Section 10701-A - Purposes and objectives(a) This article grants powers to municipalities for the following purposes: (1) to insure that the provisions of Article VI which are concerned in part with the uniform treatment of dwelling type, bulk, density, intensity and open space within each zoning district shall not be applied to the improvement of land by other than lot by lot development in a manner that would distort the objectives of Article VI;(2) to encourage innovations in residential and nonresidential development and renewal which makes use of a mixed-use form of development so that the growing demand for housing and other development may be met by greater variety in type, design and layout of dwellings and other buildings and structures and by the conservation and more efficient use of open space ancillary to said dwellings and uses;(3) to extend greater opportunities for better housing, recreation and access to goods, services and employment opportunities to all citizens and residents of this Commonwealth;(4) to encourage a more efficient use of land and of public services to reflect changes in the technology of land development so that economies secured may benefit those who need homes and for other uses;(5) to allow for the development of fully integrated, mixed-use pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods;(6) to minimize traffic congestion, infrastructure costs and environmental degradation;(7) to promote the implementation of the objectives of the municipal or multimunicipal comprehensive plan for guiding the location for growth;(8) to provide a procedure in aid of these purposes which can relate the type, design and layout of residential and nonresidential development to the particular site and the particular demand for housing existing at the time of development in a manner consistent with the preservation of the property values within existing residential and nonresidential areas; and(9) to insure that the increased flexibility of regulations over land development authorized herein is carried out under such administrative standards and procedure as shall encourage the disposition of proposals for land development without undue delay.(b) The objectives of a traditional neighborhood development are: (1) to establish a community which is pedestrian-oriented with a number of parks, a centrally located public commons, square, plaza, park or prominent intersection of two or more major streets, commercial enterprises and civic and other public buildings and facilities for social activity, recreation and community functions;(2) to minimize traffic congestion and reduce the need for extensive road construction by reducing the number and length of automobile trips required to access everyday needs;(3) to make public transit a viable alternative to the automobile by organizing appropriate building densities;(4) to provide the elderly and the young with independence of movement by locating most daily activities within walking distance;(5) to foster the ability of citizens to come to know each other and to watch over their mutual security by providing public spaces such as streets, parks and squares and mixed use which maximizes the proximity to neighbors at almost all times of the day;(6) to foster a sense of place and community by providing a setting that encourages the natural intermingling of everyday uses and activities within a recognizable neighborhood;(7) to integrate age and income groups and foster the bonds of an authentic community by providing a range of housing types, shops and workplaces; and(8) to encourage community-oriented initiatives and to support the balanced development of society by providing suitable civic and public buildings and facilities.1968, July 31, P.L. 805, No. 247, art. VII-A, § 701-A, added 2000, June 23, P.L. 495, No. 68, § 21, effective in 60 days.