Only One Principal Use

Here's a novel idea. Run organizations (i.e. churches) out of town via another method: zoning ordinances. I remember that porn parlors were handled this way. But churches? Oh, because the church use of the school on Sundays was defined as a "principle use." Thus, was in violation of the ordinance.

Anyway, in Richland Township of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, the township has an ordinance that forbids multiple use of a building (school and church) without a variance even when the property is zoned for both purposes! Since when do the zoning people and the ordinance people not communicate?

I can give the city council the benefit of the doubt and go find the original reason why a variance is needed for multiple uses of a school property. Surely community groups need not apply for a variance when they use the school grounds for a community fund-raising fair or a softball or soccer game.

For now, the township has agreed to change its ordinance so that the church can rent the school property on Sundays without a variance.

I was unable to find the offending ordinance on this
website. I'll go back and check it later.