Marshall supervisors table overlay rezoning vote until July 28

Discussion and a possible vote on the repealing and adoption of changes to Marshall’s zoning ordinances that would create an overlay district along Route 910 was tabled until the next township supervisors meeting at 7 p.m. July 28.

A public hearing was held June 2 for the proposed Route 910 Transition Overlay District, situated in an area of significant growth and development.

Three of the five supervisors were present at the July 7 meeting, which is sufficient for making a vote, but the board felt it was best to have full representation on such an important topic.

“We will not be voting on this this evening because we are down to three supervisors and we want to have a full board,” said Thomas Madigan, president of the board.

Noted outgoing township Manager Julie Bastianini: “While three members must be present to represent a quorem and vote on items, the board felt it was best to table action on the zoning and (subdivision and land development) ordinances until a meeting when the full board was present, in order to have robust discussion and consideration of the ordinances.”

The township is proposing an overlay district, which would be applied over a base zoning district to establish additional standards on top of existing rules.

The proposed RTO district would be approximately 10 acres east of the Eat’n Park restaurant on the southern side of State Route 910 and about 5 acres east of Mingo Road on the northern side of State Route 910, Bastianini said.

Bastianini, whose resignation was accepted June 2, is expected to start as manager of Fox Chapel in mid- to late July.

The ordinance being voted upon would specifically repeal chapters 208 and 174 of the township’s code of ordinances and zoning. Then the supervisors would vote to adopt new versions of these same chapters with the proposed zoning modifications.

The ordinance updates aim to provide greater clarity and guidelines for land use and development.

In addition to Madigan, Vice Chairman Robert Edwards and Supervisor Jason Bragunier were present at the July 7 meeting. Jack Candek and James Tracey were unable to attend.

Tracey was voted in at the June 2 meeting to fill the remaining term of former Supervisor Philip Troy, who recently moved out of the township.

Route 910, also known as Wexford Bayne Road, is the only major east-west route connecting neighboring communities with Interstate 79, according to the Marshall Township comprehensive plan, with an increase in development over the years.

A reconfiguration of the I-79 interchange, located off Route 910, is supposed to begin this coming year by PennDOT.

Also tabled was an ordinance on a new chapter of the code of ordinances regarding timber harvesting. Township Solicitor Blaine Lucas recommended to table it because it can be addressed with the proposed rezoning ordinances.