ZONING

The Borough of Wyomissing Zoning Application/Appeal form can be downloaded here. You will need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.

Basic information on Borough of Wyomissing Zoning procedures:

A. The Borough of Wyomissing Zoning Hearing Board has authority to decide applications for variances and special exceptions, appeals from determinations made by the Zoning Officer and challenges to the validity of the Borough of Wyomissing Zoning Ordinance and/or map.  The Board does not have the power to re-zone districts or to enforce zoning violations; Borough Council has this responsibility.

B. After the application, plans and $1000.00 application fee (made payable to the Borough of Wyomissing) have been accepted by the Borough of Wyomissing Zoning Officer, the Secretary of the Zoning Hearing Board will schedule a hearing within 60 days.  A notice of the hearing will be sent to adjoining landowners, will be advertised in the newspaper and will be posted on the property in question.  Zoning Hearing Board hearings are scheduled at Wyomissing Borough Hall on the third Tuesday of each month usually beginning at 3:00 P.M.

C. At the hearing formal rules of evidence do not apply.  However, the Board will listen only to relevant information about the application.  A stenographer will be present to record the testimony.

D. An applicant requesting a variance or special exception for a residential property or use is not required to have an attorney. ALL APPLICATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL USES OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WILL REQUIRE THE APPLICANT TO HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AT THE HEARING.   Neither the Board nor its attorney (solicitor) is allowed to give legal advice.  The Board cannot be questioned about the legal rules which apply to the application.  In addition, an applicant cannot come to the hearing and expect the Board to tell him or her what information is necessary.  The purpose of the hearing is for the Board to receive information and evidence from the applicant, nor the other way around.  The applicant has the burden of providing evidence to support the application.  If he or she fails to do so, the Board may deny the requested relief.

E. If the applicant applies for a variance, Section 902.D (see tab below) of the Borough of Wyomissing Zoning Ordinance should be consulted for the type of information which should be provided to the Board.  If the applicant applies for a special exception, Section 902.E (see tab below) of the Borough of Wyomissing Zoning Ordinance should be checked for the type of information which should be provided to the Board.  In both cases, detailed site plan requirements of the property as outlined on the attached application must be submitted with the application.

F. At the end of the hearing the Board will announce a decision either granting or denying the application.  A written decision will be sent to the applicant within 45 days of the last hearing.  An appeal from this decision may be filed with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County.

The following sections of the Wyomissing Zoning Ordinance are provided for reference only:

Section 902.D.  Variances
To authorize, upon appeal in specific cases, such variance(s) from the terms of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance as will not be contrary to public interest, where a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship.  In granting any variance the Board may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.  The Board may, by rule, prescribe the form of application and may require preliminary application to the Zoning Officer.  The Board may grant a variance provided the following findings are made where relevant in a given case:

(1) That there are unique physical circumstances or conditions, including irregularity, narrowness, or shallowness of lot size or shape, or exceptional topographical or other physical conditions peculiar to the particular property, and that the unnecessary hardship is due to such condition, and not circumstances or conditions generally created by the provisions of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance in the neighborhood or district in which the property is located.

(2) That because of such physical circumstances or conditions, there is no possibility that the property can be developed in strict conformity with the provisions of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance and that the authorization of a variance is therefore necessary to enable the reasonable use of the property.

(3) That such unnecessary hardship has not been created by the applicant.

(4) That the variance, if authorized, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, nor substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property, nor be detrimental to the public welfare.

(5) That the variance as granted by the Board is the minimum variance that will afford relief and will represent the least modification possible of the regulation in issue.

(6) Such other considerations as may be set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code from time to time.

Section 902.E.  Special Exceptions
To issue, upon application, only such special exceptions which the Board by the provisions of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance is specifically authorized to issue.  The granting of a special exception when specifically authorized by the terms of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance shall be subject to the following standards and criteria.  The applicant for a special exception shall demonstrate, as a condition to approval of his or her application, compliance with these criteria and those criteria specified elsewhere in this Ordinance for the use in question.

(1) Such use shall be one which is specifically authorized as a Special Exception Use in the zoning district wherein the applicant seeks a special exception.

(2) Such special exception shall only be granted subject to any applicable condition and safeguards as required by this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance.

(3) Such use shall not adversely affect the character of the general neighborhood, nor the conservation of property values, nor the health and safety of residents or workers on adjacent properties and in the general neighborhood, nor the reasonable use of neighboring properties.  The use of adjacent properties shall be adequately safeguarded.

(4) Such use shall be of such size and so located and laid out in relation to its access streets that vehicular and pedestrian traffic to and from such use will not create undue congestion or hazards prejudicial to the general neighborhood.

(5) Services and utilities such as public water, sanitary sewers, and storm water drainage shall be made available to adequately service the proposed use by the applicant.

(6) Control development of highway frontage so as to limit the number of points for ingress and egress, their location with due regard to safety factors, and encourage, where practicable, frontage of buildings and structures upon parallel marginal roads or on roads perpendicular to the highway.

(7) Consider the desirability of the proposed location of an industrial or commercial use with respect to probable effects upon street or highway traffic, and assure adequate access arrangements to protect against undue traffic congestion and hazard.

(8) Consider such other considerations as may be set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code from time to time.

In granting a special exception, the Board may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards, in addition to those expressed in this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance, as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter of the Zoning Ordinance and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, which conditions may include but are not limited to harmonious design of buildings, planting and maintenance of shrubbery or trees as a sight and/or sound barrier, and the minimizing of potentially noxious, offensive or hazardous elements.

To exercise any other power specifically granted to the Board under the terms of this chapter of the Borough of Wyomissing Zoning Ordinance or Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.

Section 904.  Expiration of Special Exceptions and Variances
Unless otherwise specified by the Board, a special exception or variance shall expire if the applicant fails to implement the proposed use or commence construction within twelve (12) months from the date of authorization of the special exception or variance, unless an extension is granted by the Zoning Officer.

Download permit application PDF here

PDF Chapter 27 – Zoning – May, 2018

Zoning Map-Amended by Ord 1381-2017 Jan 10 2017