North Buffalo Supervisors Consider Re-Zoning

by Jonathan Weaver

North Buffalo Township residents’ complaints about wrongfully zoned properties and it may lead to some serious action.

Both homeowners and township supervisors are getting confused over the laws, which might lead to re-zoned properties.

At the township supervisor’s February 14 meeting, supervisors heard arguments from Zoning Hearing Board Chairman Craig Goshow about zoning deficiencies, the latest one being after a homeowner applied for a variance to establish a business in a residential segment. The business would establish private and commercial boat docks.

“This thing hasn’t worked since it was put into place,” Goshow said. “It’s been hurting people instead of helping them and taking money from people. Nothing’s happened to change it in over three-year time.

Goshow hinted at even resigning his leadership position if the rules aren’t changed and proposed the ordinance be temporarily repealed.

Township Supervisor David Wolfe said action needs to be taken.

“If there is a problem, then that’s correct it. We can redefine the ordinance and make it a multi-use area, which would meet the guidelines and criteria the people that own the property down there,” Wolfe said. “I think we should make it easier so that we don’t have our residents and taxpayers have to pour out $500 to even make their argument.”

Wolfe also cited another variance proposal that was brought before the hearing board since his supervisor tenure began in October as to why supervisors can’t ignore this issue.

While revamping the entire ordinance would solve various problems, Township Attorney Charles Pascal, Jr. said the process would take several months and not solve the current issue.

“It doesn’t solve this guy’s purpose while we are going meeting after meeting after meeting looking over the map,” Pascal said. “If there are specific parts you want to repeal, repeal parts of it, don’t repeal it all.”

Wolfe and Pascal agreed supervisors have the power to repeal the entire zoning ordinance, based on what changes can be made immediately, but Wolfe agreed it is better to address each individual issue to keep laws in place.

“I was sitting here thinking and maybe we don’t want to repeal everything and then we’re lawless versus taking parts of it and redefining them and address those areas – you might have to do it throughout the whole municipality, but if you take it in segments like that, it may be better suited.”

Supervisor Gary Klingensmith said hearing board members are trying to make each land parcel fair, but have to rely on hindsight, as well.

“It’s very confusing when you’re trying to draw those up, what to put where, and I knew very little about it –I’ve never been on a zoning board – but my hats are off to them because they were there and trying to put something together,” Kligensmith said.

Goshow said the current ordinance restricts township expansion into commercial businesses.

“This whole ordinace is not geared toward a rural township,” Goshow said. “I agree that there needs to be a zoning ordinance and protection, but at some point, we’re going to develop here.”

Klingensmith said zoning and proper communication officials need to communicate before this issue starts to effect individuals personally.

“There has to be some communication between the two,” Klingensmith said. “There hasn’t been in the past and I think that’s the biggest problem.”

Zoning members, supervisors and planning commission officials will meet Tuesday, February 22 at a workshop to discuss the ordinance and possible changes. The meeting will be held at the municipal building at 7PM.