Also, human and animal health feature greatly in the application of these ordinances. The regulations further seek to achieve responsible development within Moon Township.

References

Moon Township. (2017). Zoning Code. Retrieved from http://www.moontwp.com/pdf/moon-code-of-ordinace/Chapter%2027%20Zoning.pdf

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Essay on Zoning Ordinances: Construction Rules and Regulations of Moon Township. (2021, Jun 18). Retrieved from https://midtermguru.com/essays/essay-on-zoning-ordinances-construction-rules-and-regulations-of-moon-township

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