Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments September 2020 Swissvale Zoning

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments September 2020

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • What are we proposing? • A comprehensive review of Ordinance #17 -01, the Swissvale Borough Zoning Ordinance.

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Why are we undertaking this process? • To address offensive language in the current zoning ordinance. • To address residents concerns with onerous processes for the keeping of chickens and bees. • To address issues that have come up since the adoption of this Ordinance in February 2017 that have been identified by the staff and Planning Commission members. • The Planning Commission is not being asked to make and recommendations on anything tonight. This is just a discussion session to introduce the topic of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Offensive Language • There is language in the definition section of the Zoning Ordinance when attempting to define sexual activities and sexual encounter centers that needs re-written as it is offensive.

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Urban Agriculture • Many residents have inquired about their ability to raise chickens and bees on their property. The way the current ordinance is written, Urban Agriculture is treated as a Conditional Use which requires: • • • Application to the Planning Commission Payment of $750. 00 Application Fee Meeting with the Planning Commission Hold a Public Hearing Before Council renders a decision at a future meeting

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Urban Agriculture • Payment of high fee which was designed to cover the costs of the process and the hearing. • Minimum of 90 – 120 days to complete the process. • Proposing to streamline this process by possibly moving these items to a separate ordinance to greatly reduce the fees and the timeframe for approval.

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Issues with Zoning Ordinance since adoption: • Definitions – Many uses are not defined in the Zoning Ordinance which causes interpretation issues. Some are defined but not listed in the Table of Principal and Accessory Uses. Other definitions contain offensive or suggestive language. • Table of Principal an Accessory Uses – Needs reviewed and potentially revised. • Differentiation between Sidewalk Dining and Outdoor Dining and clarifying the process for each. • Review parking requirements in the Central Business District and for all commercial uses.

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Issues with Zoning Ordinance since adoption (Cont. ): • Review the Wireless Communications Facility section to assure compliance with recent Case Law and better differentiation between the different types of Wireless Communications Facilities. • Review and revise section of Fencing to replicate the prior Zoning Ordinance. • Clarify Clear Site Triangle. • Open Burning – In Table of Contents but not the body of the ordinance – Verify all sections exist as shown. • Other Issues?

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Timeframe • September 17, 2020 – Initial Meeting to Discuss • October 16, 2020 – Swissvale staff to provide first draft of amendments to Planning Commission members • October 22, 2020 – Planning Commission meeting to discuss draft amendents (Planning Commission members can vote to send these amendments forward to Council of schedule another meeting for further discussion. • November 19, 2020 – Subsequent Planning Commission meeting if necessary. • Council will receive recommendation from Planning Commission and schedule a Public Hearing.

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments • Timeframe (Page 2) • All proposed amendments sent to Allegheny County for their review as is required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. • Council will hold a Public Hearing. • Council will advertise an Ordinance to adopt amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. • Council can adopt the amendments at any subsequent business meeting. • Adoption of amendments: January – March 2021.

Swissvale Zoning Ordinance Amendments Questions?