The first comprehensive update to Greensburg’s zoning in decades is nearing completion.
A public open house is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall to share information about the proposal before planners send it to council for approval.
The goal of the update was to make the map easier to understand for residents, businesses and developers, and better reflect the current layout and makeup of Greensburg, said planning and development director Alec Italiano. Over the years, there were overlay districts added to the original map, which made the rules confusing.
Planning staff and Greensburg’s nine-member planning commission have been working with consultants from Mackin Engineering for months on the update. Brian Lawrence, chairman of the commission, said it should help Greensburg grow.
“The city’s comprehensive plan and multiple public engagement efforts uncovered a real need to modernize the zoning ordinance,” he said.
Community members will be able to provide feedback at the open house and hear about the update. The proposed map has seven zones that address the downtown area, residential neighborhoods and gateway corridors, among other areas.
“It’s really making some of those overlay districts permanent and make it easier to understand what you can and cannot do with property in those zones,” he said.
The new map, if approved, will not affect the status of current properties. The work cost about $48,000. Half was paid by a state grant and the remainder by Greensburg.