Officials approve new zoning ordinance

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Union Township supervisors have approved a new zoning ordinance and zoning map.
The new ordinance does not contain any major changes, said consultant Maurice Waltz. The ordinance, however, brings the township into compliance with new state rules.
Notably, the township must allow home-based businesses and logging in every zoning district.
In addition, the new ordinance eliminates several types of zoning districts by combining them. Waltz said, for example, that residential suburban, residential rural and agricultural are now all just in the R-1 category. He said there is no significant difference in what is allowed in the districts.
The new ordinance also has been condensed, and is simpler and shorter, supervisors said.
Airport activity
Louis Perrotta, the Lawrence County Airport Authority solicitor, asked the supervisors to consider zoning the area around the New Castle Airport light industrial so it would be conducive to airport activity.
Supervisor Steve Galizia said zoning of the airport area is not included in the new ordinance and will be done after a meeting to gain input from airport officials and residents.
That meeting has not been set.
Copies of the new ordinance are available for inspection at the township building.