Issues such as how tall a fence can be or where a shed, garage or swimming pool can be placed are governed by zoning.
In Hampton this year, residents can have a rare say in rewriting regulations that cover those things and more as the township sets about the first major update and rewrite of its zoning and land use ordinances in more than 20 years.
“The zoning ordinance is our main township law that tells people what they can and cannot do on their property. It’s a very important document,” said Amanda Lukas, land use administrator for Hampton. “It’s something that concerns the entire community and anyone that owns property in Hampton Township.”
The first public involvement opportunity will be Friday, May 9, during this year’s first “Pints in the Park” event, scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. at Hampton Community Park.
Lukas said they also plan to do something during Community Day on July 3.
“We really ask people to weigh in,” Lukas said. “Zoning is something that can have a tremendous impact on peoples’ day-to-day lives. This is people’s chance to be a part of the process and help us design the regulations. I hope they take that opportunity.”
As more public meetings and events are scheduled, they will be listed on a section of the township’s website at hampton-pa.org devoted to the project. The draft of the updated ordinance will be posted there when it is finished.
Updating the township’s zoning ordinance will shape the community for the next 20-to-30 years, township Manager Ryan Jeroski said.
“This is really a once-in-a-generation undertaking, and is a chance for our residents to look around our community, see what they like, see what they don’t like about how the township has developed and offer their thoughts,” he said. “Admittedly, we cannot incorporate every vision or desire into the zoning ordinance. However, our current zoning ordinance was adopted at a time when the township was still growing. Now we are looking at redevelopment or reuse of existing building and parcels, and this new ordinance will reflect that.”
The rewrite of the ordinances stems from the township’s 2021 comprehensive plan and incorporating the goals that were identified.
“Those goals were things like improving connectivity, adding trails, improving the appearance of our commercial corridor, making permitting easier and protecting the township’s environmental and natural resources,” Lukas said.
Hampton has hired a consulting firm, Pittsburgh-based Strategic Solutions, at a cost of about $108,500 to help with the drafting, review and presentation of a new zoning ordinance, subdivision and land development ordinance and map. A 12-member steering committee includes Lukas and representatives of the township council, zoning hearing board, planning commission, environmental advisory council, economic advisory board and school district.
While Hampton’s comprehensive plan is the vision, the zoning ordinance is the local law that implements it, said John Trant, president and CEO of Strategic Solutions.
“Nobody cares about zoning until they do. That usually happens when there is a proposal for a land use that’s inconsistent with the vision residents have of their community,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to do all we can with engaging residents in the process. This is an opportunity to provide input and feedback on where this new zoning ordinance is headed. This will regulate all future use of land in the township.”
Common complaints from residents and businesses about regulations in the existing zoning ordinance and the provisions most often appealed have been provided to Strategic Solutions, with the goal of remedying some of those difficulties in the new ordinance, Jeroski said.
“If this leads to less zoning appeals for our residents and businesses, this will save them both time and money when doing relatively simple updates to their properties,” he said.
At Pints in the Park, residents can learn about the project, what zoning is and why it’s important to get involved, and identify things they like and don’t like in the community, Trant said.
“We can draft the new ordinance in a way that continues more of what residents like and try to discourage what’s not desirable,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for residents to provide feedback and identify locations they want us to look at specifically, and for us to explain why zoning is important to the health and vitality of the community.”
The work is expected to be done by the end of the year, Lukas said.
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A detailed overview of the project is available on the township’s website.
Feedback or suggestions for changes to the zoning ordinance or subdivision and land development ordinance can be submitted by email to zoningordinance@hampton-pa.org or via a form on the website.