What are zoning codes?
Zoning refers to the laws that a borough uses to regulate how land is used. Zoning also helps guide how new or redeveloped land looks and feels. Zoning is one of the most powerful tools a community has to encourage the kind of development it wants.
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When communities in Pennsylvania first created zoning laws more than 90 years ago, the main reason was to reduce harm. Philadelphia adopted zoning in 1933, for instance, to prevent a land owner from building a garbage dump right next to someone’s house, or a factory right next to a daycare.
Over the years, communities have improved zoning to cover more issues and better address local needs. It is also getting easier to understand, as communities work to transform legal jargon into rules accessible to everyone. Today's zoning laws can help a community get the land development and investment its residents want. Local governments and the courts no longer see zoning only as a tool to keep noisy, smelly or dangerous operations away from homes. They now recognize that good zoning regulations can create better communities.
What will rezoning do for our communities?
Crafton last updated its zoning ordinance in 2004. Ingram's zoning dates to 1982. In 2017, the two boroughs worked together to create Crafton-Ingram Thrive, a shared Implementable Comprehensive Plan. The plan suggested that new zoning and maps could help the two boroughs achieve their goals for commercial development, blight and walkability.
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Zoning could help to:
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Reduce run-down properties and spur reinvestment in existing buildings.
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Stimulate the creation or expansion of businesses that serve people living and working in and around the boroughs.
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Preserve the existing architectural character of the communities.
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Make sure new development fits in with nearby uses.
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Allow buildings to be used in more than one way where appropriate, especially living space on the upper floors of businesses.
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Allow for new ventures, such as shared work spaces, work-at-home setups and pop-up businesses.
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Ensure that in public spaces develop in ways that enhance the community.
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Encourage safe and efficient bicycle and pedestrian movement throughout the boroughs and beyond.
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Protect and enhance nature, open space and historic resources.
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Reduce stormwater runoff and improve the quality of groundwater and streams.
Project timeline
The two boroughs appointed volunteers to a project Steering Committee and staged a project kickoff. Residents attended an August 2022 Visioning Workshop to help inform what the zoning update should accomplish, looking at a few targeted locations.
SUMMER 2022
The project team completed a Diagnostic Report to assess existing zoning ordinances in comparison to the vision, goals and objectives contained in Crafton-Ingram Thrive. The Steering Committee contributed to the development of this report and reviewed its results.
FALL/WINTER 2022
SPRING/SUMMER 2023
The project team presented the Steering Committee with preliminary concepts for each proposed new zoning district. The public attended an April 2023 Open House to provide feedback on how the ordinance is shaping up. The project team will continue to work with the committee to develop and refine regulations, then return to the public and officials for a thorough review and comment process before the ordinances will be considered for adoption.