It is the purpose of this article:
(1) To provide for development that is compatible with surrounding land uses and that will complement existing land development with a balance of commercial, industrial and residential uses.(2) To protect and maintain the separate identity of Pennsylvania's communities and to prevent the unnecessary conversion of valuable and limited agricultural land.(3) To encourage cooperation and coordinated planning among adjoining municipalities so that each municipality accommodates its share of the multimunicipal growth burden and does not induce unnecessary or premature development of rural lands.(4) To minimize disruption of the economy and environment of existing communities.(5) To complement the economic and transportation needs of the region and this Commonwealth.(6) To provide for the continuation of historic community patterns.(7) To provide for coordinated highways, public services and development.(8) To ensure that new public water and wastewater treatment systems are constructed in areas that will result in the efficient utilization of existing systems, prior to the development and construction of new systems.(9) To ensure that new or major extension of existing public water and wastewater treatment systems are constructed only in those areas within which anticipated growth and development can adequately be sustained within the financial and environmental resources of the area.(10) To identify those areas where growth and development will occur so that a full range of public infrastructure services, including sewer, water, highways, police and fire protection, public schools, parks, open space and other services, can be adequately planned and provided as needed to accommodate the growth that occurs.(11) To encourage innovations in residential, commercial and industrial development to meet growing population demands by an increased variety in type, design and layout of structures and by the conservation and more efficient use of open space ancillary to such structures.(12) To facilitate the development of affordable and other types of housing in numbers consistent with the need for such housing as shown by existing and projected population and employment data for the region.1968, July 31, P.L. 805, No. 247, art. XI, § 1101. Reenacted and amended 1988, Dec. 21, P.L. 1329, No. 170, § 103, effective in 60 days. Amended 2000, June 22, P.L. 483, No. 67, § 3, effective in 60 days.