Countywide ordinance closer to reality
Adoption of the new countywide zoning, subdivision and land development ordinance inched closer to becoming reality Wednesday when the Fayette County Commissioners discussed approving the text of the ordinance next month. During a special meeting, Commissioners Vincent A. Vicites and Joseph A. Hardy III separately expressed a desire to expedite the process of approving the ordinance, planning of which has been ongoing for three years.
“I think we need to move forward. The text is pretty well complete. The map still has things that need worked out,” Vicites said. “We need to adopt the text as soon as possible.” He suggested that after the text is adopted, Tammy Shell, director of the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, could visit each of the municipalities and finalize the zoning maps.
Hardy said he believes the county should put heat on the consultant to complete the text or it will just “drag, drag, drag.” He suggested that the county secure a timeline for completion of the text.
The ordinance will encompass 32 of the county’s 42 municipalities. The other 10 handle their own planning and zoning.
Dave Bukovan of the county planning office said the text is ready to go to the printer.
Commission Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink said the commissioners could either have a special meeting in August or adopt the text of the ordinance at the monthly meeting on Aug. 25.
Zimmerlink pointed out that the consultant’s contract expired last August and to date, $90,000 has been paid toward the new ordinance, all from grant money. There have been delays in adopting the ordinance because the zoning maps have not been finalized. Zimmerlink said the county planning, zoning and community development office did great with the ordinance and met with representatives for 25 out of the 32 municipalities to draw up zoning maps.
Zimmerlink said when the public became aware of the proposed zoning map changes and then complained to their supervisors, some municipal officials wanted to again make changes to the zoning map.
Vicites said moving forward on the text is important, but getting the maps right is also important. “We have to set a timeline,” he said.
No action was taken on a suggestion by Vicites to utilize a portion of a $50,000 grant obtained through the state Department of Community and Economic Development by state Rep. H. William DeWeese (D-Waynesburg) to pay for completion of the ordinance. Vicites said $20,000 of the grant was earmarked for county Web site design, but the scope of work can be changed. Vicites suggested that $10,000 could be used to pay the consultant to complete the ordinance since the money will likely not be used for Web site design.
The commissioners took no action on a bill for $6,690 from Environmental Planning & Design for completion of the work. Zimmerlink said the amount the county needs to spend will likely be less.
The new ordinance will replace one in effect since 1968.
On another matter, Zimmerlink announced that the commissioners are still seeking locations for four magisterial district judge offices. The four offices are for the areas of Hopwood, the Route 166/Route 40 area, the Smithfield Industrial Park area and Route 119 in Dunbar Township.
Zimmerlink said any property owners in those areas offering office space for lease or purchase conducive to the needs of a district judge office should contact either one of the three commissioners, the county manager or the chief clerk.
Vicites said there is a deadline of January 2006 when the space is needed.