Zoning Hearing Board

The Township’s Zoning Hearing Board hears variance and special exception requests and makes decisions on same.  Also hears challenges to validity of Zoning Ordinances.

The Zoning Hearing Board meets the third Monday of the month from March through December at 7:30 pm in the upstairs meeting room at the Township Building, located at 214 Sykes Lane. In January, February and June, it meets on the second Monday of the month.  All meetings are open to the public.  Agendas are available in advance of the meetings.  Meeting minutes generally are not available.

The Zoning Hearing Board has five members who are appointed by the Board of Commissioners and serve five-year terms without compensation.  The Board of Commissioners also may appoint alternative members who serve three-year terms. The Zoning Hearing Board has its own solicitor.

Information To Zoning Hearing Board Applicants

 Zoning FAQs

Question: What Is Zoning?

Answer:  Zoning is the regulation of land use.  It covers topics such as what type of use can be conducted on a piece of land (i.e. residential, office, rental, industrial, etc.).  It also regulates how big a piece of land needs to be, how close to a property line a building can be placed, how big a building can be erected, etc.

Question: Why Have Zoning?

Answer:  Zoning is created to ensure the intelligent development of land, and that development on one lot will not adversely affect adjacent lots, or the Township as a whole.  The end result of zoning determines the impact on housing density, traffic, stormwater run-off, school capacity, police and fire response requirements, removal of trees, etc.  In short, zoning affects the overall quality of life in our Township.                                                              

Question: What Is The Current Township Zoning?    

Answer:  Nether Providence Township is 4.64 square miles (2,970 acres), and has a population of approximately 14,000 people.  About 90% of the Township is zoned residential, which is why townships such as ours are often referred to as “bedroom communities”, meaning we have little commercial or industrial activity.

Question:   How Are The Residential Areas Currently Zoned?       

Answer: 

Meeting Agendas and Minutes