The Gettysburg Borough Planning Commission hosted a public meeting Wednesday to help residents understand a major project that will update the current zoning regulations, last updated in 2008. About 50 people attended the event, and after a brief presentation, they were encouraged to visit several information centers featuring the current and proposed zoning maps, where commissioner volunteers answered questions they might have. Zoning information stations allowed participants to “vote” yes or no to what types of businesses and services should be offered in which sections.
The project aims to create a new, more user-friendly zoning map, update the map to reflect changes that have occurred, and accommodate and regulate modern uses. The plan proposes updating definitions and other provisions to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
The zoning update/rewrite project is in Phase 1, where zoning sections are drafted one at a time and evaluated by the Planning Commission at its monthly meetings. Phase 2 will review specific issues brought to light through public comment. Once complete, the borough council will review a draft, and Phase 3 will include revisions made by the council before the plan is forwarded to the county for their review. Public hearings will then take place to discuss revisions. Once complete, the new zoning plan will be adopted by the borough council at a public meeting.
Planning Commission chair Carly Marshall said many of the questions she heard concerned what would happen if a resident’s existing home fell under a new zoning regulation because of the changes. She said the zoning laws present when the property was purchased would remain.
Gettysburg has ten zoning districts and four overlay districts: Historic, Elm Street, Streetscape, and Floodplain. An overlay district overlaps several zones and regulates all properties within its area, regardless of intended use. Under the updated zoning plan, the Elm Street and Streetscape overlays could be removed.
The Borough has hired Troy Truax, senior vice president with Michael Baker International, as a consultant for the project. Matthew Moon, Gettysburg Borough vice president, explained, “This is a significant project, and we don’t have excess staff time to accomplish it.”
During his opening presentation, Truax spoke about the enormity of the plan. “If you have zoning, you have to have a comprehensive plan. What is your future land use vision for your community?” He added that he hoped the evening’s presentation would help everyone better understand the process.
Looking for a fully finished plan by spring 2024, the planning commission will discuss particular segments of the projects at its monthly meetings, usually on the third Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Gettysburg Municipal Building on High Street.
Judith Cameron Seniura is a freelance reporter. She began her journalism career in the early ‘70s and has written for newspapers, magazines, and other media in Ontario, Canada, Alaska, Michigan, Nebraska, San Antonio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
So glad there are opportunities to talk about zoning changes as many properties have had or do have multiple uses.
This is a problem for our townships since there are numerous supervisors with varied opinions and interests. I commend Latimore township for their decision to discuss solar issues because this will impact how our county moves forward with businesses, agriculture and how our communities are observed by current and future residents.