Zoning Hearing Board

The Zoning Hearing Board is an independent, quasi-judicial body which hears challenges and appeals to the Zoning Code, and considers variances from and exceptions to the requirements established and enforced by the township. Unlike the Board of Commissioners, which represent your concerns and interests, the Zoning Hearing Board makes legal determinations based solely on the law.

The Zoning Hearing Board of Springfield Township hears petitions on the third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building unless posted otherwise in advance. Petitions must be properly filed on the last business day of the month preceding the Zoning meeting in order to be legally posted and advertised.

The monthly agenda is advertised in the Springfield Sun and posted on the Township Website.

Guidelines for Public Participation at Zoning Hearing Board Meetings

All testimony and public comments are made part of the record and will therefore be recorded verbatim during the proceedings.

Party Status: Is reserved for abutting or adjoining property owners or persons that are directly or substantially affected by the application. Party status allows you to call your own witnesses, cross examine experts, cross examine the opposing parties’ witnesses and file an appeal if an adverse decision is reached by the Zoning Hearing Board.

Party Status: Is not required to have the opportunity to speak on the record regarding your opinions or observations as they relate to the application at issue.

Public Comment: Should be limited to specific observations regarding public safety; road congestion; or adverse environmental affects. General observations or expressions of disapproval are not beneficial to advancing a position on the topic. The Zoning Hearing Board and Appellate courts rely on specific instances or facts in making their determination and are therefore precluded from ruling solely on the basis of what the public likes or dislikes.

Public Demeanor: Any person speaking before the Zoning Hearing Board should remember that this is an official legal proceeding of a Township Board and should conduct themselves accordingly.

Procedure for Seeking Relief from requirements of the Zoning Code

If, after applying for a use and occupancy and/or building permit, you are denied due to not meeting the Township zoning ordinances, you may seek relief from the zoning requirements. You will receive a denial letter along with the fee schedule and filing deadline. Follow the instructions you are provided.

When you appear before the Zoning Hearing Board, be prepared with all requested documents and information, including deeds, photographs, plot plans, floor plans, etc. When additional plans are requested, two sets should be submitted. In all cases when your application may have an impact on your neighbors, try to get a written signed document from all adjacent neighbors indicating their support of your request.

Come prepared to present your case, aware that this is a legal body and if you seek relief, you must show the hardship you suffer from the code. For example, if steep slopes make it impossible to build in that area, be prepared with a map showing the slopes and showing that your best solution is the one you are submitting.

If you are denied, you have the legal right to appeal the decision to the Court of Common Pleas.

If you feel that participation by the Board of Commissioners is warranted, be prepared to address the Commissioners on the meeting prior to the scheduled Zoning Hearing Board meeting to share your concerns and wishes about your application. While the Zoning Hearing Board is entirely independent of the Board of Commissioners, there are occasions when the Board has voted to send a solicitor to represent the interests of the Board on behalf of the application.