W. Penn approves proposal to update zoning

West Penn Township has agreed to modernize its antiquated zoning ordinance.

On a 2-1 vote, supervisors Monday morning awarded the updating of its zoning ordinance to Urban Research & Development Corporation.

Supervisor Ted Bogosh, who cast the sole vote against the motion, said he would prefer to codify, rather than update the ordinance.

However, Supervisor Tony Prudenti noted that the township’s zoning ordinance is 30 years old, and needs to be brought up to date.

The township previously received two requests for proposals to help update its zoning ordinance, with the other coming from Lehigh Engineering LLC.

Supervisors noted that the expense is accounted for in next year’s budget.

In September, supervisors agreed to advertise for requests for proposals by Oct. 23 to help update the zoning ordinance.

That came after the board in July met with Charlie Schmehl, vice president of Urban Research & Development Corporation, who provided a proposal for a comprehensive update of the zoning ordinance.

At that time, Schmehl, who wrote the township’s original zoning ordinance more than 30 years ago, discussed examples of issues to be addressed, provided a sample scope of services, and gave a potential project schedule.

He said the firm would prepare an updated zoning ordinance and zoning map for the township to help preserve important prime agricultural areas; direct various types of residential development to appropriate locations; protect residential areas of the township from inappropriate neighboring land uses; promote desirable types of business investment in the right locations; help to preserve and enhance major recreational facilities in the township; be consistent with the township subdivision and land development ordinance; protect important natural features, such as seeking to manage water extraction from area streams and groundwater; and help ensure that future development in the township is designed, constructed and reviewed according to the most up-to-date standards.

Schmehl said at that time zoning allows for protecting natural resources, alternatives to emphasize agricultural preservation; protecting residential areas; defining commercial areas; farm-based businesses; home-based businesses; avoiding overregulation of routine changes; and age-restricted housing.

He said the updated zoning ordinance would mainly be designed to protect homes from incompatible nearby uses and nuisances.

The ordinance could also include provisions to allow additional farm-based businesses, which can help farmers generate supplemental income to make it easier to continue to farm, Schmehl said.

He said the cost would range somewhere between $20,000 to $22,000, and would entail monthly meetings for the committee debating the issues; between two to three public meetings; an updated computerized map with lot lines and zoning boundaries, and go through all the procedural steps, mainly working with township officials and the public to craft an updated zoning and map.

Schmehl said the process would take about a year to complete. However, in the event the township would be in need of a high-priority zoning amendment, it could be ready for adoption between 45-60 days.