Greensburg plans zoning review for 1st time in 30 years

Greensburg is planning to revamp its zoning ordinance.

It’ll be the first review of the city’s zoning ordinance in about 30 years, said Alec Italiano, director of planning and development.

“There’s been a lot of Band-Aids put on the current code,” he said.

City officials are seeking proposals from consultants to examine the current ordinance and find ways to improve it. They hope to revise the zoning map to better reflect Greensburg’s layout and provide some continuity with rules in neighboring municipalities.

The process will include gathering information and opinions from members of the public, Italiano said.

Revamping the zoning ordinance was a recommendation made in the comprehensive plan completed in 2022. Much of the ordinance is outdated, said Mayor Robb Bell.

“We have a bunch of areas in the city that need rezoned,” he said. “We just want to take a look at it, to make it a little bit more developable.”

Councilman Gregory Mertz said officials want to look at continuity in areas that border neighboring municipalities and possibly adjust the city’s zoning to match. There are some commercial buildings in areas zoned residential and neighborhoods that are zoned industrial, he and Italiano said.

Italiano hopes the new ordinance will be easier to understand for those who need to abide by it.

“It’s hard for the developers to interpret,” he said.

A $58,000 municipal assistance program grant to fund the project was accepted by city council Monday. Proposals from consultants are being accepted until March 7. Italiano said a contract could be brought before council for a vote in April.