Zoning update to bring significant changes in West Deer

West Deer residents can expect significant changes as a new zoning ordinance progresses, completely overhauling the zoning map.

The new ordinance draft is not yet accessible to the public.

“This is a very comprehensive zoning update. Many new definitions have arrived, and an entirely new zoning district was created,” township solicitor Gavin Robb said. “There will be some residents whose properties will be rezoned.”

Robb said owners of the rezoned properties will not have to change their plans if they are in the process of making changes to their property. The new ordinance, however, would affect future changes to the rezoned properties.

Supervisor David Harrison expressed concerns about residents having enough time to provide feedback before the township finalizes the ordinance for public release.

To address this, the township planned to make the draft “informally” public by next month’s meeting, scheduled for Aug. 16, to allow residents to provide comments.

In situations where the entire zoning map will be rezoned, the township is not legally required to mail a notice to residents to inform them, Robb said.

The township will send out its annual newsletter by mail to residents in September, and officials hope to include information on the new zoning ordinance.

Officials plan to include information in the newsletter about a suggested recommendation to view the new zoning map on the township’s website.

Harrison also expressed concerns about the wording of short-term rentals in the zoning draft and a planned residential development moving to the R1 zone. The draft states that a property must have at least 3 acres to host a short-term rental.

“Three acres is too large of an area. It eliminates the possibility for others to make extra income,” Harrison said.

Short-term rentals will be further discussed in upcoming meetings.

The new zoning ordinance has been in the works for more than three years. After eight months of intensive work and revisions by the planning commission, a final recommendation on the changes was reached in June.

In other business, the Crest Street Bridge project was awarded to Gary Metzinger, the lowest bidder, at a cost of $272,700. One side of the bridge will be open during construction for residents to access their homes.