McCandless zoning and land use ordinances headed for updates

Zoning and land ordinances in McCandless will get a major overhaul in 2022, bringing the land use code book up-to-date, partly with the public’s help.

The McCandless Complete Zoning and Land Development Ordinance Modernization project should simplify zoning laws regulations and make them more user friendly and easier to understand, according to RJ Susko, planning and development administrator for the township.

The zoning and land development code has not received a major update since its original adoption in the late 1970s. The 300-plus page document, which can be accessed on the township website, isn’t user-friendly and can feel overwhelming, she said.

“I”m hopeful this is a robust public process that everyone can be involved in. We want to throw the doors open,” she said.

Council on Nov. 22 approved Michael Baker International LLC to undertake the update at a cost of $93,000. The firm expects to complete it in about one year, according to Susko.

In seeking proposals from companies interested in doing the work, the township stated that the zoning and ordinance rules “more or less no longer fit a community that demands sustainable planning and smart redevelopment.”

Michael Baker was chosen because of the firm’s experience and abilities to tackle such a project, according to Township Manager Robert Grimm. The firm will work with township staff and a steering committee to do major modifications to zoning and land development ordinances, he said.

“The combination of their expertise, their financial elements with the proposal and the overall tone was impressive,” Grimm said.

He said they “were able to exhibit a great deal of expertise” in what the township wants to accomplish.

Susko provided some examples of new needs in today’s community, including how working at home has changed. Today, a resident could operate an online Etsy store from home that would require the storage of inventory a residence. The current zoning laws do not account these situations, Susko said.

Another example of changing needs are requests to add “mother-in-law suites,” or accessory dwelling units, and conversion apartments.

People want to build an apartment on their single-family home lot, such as above the garage. It’s not an apartment being leased, but for a family resident. Current ordinances don’t allow this, Susko said.

An updated zoning ordinance also should address older subdivisions created under less strict dimensional requirements, she said. Many of these regulations probably made sense 30 years ago when they were made but now they don’t.

The zoning hearing board often receives requests from residents and businesses for exemptions or modifications to the zoning laws and ordinances, which the board may recommend to council for final approval. While many zoning regulations would not allow some changes for residential requests, she said the townshipmakes “common sense accommodations.”

The township worked with the public to create A McCandless Conversation Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2019. Public feedback focused on improvement in active transportation and connectivity, community activities, green space and sustainability, redevelopment, and community identity and public engagement.

Zoning and land ordinances play a part in supporting these roles.

The zoning and land ordinance modernization project should be a community-wide effort and allow for conversations with the public and private sector, Susko said. The township will seek feedback as the plan is developed.

Michael Baker will assist township staff in distributing information to the community about the project and final product, according to the proposal.

People wanting additional updates should consult McCandless and Me! on the township website, Susko said, or at mccandlessandme.com.

“Let us rethink how we zone and why,” she said. “It’s time to get with the times.”

She is very hopeful this can be a new friendly way of looking at zoning.

“I’m a big believer of showing you can reimagine things,” she said.