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Peters Twp. Council to revise zoning plan

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McMURRAY- Peters Township Council should have a better understanding of what its revised zoning plan will look like next month.

Planning Director Ed Zuk told council members at Monday’s meeting that changes are being tweaked and that a public hearing on the changes should be scheduled in September.

The township has been examining the residential portion of its ordinances for ways to accommodate higher-density housing developments. Two options being discussed are mixed residential and conservation residential, both of which would be overlay districts and be incorporated into existing zoning, said Zuk, adding there are a number of developers waiting for the zoning changes so they can proceed with potential projects. It is anticipated the revised ordinances will be ready for adoption in late spring or early summer 2016.

In other business, council learned the update of the township’s comprehensive recreation, parks and open space plan is proceeding and more than 1,200 responses, representing more than 30 percent of Peters residents, were received about what they would like to see done with the space.

“A lot of neighborhood parks are not functioning as neighborhood parks,” said Michael Silvestri, township manager.

One of the chief recommendations was a feasibility study to see if a township swimming pool could indeed become a reality.

Overall, the responses indicated residents want township parks to pop. They suggested enhanced signage, lots of play options, improving existing shelters and adding more parking. In addition, the report suggested making township facilities more accessible to the disabled and being more cognizant of all disabilities.

“Can’t assume that someone won’t use a particular facility because they have a disability,” the report said.

Council also discussed a 2016 draft budget schedule. On Oct. 5, department heads will make presentations to council for capital projects. On Oct. 19, council will hear from department heads about operating items.

Council and township officials will hold budget workshops Nov. 2 and Nov. 16. A public hearing on the budget will be held Dec. 7, with the budget scheduled to be adopted Dec. 21.

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