Daley opposes legislation on zoning deliberations
A bill introduced by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that would allow zoning hearing boards to deliberate behind closed doors has apparently lost the support of one of its co-sponsors. State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, is one of 17 co-sponsors on the bill introduced by state Rep. Curt Schroder, R-Chester County, that would create another exception to the state’s Sunshine Law. House Bill 262 would allow deliberations by zoning hearing boards to occur in private.
Although he is listed as a co-sponsor, Daley said Friday that he is not in favor of the bill.
Currently, zoning hearing boards deliberate in public prior to ruling on cases. Once a hearing is held, the board has 45 days to make a ruling, but the ruling must be made in an open forum.
Claiming that he was unaware of exactly what he was co-sponsoring, Daley said since reading the bill he has decided not to support it and will not vote for it.
“I’m withdrawing my support for the bill,” Daley said. He said a memo prior to introduction of the bull indicated the bill would be something different.
“Fundamentally it has a chilling effect on open government and I’m not going to be for it,” Daley said.
He said anything the zoning hearing boards discussed should be handled in an open forum and the public has a right to know why decisions are made.
Daley said the bill, introduced in February, has been referred to either the state or local government committee.
Other co-sponsors include Reps. Steven W. Cappelli, R-Williamsport; Angel Cruz, D-Philadelphia County; Craig A. Dally, R-Northampton County; Kate Harper, R-Montgomery County; Tim Hennessey, R-Chester County; Arthur D. Hershey, R-Chester County; Harold James, D-Philadelphia County; Eugene F. McGill, R-Montgomery County; Anthony J. Melio, D-Bucks County; Carole A. Rubley, R-Chesterbrook; Larry O. Sather, R-Huntingdon County; Mario M. Scavello, R-Monroe County; Paul W. Semmel, R-Berks County; Elinor Z. Taylor, R-Chester County; Katharine M. Watson, R-Bucks County and Rosita C. Youngblood D-Philadelphia County.
Tammy Shell, executive director for the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, could not be reached for comment.